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Rocky crags of Chauli Ki Jali in the foreground with ridge after ridge of blue hills fading into haze beyond
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Photo: ParthaPratimNath · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day planslow travellersnaturerelaxed

One day in Mukteshwar — the temple, Chauli Ki Jali and the institute

A slow one-day plan in Mukteshwar: the Shiva temple at the top of the ridge, the Chauli Ki Jali cliffs and the veterinary institute's museum and cold room.
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A day on foot on the Mukteshwar ridge: the Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple, the cliffs of Chauli Ki Jali and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute. All three are within about 2 minutes of the town centre on our routing, so the day is slow by design.

Photos: ParthaPratimNath (CC BY-SA 4.0) · ArmouredCyborg (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Who this is for

Visitors who want quiet, views and a little history, on a day with clear weather.

Day by day

Day 1

A day on the ridge

3 stops · 3 min on the road

The temple and the cliffs in the morning light, then the institute's museum and a slow afternoon.

  1. 08:30
    Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple
    temple · 1 min from Mukteshwar · about 45 min there
    The Shiva temple at the highest point of the town, a short walk from the centre.
  2. ↓ a short walk
    10:00
    Chauli Ki Jali
    viewpoint · 2 min from Mukteshwar · about 40 min there
    The overhanging cliffs next to the temple, with views over the valleys.
  3. ↓ a short walk
    12:30
    Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteshwar
    viewpoint · 1 min from Mukteshwar · about 45 min there
    The hill campus with the museum and the 1900 cold room; ask at the gate about visiting.

Getting there

Mukteshwar is about 50 km from Nainital on our routing; see how to reach Mukteshwar for the table, when to visit for the season and things to do in Mukteshwar for more.

Where to stay

Stay in Mukteshwar. We have no verified lodging, prices or booking rules.

Know before you go

  • Go in dry weather; fog and rain make the cliffs and the road risky.
  • We have no verified opening hours or entry rules; ask locally.
  • Carry a warm layer in every season.

Places on this route

Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple — the Shiva shrine that names the town
Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple — the Shiva shrine that names the town
temple · 1 min from Mukteshwar
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteshwar — Koch's microscope and the 1900 cold room
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteshwar — Koch's microscope and the 1900 cold room
viewpoint · 1 min from Mukteshwar
Chauli Ki Jali — the cliffs for climbing and valley views
Chauli Ki Jali — the cliffs for climbing and valley views
viewpoint · 2 min from Mukteshwar

Going together

No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.

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More places nearby

All of Mukteshwar →
Bhimtal Lake
Bhimtal Lake
lake · 17 km away

Nearby destinations

All destinations →
The town of Almora spread across a terraced ridge under a blue sky with clouds
Almora
13 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places
Rows of boats with red cushioned seats moored on Nainital Lake, with forested hills across the water
Nainital
20 km away · 2 itineraries · 5 places
A wide panorama of forested ridges below a long line of snow-capped Himalayan peaks seen from Ranikhet
Ranikhet
28 km away · 2 itineraries · 3 places
A long line of snow-capped Himalayan peaks rising above layered blue ridges and green hills seen from Kausani
Kausani
41 km away · 1 itineraries · 2 places
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Questions people ask

How long do you need in Mukteshwar?

One day covers the temple, the cliffs and the institute, since all three are within about 2 minutes of the town centre on our routing. Many visitors stay a night for the sunrise and the views. Allow extra time to reach the town, about 50 km and 107 minutes from Nainital by road.

Can you rock climb at Chauli Ki Jali?

Wikipedia says the cliffs are used for rock climbing and rappelling, and that the sport may be a little risky on rainy days. Wikivoyage says resorts can arrange it. We have no verified operators or rules, so use a registered operator with proper equipment, and go in dry weather.

When is the best time for this plan?

Dry, clear days, which in Wikipedia's table means October and November, and March to May. The monsoon months of July to September bring heavy rain and fog, and snow is occasional in December and January. Check the weather and the road before you drive up from Nainital.