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Rows of boats with red cushioned seats moored on Nainital Lake, with forested hills across the water
Day planFirst visitleisurebalanced

One day in Nainital — the lake, the Naina Devi Temple and Kainchi Dham

A one-day Nainital plan: the lake and its boats, the Naina Devi Temple on the north shore, then the Kainchi Dham ashram on the Almora road. Free to copy.
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Photo: Praveen Singh Bisht · CC BY 2.0

A balanced day that covers the heart of town and one drive out: the lake in the morning, the Naina Devi Temple at its north end, and Kainchi Dham in the afternoon. The two-day plan adds Bhimtal and Sattal.

Timing is in when to visit Nainital, and the stops are in things to do in Nainital.

Photos: Praveen Singh Bisht (CC BY 2.0) · Photographer Praveen Singh Bisht (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Who this is for

First-time visitors with one day, who want the lake and the temple and one outing, and do not mind a drive on a hill road.

Day by day

Day 1

The lake, the temple, then the ashram

The lakeside in the morning, the temple at its north end, and the Almora road in the afternoon.

  1. 09:00
    Nainital Lake
    lake · 10 min from Nainital · about 1 h 30 min there
    Walk the Mall Road and take a boat while the water is calm. Agree the boat price first.
  2. ↓ a short walk
    11:30
    Naina Devi Temple
    temple · 10 min from Nainital · about 45 min there
    The Shakti shrine at the north end of the lake; go quietly and cover shoulders and knees.
  3. ↓ 45 min by road · 20 km
    14:30
    Kainchi Dham
    temple · 43 min from Nainital · about 1 h there
    Neem Karoli Baba's ashram and Hanuman temple, 43 minutes out on the Almora road. Avoid weekends if you can.

Getting there

Nainital is about 280 km from Delhi on our routing, 5 hours free-flow, and about 36 km and 80 minutes from Kathgodam station. See how to reach Nainital.

Where to stay

Nainital has the rooms, around the lake and the Mall Road. We have no verified room rates; ask when you book.

Know before you go

  • Do Kainchi Dham last and leave town by early afternoon; it is a drive of about 43 minutes each way.
  • We have no verified boat prices or temple hours; ask on the day.
  • Kainchi Dham is crowded at weekends and on 15 June, the foundation-day fair, so avoid those if you can.

Places on this route

Naina Devi Temple, Nainital
Naina Devi Temple, Nainital
temple · 10 min from Nainital
Nainital Lake
Nainital Lake
lake · 10 min from Nainital
Kainchi Dham, Nainital
Kainchi Dham, Nainital
temple · 43 min from Nainital

Other ways to do it

All Nainital itineraries →
Two days in Nainital — the lakes, Kainchi Dham and Sattal
1 night · 2 days · First visitleisure
Two days in Nainital — the lakes, Kainchi Dham and Sattal
A two-day Nainital plan: the lake, the Naina Devi Temple and Kainchi Dham on day one, then Bhimtal Lake and the seven lakes of Sattal on day two. Free to copy.
Best Mar–Jun · Oct–Nov
See the plan →

Questions people ask

Is one day enough for Nainital?

Yes for the lake, the temple and one outing. The lake and the temple are in town, and Kainchi Dham is 43 minutes out on the Almora road. It leaves out Bhimtal and Sattal, which are about 47 and 49 minutes east and are covered by the two-day plan, which gives them a morning of their own.

What is the best order for the day?

The lake first, when the water is calm and the Mall Road is quiet, then the Naina Devi Temple at the north end, and Kainchi Dham after lunch. Doing the drive in the afternoon lets you return to town before dark, which matters because the road down is a hill road.

Can you do this as a day trip from Kathgodam or Haldwani?

Yes, though it is a long day. Nainital is about 36 km and 80 minutes from Kathgodam on our routing, and Haldwani is about 43 km and 90 minutes away. Leave early, and plan the return before dark, since the hill roads are slow in rain and after sunset.