Bhimtal

1–2 daysBest: Mar–Jun, Sep–NovLakes#boating#offbeat#weekend

Bigger, quieter lake than Nainital

Why this weekend?

Bhimtal Lake islandKarkotaka templeCafes by the lake

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The big lake
- Island boat morning
- Lakeside lunch
- Karkotak temple
- Badi lake rim
- Sunset promenade
Day 2 · The lake loop
- Sattal birding morning
- Naukuchiatal boating
- Nainital add-on or departure

Geography & terrain

Bhimtal sits at about 1,370 m in the Kumaon hills of Nainital district, Uttarakhand — a lakeside town around the largest lake of the region (its water body more than double Nainital's), strung on the ridge roads 22 km north of Nainital and 330 km from Delhi, with the lake's island, eucalyptus fringes and hills cascading behind it.

History & culture

Named after Bhima of the Mahabharata — the lake's long boulder is linked to the Pandava's resting stone — the town's modern story began as a British-era hill retreat (the haveli-era lodges and the 19th-century lake-girt Badi lake above it); its quiet growth as Nainital's calmer sibling, with the island's aquarium and the Karkotak temple on the far shore, rounds the identity.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Bhimtal island
Lakeside promenade
Karkotak temple
Badi lake
Sattal cluster

Eat & drink

Kafuli (spinach curry)
Bhatt ki dal (black soybean)
Aloo ke gutke
Bal mithai (Almora sweet)

Getting there

Fly: Dehradun (DED)
Train: Haridwar, Kathgodam, Dehradun stations
Road from Delhi: 250–450 km depending on valley
Getting around: Shared taxis and buses on hill roads

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹3,000–8,000 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities: ₹700–1,100

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Connectivity: Patchy in high valleys — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The island boats stop in the evenings — take them by early afternoon
Sattal's lakes need a car — the walk-ups are steep
March–June and September–November are the clean-window seasons; winter is crisp and cold

Frequently asked questions

Is Bhimtal better than Nainital?

For peace, space and lakeside cafes — most visitors find it the calmer, more modern base; Nainital has the mall-road bustle.

Can I stay and commute to Nainital?

Yes — 45 minutes apart, day trips work both ways.

How do I reach Bhimtal?

Buses and taxis from Kathgodam (30 km) and Nainital; the road is lined with lake towns.