Himalaya only · Saver trips from ₹7,500
Try "Spiti", "snow leopard", "Char Dham", "homestay", "Tiger's Nest"
Comfort Kumaon · Unhurried
Six easy nights around Kumaon's lakes for families: three in Nainital at The Naini Retreat above the lake, three by the quieter waters of Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal. Boats, the ropeway, a short ridge walk, Jim Corbett's house at Kaladhungi, kayaking and a dawn birding walk at Sattal, with a private car and short drives.
Photo: Skalvanov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsKumaon's lake district is the easiest Himalayan holiday for children. Kathgodam station is 35 km from Nainital and 22 km from Bhimtal, drives are short, and every day has water, boats or forest. We keep travel under two hours on any day, choose hotels with space to run around, and leave afternoons free for rest.
The first three nights are in Nainital, at The Naini Retreat on the Ayarpata slope, above the noise of the Mall. The car takes you down to the lake when you want it and back up when legs are tired. The second half moves to Bhimtal or Naukuchiatal, where the pace is slower: kayaks, paddle boats, a lakeside walk and an early birding walk at Sattal for curious children.
Sleeping altitude, night by night
Red points are nights above 3,000 m. We pace those climbs by the usual advice of no more than 300–500 m of sleeping height a day. This is not medical advice: talk to your doctor before a high trip. Try the altitude planner.
Day by day
Your driver meets you at Kathgodam station, usually off the Shatabdi around midday. The road climbs through Jeolikote's forest to Nainital in about 1.5 hours; we stop for tea if anyone feels queasy. Check in at The Naini Retreat on the Ayarpata slope and rest. In the late afternoon, the car drops you at the Mall for a gentle lakeside walk and an early dinner.
About NainitalStart with a rowing boat across the lake to the Naina Devi temple while it is calm. Walk across the Flats, where the 1880 landslip happened, and ride the ropeway to Snow View. Children enjoy the walk down through the forest, about 45 minutes. Afternoon free at the hotel; in the evening, browse Mallital for candles and woollens.
About NainitalDrive down the Kaladhungi road through oak, pine and then sal forest, about 1,500 m lower in 35 km. Visit the Jim Corbett Museum at Chhoti Haldwani, his old winter home, with his furniture, maps of the man-eater hunts and the graves of his dogs in the garden. Stop at the Corbett waterfall nearby if it is open. Return to Nainital for a quiet evening.
About NainitalCheck out after breakfast. On a weekday, stop at Kainchi Dham, 17 km away, to see the temple by the Shipra stream; skip it on weekends and around 15 June. Continue via Bhowali to Bhimtal and check into a lakeside hotel. In the late afternoon, walk the lake road to the dam and the Bhimeshwar shrine.
About Bhimtal and SattalDrive to Naukuchiatal for a morning on the water: kayaks for older children and adults, paddle boats for the rest, all with life jackets. After lunch, take a boat to the island aquarium in Bhimtal lake. Teenagers who want more can try a tandem paragliding flight in dry months with a licensed operator, at extra cost.
About Bhimtal and SattalAn early start for those who want it: a local birding guide leads a two-hour walk on the Sattal forest road, pointing out blue magpies, barbets and kingfishers. Return for a late breakfast. Spend the rest of the day at the hotel, or visit the Sattal Christian Ashram and sit by the lakes with a picnic.
About Bhimtal and SattalA relaxed morning, then the short drive down to Kathgodam station, 45 minutes from Bhimtal. We time the departure for your train, with a buffer for traffic, and stop for kafal or local fruit in season on the way.
About Bhimtal and SattalWhere you sleep
Photo: Utkarshsingh.1992 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Mid
A heritage hotel on the Ayarpata slopes above Naini lake, once a residence of the Maharaja of Pilibhit, run by Lei…
Questions
Yes. It is close to the railhead, has boats, a ropeway and easy walks, and is under 2,100 m. Pairing it with calmer Bhimtal gives children space and parents rest.
The price is ₹42,000 per person on twin sharing. Children sharing a room with parents usually cost much less; we quote exact child rates by age and hotel when you enquire.
All ages. Toddlers enjoy boats and gardens; older children enjoy kayaking, the ropeway and birding. Paragliding is only for older teenagers, with operator rules.
Yes, it is included. A private car makes short drives easy with children and luggage, and lets you avoid Nainital's crowded taxi stands.
March to June and September to December. School holidays in May and June are busiest; October and the Christmas break are calmer with clear views.
Yes. Add two nights at Mukteshwar for orchards and cliffs, or Ranikhet for the regimental museum and Chaubatia orchards. Both are about 2 hours from Nainital.
It has gardens and space away from the Mall's traffic, which suits families. Some areas involve steps on the slope. We request rooms that suit your family.
The Shatabdi from New Delhi takes about six hours and arrives around midday. Overnight trains and Roadways buses are alternatives. We can advise on booking.
Hotels serve Indian and continental dishes and can make simple food on request. Try Kumaoni dishes like aloo ke gutke and bal mithai along the way.
More from Kumaon
Photo: Travelling Slacker · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Shared taxis and jeeps, with two shared private-cab legs
Photo: ParthaPratimNath · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Saver
Shared taxis and jeeps
Photo: Krishan09 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Comfort
Private car with driver
Plan with a local planner
We reply within one working day with a route, a sleeping-altitude profile and an itemised price in your tier. Change anything. Pay nothing until you are sure.