February 2019
Image Source: freepik.com
The Nainital-Mussoorie belt is one of the popular choices to visit during summer holidays. A laid back itinerary and scenic beauty along the road journey, makes it an ideal destination to break away from the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolitans. The in-between distance is up to 6-8 hours, so we stayed for 3 nights each at both the locations and skipped Jim Corbett (usually clubbed with these) – this allowed us to get a feel of the place rather than continuous packing and unpacking. The roads are good, the weather is pleasant, the place is small and the soul feels beatific.
Following are a few must do’s when you are there.
Walk At The Camel Back Road, Mussoorie
We discovered this road through Tripadvisor, featured at the top in Mussoorie’s tourist attractions. This is a 3-km long road and it is named as Camel Back, due to the presence of a natural layout of rocks, in the shape of a camel’s hump towards the end of the road. Early mornings and evenings are a good time to be here. There are small tea stalls that offer snacks also. There are rest points on the way, where you can spend some time viewing the mesmerising Doon valley. It is peaceful as no vehicles are allowed, and you are completely one with nature. This is one experience that I would want to relive.
Shopping At Mussoorie
At Mussoorie Mall Road, everything is stylish and trendy. What I loved about this market was that whatever be the item and whichever vendor you ask, they have uniform pricing. Initially, I thought it was mythical, but as I moved from shop to shop, I realised that barring a difference of some odd Rs. 50, the items had a uniform price tag. Certainly, a shopper’s paradises as you only need to select – no price comparisons and no bargaining.
Eating At The Little Lama, Mussoorie
A small cafe style joint in Mussoorie, I got attracted to this place due to its name. ‘Little Lama’- what thought behind the name – peace imbibed within. We chose to go on the top floor where the small balcony opens into the valley. Italian and Mexican cuisines are my favourite and what they offered was too good. We enjoyed our Nachos and Penne Arabiatta. Indeed a space to unbend by the scenery and just gaze as you eat.
Scenic Sunsets
Usually tourist destinations have sunset points, but I regard Mussoorie as a sunset destination. The setting sun, painting the sky peach is visible from everywhere; in fact I could see the same from my hotel deck. The best thing about Mussoorie is you don’t have much to do, giving you ample of ‘Me-time’. We stayed at the Royal Orchid Fort Resort, a little away from the market, with luxury interiors and a well-designed outer area. They had hammocks where one can just lie and see the colours of the sky as the sun sets. Even a non-nature lover cannot escape the charm of the sunset here.
Ice Cream In Nainital
Similar to Mussoorie, even Nainital has a Mall Road. Here the road runs parallel to the Naini Lake, and is a key passage for anyone who needs to come in or go out of Nainital. Limited vehicles are permitted on the stretch and there are railings throughout clearly demarking the stretch with lined shops on one side and Naini lake on the other. There are small sitting areas spread evenly on the road. Ice creams from softies to sundaes are available and it is a treat to eat them in the chilling weather, looking at the picturesque Naini Lake. I had shopped enough at Mussoorie Mall Road so here I settled for my ice cream eating routine – simple is peaceful.
Boating At The Nainital Lake
If you are at Nainital, boating at the lake is ineluctable. It is as if the lake keeps calling to you. There are paddle boats as well as rowing boats available and the best time to visit would be an hour before sunset. The breeze cuts through the monotony and helps you unwind. Yet another experience that de-stresses in the lap of nature.
Drive To Bhimtal
Bhimtal is situated at an altitude of 1,370 meters above sea level and is about 22 kilometers from Nainital. We took a half day trip to Bhimtal and back, what a drive through the curvaceous mountain roads. The valley views did not leave us from start till the end with tall trees spread evenly on the mountains. Bhimtal boasts of adventure sports though they were not operational when we visited. Travelling in that stretch feels more like a luxury.
Feel Spiritual At Naini Devi Temple
It was off my list when we reached Nainital as we did not hold any information about the traditions there. But as I mentioned, the attitude there is of lethargy, you don’t have much to do so we thought of visiting the temple (a key attraction as per travel sites). The moment I stepped in, the temple embraced me. Clean, divine, spiritual all feelings merge at this one temple that opens into the Naini Lake. What attracted me was a small nursery at the entrance; those plants were pretty and symbolised the virtues of nurture and care.
Visiting The High Altitude Nainital Zoo
Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo is a high altitude zoo situated in Nainital, Uttarakhand. It is situated on the Sher Ka Danda hill at a height of 6,900 ft. above sea-level and is spread over 11 acres. It is the only High Altitude Zoo in north India, besides those in Darjeeling and Sikkim. The climb was exhausting and the slopes steep, but the fatigue was completely worth as we saw bears playing in open space, a koala tucked in his man-made house, two leopards roaming in their cage, a Bengal tiger walking ferociously inside his enclosure, a beautiful peacock and many more. I am not an animal lover but I loved the zoo and my children were spellbound as they saw an ‘Animal Planet’ going on for real.
Go Birding
Both in Nainital and Mussoorie you need not go birding. The birds come to you. I regret that I am a poor photographer and unable to justify my experience with some exotic species that were right outside my room. At Nainital we stayed at Naini Retreat with a small colony style feel, where all the rooms opened to a common garden area, decorated with pebbles and a small fountain. The panes were wooden and English style, white painted around the glass windows and room doors that too opened in the common area. Even at Mussoorie while I took my early morning stroll, a purple, a yellow, a red bird were a sight to see though I could not click or identify. For someone who is a thorough in this field, it would be a blissful experience. I would suggest one should read a little on these birds before the trip.
These tourist destinations allow you to meet your natural self and make you appreciate the beauty of a ‘pause’ to stand and gaze’. Are there more things one can do in Nainital and Mussoorie? Let us know in the comments below.
If you’re looking for something adventurous to do this summer, why don’t you head to one of these white water rafting places in India.
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