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Delhi to Nainital by Car |
Greetings to all senior Ghumakkar members. After reading so much in Ghumakkar I planned to sketch down my family vacations during summer break. Children and I (thanks to my teaching job) are free during summer vacations. Travel bug start inspiring me for travelling, as I am travel freak by nature (earlier my father was in army, so we had to travel lot with him). My wife is a working lady and she has limited vacations (not lucky as me) four or five day’s break she got from the office and even days are not known. By the time she gets break, reservations are full at that time. So we decided and searched the net, we zeroed for Nanital trip, as distance was approximately 280 km from Delhi.
I searched on the net for the way to reach there and finally decided to go by Swift Car. Taken driving directions, stoppage and route printout from net, thanks to Google map for planning road trip. The J-Day arrived and we planned to start around 5:00 am but the kids and the packing of food delayed the departure with good 1 hour. After leaving home I stopped the car at Bharat petroleum filling the tank full with diesel. I drive little faster to cover most of the crowded road of Delhi, Ghaziabad and Hapur before office rush hour starts.
Refreshing at Tadka restaurant
Usually the temperature start rising from 6:00 am but for my surprise rain god was happy on us from the early morning and drizzling and cool air started from the early morning. Weather was very pleasant and everybody is in very happy mood. As per the planned journey we reach near Muradabad outskirt and stopped at Tadka restaurant of Bharat Petroleum. Mc Donald (McD) was not open at that time so we enjoyed small break at Tadka. Restaurant service, ambience and the facility of the petrol pump was good.
At BP Petrol Pump near Muradabad
Till Muradabad I drove on NH 24 and from toll plaza of Muradabad I have taken left turn towards city and then right turn and taken the interior state highway towards Kashipur, Tanda, and Nandpur on NH 121. The highway roads are in good condition (except few kilometers in NH 121). Car speed was so good that quickly we covered 200 kms distance from Delhi in 3 hrs. Thanks to the weather we are not using car ac. Surroundings are very green in nearby area of Moradabad as compare to other parts of Ghaziabad and Hapur.
We crossed Tanda and joined Ramnagar road. We stopped at Raamnagar for snacks break and eat our food there. From Ramnagar taken a right-turn towards Kalidhongi (adjacent to Corbett area) road and reach near the hills.
Lots of mango orchid are there. Stopped near Kalidhungi and refresh with snacks and enjoyed the nature. The morning temperature is start rising and the time is 10:30 am. Again journey is started and lot of Punjabi music played during this time.
We stopped at two or three place for viewing hills and clicking pictures as we are not in hurry to reach for Nanital. Lush green trees, series of mountain, valley, and roads (look like snake) – we all are speechless and enjoying nature. I start driving the car at 30km only and no one is objecting.
Beautiful roads on the way to Nainital
Hill curves are so thrilling that every time left or right turn comes we start shouting. Locals are driving vehicles very fast and dangerously. Even they did not bother to Horn you for side, I have to give them side first and taken extra care on curves. Stopped at another point from where one big lake near some unknown village is visible.
On the way to Nainital (Unknown Lake)
On the way to Nainital (Ramnagar)
Finally we reached Nainital but for my surprise due to vacation most of the hotels and main parking are full. I have to park my vehicle in the parking near Manu Maharani Hotel which is little far from main market. I start searching for budget hotel and once I found we quickly shifted to it. As there is no space for car parking, thanks to season time, I left my car in the authorized car parking area near Manu Maharani Hotel. Luckily it was near my hotel. By the time we shifted to the hotel it was 12:30 pm and we all are very tired. Taken a shower and we left for market to grasp some food.
Namit - Trekking on the hill
We enjoyed the lunch at Nanak restaurant (famous for its delicious food – from net I got it). We planned to take some sleep at hotel and come back at evening to visit local place. My father woke us at 6:00 PM in hotel. We changed the clothes and came out from the hotel. To our surprise temperature had dipped.Thanks to the rain which had started around 3:00 pm (during our sleep). We enjoyed rain drizzling and started moving towards the mall road. My father bought an umbrella from the mall roads for his grand kids, the shop owner have lots of variety and my kids took good time to decide which one was best for them.
Enjoying nature and blessing of rain god
Lake at the night - Opposite mall road
My wife picked some woolen cloths for kids as they felt cold and especially for my son who was shivering from cold (4 years old). Weather was so good that we forgot Delhi heat and cherished for our decision to plan for this trip. We visited and prayed at Naina Devi temple and taken a walking trip around Naini Lake. Later we enjoyed chaat and golgappa at street and fill our stomach with it.
Naina Devi temple-Behind Naini Lake
Next morning again we visited Naina Devi mandir and the Gurudawara next to it. Admire the surrounding of temple and taken a close look of mosque situated opposite the temple. After prayer we enjoyed aloo and Gobi paranthas at restaurant which are in front of Naina Devi temple. After breakfast we planned for boat ride and enjoyed boating in the lake.
Boating at Naini lake
Kids are keen to enjoy the cable ride, so we enquired from the local’s about the ride. They told us that we have to wait for two to three good hours for ticket and ride. My kids are not in mood to listen excuses so decided to go for Cable Car ride.
View from cable car
Luck is working as there was no big line and waiting for ride as the locals are telling about the ride. Ride was very thrilling. From the cabin car market and Naini Lake was very clearly visible and we start admiring god creation. We reached at the top of the hill and enjoyed the surroundings (Tiffin top, Himalayan Mountains, city etc). Taken some pictures and view from the binocular we move towards small shopping center at the top. Enjoyed hot Samosa, pakoras and milk there and decided to move back towards Naina Lake.
Hill top view - After the cable car ride
Nearby area , Nainital
This time we planned not to use Cable car and walked back from the hill. It gives a great experience of trekking and enjoying nature both at the same time. Kids are tired and they are not in mood to go further. We moved back to our hotel rested and order for the afternoon meal. Taken good nap and again planned to start exploring local market, as my wife want to purchase jewelry and some souvenir for family members and for her friends.
Next day we visited church, zoo and nearby taals which are nearby to Nanital. They are OK, but the best one is Naini Lake itself. In the evening we planned for Ranikhet, which was the other good travelling experience which I will cover in my next post.
सुस्वागतम घुमक्कड पर और इस अच्छी यात्रा को दिखाने के लिये ………..फोटोज बढिया हैं खासतौर पर एक अननोन झील का …………..और भाग्य ने आपका काफी साथ दिया । घर में छुटिटयो से लेकर मौसम और केबिल कार की टिकट तक
ऐसे ही घूमते रहिये और लिखते रहिये
Thanks Manu dear
Love to read your comment.
बढ़िया शुरुआत है अपने आप वाहन चला कर घूमने जाने में एक अलग आनंद है, लगे रहिये, बताते रहिये,
Thanks jatdevta
But ur inspiration journeys are more good then this…
Welcome to Ghumakkar KM jee.
And once again a brilliant post. Good write up and good read and nice pics…………………
Thanks for showing us Nainital and waiting for next one…………….
Keep Travelling and Posting………………
Thanks Vishal jee for motivating me….
बहुत अच्छे फोटो हैं, बहुत अच्छी पोस्ट हैं, नैनीताल बार घूमने लायक स्थान हैं, भारत का स्वित्ज़र्लैंड हैं. बच्चा बहुत प्यारा हैं, यात्रा का आनंद लेते रहो. …..
Thanks Praveen jee
All hill stations are good to enjoy if we prefer to go by car. We can enjoy the nature and anywhere we can stop during journey.. Nice to see ur comment…
Welcome aboard KM. When did you undertake this journey ? I am asking this since I go to this side quite often and would want to know the state of Bazpur-Kaladhungi road. I usually take Rampur-Bilaspur-Haldwani road.
Good log. Be around, read more ,comment more and write more.
Hi Nandan,
I just came back from Nainital and Ranikhet yesterday. Road condition till Tanda is awesome with newly laid road.
But after entering Tanda, road is very bad for few kms. The only bad roads are between Tanda and Bazpur.
After Bazpur, road is again excellent.
Sahil
Hello Nandan jee
recently I went for this trip. Road conditions are good (only few kms after Tanda). Tanda, Ramnagar route is quite good and nice forest and river side view you will find near corbet/kalidungi.. Haldwani route is also good but I always prefer this route…
@ Sahil @ KM – Thank you folks. I stopped taking Kaladhungi road after 2010 monsoons which took away all the roads. There was very little improvement in 2011, seems like it is back on track.
If all goes as planned, I would take this route soon.
Thanks for the clarification Sahil and KM. I too travel often to Ramgarh (between Nainital and Mukteshwar) and had the same doubt as Nandan. I am glad that the road is is now in good condition. This drive is far better than via Bilaspur.
Anil Misra
Nice write up.
I like that you put you father pic’s. Actually I love it when people do travel with your parents.
I pray everyone should care their parents like you.
Thanks.
Hello Deepak
Thanks for encouraging everyone to respect their parents and spend quality time with their parents. My dad is loving one and always encouraging and supporting all the family members. God give hime long , happy and healthy life…
Dear Mr. K.M,
Very good writing, nice description . Regards to your Dad , he is so lucky that he has son like you.
The nicest and most appreciate thing in your post is Safety Jackets in Boat, wearing by your family members. I hope other fellow travelers will also publish their photos where they use safety devices.
Best Regards,
Surinder
Thanks Sir
Very nice advice, safety and travelling take care during journey and make holidays memorable..
With regards
KM
Excellent first post, KM. Detailed description of Nainital and surrounding spots. Great start. keep it up…
Hello KM….
Welcome to Ghummukar……
Your post is very nice along with good pictures…..
Nainital is the most famous Hill station of India and i liked very much……….I have been here already Two times..and again end the month of June, I have planned to Nanital, Ranmikhet & Kausani…
Your post will be help for my trip of Nanital….
Thanks for goods post….
Thanks Ritesh
I feel Ranikhet is not good option. Instead you can plan to stay in between nanitaal and ranikhet route near shipra river….. Rest is on you….
KM
A great journey indeed.being a appreciator,i m also a critics sometimez..hope u will not take it otherwise.
spelling of MORADABAAD is wrong,its not Muradabaad..plz refine it.(its divisional headquaeter/distric headquarter and also railway divisonal headquarter of northern railways)
the hilltop location is known as China Peak,from where Himalaya Ranges and trishul peaks are clearly visible..
and u r a great son also…hats off for this.
but please dont promote personal transport too much in Natural places.
already average temprature of nainitaal is raised by 2 degree celcius in last ten years..
thats mainly because delhians and their cars..kathgodam is easily accesible by trains from NDLS/ANVR etc..and public transport also from Kathgodam to nainitaal.if all people will use their own transport,soon nainitaal hills will be like Aravalis…i am saying you all ghumakkars because you all people are educated enough,so that i can make u understand all the defects of polluting tourist places like this.and u are a respected teacher,so i am saying it to you only…care for ur and our environment..thanks..
[[email protected]]
Hello Abhishek
Thanks for youre critics/suggestions. Most of my travel journey is on train only i prefer my vehicle when i have on short family trip. Hats off for you’re environment concern.
With wishes
KM
:) thnx sir..to understand me..we all can see earth is being hot daily..its really mandatory to think from basic.. we can not alwz blame others for our deeds..take care..
hello sir we are also planning to go to nainital in first week of july…….but we prefer to go there by bus……so suggest me the budget hotel and adventurers spots for us,../// as we are 5 persons………..me, my husband..or dauhgter 2yrs old……….my mother in law and father in law………..
will that place a nice trip for us or boring………….or suggest us some good tips also bcause we have a kid also
and how much time it will take from delhi itself…………..
Hello Pooja
Sorry cant reply on time. Nainital is a good place and it was well connected with bus and rail transport. There are many budget hotels in nainital apx. Rs. 600/- to 1500/- or yor can go for some two/three star which are near by to lake. If you can walk there are many good budget hotels before manu maharani hotel. There are lot of places where you can enjoy with youre kids like boarting in naini lake, cabel car ride near naini lake, walk around lake, zoo, church and nearby other lakes. You can hire jeep or be a member of some jeep ride which are very nominal.
Dear Ghumakkad,
I am going to Nainital with my family in August 2012. I will be driving down from Indirapuram/Ghaziabad to nainital and will take the Moradabad-Rampur-Rudrapur route. Any idea on the conditions of the roads on this route ??
What are the places where one can enjoy with kids and what in your opinion are good eateries (for vegetarians).
An early reply would be appreciated
Thanks,
Abhishek Agarwal
Dear Abhishek,
The roads all good. After Haldwani, you might get into some landslides (which is promptly cleared during day time, during nights it gets difficult) but overall it is all fine. I drove last week only. For eateries, ‘Moga Punjabi Tadka’ at Gajraula is good one. I usually try to stop at Jubilee Dhaba (after Moradabad Bypass) in the HP Petrol Pump campus, since that allows me to cover more than half of today distance. All the best.
‘Garh Mukteshwar’ attracts jams during Full moon, Amavasya days so plan accordingly.
Good luck and best wishes.
Nandan
Dear Jha Ji,
Thanks for the reply. I am aware about good joints at Gajraula, since I make frequent trips to Rampur (my hometown). My only concern was the condition of roads from Rampur till Nainital…thanks for the update..!!
Regards,
Abhishek
Hi All,
Quite interesting and useful comments. Thanks to the portal allowing real time comments.
I am off for Ranikhet (for Ist time) on 10th August 2012 with 6 mates in Innova. It would be great help if someone could give an update of the road conditions & safety. I grew apprehensive of the off-late news feeds regarding landslides & heavy rain fall. Please help!
Any one who traveled recently…..
Cheers!
Aakash
Hi All,
Just Came back after 3 days trip to Nainital.
Roads to Avoid : Rudrapur to Rampur via Bilaspur. ( Bad Road : Avg Speed 30~40 KMph).
Muradabad to Kaladungi Vis Tanda ( Worst Road I have every seen , Infact no road actually exists , its just full of 1-3 feet holes ). Avg Speed – 10 Kmph. Usually this road is suggested by Google when you search Map directions for Delhi-Nainital.
Best Road : Delhi-Moradabad-Kashipur-RamNagar-Kaladungi-Nainital.
Kaladungi-Nainital ( Best Stretch ) You will not get any major traffic , Very well maintained road.
Dear Davinder
Hello
Good road advisory for fellow ghumakkars. Please send details about your travel stay and adventure..
Regards
KM
Hi KM ,
We stayed at KMVN Guest House – Sattal – Royal Deluxe Room , 2200 Rs/night approx.
Its peaceful place with ample parking , staff is good , service is good.
Its away from hustle bustle of Mall road , infact 1 km walking distance from mall road.
We travelled by our Wagon R CNG Car , to & fro and got CNG refill just out of Moradabad on the way back to Delhi, its name was SEL CNG . Rate = 61.50 Rs/Kg approx. Timing of Station: 7 Am to 10 pm.
Halted at McDonalds on the way and back , Also other good restraunts Dominos ,Tadka etc.
But we prefered McDee.
@Nainital: Also while boating we found the boatman were reluctant to fixup the Life Jackets.
I must advise all people not to play with your life while boating , please put the jackets and make them tight around your waist with belts. It would only save your life in case of any problem while boating.
Where to Eat in Nainital: NonVeg & Chinese: Machan on Mall road.
Veg : @ Nanak.
Regards,
Davinder
Hi All,
I am a new joiner to this famous site. I have checked all the views of this post and decided to go to Nainital on 22nd of Nov 2o12.
I took the route of kaladhungi to reach Nainital. However the route is one of the worst route I have ever seen in my life till now.
The patch between Tanda and Bazpur is the pathetic one. You will only get relief when you will enter Uttarakhand roads.
When I reached Nainital then I totally forget the bad memories of the road. It is such a beautiful place. I stayed there in Naini Retreat. The service of the hotel is excellent and I urge you guys to once stay there.
Ths is off season these days and I got the good deal from the hotel.We visited all the famous points there and really enjoyed the trip. I went there with my wife and daughter and spent a very good vacation there.
In return I took the route of Haldwani and Rudrapur. The route is very good and I did not face any type of challenge in this route. Request all of you to please do not take the route of Tanda Kaladhungi.
Regards,
Privish
Hello Privish
Welcome at Ghumakkar mandli… Thanks for updating road condition to fellow Ghumakkars those may be plan in future to follow this route. After raining season roads from tanda to kalidungi may be get damaged. During my visit I didnot face this type of problem. Share your travel experience with pics.
Waiting for your blog.
Keep Traveling & Safe Driving
Thanks for the post….It was really nice and descriptive; you have a sweet family… I am planning to go to Nanital this year. I will follow the same route and surely eat at the places recommended by you. Thanks again and God bless you.
Dear Aashish
Enjoy your journey… Drive safe and share your travel experience with us.