Rice or roti is an integral part of Nainital cuisine. It is a usually accompanied with different types of chutneys. People here use different varieties of rice for different recipes.

If you are a food gourmet and like to taste new delicacies, then you can try the local food at any restaurant in the Nainital town. You can easily find one while taking a stroll on the mall.

Some of the sumptuous dishes are mentioned here.  

Ras

It is a delicious recipe having a high nutritive value. It is a semi-liquid preparation made from different varieties of dals. It is normally eaten with steamed rice and bhang ki chutney. Ideally, Ras is prepared in an iron pan on a low heat to let it cook slowly in order to retain its nutritional content. 

Baadi

The dish is frequently prepared by the local inhabitants of Kumaon region. Like Ras, it is also prepared from a mixture of toor, moong, and channa dal in the right proportion. It gets tastier when taken with bhang seed or sesame seed chutney.

Bhatt ki Churkani

It is a delicacy prepared on special occasions. Rice paste and black bhatt are its main ingredients. For a variety in taste, it can also be prepared with plain flour. 

Aloo Ke Gutke

It is a spicy dish prepared with boiled potatoes, coriander leaves, and whole red chillies. It forms a part of the snacks menu.

Arsa

It is a dessert, which is sweet in taste, prepared mainly on special occasions like family gatherings, weddings, and festivals. Its main ingredients are jaggery, rice, and mustard oil. It is also a healthy recipe because it uses jiggery and not processed sugar for sweetness. Similarly, mustard oil has no cholesterol and is a better alternative to refined oil.

Gulgula

It is also a sweet dish prepared from wheat flour and jaggery. 

Black and White Roti

It is a type of stuffed roti prepared with wheat flour and mandua flour. Both the flours are combined in a given ratio to prepare the dough. The roti is normally taken with dollops of ghee or butter. 

The dense forests is a habitat for a large number of animals like the Himalayan languor, Indian porcupine, wild pig, monkey, barking deer, black capped marten, gural, and brown flying squirrel.

One can also hear the humming of a large number of birds in these forests. Some of them are jungle crow, streaked laughing thrush, grey winged black bird, house sparrow, the Himalayan tree creeper, house crow, green backed tit.  

Nainital lakes are inhabited with a variety of fishes commonly known as carps. There are both major and minor carps. The major ones have three classes, mahaseer, hill trout (commonly known as asela or rasela), and mirror carp. The carps are bred on a large scale in Nainital.

The place also has grooves of Kaphal, Sal ,Oak, Pine, and Buruns trees that are as tall as 6000 ft. At much higher altitudes, Deodar and Surai trees are a common sight.

For flora lovers, some of the important trees and bushes growing in the woods are Panger, Akhrot, Hill Pipal, Chinar, Angu, Kilmora, Kunj, Hisalu, Weeping Willow, and Pine. Especially in the Bhabhar region, one can see Babul and Kikar trees in abundance apart from Sal, Shisham, and Khair.

Nainital takes horticulture on a big way. It is one of the major fruit growing districts of the country. A large portion of the land is converted into orchards for growing peaches, pears, apricots, kafals, strawberries, etc. Apple orchards, a prime attraction, are found along the Ramgarh and Mukteshwar belt. Lichis that grow in the Ramnagar area are quite famous.

Floriculture is also coming up in on a large scale due to the favourable climate for growing flowers. Besides, tea plantations are also growing in number on the slopes of Niglat & Ghorakhal.

In the Tarai and Bhabhar belt, a number of plants having medicinal value grow. For example, herbs like Ashok, Bhringraj, Bhilwa, Varun, and Gambhari.

Under-the-water life of the district is equally enchanting. Some of the aquatic species living in these waters are potomageton pectinatus, potomageton crispus, polygonum glabrum, holygonum amphibium, and hydrilla verticellata

The normal routine of people is guided by commonly believed superstitions. Any action against the blind belief is considered offensive by the society and the person becomes answerable to everyone. For instance, all death mourning takes place only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The rest of the days are meant for all auspicious invitations and good work initiatives. Visit to sick people on mourning days and Thursdays is a complete no. Women also cannot visit their parents’ house on Thursdays. To keep evil spirits away, a black kohl dot is put on the forehead or behind the ear of a person. This is a common practice to save small children from negativity. 

Unlike in other parts of India, Nainital people also follow a greeting protocol. Younger greets the elders by touching their feet and in response they are blessed with long life wishes.

Married women put sindoor or vermilion on their forehead and a black-beaded chain on their neck to signify their marital status. On special occasions, they wear a huge golden nose ring called nath. The traditional wear is Ghaghara-pichora that is normally worn on family weddings. Normally, women are seen in saris.

People mainly live in houses made out of stone or bricks. All of them have a slope roof tops so that the snow easily slips and falls on the ground during winters. The roof tops are generally made of stone. The livelihood of people is mainly from the tourism business. They are shopkeepers, guides, hotel staff, restaurant owners, cab drivers, etc.

The population of the area is mainly Hindus. People worship local deities like Golu, Bholanath, Sam, Gangnath, and Adi for bringing peace and harmony in their lives. The normal life of everyone, irrespective of the age group, revolves around religious activities. That is why, places of worship are hub for all cultural activities and social gatherings.

Some of the adventures sports in Nainital include trekking, river rafting, sailing, yachting, sky diving, Canoeing, paragliding, and rock climbing. These sports are not only thrilling but they also help you to go beyond your set limits. Such activities are great confidence boosters and fear removers. 

If you want to be in the shoes of a bird and want to fly, then paragliding is a great option. You can also have a glance at the enthralling beauty of Nainital from the sky.

If you stay on plains, then water competitions are something that you normally watch in T.V. this place gives you an opportunity to a part of the cheering crowd of many such competitions that are normally organized during the summer season.

Camping is organized if you want to experience the challenges of living on a hill station. It also enables you to come very close to the Nature. Camping includes various different activities like flying fox, bonfires, yoga, hikes, and bouldering.

Mainly for the fearless and the tough lot, rock climbing is available. It is a sport to experiment with if you want to test your physical and emotional strength. However, for your safety during this risky adventure, guides and instructors are available every time. Ensure that you take all the necessary precautions to enjoy this nerve-chilling sport to the fullest.

If you are looking for short-time adventures, then Horse Riding is an easily available option. You can get on the horseback and feel like a king taking a ride on the Mall. Pony rides are available for children.

Nature walks is a never-to-miss activity for photographers, nature lovers, and solace seekers. 

To help you minimize your travel time and spend maximum hours on enjoyment, adventure camps are normally organized at the hillock known as ‘Tanki Bend,’ that is only 5 kilometers from the main town. Moreover, many travel agencies organize camping, trekking, and other adventure tours for students during vacations. These packages get customized for corporate tours and large family groups following negotiations with the respective agencies.

Due to frequent visits, they prefer buying an accommodation in Nainital to avoid the inconvenience and the high cost of staying in a hotel. As a result, the property rates in and around the place have gone up thereby giving a boost to the Nainital property market.

If you are interested, then you can find both fully-furnished and raw accommodations for yourself. The property dealers take the onus of buying a property for you. He takes you to the desired locations, arranges a meeting with the seller, negotiates a price on your behalf, and completes the documentation work. All this is for a reasonable commission amount.

The property rates vary according to the proximity of the location to the Nainital town. The more you move away from the town, lesser will be the rate. Various buying options are flats, bungalows, cottages, and a room in a resort. They are provided with basic fittings and fixtures.

As Nainital has one of the renowned educational institutes of the country, family members of the students visit the place frequently to meet their children. Such people also form an important consumer segment of the property market.

Instead of selling an accommodation, many locals have started letting out a room or a flat for an amount that is much lower than the hotel rent. For some, it has become a full-fledged business in which they also provide meals to their guests. They usually have a tie-up with the property dealers who bring them the interested parties against the brokerage fee. Alternatively, they put a hoarding outside their let-out accommodation for people to see. Overall, renting has become a profitable business in Nainital.

There is an equal boom in the commercial property market. Renting of commercial shops, office complex, showrooms, garages, warehouses, etc. are in high demand. The rent structure is variable. It is high during peak seasons and at its lowest during winters.

Some of these hotels are mentioned here.

Hotel Himalaya

Hotel Himalaya is a historical building, initially built in 1918, for the royals. The rooms are lake-facing and are equipped with modern facilities. 

Hotel Krishna

Hotel Krishna faces the scenic Naini Lake. The hotel has its own restaurant and provides all basic facilities to its guests. One can visit its restaurant to try the mouth-watering Kumaoni food.

Hotel Pratap Regency

Hotel Pratap Regency is strategically located to offer its guests with the stunning view of the lake and the high mountain ranges. It also has a banquet hall that can be used by large groups to organize social or corporate gatherings. 

Hotel Radha Continental

Hotel Radha Continental, located on the Mall, is at a stone’s throw from many tourist attractions like the Naini Lake and the Naina Devi Temple. 

Hotel Sheela

Hotel Sheela is a leading hotel of Nainital, beautifully located on the Mall. It is facing the lake and the mountains thereby providing a magnificent view of the Nature’s beauty to its guests. The hotel also has a banquet hall. 

Lakeside Inn

Lakeside Inn is also situated on the busy Mall road. Being centrally located, it is suitable for people who don’t want to walk miles or take a cab to reach the main areas of the hill station.  

Hotel Palace

Located few minutes away from the main mall, the hotel has all the facilities for an enjoyable family stay. It has a duck pond and swings to keep children happy. It has a health club, games room, mini bar, a garden with country huts, etc. The hotel provides free pick and drop from the Mall.

Hotel Classic             

Hardly a kilometer from the main Nainital bus stand, the hotel takes care of the essential needs of its guests such as a 24-hour running hot and cold water, bathrooms with showers, STD and ISD facility¸ doctor on call, round the clock room service, safe deposit lockers, etc.

The travel map of Nainital below displays the vibrant and dynamic hilly town with all its magnificent destinations and a world of adventure.

The hill station is commercialized and developed to provide utmost facilities to its guests. A good accommodation at effective rates provided by the hotels is also a crowd-puller to Nainital. Every hotel or guesthouse normally has various attractive holiday packages that aim at providing maximum facilities for different vacation budgets. The hotels range from five-stars to budget or economy class. Heritage hotels provide an experience of living in the colonial era, and it also provides a homely environment for those who want to stay for a long duration at the place.

In between these extreme categories, lie four-star hotels. They provide with a comfortable stay at a price where you can also experience the luxury of a five-star hotel. Honeymoon couples and families are mainly on their guest-list.

People who prefer serenity and want to stay away from the hustle-bustle of the town can opt for hotels situated on hilltops facing the magnificent mountains. They provide cab facilities for sightseeing and visiting the Mall Road.

The Shervani Hilltop Hotel and Hotel Arif Castles are examples of four-star hotels in Nainital. The Shervani Hilltop Hotel, with a capacity of thirty rooms, is a resort that provides an unmatched view of the Nain Lake and the snow-clad mountain peaks. The resort is cozy and has a restaurant providing mouth-watering menu for different tastes.

Hotel Arif Castles, which is normally considered to provide a wonderful staying experience, is also strategically situated to provide an awesome view of the Nature’s beauty and the grasslands surrounding the area. It has an accommodation capacity of 65 rooms and suites having decent décor and latest fixtures. If you want to admire the starry nights and feel the winter chill, then the hotel offers the facility of staying in Swiss cottage tents. You can enjoy a hot cup of coffee with a hot dessert from the multi-cuisine restaurant of the hotel.

The tariff structure of every hotel varies depending upon its proximity to the landmark areas, the hotel standard, the time of the year, and the facilities provided. The hotels that are near to the Naini Lake or the Mall Road have higher room rents compared to the distant ones. Similarly, the hotels that are strategically located to get a continuous picturesque view of the Himalayan ranges or the Naini Lake or both are also more expensive. Overall, all the rents rise steeply during peak seasons.

Apart from this, the rents vary for different types of rooms. The suites are the most expensive ones. They are like mini-homes having a separate dining area, dressing area¸ living room, and the bedroom with a huge balcony. They are fitted with all the latest electrical appliances like LCD, microwave, and electric toaster. The bathrooms are spacious and can have Jacuzzi fittings. Deluxe and economy rooms have lesser tariff.

In case you want to spend the least on your stay, then budget hotels is the best option. They offer only the required facilities like hot water, clean rooms, breakfast, heaters, etc. to make your stay comfortable.

In Nainital, many old buildings that were initially British homes have been converted into hotels and resorts. They have still maintained the Victorian style of architecture of yesteryears. You can also stay here and reflect on the British style of living at a slightly higher cost.

To have an experience of living amid dense forests, you can book a cottage for yourself or opt for a resort. You can get home-cooked food at all the mealtimes. Besides, you can also enjoy morning walks in the forests. This de-stresses and takes you away into a different world far away from the regular mundane of life.

These days most of the hotels also take care of your vacation activities. They provide you with trekking, hiking, bird watching, rock climbing, boating, musical evenings, indoor games, and many more. Their cost is either included in your stay package or is charged separately for each activity. Overall, Nainital has hotels for every pocket.

Nainital is a small, busy town that is visited by people from all the levels of economic strata. That is why, there are all sorts of hotels ranging from 5-star, heritage, luxury, budget or economy suiting the travel budget of different people. Resorts and cottages is another accommodation option for people who want to feel at home in the hills. The accommodation facilities are fully equipped with modern amenities and services. Tourists can make an online hotel booking either directly or through a travel agent. They can see the images of different hotel locations and their rooms on their websites before making a final decision.

For your convenience, there are many travel websites that provide a complete list of all hotels under all the categories in Nainital. The address, contact details, key features, and the rating of every hotel are mostly given on these sites to help you make a choice easily. You simply need to enter the name of the location, such as ‘Nainital’ in the search engine to retrieve a list of websites displaying hotels and other information about the location.

From the list, you need to search for a proper website that provides online reservation facility for Nainital hotels. Now, you simply have to spare few minutes to select your perfect stay and complete the booking process. If you are confused between two-three options, then you can compare the accommodations online based on a given criteria.

Such online bookings are especially useful while making the eleventh-hour arrangements. You may get an attractive bargain from the desired hotels who are striving to have a 100 percent booking. Online hotel reservation network also saves you from the hurdle of finding a suitable accommodation at an unknown place. You will not fall into the hands of local touts who can make a fool of you. You just have to ask your cab driver to drop you at the hotel gate.

Most of hotels accept partial payment for online reservations. The rest of the amount is to be paid at the time of arrival. The check-out time is normally 10 o’clock.