Many times we get queries from friends and blog followers about nearest hill stations from Delhi, so that they reach comfortably and enjoy the place. During my recent conversation with my landlord, I realized that Bhimtal/Naukuchiatal are 2 such places which are easily accessible from Delhi and both of these are great places to spend time in summers. This Photo Journey shares more about distance, modes of transportation etc.
Bhimtal is very well connected with Delhi. One can take Shatabdi from Delhi to reach Kathgodam and from Kathgodam it's hardly 45 minutes drive. Bhimtal is 17 kilometers from Kathgodam. And if you are someone who likes driving, it's plain till Kathgodam and only 17 km stretch is hilly. I have a friend who has a cottage in Naukuchiatal and he drives there almost every alternate weekend. He starts at 5am and reaches Naukuchiatal by 12noon. During monsoons road condition deteriorates, so it will take little more to reach Bhimtal if you come via road. Roads in Uttrakhand are always awesome, so if you are coming to Kathgodam via train, you need not to worry about road condition.
Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal has lot of resorts, hotels & home-stays to chose from. Bhimtal also has KMVN hotel which is just opposite to the lake.
Bhimtal lake is kept clean because of increasing tourist inflow. And every year, new activities are coming up to ensure that tourists get enough to enjoy the place. Boating, Kayaking, zorbing etc are offered in the lake.
There is an island in the lake and a dam on one side of it. I have been to Bhimtal but never noticed this dam. There are water streams coming out of the lake and this water is used for irrigation.
Bhimtal is also growing very fast and it will be another Nainital in few years, with lot of concrete buildings all around. As you move towards Almora/Sattal, you see lot of new colonies coming up in Bhimtal. The valley on the left of this road is almost full of huge houses. This place is preferred by lot of Delhites for building their houses because of reachability.
Bhimtal is 295 kilometers from Delhi and it's a beautiful journey, especially during monsoons. During summers, you find lot of mango laden trees on the way.
During my recent trip, we stopped around the lake and had our breakfast at Kiran Restaurant which is close of the lake. It's on the side from where boats start. This place served good breakfast, although service was quite slow.
Rituraj is another place which is recommended by fellow travellers, but I never tried it. Hopefully I will also have my reviews to share about Rituraj.
Elevation from Kathgodam to Bhimtal is quite steep and that's why you reach into proper hills after a drive of 17 kilometers. Many times when I share this with friends, they ask a common question - is it a proper hill station. And the answer is yes - it's a proper hill station with pleasant weather and if you are lucky you can see brilliant cloud play here. And if you want to move to even better place around, Naukuchiatal is the option. Naukuchiatal is just 5 kilometers from Bhimtal.
Please drop a comment if you have any question or suggestions around this post.
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