A Guide to Explore Bhimtal | Complete Details

Bhimtal, a quiet beauty of Uttarakhand is located in the Nainital district and is famous for its serene lake. Bhimtal lake is a natural lake which was previously used for irrigation purpose but now majorly used for providing drinking water. It is believed that the lake also known as Bhimtal Sarovar was created by Bhima, a Pandava prince, by hitting the earth with his mace to satisfy the thirst of his brothers during their banishment. Bhimtal height from sea level is around 1370 meters and is almost situated at a distance of approx 22 kms from Nainital. Surrounded by huge mountains and luscious forests, it is a perfect holiday destination for all the naturalists and adventure seekers. It provides a calm and peaceful aura which is no less than a heaven for people who want to escape from the busy and chaotic life of cities. 

Top Places to visit in Bhimtal

• Bhimtal Lake – Boating in bhimtal Lake is the most loved activity by tourists along with other activities like Kayaking and Water Zorbing. It is one of the most beautiful lakes of Uttarakhand and visitors often enjoy doing picnics near the lake with their friends and family.
• Bhimtal Trek –It offers plenty of hiking and trekking trails for adventure seekers including Hidimba Parvat Trek, Karkotak Temple trek, Ramgarh to Nathuakhan trek, Chauli Ki Jali Trek, and Naukuchiatal to Bhimtal Trek. All these treks take you through dense forests, rocky roads that end up with panoramic sights of Bhimtal.
• Victoria Dam – Victoria Dam is amongst the scenic picnic spots in Uttarakhand with lush forests and variety of wild flowers on both sides giving visits the perfect vacation vibe. Built on the banks of Lake Bhimtal, the dam is around 40 feet high and is a famous tourist spot for travelers.
• Hidimba Parvat – Hidimba Parvat is a beautiful hill located at a distance of around 5 kms from Bhimtal, Uttarakhand. The Parvat was named after a hindu demon Hidimba from the famous Mahabharata. Vankhandi ashram, a wildlife asylum is also there which was established by monk Vankhandi Maharaj. The hill offers a breathtaking view of Bhimtal Lake and its surroundings.
• Hanuman Garhi – Hanuman Garhi is a Hanumanji Temple located in between Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal. The temple is famous for its huge idol of Hanumanji which is about 52 feet high. Tourists often stop at this spot on their way to Naukuchiatal to take the blessings of supreme power. 
• Bhimtal Island Aquarium – It is a cafe built on an island which is very popular among the visitors for its unique rooftop dining experience and diverse aquatic life. Here you can get the opportunity to observe more than  40 different varieties of fishes. It is a beautiful cafe located in the middle of the lake with the picturesque view of surrounding hills.  
• Butterfly Research Centre – The fourth largest butterfly collection in India is Bhimtal’s Butterfly Research Centre. At this centre visitors can take a look at various types of butterfly species and can study about them in detail. It is a must visit place in Bhimtal.
• Karkotaka Temple – Located on the highest mountain of Bhimtal, Karkotaka peak, the temple is one of the famous places to visit here. The temple is tributed to Naga Devta and it is believed that the Naga Devta saves the localities from snake bites. 

It is a cool place to enjoy during vacation and offers a wide range of fun activities for adventure enthusiasts which includes – trekking, mountain biking, hot air balloon, camping, paragliding, horse riding, kayaking, and boating, and some more that makes your trip to Bhimtal more exciting and memorable.

Best hotels in Bhimtal

Bhimtal offers plenty of options to make your stay comfortable and hassle free. Whether you are looking for a budget hotel or lake view resorts or a hotel to take your pet with you, it has all according to your choice and preferences. Check out some of the best options from the list below :

Lake View Resorts and Cottages in Bhimtal

• The Lake Hill Hotel – 4.3/5 stars rating
• Treebo Trend Vista Lago With Lake View – 4.4/5 stars rating
• Chirping Hills Resort – 4.4/5 stars rating
• Mohini’s Lake View Cottages
• Rosewood Retreat – 4.3/5 stars rating

Luxury and 5 Star Hotels in Bhimtal

• The Rosefinch Sarovar Portico – 8.1/10 rating
• The Apricity – 5/5 stars rating
• Fishermen Lodge Bhimtal by Leisure Hotels – 5 stars rating
• Ama Stays and Trails Whispering pines
• Country Inn Nature Resort – 4.4/5 stars rating
• The Nature’s Green – 4.6/5 stars rating

Budget-friendly Hotels in Bhimtal

• The Lake Hill – Ridge – 3.9/5 stars rating
• Crystal Lake View Homestay – 6.2/10  rating
• Daaju’s Lakeview – 4.7/5 stars rating
• Lake and Wood Resort – 4.2/5 stars rating
• The Woods – 4.3/5 stars rating

Pet-friendly Hotels in Bhimtal

• The Lake Hideout – 4.7/5 stars rating
• The Lake Hill Hotel – 4.3/5 stars rating
• Sea Hawk Hill Resort – 4.7/5 stars rating
• Malusara Retreat by Stay Native – 4.6/5 stars rating
• The Tal Paradise – 4.2/5 stars rating

Unique Stays and Homestays in Bhimtal

Make your journey more memorable by experiencing unique stays at villas in Bhimtal. There are best homestays in Bhimtal which are worth exploring. You can also find various family and group stay options here. Some of the best places to stay in Bhimtal are mentioned down –

• StayVista I Oberoi’s Chalet Villa – 4.5/5 stars rating
• SaffronStays Garden On The Lake – 4/5 stars rating
• StayVista at Prakriti – 3.7/5 stars rating
• StayVista at Casa Gaula 
• Pali’s Nest Homestay – 4.8/5 stars rating
• Glamping Tales by The Riverside – 9/10 rating
• The Oak Woods – 9.6/10 rating

Ways to Reach Bhimtal

It is a small part of Uttarakhand, near Nainital can be reached easily by any transportation means but the best way to reach is by road. To reach Bhimtal from Delhi which is around 296 kms away, driving can be an easy option as it will take 6-7 hours only. Buses are also available from Nainital and Kathgodam to reach Bhimtal.

For traveling via Train, Kathgodam is the railway station nearest to Bhimtal at a distance of only 21 kms. Kathgodam is well connected to Delhi with trains that run on a daily basis.

Flights can also be taken to reach Bhimtal and PantNagar airport is the nearby airport from Bhimtal which is only 58 kms away from where taxis can be hired for Bhimtal.

Distances From Bhimtal to Popular Destinations

Best time to Visit Bhimtal and its Weather Conditions

The best time to visit Bhimtal is between March – June in Summer and Spring time when the weather is pleasant with vibrant views all around. The temperature ranges from 15–25°C which makes this time perfect for boating, trekking, and enjoying the Bhimtal lake.

However, Bhimtal is not the right place to visit during the Monsoon that is between July – September, as the mountain roads are very slippery and dangerous and the lake is not accessible at that time too.

Visitors can visit Bhimtal during Winter too, that is between October – February because this is also a good time to enjoy fun outdoor activities and sightseeing with cool weather and temperature ranging from  6–18°C. 

Also, Holi is an amazing festival to enjoy in Bhimtal with different holi parties and events happening there at that time. There are few hotels that host grand holi celebrations.

bhimtal hotels and Dining Options

It is a universal fact that holidays will never be complete without delicious food. Bhimtal is flooded with cafes and restaurants which are unique in their own ways and offer amazing food to satisfy your taste buds while on your trip. Some of the best restaurants and cafes in Bhimtal that provide great dishes along with their tastiest local cuisines are listed below which are worth trying : 

• Aquarium Island Cafe
• The Lake Hill Restaurant Cafe
• Machan Restaurant Bhimtal
• The Kumaoni Farm Cafe
• Kitta & Gucci
• Iheart Cafe
• Cafe Veranda
• Zooby’s Kitchen

Explore Local Markets in Bhimtal

Every holiday is incomplete without shopping and Bhimtal is one of those destinations that have great marketplaces for all the shopaholics. There are plenty of options such as malls, and local markets that offer unique varieties of items, but some of the them are a must visit like –

Handicrafts Bazar – it is a busy market with loaded high-quality handmade items which are created by local people of Bhimtal and offers beautiful handmade jewelleries, wooden stuffs, Garhwali paintings, candles, statues, carpets, and a lot more.

Mall Road – this is the famous market where you can find different kinds of shops for clothes, food items, handicrafts, boutiques and numerous cafes and restaurants.

Contact Details for Key Locations of Bhimtal

FAQs about Bhimtal