Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal
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Day four. South, to the water.
Seven interconnected lakes, five hundred bird species, and the deepest water in Kumaon.
The gentlest of the driving days. Birding before ten, boating after. Everything here is quieter than Nainital and most of it quieter than Bhimtal, which is exactly why it is worth the drive. Every distance below is the road distance from our gate, not from the previous stop.
Before ten, or not at all
Sattal forest birding trail
A flat trail along a canal and stream through good habitat. Sattal records around 500 resident and migratory species. Get here before ten, both for the birds and because the fee starts then.
Morning
Sattal Lake
Seven interconnected freshwater lakes at 4,200 feet among oak and pine, and one of the few unpolluted freshwater biomes left in India. Quieter than Bhimtal and much quieter than Nainital. Boating, kayaking and forest walks.
Late morning
Sattal Christian Ashram
Gardens, quiet, and a twenty minute walk through the compound to a small private lake. Open to all faiths. Leopards are common in the area after dark, so do not linger past dusk.
Midday, weather permitting
Paragliding, Bhimtal
Tandem flights over the lakes from Jungliya Gaon. Five to ten minutes in the air depending on wind and your weight, with a trained pilot. Photographs and video cost extra and the price is negotiable. Cancelled outright in poor weather.
Brief stop
Osho Ashram, Bhimtal
A small meditation site at Bharatpur village near Bhimtal. Green, quiet and modest. Reviewers are clear that the facilities are basic, so come for the silence rather than anything else.
Afternoon
Bhimtal Lake
The largest lake in the region, bigger than Naini Lake, with an island in the middle that has a cafe on it reachable by boat. Less crowded than Nainital and a good deal more relaxed.
Ten minutes, on foot
Bhimtal Dam
The dam end of the lake, with an old Shiva temple, a small garden, and geese and fish that guests feed. Paid toilets, and parking that fills in season.
Late afternoon
Naukuchiatal
The lake of nine corners, 175 feet deep and the deepest here. Shikara boats, large canopied rowing boats with proper seating, mean two families can ride together, which the smaller boats at Nainital and Bhimtal cannot manage. Kayaking, zorbing and a zip line as well.
Before you turn for home
Kamal Taal, the Lotus Lake
A small lotus pond beside Naukuchiatal, seven kilometres past Bhimtal. Ten minutes, no fee, and worth it in the season when the lotus is out. Reviewers note the flowers are sparse outside it.
Every drawing here is waiting for your photograph.
We have illustrated these places rather than borrowing pictures that are not ours. If you photograph one of them, send it to us. If we use it, your name goes underneath it and stays there. Each stop above has its own Send your photo button, which opens WhatsApp with the place already named so we know what we are looking at.