Bhimtal is what Nainital was before the traffic. The lake is bigger than Naini Lake, the town is flatter and easier to walk, and you’re 20 km from Nainital’s Mall Road if you do want the crowds for an evening. It sits at about 1,370 m, lower and a few degrees warmer than Nainital, which makes it a good base from October to March.
Below are 14 things to do in Bhimtal, starting with the lake and moving outward. Each has a rough time estimate so you can plan a day without rushing.
Things to do in Bhimtal at a glance
| # | Activity | Distance from Bhimtal lake | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boating on Bhimtal Lake | 0 km | 1 hour |
| 2 | Aquarium on the lake island | 0 km (by boat) | 45 min |
| 3 | Victoria Dam and the lake walk | 0โ1 km | 1 hour |
| 4 | Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple | 0.5 km | 30 min |
| 5 | Folk Culture Museum | 1 km | 45 min |
| 6 | Butterfly Research Centre | 3โ4 km | 1 hour |
| 7 | Nal Damayanti Tal | 2โ3 km | 45 min |
| 8 | Hidimba Parvat | 3โ4 km | 1.5 hours |
| 9 | Karkotak Temple hill walk | 2โ3 km | 1.5 hours |
| 10 | Naukuchiatal and paragliding | 5 km | Half day |
| 11 | Sattal lakes and bird walk | 10โ11 km | Half day |
| 12 | Kainchi Dham | 20 km | Half day |
| 13 | Nainital evening | 20โ22 km | Half day |
| 14 | Ramgarh orchards | 25โ30 km | Full day |
On and around the lake
1. Go boating on Bhimtal Lake
Paddle boats and rowing boats leave from the main boat stand on the lakefront. Rates are fixed per boat per trip and shown on a board at the stand, so you don’t need to bargain. Go before 10 am or after 4 pm. The midday wind makes paddle boats hard work and the light is flat for photos.
2. Visit the aquarium on the island
Bhimtal Lake has a small island in the middle with an aquarium on it, reached only by boat. It’s small and not worth a special trip on its own, but kids love that you have to boat to it. Combine it with your lake ride.
3. Walk to Victoria Dam and around the lake
The stone dam at the end of the lake dates from the British era and is the best spot for a sunset photo looking back across the water. The flat lakeside road is the main reason Bhimtal suits older parents. There are benches the whole way and almost no climbs.
4. Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple
A small Shiva temple beside the dam, commonly dated to the 17th century and linked to the Chand kings of Kumaon. The legend says Bhima of the Mahabharata visited here, which is where the lake gets its name. Early morning is the quietest time.
5. Folk Culture Museum
A private museum of Kumaoni folk life: old farm tools, textiles, wooden objects and paintings. It’s a quick visit and useful context if you’re heading into the villages later in the trip. Check it’s open before you go, as hours are irregular off-season.
Short trips out of town (under 5 km)
6. Butterfly Research Centre
Run by a family of naturalists near Bhimtal, this centre has a large collection of butterflies and moths from the Himalaya and runs guided nature walks. If you or your kids have any interest in insects or birds, it’s the best hour you’ll spend in Bhimtal. Call ahead, since it’s a private estate.
7. Nal Damayanti Tal
One of the smaller lakes around Bhimtal, linked in legend to King Nal and Damayanti. It’s green, quiet and has no boating, which is part of the appeal. A good 45-minute stop with a flask of tea.
8. Hidimba Parvat
A forested hill above Bhimtal named after Hidimba from the Mahabharata. There’s an ashram and a small forest area at the top with views over the lakes. The climb is short but steep in places.
9. Karkotak Temple hill walk
A Nag (serpent) temple on a hilltop close to Bhimtal. The walk up takes 30โ45 minutes and gives the best high view of Bhimtal town and lake together. Go in the morning, when the haze is lowest.
Day trips from Bhimtal
10. Naukuchiatal and paragliding
Naukuchiatal, about 5 km away, is a nine-cornered lake and the main tandem paragliding site in this part of Kumaon. Flights run in dry weather, usually from October to June. Prices vary by operator and flight length, so compare two or three at the take-off point. You can also boat and kayak on the lake.
11. Sattal
Sattal is a cluster of connected lakes in thick oak and pine forest, about 10โ11 km from Bhimtal. It’s one of the best birdwatching spots near Nainital: go at dawn and you’ll hear more than you see. There’s boating and kayaking, and a camp area for day activities. Weekends get busy with day-trippers after 11 am.
12. Kainchi Dham
The Neem Karoli Baba ashram is about 20 km from Bhimtal. It’s the closest major base for an early darshan. On weekends, police traffic plans may ask you to park at Bhimtal Vikas Bhawan and take a shuttle, so leave extra time. Our Kainchi Dham visit guide covers timings, rules and parking.
13. An evening in Nainital
Nainital is 20โ22 km away, about 45โ60 minutes. Go in the late afternoon, walk the Mall Road, boat on Naini Lake, and come back to Bhimtal for a quieter night. In peak season (MayโJune), check whether Nainital has vehicle-entry restrictions that day. For quieter spots around the town, see our list of offbeat places near Nainital.
14. Ramgarh orchards
Ramgarh is 25โ30 km uphill, known for peach, plum and apple orchards and for Tagore Top. It’s a full day if you add Mukteshwar beyond it. Our Ramgarh guide lists what to see.
What we’d skip
Most things on the lake itself can be done in one morning. Don’t plan three days of “Bhimtal sightseeing”. Plan one day in town and use Bhimtal as a base for Sattal, Naukuchiatal, Kainchi and Nainital. That’s where it earns its place.
Best time to visit Bhimtal
- March to June: warm days, busy weekends, good for boating and paragliding.
- July to mid-September: green and misty, but rain can cancel boating and paragliding.
- October to November: clear skies and the best light. Our favourite months.
- December to February: cold nights (close to freezing), quiet town, and sunny afternoons on the lake. Snow is rare at Bhimtal’s height.
A one-day Bhimtal plan
- 7:00 am: Walk the lake road to Victoria Dam.
- 8:30 am: Breakfast, then boating and the island aquarium.
- 11:00 am: Butterfly Research Centre (pre-booked).
- 1:00 pm: Lunch, then Naukuchiatal for paragliding or kayaking.
- 4:30 pm: Back to Bhimtal for the sunset from the dam.
If you’re planning a bigger trip through Kumaon, see our 4-day Kumaon itinerary from Delhi.
Where to stay
Basera by Saanjh Stay is a 3 BHK private villa about 1 km from Bhimtal Lake, with a working kitchen, three attached bathrooms and parking for two cars. It sleeps six, which suits families who want to cook some meals and eat out for others.
Staying in Bhimtal? Basera (3 BHK, up to 6 guests, from โน8,000/night). Book directly at saanjhstays.com.
FAQs
Bhimtal is famous for its large lake with an island aquarium, the British-era Victoria Dam, and the 17th-century Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple. It’s also the base for Sattal, Naukuchiatal and Kainchi Dham.
Bhimtal is quieter, flatter and less crowded than Nainital, with a bigger lake. Nainital has more restaurants, shopping and viewpoints. Many travellers stay in Bhimtal and visit Nainital for an evening.
One full day covers Bhimtal town. Two to three days lets you add Sattal, Naukuchiatal and Kainchi Dham without rushing.
Bhimtal is about 20โ22 km from Nainital, roughly 45โ60 minutes by car depending on traffic at Bhowali.
Snow is rare in Bhimtal because it’s lower than Nainital, at about 1,370 m. Winter nights are cold, and you can drive to Nainital or Mukteshwar for a better chance of snow.
