Complete Bhimtal Travel Guide
Top Places & Activities
Bhimtal Lake Island Aquarium: India's only lake island aquarium — a small but interesting freshwater fish aquarium on the island in the centre of Bhimtal lake. Reached by rowboat from the main ghat. The aquarium has exotic and local freshwater species. Entry (aquarium): ₹30–₅₀. The island itself has a small garden and the remains of a Mughal rest house.
Bhimtal Lake boating: The largest lake in Kumaon — rowboats, pedal boats and motorboats available at the main Bhimtal Ghat. The lake is 1,675m long and 447m wide. Less commercialised than Naini Lake (Nainital) — fewer boats, quieter setting, better visibility of the surrounding hills. ₹100–₂₀₀/30 min.
Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple: An ancient Shiva temple on the lake shore — one of the oldest temples in the Kumaon lake district, believed to be Pandava-era. The lakeside setting and the carved stone panels make it worth visiting. Entry: free.
Naukuchiatal (7 km): "Nine-corner lake" — a lake of unusual depth (40.3m) in a nine-sided basin 7 km from Bhimtal. Paragliding from the ridge above Naukuchiatal lake (₹1,500–₂,₅₀₀), kayaking and fishing. Less visited than Bhimtal and Nainital.
How to Reach Bhimtal
| Origin | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nainital | 22 km | 45 min |
| Kathgodam | 25 km | 1 hr |
| Sattal | 8 km | 20 min |
| Delhi | 298 km | 6 hrs |
How to Reach Bhimtal
22 km from Nainital (45 min). Shared taxi from Kathgodam to Bhimtal: ₹100–₁₅₀/person. Frequent buses from Nainital and Kathgodam.
Budget, Hotels & Travel Tips
- Best time: October–March (clear weather, mild temperatures). Best avoided in peak May–June (crowded) and monsoon (July–August, road conditions variable).
- Kumaon Lakes circuit base: Bhimtal makes a good base for exploring the Kumaon lakes circuit — it is equidistant from Nainital (22 km), Sattal (8 km) and Naukuchiatal (7 km). Accommodation is cheaper and the lake is quieter.
- Accommodation: Many hotels and homestays around the lake (₹800–₂,₅₀₀/night). KMVN Tourist Rest House (₹800–₁,₂₀₀). Most properties face the lake.
FAQs
- Is Bhimtal lake larger than Naini Lake?
- Yes — Bhimtal lake (1,675m long, 447m wide, area 1.07 sq km) is larger than Naini Lake in Nainital (1,433m long, 474m wide, area 0.47 sq km). Bhimtal is also deeper (26m vs 15m for Naini Lake). Despite being larger, Bhimtal sees far fewer tourists than Nainital — partly because it lacks Nainital's commercial hill-station infrastructure, and partly because the British preferred Nainital as their hill station headquarters. The result: Bhimtal is a quieter and more natural lake experience than Naini Lake.