Reminiscent of England’s Cumbrian Lake District in the way it looks and feels, Nainital, India, is a stunning Himalayan hill station. It’s set in a lush forested valley and surrounds the Lake Naini, which translates in Hindi to ‘Naini Tal’, thereby giving the town its name. A labyrinth of walking tracks cut through the slopes, each offering a different yet distinct vantage point to the Himalayan peaks. The resort town is an old favourite among Indian nationals and wide-eyed travellers alike, and hosts relics of the country’s colonial past. One crowd-pleasing attraction is the Nainital Ropeway. The cable car ropeway connects the mainland to the Snow View Point, which promises a breathtaking view of the hilly surroundings. Looking to visit this crowd-puller sometime soon? Here’s a comprehensive guide to Nainital Ropeway, Nainital.
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Things to do/ Highlights
Take a trip on a cable car
This cable car ropeway is said to be one of the safest of its type in India – a sigh of relief considering the steep incline of the valley it covers. The departure point is Mallital, where you can get on board one of the two scenic cars and be well on your way to the Snow Point. Be sure to take a peek outside through the windows to marvel at the scenery. The ride is only three minutes long, so every second is precious.
Click photos of Naini Lake
The route of the cable car gives you an aerial view of the Naini Lake and its crystalline waters. That, and the fact that the lake is surrounded by thick forests filled with birdsong, is reason enough to whip out your camera and get a few great photos. You don’t need an expensive drone or camera – taking the cable car is the best way to get those professional aerial shots with a simple phone camera.
Soak in the view at the Snow View Point
The endpoint of the cable car ride is the Snow View Point, which overlooks the Himalayan peaks. The drawcard of the viewpoint is in the name – on a clear day, you can see the snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas. You’ll have an hour to marvel at the wonders of nature, take a lungful of clean fresh air, and get a few tourist photos before heading back down to the cable car again.
Enjoy a few rides at the top
Near the Snow View point cable car station, you’ll find a carnivalesque setup, complete with rides and go-karting tracks. If you’ve finished looking at the views and still have some time to spare before you go back down, consider wandering through the amusement park and letting any children in your tour group have some childlike fun.
Where to eat
Grab a pastry at Sakley’s
A landmark bakery that dates back to the British Era, Sakley’s is a long-standing colonial relic that still contains old-school English charms. Locals and travellers swear by their desserts, which you can eat in or take away to savour in your hotel. Get your fill of chocolate eclairs, banoffee pie, lemon tarts and blueberry cheesecake. If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, the establishment also offers Indian, Chinese and Italian dishes on their menu.
Get street food at the amusement park
If street food is right up your alley, consider grabbing a bite at the amusement park near the Snow View Point. On offer are classic carnival fare, including popcorn, cotton candy, steamed corn and the likes. You might not find an entire meal here, but you’ll definitely find enough to satisfy any mid-day cravings or post-adventure sugar rushes.
Enjoy a hot meal at Zooby’s
The Nainital branch of this family-run chain of restaurants attracts quite a crowd, thanks to its cosy ambience and a stunning view of the lake. They serve a wide variety of dishes running the gamut of Indian, continental and grilled fare. Tourists and locals alike sing praises about the North Indian and Mughlai dishes available at Zooby’s. The establishment is budget-friendly to boot!
Travel tips
Visit during the off-season
Visit Nainital during the peak tourist seasons and you’ll find yourself waiting in long queues. Since there are only two cable cars, the waiting period is long and frustrating when there are too many people. Instead, consider visiting during the off-season so that you can make the most of the views without heads coming in the way.
You'll only get an hour to spend on top
According to the attraction guidelines, travellers using the cable car ropeway to get to the Snow View Point are only allowed to spend an hour there. This is presumably to avoid crowds right before closing time and to regulate the flow of traffic. That said, if you want to spend longer, you might want to consider heading to the point by car so you have a way back to your hotel.
Head to the ticket booth early
It’s best to buy your tickets early in the day so you can avoid the rush before and after lunchtime. This way, you can also enjoy clear views of the lake and might even get a car to yourself and your family.
How to get there
By taxi
The starting point of the ropeway is in Mallital, which you can reach by hailing a taxi from any departure point in Nainital.
On foot
If you’re somewhere near the Roadways Bus Stand in Nainital, you’ll only need to walk around 2 kilometres (1.3 miles) to reach Mallital.
How to get tickets
To buy official tickets to the Nainital Ropeway, you’ll need to head to the ticket counter at the attraction itself. Prices vary depending on when you go. However, the last noted price was 300 INR (4 USD) per adult and 200 INR (2.7 USD) per child, for a two-way journey.
Nainital Ropeway, Nainital information
Nainital Ropeway
Address: Ropeway Rd, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263002
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 4 USD for Adults; 2.7 USD for Children (Two-way journey)
Department of Tourism: Visit Nainital
History
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