Solo Trip to Ninital, Bhimtal, Sattal, Nakuchiyatal & Nearby Areas by Nomad

Did you ever got an opportunity to go for a surprise trip which was actually not planned by you? Yes this happens, like unexpected problems, unexpected enjoyment also do come.

Similarly I was not expecting this trip!!! How?

Actually I was sent to an official assignment to Delhi, after reaching there we came to know that we need to proceed for mobilisation of new business assignment.

To my utter surprise and great luck, the mobilisation was going to take place at Nainital....❤❤❤❤

Wow what a great luck!!!

So I prepared for it and we proceed for Haldwani on 29th August 2017. As it was not an planned adventure trip thus I was not having any casual or trekking stuff, also I was not prepared for the Rains and Cold weather.

Tip 1 : If you also get to encounter same kind of situation, do not waste your time and take it as opportunity. Start doing google, make a route plan, make list of places to be visited and finally search for a conveyance, probably a two wheeler on rent. Also buy a small bag for carrying your belongings and keep them dry during rain. A small waist bag or should bag will be fine to carry your wallet and mobile during the trip.

So I did my home work, made schedule for my official work and planned for my unexpected but tempting opportunity to explore the beauty of Nainital. By luck one of my amazing friend Shivam was posted at Haldwani which is around 25Km from the Nainital and he was well versed with the whole area. I got jackpot baby!!!

So I called Shivam and he too excitingly agreed to host me. He arranged a TVC Apache Bike for me and also he made a route plan for me. So nice of you Shivam... 

So finally I was set to go for an surprise trip and witness the mind blowing beauty of Uttrakhand. I chose following route:-

Day 1 - Haldwani - Bhimtal - Nakuchiatal - Sattal - Bhimtal - Haldwani

After having breakfast on 31st August 2017, I started for my 1st day trip as per plan. I drove to Bhimtal and I loved the beauty of this place. Refer the video attached. 

After spending some time at Bhimtal, I boarded for Nakuciatal and as per my bad habit I used to talk with local people and someone informed me that one can do Paragliding at Nakuciatal. Wow.... I always wanted to do the paragliding and today I had opportunity to do the same. Thus I straightly went to the highest camp for Paragliding and inquired about it. With my good luck they informed me that this is the off season and they will charge me Rs. 1000 on the place of Rs. 1500. I did my enrollment and finally I was in to the air ❤. Ultimate experience, one must do it. Little bit scary when you run towards the cliff and jump from there. You have to trust on your instructor and equipment :D

After enjoying this amazing activity, I proceeded for onward journey and witnessed some of the amazing views.

Tip 2 : If you are at Bhimtal, do not forget to visit Peter's Butterfly Research Centre. He has setup his private butterfly reserve in the lap of nature and he has around 2000+ specifications of butterflies and the most biggest moth in his collection. Official the biggest moth is sized around 190mm, he has 192mm in his collection. Amazing personality and so much talkative. I enjoyed talking with him for a hour. The way to his research centre is also itself an adventure. As per Peter, Leopards frequently comes to their doors for hunting his pet dogs.

The whole day was well spent in the lap of nature and I slept like logs whole night.

Day 2 - Haldwani - Pangot - Kilvari - Nainital - Ramnagar - Jim Corbett National Park - Gurja - Haldwani

Next day morning, Shivam was at my door as he took leave from his office and he offered me to accompany whole day and show some of the best places which are hidden and unknown to outsiders. We drove and drove that day for around 300Kms. Saw some of the breathtaking places which I could not see without Shivam. We saw himalayan view points, Pangot, Kilvari, Nainital, Ramnagar, Jim Corbett outskirts and Gurja mata temple which is situated inside the Jim Corbett National Park.

Tip 3 : If you are travelling towards Nainital, do not forget to visit Botanical Garden, there you will find thousands of plants and many species of butterflies roaming here and there. This place is must visit for nature and plant lovers.

We also witnessed heavy rains and there was some major landsliding was also reported. This is the same period when Shimla had huge land slide last week.

All in all this was a great trip, you can refer the below video which will give you insights of the whole trip with some of the best scenes captured and places visited.

After doing this 2 days excellent trip, I boarded for my return journey to Indore with pleasing memories. 

Last but not least, while return from Jim Corbett to Haldwani, We found this in night:-