Naukuchiatal – The Lake of Nine Corners is a tranquil little town, overshadowed by its popular neighbour Nainital. Located in the Naini District of Kumaon, Uttarakhand, Naukuchiatal is perfect hill station to escape the crowds and connect with nature. Nestled between lush green Kumaon Himalayas, this picture perfect lake is situated at 4000 feet above sea level. The emerald lake is the integral part of this town with local settlements and hotels dotted around the forested valley. The thick unspoiled foliage is a perfect haven for bird watchers too. Incidentally, Naukuchiatal is also the deepest lake in Uttarakhand. Continue reading to know about this lesser known secrets of Uttarakhand.
Naukuchiatal – The Lake of Nine Corners
Legend
According to the legend, this lake was created by Lord Brahma, who performed penance here. A temple dedicated to Lord Brahma is located near the KMVN guesthouse. There is a belief that any person who can view all the nine corners of the lake at the same time with feet on the ground will attain Nirvana.
Location
Naukuchiatal is located about 320kms from Delhi. Around 4 kms from Bhimtal and 26 kms from Nainital.
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How to Reach
By Road
Naukuchiatal is well connected to all major cities of Uttarakhand. The roads are in good condition. Regular buses ply from Almora and Nainital to Naukuchiatal.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Naukuchiatal is Kathgodam, which is 7km away. Shared cabs are readily available near the railway station.
By Air
The nearest airport is Pantnagar which is located at a distance of 74 kms. Pantnagar Airport is well connected to Naukuchaital by roads.
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Things To Do in Naukuchiatal
Boating / Kayaking in Lake Naukuchiatal
Lake Naukuchiatal is popular for boating and kayaking. For adventure lovers there is also zip-lining and zorbing. The time for these activities is from 9am to 6pm.
Take a Nature Trek
The hills surrounding the lake are perfect for an early morning trek. You can take a complete round of the lake via the hillside and the wilderness. Be cautious about the leeches around the oak trees during monsoons.
Try the local cuisine
Kumaoni cuisine is simple, flavoursome and nutritious. It mainly consists of pulses and vegetables grown locally. The kumaoni raita, kafuli, bhaang ki chutney and baal mithai are some of the must try local dishes.
Visit the Hanuman Temple
This 52 feet high Hanuman temple is the first thing you notice when you reach Naukuchiatal. The temple has a cave built on the lines of Vaishno Devi temple.
Bird Watching
Naukuchiatal is a bird watchers paradise so make sure to carry your binoculars. At all times you get to hear the sweet melodious chirping of birds in Naukuchiatal. There is a vast variety of birds found here. The lake is a home to many local and migratory birds.
Fishing at Jungliangaon
7Kms from Naukuchiatal, Jungliagoan is haven for nature buffs. From wildlife photographers to bird watchers to fishing there is something for every nature lover in this beautiful and solitary place.
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Places To Visit
Bhimtal
Located mere 4 kms from Naukuchiatal, Bhimtal is a busy tourist destination. Its the largest lake in the Kumaon region and is always bustling with tourists trying out various water sports available here.
Sattal
Located at a distance of 12kms from Naukuchiatal, Sattal is a hidden gems of Uttarakhand. Sattal or 7 lakes is a link of 7 interconnected lakes surrounded by the Lower Himalayas. The seven lakes are Nal Damyanti, Panna or Garude lake, Ram, Laxman, Sita lakes. The last two lakes are Purna Tal and Sukh Tal. The mountains are lush green which give a emerald look to the water. Its located at an height of 1370m. Water sports like zip lining, kayaking and boating can be done here.
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Mukteshwar
35 kms from Naukuchiatal, Mukteshwar is famous for its perfect 180 view of the Garhwal Himalayas. Apart from the snow peaked Himalayas, its also famous for a 350 years old Shiva Temple. Its located at a height of almost 2300 feet above sea level. The Britishers built an Indian Veterinary research Institute here in Mukteshwar.
Nainital
One of the most popular hill stations of India, Nainital is located just 24 kms from Naukuchiatal. The beautiful “Naini” lake is surrounded by 7 mountains. This picture perfect hill station is thronged by tourists all year round. The lake is dotted with colourful boats and the famous mall road is lined with shops and eateries.
Ranikhet
This small little hilly paradise was once a strong contender to become the summer capital of British India. However that title went to Shimla and Ranikhet continued to be a postcard perfect destination known for its green meadows, colourful flowers and enchanting hills. The 9 hole golf course in Ranikhet is the highest in Asia.
Best Time to Visit
Summer months of March to June are warm but pleasant due to the surrounding mountains. The max temperature can go up to 30. The rainy season stays till September when the weather is cool with fresh greenery all around. However, there’s not much to do since it rains quite heavily here. The temperature in winter months of October to February range between 0-20C with even snowfall expected on some days. March to May and November to January are the best months to visit Naukuchiatal.
Places To Stay
Naukuchiatal is comparatively cheaper than Nainital as far as accommodations go. Since its less crowded the staying options are also few. However you will find two KMVN resorts, homestays and few luxury accommodations like Club Mahindra and The Lake Resort with properties overlooking the picturesque lake.
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