Bhimtal
Nainital, Uttarakhand, India • 29.35°N, 79.56°E
📖 About Bhimtal
- ✦Larger lake than Nainital at 1,378m elevation - 22km away with fewer crowds
- ✦Island temple in the middle of the lake accessible by paddle boats year-round
- ✦May temperatures peak at 38°C (100.4°F) - bring sunscreen and light cotton clothing
- ✦Limited ATMs - nearest reliable cash point in Bhowali 11km away, UPI unreliable
At 1,378m (4,521 ft), Bhimtal sits 329m lower than Nainital but compensates with a lake nearly twice the size - 1,674m long compared to Nainital's 1,432m. The town spreads around this C-shaped water body backed by forested hills that rise to 2,000m. Unlike Nainital's crowded Mall Road, Bhimtal has one main market street, a handful of restaurants, and far fewer weekend tourists. May brings the hottest days with highs of 38°C (100.4°F), while January mornings drop to 3.1°C (37.6°F) with occasional frost. The monsoon dumps 338mm in July and 279mm in August, which green the hills but make roads slippery.
The lake takes its name from Bhima, the second Pandava brother in the Mahabharata, who supposedly created it during exile. A 17th-century Bhimeshwar Mahadev temple sits on the lake's only island, reached by paddle boats that run dawn to dusk. Victoria Dam at the lake's eastern end was built in 1883 by the British and still controls water levels. The surrounding forests hold oak, pine, and rhododendron, with Ghorakhal Temple 3km north attracting devotees year-round. Bhimtal Aquarium, opened in 1961, claims to be India's first public aquarium - whether that remains impressive depends on your expectations.
Families wanting Kumaoni hill views without Nainital crowds will appreciate the quieter pace here. The town has three ATMs but they run dry during long weekends - carry cash from Haldwani or Kathgodam. Mobile connectivity works on major networks but 4G drops frequently near the lake's western shore and in the hill roads beyond town.
🎯 Things to Do in Bhimtal
Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple sits 91m from the western shore on the lake's only island. Paddle boats cost Rs 150 for 30 minutes and run 7am to 6pm - rowing takes 10 minutes each way (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Weekends see 15-20 minute waits for boats but weekdays run empty.
Hidimba Parvat rises 600m above the lake's northern edge, 4km from town center via a forest trail starting behind Ghorakhal Temple. The 2-hour climb gains 400m elevation through oak forest to a viewpoint at 1,778m with sight lines to Nainital and Naukuchiatal. Start before 8am in summer when shade still covers the lower trail - no water sources exist beyond the temple.
The aquarium sits at Victoria Dam's base, 1.2km from the main market, displaying Chinese and Japanese carp plus local hill stream fish. Entry costs Rs 50 and opens 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday - closed Mondays (confirm locally — rates vary by season). The collection has shrunk since the 1990s but children under 10 still find the koi pond engaging for 20 minutes.
The 4.5km lakeside path from Victoria Dam to Folk Culture Museum passes through pine forest with lake views every 200m. Morning walkers fill the trail 6am to 8am but afternoons stay quiet except weekends. The complete loop takes 75 minutes at a steady pace with benches every 500m - avoid monsoon months when leeches cross the path near water.
Naukuchiatal Lake lies 5km east via Bhowali road - its nine corners give the 'nine-cornered lake' name. Paddle boats and kayaks rent for Rs 200-300 per hour and the water depth of 40m allows parasailing April to June (confirm locally — rates vary by season). The lake sees one-third of Bhimtal's tourist numbers which means cleaner water and less plastic floating near the shore.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | 3.1 | 22.9 | 37 | 51% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | 3.9 | 25.7 | 36 | 47% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | 7.4 | 31.5 | 47 | 45% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | 12.5 | 35.3 | 39 | 37% |
| May | 🌤️ | 16.1 | 38.0 | 78 | 39% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 19.0 | 37.9 | 138 | 52% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 20.5 | 32.9 | 338 | 81% |
| Aug | 🌧️ | 19.9 | 29.8 | 279 | 87% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 17.8 | 29.6 | 168 | 83% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | 12.3 | 28.4 | 56 | 66% |
| Nov | 🌤️ | 9.0 | 26.0 | 6 | 55% |
| Dec | 🌤️ | 4.1 | 23.8 | 12 | 48% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Nainital region, not exclusively Bhimtal. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Bhimtal
💡 Visitor Tips
January to March mornings drop to 3.1°C-7.4°C (37.6°F-45.3°F) requiring fleece jackets and closed shoes, while April-May afternoons hit 35.3°C-38°C (95.5°F-100.4°F) needing cotton and sun hats. Monsoon months July-August bring 338mm and 279mm rainfall - pack waterproof jackets and covered footwear that drains fast.
Book hotels 7-10 days ahead for October-November and March-April when Delhi schools take breaks - last-minute walk-ins on Fridays often face full signs. No permits needed for any treks or attractions around Bhimtal unlike protected zones in Nainital district.
The Kathgodam-Bhimtal road narrows after Bhowali with blind curves every 300m - drive defensively and use horn before bends. Local shared taxis charge Rs 30-40 for town-to-lake routes and wait at the main market stand near the post office.
Three ATMs operate near the main market but run dry by Saturday afternoons during tourist season - withdraw cash in Haldwani or Kathgodam before ascending. Most restaurants accept UPI on Paytm and PhonePe but connectivity drops make transactions fail 30% of the time - carry Rs 2,000 minimum in cash for 2-day stays.
Most hotels cluster along the eastern lakeshore road within 800m of Victoria Dam with budget options from Rs 1,200-2,000 and mid-range from Rs 3,000-5,500 per night (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Stays near the dam offer lake views while those 1km inland cost 25% less.
📍 More Places in Nainital
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Bhimtal
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Bhimtal covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Bhimtal is located in Nainital district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 1378 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.