Mukteshwar or Nainital: where to stay in the Kumaon hills

Nainital is the famous one: a lake town with shops, boats and crowds. Mukteshwar is its quieter neighbour on a forested ridge, higher up and roughly two hours away. Which is the better base depends on the trip you want.

At a glance

• Crowds: Nainital is busy most of the year; Mukteshwar is quiet outside peak weekends.
• Views: Nainital has the lake; Mukteshwar has the valleys and, on clear days, the Himalaya.
• Temperature: Mukteshwar is higher, so it’s usually cooler, especially at night.
• Food and shopping: Nainital has far more choice.
• Space: Mukteshwar has more room: camps, cottages, gardens, a pool.

Choose Nainital if

• You want restaurants, shopping and the Mall Road on your doorstep.
• You’re staying one night and want to walk everywhere.
• You don’t have a car.

Choose Mukteshwar if

• You want quiet, forest walks, clean air and dark skies full of stars.
• You want Himalayan views on clear days.
• You’d like space: a Swiss camp, a cottage, a pool.
• You’re travelling with children who need room to run around.

The best of both

Stay in Mukteshwar and do Nainital as a day trip. You get the lake by day and the hills by night. See our stays, from Swiss camps to cottages, and things to do in Mukteshwar for the days in between.

A sample 3-night plan from Mukteshwar

• Night 1: arrive in the afternoon, settle in, dinner with a valley view.
• Day 2: Mukteshwar Dham and Chauli ki Jali in the morning, the pool or the Bhalu Gaad waterfall in the afternoon.
• Day 3: day trip to Nainital and Bhimtal; back by evening.
• Day 4: slow breakfast and the drive home via the orchards of Ramgarh.

Budget

In Nainital, a lake-view room in peak season commands a premium, and parking costs extra. In Mukteshwar, the same budget usually buys more space and quiet. Message us your dates for our direct rate.

Frequently asked