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We recently took a short weekend road trip from Delhi to Nainital and Jim Corbett to celebrate my wife’s birthday. With the weather turning crisp and pleasant in November, it was the perfect time to escape the city chaos and soak in the scenic beauty of the mountains, lakes, and wilderness. Traveling as a family with kids, we were excited for a mix of relaxation, nature, and some adventure!
1. Day 1: Reaching Nainital: Lake Views, Mall Road, and Family Fun
We hit the road early in the morning and reached Nainital around 2 PM. Our stay was at Hotel Grand, located right on Mall Road with beautiful views of Naini Lake. After a hearty lunch at the hotel, we relaxed for a while before heading out for an evening stroll.
The mall road was lively, and the kids had a blast at the video game center. Honestly, even the adults couldn’t resist trying a few games, bringing back childhood memories. Later, we sipped evening tea while soaking in the views and ended the day with a cozy dinner at the hotel. Post-dinner, we spent some peaceful moments sitting on the balcony, enjoying the chilly mountain breeze and the shimmering night view of the lake.
2. Day 2: Boating, Temple Darshan, and Mall Road Fun
The next morning started with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. We then went for a boating ride in Naini Lake—the sun was out, making the calm ride even more delightful. After boating, we visited the Naina Devi Temple, which was serene and not crowded at all.
Later, we headed to the famous Café Lakeside for some snacks and beverages. Their cutting chai was a personal favorite! Before heading back, the kids picked out a few toys from the local shops on Mall Road.
Evening was relaxed with chai and pakoras at the hotel, perfect in the cool weather. The kids crashed early after the day’s fun while we took another quiet walk along the hotel balcony, soaking in the peaceful mountain vibes.
3. Day 3: Jungle Safari Adventure at Jim Corbett
After another great breakfast, we checked out and set off towards Jim Corbett National Park. Our stay was at ITC Jim Corbett, but first, we headed straight for the jungle safari.
The safari turned out to be the highlight of the trip! We spotted elephants, deer, and several bird species. Unfortunately, we missed seeing the tiger by just a few minutes—our kids’ excitement made it a bit tough to stay quiet, but that’s the charm of traveling with little ones!
Post-safari, we drove towards ITC, which was around 35 km away via Ranikhet road. Though the journey took longer due to narrow, busy roads, the sunset views over the valley were mesmerizing.
We reached ITC just in time for high tea. The property was beautiful with spacious rooms, but we felt the maintenance could have been better for a new hotel. Dinner was ordered in-room, and later, we spent hours stargazing from the pool deck, which was located at the highest point of the resort. The clear night sky was magical, and I even caught a glimpse of a shooting star—a perfect end to the trip!
Next morning, after breakfast, we headed back home, refreshed and full of memories.
Top Highlights from the Trip:
- Stunning night sky views and spotting a shooting star
- Serene lake views from our hotel in Nainital
- Sunset over the valley while driving to Jim Corbett
Pro Tips for Travelers:
- Hotel Grand, Mall Road (Nainital) – Perfect central location, great lake views, ample parking, and good food
- ITC Jim Corbett – Offers amazing sunset views from their deck; try stargazing from the pool area
- Plan your safari with kids accordingly—they may find it tough to stay quiet, which could affect animal sightings
