Check before you go: driving times are typical estimates for mountain roads, not live traffic. Confirm road status, opening dates and bookings locally.
Day by day
- Day 1: Kathgodam to Nainital. Boating and Mall Road.
Driving: About 1-1.5 hours · Overnight: Nainital - Day 2: Bhimtal and Sattal. Lakes and walks.
Driving: About 1-1.5 hours · Overnight: Nainital - Day 3: Mukteshwar. Orchards and views.
Driving: About 2 hours · Overnight: Mukteshwar - Day 4: Almora. Kasar Devi and bazaar.
Driving: About 2-2.5 hours · Overnight: Almora - Day 5: Kausani. Himalayan views and tea.
Driving: About 2 hours · Overnight: Kausani - Day 6: Ranikhet. Gardens and temples.
Driving: About 2 hours · Overnight: Ranikhet - Day 7: Return. Back to Kathgodam.
Driving: About 3 hours · Overnight: None
Is it comfortable or rushed?
Balanced. Balanced; no day is excessive.
Seasonal alternatives
Winter nights are cold at higher stops.
Budget
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Route map
Straight lines between stops are schematic only, not the road route.
Stops
Nainital, Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal, Mukteshwar, Almora, Kausani, Ranikhet