Adventure Sports in Nainital

1. Camping -

Nainital has several spectacular camping sites that would enthrall every traveller. Camping here adds to your quest for adventure as it is never just a single activity. Most of the campsites here organize other activities including trekking, rappelling, caving, mountain biking, birdwatching, paragliding and many others.

Location - Nainital.
Price - Starting from INR 1100 for 2Days and 1 Night.
Timing - Best time to go camping in Nainital is between March to June.

2. Paragliding -

Add a spell of adventure in Nainital with a paragliding tour. This adrenaline pumping adventure is an experience of a lifetime and performed under the guidance of expert instructors. Enjoy the feel of gliding as you take in an aerial view of the whole area.

Location - Naukuchiatal.
Price - Starting at INR 1200 per person.
Timing - Best time is between April to June.

3. Rock Climbing -

Rock climbing is one of the most favored adventure sports in Nainital. It is a highly demanding sport but it is something that will get your adrenaline pumping and indulge your sense of adventure.

Location - Nainital.
Price - Starts at INR 1500 per person.
Timing - Best time is between September to May.

4. Trekking -

Nainital is ideal for those who want to explore the natural countryside on foot. There are several trekking trails with varying gradients ideal for both beginners as well as expert trekkers. Some popular trails are Tiffin Top, Naina Peak, Thakoor Top and a few others.

Location - Nainital.
Price - Starting from INR 1200.
Timing - Best time to trek are March to May.

5. Parasailing -

This is one of the most exciting adventure sports in Nainital and something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Enjoy the views as you soar like a bird. Your rope will be tied to a boat that zips through the water giving you that incredible adrenaline rush.

Location - Bhimtal.
Price - Starts from INR 2000.
Timing - March to June and September to October is the best time for parasailing.

6. Rappelling -

This is another excellent adventure sport in Nainital and it is one of the best options for adrenaline junkies. Sattal Lake has some of the best places for rappelling in Nainital. There is lush greenery all around and the views are an added advantage to the effort.

Location - Nainital.
Price - Starts from INR 1500.
Timing - Best time is between May to June and September to October.

7. Water Zorbing -

Water zorbing is another thrilling adventure sport in Nainital. You will be put inside a massive plastic ball and then you can take a stroll on the water or just lie around feeling the buoyant experience take over you. The best part about this activity is that it is exciting as well as relaxing.

Location - Nainital.
Price - Starting at INR 500.
Timing - April to June and September to November is ideal for this activity.

8. Mountain biking -

Explore the beauty of Nainital on a bike as you go across wonderful nature trails, villages, etc. It is ideal for adventure enthusiasts, photographers, explorers and nature lovers. You can rent a bike and get on with your explorations.

Location - Nainital.
Price - Starting at INR 11/km.
Timing - best time is between March to May and October to November.

9. Horse riding -

Explore the scenic beauty of Nainital on horseback as you ride along winding paths lined with majestic oak and pine trees. The uneven terrain and the misty paths makes for one great adventurous ride. There are many places in Nainital where you can enjoy horse riding such as Tiffin Top Bara Pathar, KhurpaTal Lake View Point, Land’s End, etc.

Location- Nainital.
Price - Starting at INR 150.
Timing - All year round.

10. Ropeway Ride -

No trip to Nainital is complete without a ride on the amazing ropeways. The Ropeway connects the city to the Snow View peak and it is at a height of 2250 m above sea level. The view is incredible as you ascend the line making it one of the best things you can do in Nainital.

Location - Ropeway RdMallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001.
Price - INR 150 for Adults and INR 100 for children both ways.
Timings - 10 AM to 4 PM daily.

1. Visit Gurney House -

Whenever you travel to Nainital do make time for a visit to Gurney House which is the home of the famous conservationist, Jim Corbett. Although it is not as large as his other house in Kaladhungi which has been converted to a museum, it is still worth a visit.

The owner allows tours of the property and you can also get a glimpse of several things that were owned by Jim Corbett.

2. Visit Joseph’s Boat Club -

Everyone who travels to Nainital enjoys a boat ride but how about kayaking on the beautiful lakes of Nainital? Add a touch of adventure in Nainital with a kayaking lesson in the Boat Club that too at just Rs 25.

3. Take a trip to KhurpaTal -

Khurpa Tal is a beautiful hamlet about 12km from Nainital surrounded by pine and cedar trees. Here you can indulge in fishing, exploring vegetable farms, nature photography, birdwatching and nature walks.

4. Visit the Nainital Mountaineering Club -

This is a perfect place for adrenaline junkies to enjoy rock climbing both natural and artificial, mountaineering and trekking.

5. Spend the day bird watching at Kilbury Bird Sanctuary -

Kilbury Sanctuary is an amazing place and a perfect paradise for avid bird watchers. There are over 580 different species of local as well as migratory birds.

Some of the best water sports in Nainital are:

1. Water Zorbing -
If you seek adventure and love water then water zorbing is a must try adventure sports in Nainital. This is an exciting activity that is loved by young and old and it is one of the best experiences to indulge in while visiting Nainital. You will be put inside a huge plastic ball called a zorb which allows you to stroll on the water.

2. River Crossing -
This is one of the most exhilarating adventures in Nainital. The best place to indulge in river crossing is in Sattal. This is one of the most unpolluted freshwater lakes in the region and is surrounded by oak and pine trees all around.

3. Angling -
Angling is another sought after activity in Nainital. The best places to enjoy angling in Nainital are Sattal and Khurpa Tal. There are several varieties of fish that you can catch such as trout, carp, catfish, etc.

4. Kayaking -
If you are new to Kayaking then Nainital is the perfect place to learn this sport. Visit Joseph’s Boat Club and learn kayaking at just Rs 25!

5. Parasailing -
One of the most fascinating adventure activities in Nainital is parasailing. As the boat zips across the water you will be soaring above and enjoying the most spectacular views.

1. Kunjakharak Trek -

This trekking trail is relatively untouched and it is more of a jungle trek with no uphill climb. The trail takes you past thick deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. It starts from Pangot which is located about 40 km from Nainital main city. The total distance is about 36 km and a part of it follows the Kosi River.

2. Roopkund Trek -

This is one of the most popular and challenging treks amongst avid trekkers. It starts from Lohajung and ends in Roopkund covering a distance of 53 km. It takes about 8 days to complete this trek and it is one of the most exhilarating experiences in Nainital.

3. Naini Peak Trek -

Naini Peak is the highest peak in Nainital and the route to the top provides for one of the most challenging trekking trails for trekkers. Naini Peak overlooks the entire city of Nainital and the view from the top is totally worth the trek.

The distance is about 14km and suitable for all levels of trekkers. Enroute you will be passing through Pangot which is a beautiful hilly village with excellent opportunities for birdwatching.

4. Khurpa Tal Trek -

This is a magnificent trail passing through Hanuman Garhi and Rusi Gaon to Khurpa Tal. The route is about 10km long and it takes about a day to go there and back to Nainital.

5. Betal Ghat Trek -

This is a three day trek covering a distance of 47km. Although the trail is quite an easy one and ideal for beginners, the views are spectacular and it offers some of the best adventure in Nainital. The route takes you through Binayak then on to Kunjkharak and then on to Betal Ghat.

6. Snow View Peak Trek -

This trek will give you some of the most incredible views of the Himalayas and the surrounding valley. This is a 3km trek and though short it is one of the most sought after adventure activities in Nainital.

Some of the best campsites in Nainital are:-

1. Nainital River Camp -

Experience nature is its purest form at Nainital River Camp. This campsite is located about 25 km from the city of Nainital, in a beautiful valley. There is a quaint little village nearby which you can visit while camping here. Here, you can club camping with other activities such as river crossing, rappelling, trekking, village hopping, etc.

2. Camp Purple -

The camp gets its name from the colorful hues of the apple and peach orchards mixed with bright sunlight. While camping here you can also enjoy rappelling, hiking, trekking, nature walks, kite making and kite flying projects.

3. Camp Twilight -

This campsite is perfect for nature lovers. The campsite has several different types of trees such as plum, peach, apricot and kafal. At this campsite you can also enjoy rappelling, nature walks, treks, indoor and outdoor games.

4. Ayar Jungle Camp -

This is an ideal campsite for adventure junkies. The Ayar Jungle Camp offers several adventure sports in Nainital such as caving, rock climbing, night treks and birdwatching.

5. Camp Dhanuli -

This is another wonderful campsite offering some of the most invigorating activities and adventure in Nainital. You can indulge in some expertly guided activities such as night trekking, rock climbing, valley crossing, Jumaring, rappelling and paragliding as well.

March to June is the perfect time to visit Nainital for river rafting, rappelling, paragliding, hot air balloon rides, trekking, water zorbing, bungee jumping, etc. October to February is the best time to visit Nainital to enjoy paragliding, ropeway rides, cliff rappelling, rock climbing, camping, trekking and so much more.

Yes, Nainital is perfectly safe to try out the several adventure sports that are offered here. All the necessary precautions are taken and your safety is the top priority.

March to June is the best time to visit Nainital for paragliding if you want to enjoy the luscious greenery and breathtaking views. You can also visit Nainital during the months of October to December if you revel in the idea of gliding over sparkling white snow.

Nainital is a famous hill station in Uttarakhand. It is highly popular for its beautiful natural surroundings, fresh pine forests and the magnificent Naini Lake which has also given it the epithet of the Lake City of India. Nainital is also famous for its prestigious schools and research facilities that have gained a respectable reputation right from the British Era.