Nainital was discovered by an Englishman named P. Barron in 1839. The glorious gem-like lake and the virgin hills appealed to him so strongly that he left a flourishing sugar business to settle here. And so it began. First the holidaying English then the Indian maharajas and then the Indian public. Nainital has never looked back as a summer retreat since.

The headquarters of the district by the same name; Nainital is the largest and most popular hill-station of the Kumaon region. Making it your base, you can visit other spots such as Ranikhet, Kausani, Mukteshwar and Almora. The heart of the destination is the Naini Lake named after the emerald green eyes of the Goddess Parvati, who is also the patron goddess of the region. From around the lake rise wooded slopes, one side being heavily populated by a large township. 

Nainital is also intimately linked with legendary hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett.  He lived here with his family and it is from here that he first ventured on hunting trips in the surrounding forests. Later Corbett was to play an important role in establishing a game sanctuary under a conservation programme promoted by him and other like minded friends, which went on to become one of India's first national wildlife parks the Corbett National Park.

Make the Naini Lake area your base for exploring this old hill station. The lake itself nestles between the Ayarpatta ridge to the west and Sher Ka Danda to the west. Head for the Mall area, which runs along its eastern bank with its line-up of small hotels, restaurants and storefronts. A peaceful walkway encircles the lake and the opposite side known as Thandi Sadak is popular for pony rides. When the holiday crowds start getting to you, head for the higher slopes of the hills to discover a peaceful and calm side of the hill-station.