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Voykit pocket guide · India
Bhimtal
Spend 1–2 days in Bhimtal: a half‑day on the lake plus a quick trip to Sattal or Naukuchiatal.
Bhimtal is a small lakeside town in the Kumaon hills. The lake and nearby temples can be seen in a few hours; a second day lets you visit Sattal or Naukuchiatal, both reachable by taxi in under an hour.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (monsoon landslides)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,200–₹2,000 excl. bed · High ₹2,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Fire and ambulance 101 · General emergency (all services) 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea or coffee at a lakeside café | ₹30–₹60 |
| Snack (samosa, pakora) | ₹20–₹50 |
| Boat ride (per person, 30 min) | ₹150–₹300 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (short ride) | ₹30–₹70 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PGH · Pantnagar Airport
- Nearest airport, 30 km (19 mi) road to BhimtalNearest airport, 19 mi (30 km) road to Bhimtal
Typical fares
- Pantnagar → Bhimtal (taxi)
- ≈ ₹1,200 one way (check)
- Bhimtal → Sattal (taxi)
- ≈ ₹300 each way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk around the lake (15 min loop). Auto‑rickshaws or shared taxis for Sattal, Naukuchiatal or Nainital; hire a taxi for flexible trips.
See and do
Known for
- Bhimtal Lake
- Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple
- Lake dam and boating
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sattal | Taxi from Bhimtal, about 20 min | ≈ 45 min total |
| Naukuchiatal | Taxi, about 30 min | ≈ 1 h |
| Nainital | Bus or taxi, 30–40 min | ≈ 1 h |
Sleep
- Lake‑front hotels
- Close to boating and restaurants; good for 1 night
- Hill‑side guesthouses
- Quiet, a short walk to the lake
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजिएmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is this? | यह कितना है?yeh kitna hai? |
| Where is the lake? | झील कहाँ है?jheel kahaan hai? |
| Can I have water, please? | पानी मिल सकता है?paani mil sakta hai? |
| I need a taxi | मुझे टैक्सी चाहिएmujhe taxi chahiye |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Monsoon rains make hill roads slippery and can trigger landslides – check road conditions.
- Boating safety: follow local instructions, wear life jackets.
- Limited bus frequency in off‑season – plan transport ahead.
Generally safe for tourists; main risks are monsoon‑related road conditions and lake‑boating safety – stay alert and follow local guidance.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bhimtal yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Bhimtal Lake
- Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple
- Lake dam and boating
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Bhimtal: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Bhimtal, revision 5338520 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5338520
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Bhimtal
कृपया इस पते पर ले जाएँ
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Indian foreign missions list: US consulate in Delhi; nearest Indian embassy for foreign nationals in New Delhi.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/bhimtal). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.