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Voykit pocket guide · India
Bhowali
Spend 1–2 days in Bhowali as a hub for nearby lakes and hill stations; walk the town, then take short taxis to Bhimtal, Sattal or Ranikhet.
Bhowali is a small hill‑station junction in Kumaon, 11 km from Nainital. Its compact centre is walkable, while taxis reach lakes and other towns within 30‑45 min, making a 1‑day stay enough for sights and a 2‑day stay for nearby excursions.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heavy monsoon)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
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 ₹1,200–1,800 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,000–3,000 excl. bed · High ₹3,500–5,000 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 · India general emergency 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 at roadside stall | ₹30–60 |
| Apple (seasonal) | ₹40–80 per kg |
| Boat ride on Bhimtal | ₹200–500 |
| Paragliding tandem | ₹1,500–2,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PGH · Pantnagar Airport
- ≈65 km (40 mi), nearest domestic airport≈40 mi (65 km), nearest domestic airport
- DEL · Indira Gandhi International Airport
- ≈300 km (186 mi), main international gateway≈186 mi (300 km), main international gateway
Typical fares
- Pantnagar → Bhowali taxi
- ≈ ₹1,200–1,500, 1.5 h (check)
- Delhi → Kathgodam train (Shatabdi)
- ≈ ₹1,500–2,200, 5 h (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
Town is best explored on foot; shared jeeps or private taxis from the main crossroads reach lakes and hill stations in 15‑45 min.
See and do
Known for
- Golu Devta Temple
- Sainik School Ghorakhal
- Fruit market
- Gateway to Kumaon hill stations
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bhimtal Lake | Taxi from Bhowali, about 11 km (6.8 mi), 20 minTaxi from Bhowali, about 6.8 mi (11 km), 20 min | ≈30 min round trip |
| Sattal Lakes | Taxi, 12 km (7.5 mi), 25 minTaxi, 7.5 mi (12 km), 25 min | ≈45 min round trip |
| Ranikhet | Taxi, 47 km (29 mi), 1 h 15 minTaxi, 29 mi (47 km), 1 h 15 min | ≈2 h round trip |
Sleep
- Sarthak Inn
- Rooms, dorms and cottages on Ramgarh road; good for budget and mid‑range stays
- Kainchi Dham Hotels
- Comfortable amenities near the highway; convenient for trips to Nainital
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजियेmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is it? | यह कितना है?yeh kitna hai? |
| Where is the bus stand? | बस स्टैंड कहाँ है?bas stand kahaan hai? |
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
- Roads can be slippery in monsoon; check weather before travel
- Taxi fares vary; agree price or ask for a meter
- Limited night transport after 9 pm; plan return trips earlier
Generally safe; watch for traffic on mountain roads and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bhowali yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Golu Devta Temple
- Sainik School Ghorakhal
- Fruit market
- Gateway to Kumaon hill stations
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 – Bhowali: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Bhowali, revision 5325027 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5325027
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/bhowali). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.