Bhowali

Bhowali is in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India, just 11 km from Nainital towards Ranikhet. It's a beautiful place and a gateway to major Kumaon hill stations. It is famous for Godakhal temple and army school. Bhimtal is a further 11 km from here, also famous for its lake bigger than Naini lake of Nainital and an island restaurant is situated in the middle of lake.

Get in

The nearest railway station is Kathgodam which is well connected with Delhi, Moradabad, Lucknow and Kolkata. 15013 Ranikhet Express is a daily train from Delhi to Kathgodam. 13019 Bagh Express connects Kathgodam with major cities like Kolkata, Lucknow, Muzaffarpur, Gorakhpur, Asansol.

See

• Bhimtal Lake (Take the bus from Naukuchiatal or Kathgodam. Rail connectivity is available till Kathgodam). Bhimtal lake is named after Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers in the epic Mahabharata. Located 11km from Bhowali at an altitude of 1370 meters, Bhimtal is a beautiful lake which offers magnificent views, boat rides and an island at the centre with a restaurant in it. A dam has also been built near the lake. There is a 17th century Bhimeshwar temple near the 40 feet high dam. 
• Butterfly Research Centre, Bhowali Range (7 km from Naukuchiatal Lake). Modest museum with a collection of preserved moths and butterflies, plus frequent educational courses. (updated Feb 2019)
• Sattal Lake
• Neem Karoli Temple

Sleep

• Sarthak Inn, Ramgharh road (5-min drive from town centre). Offers rooms, dormitories and cottages. 
• Kainchi Dham Hotels Bhowali (Kainchi Hotel), 25 mins drive from Nainital to bhowali road. Covered with mountains and provides amazing amenities for one to (updated Sep 2024)