Need Info on planning trip to Nainital

Hi,

I am from Pune and planning to travel to Nainital and surrounding places in Feb'13-end. i am planning for 4 day trip there. I will be travelling with my wife.
I have a few questions?

1. First of all is Feb-end good time to visit there?

2. Which are the nearby places that I can visit. I am looking for places with good himalayan views and snow covered peaks.
(Note that I need to stay in Nainital for 2 Nights as I have got a travel package for one of the hotels.)
So I will be having 2 more days to stay at some other places. Which hotels can I consider for stay in those places.

3. How can I plan my travel. Will it be good to book vehicle from Delhi itself or book from Nainital?

4. How about safety in these places. As only 2 of us will be visiting there. Travelling at night etc.

5. Which are good restaurants in Nainital?

Can someone provide me with a plan.
Thanks for your help in advance.

feb will be chilling so carry heavy heavy woollen

kausani is 120kms from nainital and the view of himalaya is very good
Ranikhet is 65kms from nainital and the view is not as good as kausani but nice and peaceful hill station
do not miss Mukteshwar 55kms from nainital. The famous Mukteshwar temple with main deity as Lord Shiva is a famous attraction and city is situted in a height of about 7500 feet and view of himalaya is realy nice

do not travel at night because uttrakhand govt dont give permission to travel after 8 PM
and do not worry about safety, its totaly safe

If Feb is very chilling would travelling in March recommended?
Do you know good hotels for stay in places that youhave mentioned (Kausani, Ranikhet, Mukteshwar)?

Read My Kumaon Trip Report for more information on places in and around Nainital.

As you said you have to spend minimum two days in nainital, i would recommend mukteshwar over kausani.
Definitely kausani has panoramic views of himalay but you will only touch & return from there. Nainital to kausani is roughly 5.5 to 6 hours.
Mukteshwar is just couple of hours from nainital & has good himalayan views.
I'd recommend you cover entire nainital - visit all the Taals, enjoy boating, visit kilbury sanctuary, Naina peak etc. you can easily spend 3 days in nainital & completely savour it. And mukteshwar can be covered in one day.
Alternately one night halt can be made at mukt.
Travelling in mid of march should be comfortable to you.

if you want to enjoy snow feb is perfect otherwise march
Ranikhet hotels - hotel Alka and parwati-In both are good hotel with nice view of himalayas
dont know about mukt and kausani.

Mukteshwar is amazing

Can take a taxi for full day lake tour

2 nights at Nainital

1 nighgt at Binsar ( visit Mukteshwar enrout)

1 night at Kausani ( KMVN is best). Other ooptions are Suman royal Resorts.

For a most reliable & perfect plan, you can contact Mr. Kailsh at Nainital. He is local resident and give you most authentic and upto date information. He is my friend and you can give him my reference if required. His cell no is 09410336591. He also owns his own car and make a perfect plan for you.

Hello,

1. Feb end is very good time for Nainital as it is off season and you can get budget hotels.

2. Near by places to see are Kausani(amazing snow peaked mountain views), Binsar(wildlife sanctuary- you need to book your stay in advance but if you lucky you can take a wild card entry by talking to officials there like I did) , Sattal, Pihoragarh etc

3.Depends on your budget. You can go to Kathgodam by train. From there you can book a taxi.

4. Nainital is quite safe. A lot of couples go there. No need to worry at all.

5. There are many. You will explore yourself.

Best wishes for your trip

Thank you everyone for your advise
But does cable car operate in Feb. I mean when there is snow.
Also, will the lakes be frozen during that time or boating is available in Feb?

I went in January and no lake was frozen. You will not even find snow. You may find snow uphill in Kilbari. Boating is open in all seasons.

Stay at the Grand in Nainital, Visit all the tals, eat at Sher E Punjab, Buy Candels, take a boat ride, sit in the boulevard, try horse riding, Move out to Binsar stay in the midst of nature. Choose kmvn in binsar or Binsar Retreat camp. Come back. It will be chilling but thats the whole point of going to the hills... come back and upload ur photos