The lake that let me slow down: My weekend in Bhimtal

Certain locations leave an impression as soon as you step into them. Bhimtal is one such group of places. I came there hoping only for a destination quieter than Nainital. 

To my surprise, I was met with misty mornings and walked along a practically soundless lake. Gradually, I began understanding Bhimtal’s true essence and authenticity. Its secret of captivating travellers lies not in commercial popularity, but rather in showing you the importance of not rushing.

Bhimtal Lake: the highlight of my experience

Bhimtal Lake is larger than Naini Lake and considerably calmer. There is a small island at its centre with an aquarium that has been there for decades. Boats go out to it throughout the day. The lake is surrounded by oak and pine-covered hills that reflect in the water on still mornings.

I walked the path around the lake on my first evening. The light was fading, and the hills were going dark at the edges. A few boats were still out on the water. The sound was mostly birds and the occasional splash of an oar. Much to my surprise, I completed the full loop without once feeling the need to check my phone. 

Mornings here are the whole point

The best thing about Bhimtal is what happens before nine in the morning. The mist sits low over the lake. The hills are barely visible. The town is quiet enough that you can hear your own footsteps on the path by the water.

I woke up early both mornings without an alarm, which rarely happens on a holiday. I made my way to the lakeside with nothing planned. I sat on a low wall near the boat ghat and watched the mist lift slowly over the next hour. Both mornings I sat there longer than I expected, and it felt like exactly the right thing to do.

Naukuchiatal and Sattal: when you need a reason to drive

The Kumaon area around Bhimtal is populated with many lakes, each with its unique characteristics. Naukuchiatal lies roughly 10 kilometres away and is a lake with nine corners, surrounded by vast green forests. Sattal is further away and is made up of a group of seven interlinked lakes and is among the most popular bird-watching locations in the mountains.

I visited both locations on my second day and took my time driving there, stopping wherever I saw a scenic landscape. I found Naukuchiatal deserted on a weekday morning, and I spent around 30 minutes beside the lake without seeing any other tourists. Sattal had a lot of birds that I could not identify and a stillness that felt pleasantly relaxing.

Where to stay in Bhimtal: The important part of your journey

The best hotels in Bhimtal sit close to the lake, and that proximity changes the quality of the whole trip. A lakeside or lake-view property means mornings start at the water without effort. Evenings end there naturally. The lake stops being a destination and becomes the backdrop to everything.

There are good options across price ranges. Some properties sit directly on the lake road with unobstructed water views. Others are set slightly up the hillside with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding hills. I would prioritise a lake-facing room above most other considerations. 

The food that matched the pace

Bhimtal has small, authentic restaurants and dhaba-style eateries that serve straightforward Kumaoni and North Indian food. I had aloo ke gutke, a local preparation of spiced, dry-cooked potatoes, at a small restaurant near the lake. 

Simple, flavourful, exactly the kind of food that makes sense in a hill town. Rajma chawal appeared on my plate twice over the weekend, both times cooked with precision and care. Moreover, I simply couldn’t miss out on tea from a lakeside stall every morning, without exception.

What a weekend in Bhimtal actually gives you?

It allows you to see the lake at different times of day. Imagine mornings of fog, afternoons of sparkle, evenings of the golden hour, nights of some little lights reflecting from high on the rocks on the opposite coast.

I left Bhimtal on Sunday night feeling relaxed and unhurried. Bhimtal did not show anything spectacular but simply provided me with two days by the lake and some time to rest, which was more than enough.