24 hours in Haldwani/Kathgodam

Sheetla Mata Mandir, Balaut resort in Bhujiyaghat,

Published on 2021-09-01

Balaut Resort

Balaut Resort

Destination

nature

Best time to visit

September to April

  • Haldwani is often regarded as the ‘Gateway to Kumaun’, which is one of the two regions of Uttarakhand, the other being Garhwal.
  • It is the biggest commercial market of Uttarakhand and situated on the banks of river Gaula on the foothills of the Himalayas, in the Nainital district.
  • The average temperature is around 26-34°C in summer and around 12-18°C in winters. So, pack your sunglasses and woollens accordingly.
  • Haldwani, along with its twin city of Kathgodam, presents a beautiful opportunity to spend a day close to nature. People who are planning a trip to Nainital, need to get down at Kathgodam Railways station, proceed further to Nainital either by taxi or bus. Haldwani to Kathgodam - 10 kms Haldwani to Nainital - 45 km.
  • Both Haldwani and Kathgodam have fairly good connectivity from Lucknow, Delhi and Kolkata routes. Kathgodam is the last station of North-eastern railways and the line terminates here.
  • Taxis are available from outside the Haldwani or Kathgodam railway station. We recommend you book a taxi for the whole day. We first visited attractions towards Kathgodam and then later went towards Haldwani to call it a day.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Get down at Kathgodam last railway station of Uttarakhand.

Hotel Options

  • There are many hotels near/ outside the Kathgodam railway station like Hotel Royal Windsor Tariff start at Rs 1800 to 2200(which is about 2 kms from Kathgodam railway station towards Nainital) or a Tourists rest house in Kathgodam (which can be booked online). 

Explore more in Haldwani

Breakfast option:

  • Udupiwala restaurant for South Indian breakfast (500 meters from Kathgodam railway station towards Nainital) You can try some brilliant Laddoo which is outside udupiwala shop restaurant.
  • Lee’s kitchen for Chinese and North Indian breakfast (1.5 km from Kathgodam railway station). Both the restaurants are reasonably priced for the food.
Boondi Laddu at udupiwala is also famous, Kathgodam
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Boondi Laddu at udupiwala is also famous, Kathgodam

Proceed to Sheetla Mata Mandir: It is about 100 meters from Lee’s kitchen restaurant and involved a short and easy trek of about 1.5 km. You can spend about 1.5 to 2 hours here as the place is amid jungle from all 4 sides and therefore, quite peaceful. 

Sheetla Mata Temple
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Sheetla Mata Temple

Proceed to Balaut resort in Bhujiyaghat for hot air ballooning. This is about 6.5 km from Sheetla Mata mandir. This resort is nestled in lush green mountains from three sides and flowing river Gaula, on its other side.

  • They have recently introduced hot air ballooning, you can try and further enjoy the green and humongous mountains from a hawk-eye view. Timings – 11:00 am to 05:00 pm, Hot Air Baloon is dependent upon the Daylight in the Area.
    • Hot air balloon ride cost Rs 800 per person approx
The Balaut Resort
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The Balaut Resort

Lunch options:

  • Balaut resort – Have your lunch at a wonderful restaurant. But if prices are of some concern, come back to Kathgodam or Haldwani as your next destination is towards Haldwani itself.
  • Woodpecker restaurant – The hut garden or in the food court of Walkway mall in Haldwani. Every restaurant is about 1.5 to 2 km from Kathgodam railway station.
  • Bikanerwala – Or else you can try food in Bikanerwala, which is 6.5 km from the Kathgodam railway station, in Haldwani.
Bikanerwala Haldwani
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Bikanerwala Haldwani

Shopping – If you are interested in having some local Pahadi Spices, it is available in Hilans, in the same complex as Bikanerwala.

Shri Mahalakshmi Temple: is the next in line at a distance of 5 km from Haldwani railway station towards Bareilly. With its magnificent architecture and peaceful environment, it is a must-visit place in Haldwani. Have some quality time there and proceed towards Haldwani.

Shri Mahalakshmi Temple
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Shri Mahalakshmi Temple

  • Tea and snacks at roadside joints and food van: These will be a big bonus for you. While you will be travelling towards Kathgodam from Haldwani. NH 109 (locally called the Main road) is dotted by numerous food joints offering a multitude of dishes.
  • GRD  – If you can’t decide, you can recommend this small joint called for authentic Punjabi taste in Momo, Pav Bhaji, and noodles, everything both in Veg and Non-veg options.

The vintage street you can please your taste bud along with some shopping in parallel. This is a popular square dotted by various shopping outlets and yes, KFC and it is 2 km from Kathgodam railway station.

Vintage Street Haldwani
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Vintage Street Haldwani

Dinner:

Pots & Stone Restaurant
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Pots & Stone Restaurant

Night stay in Haldwani/Kathgodam.

  • Proceed towards Nainital next day morning or to your destination.

Suggestions and Recommendations

  • There are few locations near Haldwani that cannot be covered in 24 hours but if you stay for a couple of days and can be suggested
  • Hairakhan Ashram, a short drive from Haldwani to Amritpur on Bhimtal road, followed by around a 5 km trek crossing Gaula river multiple times.
    • Kali chaur temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, short drive Haldwani towards Gaulapar village – 15 km

Nearby Tourist Destinations

From Haldwani, you can travel to the below destinations too

  • Nainital – 45 km
  • Bhimtal – 30 km
  • Do Gaon – 20 km
  • Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences – 40 km
  • Ram Nagar (Corbett – 55 km)
  • Shri Hanuman Dham – 50 km 
  • Pithoragarh – 200 km
  • Munsiyari – 290 km