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).
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
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
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
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
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
- 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
Dinner:
- Pots & Stones Café. It has a nice ambience along with tasty food.
Pots & Stone Restaurant
Night stay in Haldwani/Kathgodam.
- Proceed towards Nainital next day morning or to your destination.