BHIMTAL DESTINATION REVIEW FOR WOMEN TRAVELERS

Women travelers often find it difficult to travel in India. We have written a candid Bhimtal Destination Review for Women Travelers.

Bhimtal, a beautiful hill station located in Uttarakhand, is your own slice of heaven. It caters to the needs of all kinds of travelers. If you are a solitude-loving traveler or a party animal or a nature lover or a wildlife enthusiast, be assured that this place has got something to offer to everyone. Most of the tourists prefer to visit its cousin Nainital, therefore saving Bhimtal from the maddening touristy influx.

If you ask me to define the quaint hill station, I would say it is a place straight from a fairytale. It is surrounded by lush green mountains, pine trees gracing the surroundings, and a beautiful lake sitting in the center of the town, as a prized jewel. The town screams simplicity and high quality of life. While strolling on the main road, watching students dressed up in coats and sweaters would take most of us back to our school days. Adding to the magic was the Saint John’s Church, which sprinkled the feeling of Christmas in the air.

We two female travelers decided to explore this sleeping town, that was long on our traveler’s wish list. Both of us were looking for a place, which was not only safe for women travelers but also offered us long treks, gave us a glimpse into the wildlife, and rejuvenated us to the core. Fortunately, Bhimtal ticked the majority of the boxes. One misty morning in December, we boarded the early morning Kathgodam Shatabdi from Ghaziabad station. Though, the place was easily approachable from Delhi, both via road and by train. But we preferred the train, it took 5 to 6 hours to reach Kathgodam Junction, and from there it was one hour drive to Bhimtal.

The drive to Bhimtal was an experience in itself, it was full of scenic beauty. Lines of Sal and Pine trees dotted the green landscape, it provided a welcoming respite from the concrete jungles we encounter in the metros. It reminded me of our travel to Mukteshwar. I lowered down my car window to breathe in the fresh mountain air. The fresh forest air filled my nostril and raindrops settled on my palm.  We parked our car sideways, to watch the cloud movements. It was a surreal sight, the sky was filled with black clouds, and the sun hid behind them. We thought it was going to rain heavily, but after 5 minutes the clouds parted, and a beautiful sight welcomed us. The mountain in front of us was bathed in sunlight and had a golden hue.

CEEDAR COTTAGE-SAFE SATYINGOPTION FOR WOMEN TRAVELERS

By the time we reached Ceedar Cottage it was late afternoon, but the moment we stepped inside all our tiredness vanished. The cottages were beautifully built for a small family. They had a living room with a dining area and supported by a kitchen setup. There were two bedrooms on different floors, with attached bathrooms. The toiletries were provided by the host and the quality was class apart. They provided a handmade soap made from oats or coffee, apart from the fragrance, I loved the way it scrubbed my skin. They have designed the place in such a way, in case two separate families decide to book the Cottage, they will have ample privacy as one bedroom is located upstairs.

They have also provided a furnished kitchen for all those cooking enthusiasts, who want to prepare their own meal. Otherwise, home-cooked meals were provided on demand. The list of amenities included free Wi-Fi, TV with a digital connection, and paid laundry service.  It was a nice option for a staycation too.

The most endearing part of the Cottage was its host Ankit Lamba, he would go out of his way to ensure guest comfort. We wanted to hear the local stories, myths, folklore, and Ankit was more than happy to oblige us.  Out of curiosity, I asked him if there was something present that was old and had historical significance in Bhimtal. He gave me a devilish smile and said, “Oh yeah you should visit Nal Damayanti Tal”. I was like “What’s so special about that Tal?”  He elaborated, “It is present for millions of years. Some people believe it is there from Satyug”. He went on narrating the story behind the Tal, by the time he finished we were all geared up to visit the place.

Fortunately, it was a walking distance from the cottages, after half an hour’s trek we reached the mystical point. The sapphaire lake was filled with fishes and was situated amidst nature. Fishing, cutting trees, bathing, washing clothes, or polluting the water was strictly prohibited. This place held a special place in the heart of the locals, thus no plastic bottles, food wrappers, or half-eaten food should be left behind.

MUST SEE OPTIONS IN BHIMTAL

The next day we left for exploring other places like Butterfly Research Center, Bhimtal Aquarium, Victoria dam, and the famous Bhimtal lake. The aquarium, dam, and lake are located in close vicinity, therefore can be easily covered in a single day. Our cab driver left us near the lake, after having our fill of vegetable Maggi, we strolled towards the dam.

The Victoria dam was 40ft high and located at the end of the lake. The famous Bhimeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was located near it. The backdrop of the dam was breathtakingly beautiful, it was surrounded by mountains and a lake.

After spending some time over there, we headed towards the Bhimtal aquarium. It was situated amidst the lake and was accessible only by boat. But it was worth the journey, we paid Rs 250 for a to and fro journey to the aquarium.

The aquarium constituted a long corridor containing a number of aquariums. These aquariums were filled with a few local, tropical fishes and even had some exotic species. This place showcased the wonders of the ocean and one could marvel at the beauty of these aquatic animals. It also contained an open-air restaurant serving delicious food.

By the time our lake excursion ended, we were genuinely tired and had a long trek to undertake, to lead us back to our cottage. The sky was getting sprinkled with stars, indicating the closure of a beautiful day.

FINAL VERDICT

The hill station is perfectly safe for women travelers, at no point in time have we faced unnecessary male gazes or uncalled attention. Plan out your next women’s trip in this quaint town called Bhimtal.