FEBRUARY was ending. So was the winter chill in Delhi. Sun was showing its all might. We thought of a quick escape during Holi into the hills. Hills calling! The idea clicked in my mind and discussed with my eve ready wife. With Holi on Friday, we took off on Thursday and headed towards the hills in the wee hours of Thursday (March 1). Two families with six members including my six year old son would make a good company. Our driver was...
quite an expert. The rising sun was welcoming us on the way. While all the other people soon fell asleep inside the Innova, I along with the driver was awake throughout the route. Just before we reached Corbett, one tyre got punctured. I took a stroll by the time Hradeep, my driver replaced the stepney (spare tyre).
By 1030, we entered Nainital, the lake city. It was pleasant morning. Sun was shining but a mild breeze seemed so soothing! Our hotel Pavilion was just at a stone’s throw from Mall Road. We could easily locate this heritage hotel.
After getting freshen up, we moved out for sightseeing.
Our first point was Lovers Point. We were in a dilemma whether our six year old Karnik will ride the horse or not. After some initial hesitations, the ‘super kid’ showed courage to ride the horse till Tiffin Top. The distance was around five kms. The first point was Land’s End. Set across the Khurpa Tal and vast stretches of plains, the Land's End 4-km off the main town is dotted with quaint little hamlets and lush greenery. The view from this point is spectacular as you can see the amazing city down.
It will provide you a close encounter with the extended mountains ranges of Kumaon region. As the name suggests, Land end marks a final point where there is no land beyond that iconic cliff. Located at an altitude of 2118 metre, one can enjoy the view of mountains, forest and valleys surrounding Khurpatal from the Land End. To reach Land end, one can either ride on a pony or can walk up the bridleway to the viewpoint. With the incredible view of valleys, snow clad mountains and lakes, Land end is a must visit on a tour to Nainital.
After spending some 30 minutes at Lands end, we started our upward journey again. Next spot was Dorothy Seat or Tiffin Top.
Located in Ayarpatta Hill, Tiffin Top is a popular tourist attraction. The point is called Tiffin Top as local folks used to come for picnic here. A fantastic picnic spot in its own right, one gets a complete view of the lake town and its surrounding hills in the Kumaon region from this location. Its serene and tranquil environment makes it irresistible to the photographers. Those who love nature's beauty must not miss out on this vacation spot. Adventure activities such as rappelling and rock climbing are conducted in Tiffin Top as well.
The attraction got its name as Tiffin Top after people started to have lunch on top of the hill on Dorothy's Seat. Tiffin Top is also called Dorothy's Seat because it was constructed in the loving memory of the English artist named Dorothy Kellett by the army officer Col J.P. Kellett. The officer lost his wife Dorothy whilst she was aboard a ship to be with her four children. She was buried in the Red Sea in the year 1936.
The beautiful Tiffin Top is surrounded by trees of Cher, Oak, and Deodar. Naini Lake and Kumaon Hills look lovely when seen from here. On clearer days, one can also get hold of the majestic view of Nanda Devi. I enjoyed rappelling a lot at the point.
Hiking to Tiffin Top
The picturesque scenery of Tiffin Top serves as an ideal place to go for an adventurous hike. The hike is about 4 km-long from the city centre and owing to the rough terrain can be classified as a medium to hard journey. The surrounding peaks of the Aryapatta Hills and the splendid landscape of Nainital makes it a favourite among locals and tourists alike. The view from the zenith is breathtaking, and you can capture a bird's eye view of the city in your camera or revel in its charming beauty.
Activities at Tiffin Top
The quaint beauty of Tiffin Top is ideal for some good old sightseeing, or you can live up to its name and have a delicious tiffin meal from the local eateries. You can also hire ponies to take you to the peak, although be careful as the terrain is quite perilous. Round trip pony charges are Rs 700 per person.
I tried rappelling in the picturesque point. It was worth trying for just Rs 300. You will come down 70 feet. Real excitement! DS Bisht, my Rappelling instructor told me that during peak season around 800 tourists come to the point. May and June are the peak season in the beautiful hill station. You can also have a glimpse of the school St James from the point where the movie 'Koi Mil Gaya' was shot.
After relishing Maggi at the Dorothy Point we started our return journey on pony.
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