Ranikhet travel guide

Quiet canton

Ranikhet, Uttarakhand

Ranikhet is a peaceful hill cantonment town in Uttarakhand, known for panoramic Himalayan views, orchards, forest walks, temples, and colonial-era charm, making it ideal for slow travel, nature lovers, and visitors seeking serenity away from crowded tourist destinations.

Best time to visit Ranikhet

Mar–May and Oct–Dec are the best months; Nov–Apr gives the clearest Nanda Devi views. Jul–Aug is monsoon with landslides, and Jan–Feb is cold.

MonthVerdictTemperatureRainCrowdsWhat to expect
JanuarygoodlowCold, frosty nights; clear skies and snow views on good days
FebruarygoodlowCold mornings, clear days; snow possible on the higher ridges
MarchbestlowCool and dry; clear Himalayan views and good walking
AprilbestmediumMild and dry; orchards in bloom, good for walks and drives
MaygoodhighPleasant while the plains bake; busy with school holiday visitors
JunegoodhighWarm days; monsoon arrives late in the month; still crowded early on
JulyavoidlowVery heavy rain, cloud and landslides on hill roads
AugustavoidlowWet and misty with landslide risk; green hills when it clears
SeptembergoodlowRain eases through the month; fresh and green
OctoberbestmediumClear and mild after the rains; views open up
NovemberbestmediumDry, crisp and clear; best month for Nanda Devi views
DecemberbesthighCold, dry and clear; busy around Christmas and New Year

How many days to spend in Ranikhet

Two days cover the Mall, Jhula Devi Temple, the Kalika golf links and Chaubatia Garden. A third adds Bhalu Dam and Haidakhan Babaji Temple, or a trip to Dwarahat's ancient temples.

How to reach Ranikhet

Getting around

The town is spread over several levels; walking and the shortcuts between roads suit the Mall area. SUVs run between villages and buses serve nearby towns; hire a car for Chaubatia and Dwarahat.

Things to do in Ranikhet

  1. Jim Corbett National Park — Park (3.5 h · ₹3,380 (day safari permit, Jhirna/Bijrani))
  2. Ski Resort Auli — Skiing (5 h · Paid entry)
  3. Nainital Lake — Lake (2.5 h · Free entry)
  4. Jageshwar Dham — Temple
  5. DHIKALA ZONE RESTAURANT — Safari
  6. Nanda devi view point — View (30 min · Free entry)
  7. Mall Road — Market
  8. Bijrani Range — Safari
  9. Shree Maa Naina Devi Temple, Nainital — Temple (1 h · Free entry)
  10. Snow View point — View (2 h · ₹300 (ropeway, two-way))
  11. Naina Peak West — Peak (3 h · Paid entry)
  12. Bhimtal — Lake
  13. Jhirna — Safari
  14. Girija Devi Temple — Temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
  15. Lohachaur Tourism Zone,Corbett National Park,Durga Devi Gate. — Safari (4 h · ₹3380 day safari permit (Durga Devi gate))
  16. Gurson Bugyal — Meadow (4 h)
  17. Shri Tungnath Temple, Panch Kedar — Temple (5.5 h · Free entry)
  18. Chopta — Meadow
  19. Kasar Devi Temple Almora — Temple (2 h · Free entry)
  20. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary — Wildlife (4 h · ₹150)
  21. The Himalayan Cottage — Views
  22. Tiffin Top — View (2 h · Free entry)
  23. Eco Cave Park — Caves (1 h · ₹100)
  24. Sattal — Lakes
  25. Sunset point Nainital — Sunset (1 h · Free entry)
  26. Corbett Falls — Falls (1.5 h · Paid entry)
  27. Sitabani Forest Reserve — Forest (3 h · Paid entry)
  28. Kosi River — River
  29. Kuari Pass Trek — Trek (8 h)
  30. Chandrashila — Summit (7 h · Rs 150)
  31. Rudradhari Waterfall — Falls (2 h)
  32. Nainital Zoo Ticket Counter — Zoo (2 h · ₹100)
  33. Kilbury and Pangot Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary — Sanctuary (4 h)
  34. Naukuchiatal — Lake (2.5 h · Free entry)
  35. Hanuman Garhi Mandir — Temple (1 h · Free entry)
  36. HIMALAYAN View Point — View (45 min)
  37. Kalagarh dam — Dam (1.5 h · Free entry)
  38. Gori Kund Hot Spring Venue Tapovan — Village (1 h · Free entry)
  39. Jhula Devi Temple — Temple (1 h · Free entry)
  40. Bright End Corner — View (45 min · Free entry)
  41. Katarmal Sun Temple — Temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
  42. Anasakti Ashram — Ashram (1.5 h · Free entry)
  43. Boat House Club, Nainital — Boating (1 h · Paid entry)
  44. Dhangarhi Gate and Museum — Museum (1 h · Paid entry)
  45. The Oak Trails Eco Lodge — Trails
  46. Jim Corbett Museum — Museum (1 h · Paid entry)
  47. Sunset point — Sunset (30 min · Free entry)
  48. LocaL Market Road — Market
  49. Rohini Bugyal — Meadow (6 h)
  50. Kausani Tea Estate — Tea (1 h)
  51. Raj Bhavan Governor House — Estate (1.5 h · Paid entry)
  52. Lands End Picnic Spot — View (1 h · Free entry)
  53. Bijrani Guest house — Stay
  54. Mahaseer Fishing Camps — Fishing
  55. Auli lake — Lake (1 h · Free entry)
  56. Golf Course Ranikhet — Golf (1.5 h)
  57. Haidakhan Babaji Temple — Temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
  58. Simtola — Park
  59. Zero Point — Point (1.5 h · Paid entry)
  60. Canal Bridge — Canal
  61. Bhalu Dam — Dam (1 h · Free entry)
  62. Baniyakund — Village
  63. Kausani — Market
  64. Ramgarh Apple Orchard — Orchards (1.5 h)
  65. Garjiya Temple Bridge — Bridge

Food to try in Ranikhet

Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, photo 2

Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, photo 3

Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, photo 4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Ranikhet?

Mar–May and Oct–Dec are the best months; Nov–Apr gives the clearest Nanda Devi views. Jul–Aug is monsoon with landslides, and Jan–Feb is cold.

How many days are enough for Ranikhet?

2–3 days. Two days cover the Mall, Jhula Devi Temple, the Kalika golf links and Chaubatia Garden. A third adds Bhalu Dam and Haidakhan Babaji Temple, or a trip to Dwarahat's ancient temples.

How do I reach Ranikhet?

By air: Pantnagar (PGH) — 120 km by road. Nearest airport with scheduled flights. By train: Kathgodam (KGM) — 78 km by road. Taxis and buses climb from here via NH87. By road: From Delhi — 350 km, about about 8 h. Usual road gateway from the plains.

What are the top things to do in Ranikhet?

Jim Corbett National Park, Ski Resort Auli, Nainital Lake, Jageshwar Dham, DHIKALA ZONE RESTAURANT, Nanda devi view point.

Plan your Ranikhet trip

Open Guide My Holiday to turn these places into a routed, day-by-day itinerary and book a cab that follows it.

Get it on Google Play · Download on the App Store

Guide checked on 2026-10-06.