Jeolikote: Starry Skies, Honey and an Arboretum

Jeolikote is often called the gateway to Nainital and lies around 18 kilometres from Nainital. When planning a trip, it is useful to distinguish between the place names: Jeolikote brings together starry skies, a botanical collection and honey-related history; Nainital has its own lake and landscape themes.

Starry Skies and Nature in Jeolikote

Jeolikote is one of the places in Uttarakhand with an uninterrupted view of a star-filled sky. The starry sky is therefore a nature theme in its own right when choosing a destination. A variety of flowers and butterflies can also be seen in the area around Jeolikote. These aspects appeal to different interests: looking up at the sky and exploring the natural diversity of the surroundings each offer a different way to experience the landscape. If you choose trips based on nature themes, this distinction may be what tips the balance in favour of Jeolikote.

Honey History and Botanical Collection

The Honey Bee Center in Jeolikote was founded in 1938. Its founding year provides a historical reference point for the subject of honey in Jeolikote. The horticulture department has also set up a laboratory there to test the purity of harvested honey. The subject is thus reflected both in the center’s history and in a specifically described testing task. The Shivalik Arboretum was inaugurated in 2021 and is a botanical collection spread over 3 acres. Its plant collection is described as comprising more than 200 species. Together, the arboretum and honey-related themes offer further points to consider when choosing a destination, beyond landscape views.

Jeolikote offers a combination of starry skies, nature in the surrounding area, honey history and a botanical collection; Nainital has different focal points. The following lake and landscape themes relate to Nainital itself and help you refine your destination choice.

Nainital: Lakes and Water Activities

Naini Lake is the most significant lake in the district and is surrounded by hills. Sailing, boating and paddling are available on the lake. Naukuchiatal is 983 metres long, 693 metres wide and 40.3 metres deep. There, visitors can fish and watch birds, as well as row, paddle and sail. The comparison highlights different focal points: the activities mentioned at Naini Lake are water-based, while fishing and birdwatching are also mentioned for Naukuchiatal. If you include water activities in your destination choice, you can distinguish these interests in this way.

Sattal is a group of lakes amid an oak forest. It comprises Nal-Damyanti Lake, Panna or Garude Lake, and the lakes Ram, Laxman and Sita. Bhimtal Lake is larger than Naini Lake. An aquarium is located on an island in the middle of Bhimtal Lake and can be reached by boat. Sattal therefore offers a lakeside landscape in an oak forest, while Bhimtal has both the lake and the island aquarium. These are different themes within the Nainital destination.

Mountain Views and City Panorama

At 2,611 metres, Naina Peak is the city’s highest peak. From there, you can see the Himalayan range and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Nainital. The six-kilometre path to Naina Peak starts in Mallital. Snow View also offers a view of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Together with the lakes, these provide different focal points for Nainital: water activities, lakes in the forest, or views of the mountains and city. Jeolikote, by contrast, has its own highlights: its starry skies, honey-related themes and arboretum.

Discover more destinations: Bohragaon, Mukhani, Gethiya, Pangoot, Gair Banelia, Ramgarh, Bhujiyaghat, Naukluchiatal

For the main travel overview: Nainital.