Route · Kumaon

Nainital to Mukteshwar

From Nainital to Mukteshwar the road climbs through Bhowali and the orchard country of Ramgarh to a 2,171 m ridge. About 50 km and 2 hours, with good views and fruit stalls in season.

Distance: ≈ 50 km
Shared taxi: 2–2.5 h
Altitude: 2,084 m → 2,171 m

Photo: ParthaPratimNath · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

Every way to go

Options compared

How	Time	Cost, indicative 2026
Shared taxi	2–2.5 h	₹200–350 in two legs
Bus and shared jeep	2.5–3 h	₹150–250
Private car	1.5–2 h	₹2,000–2,800 one way

1Option

Shared taxi

2–2.5 h₹200–350 in two legs

Take a shared jeep from Nainital to Bhowali and change for Mukteshwar. Departures from Bhowali are less frequent than on the Almora road, so go in the morning. The last stretch through Ramgarh and Nathuakhan is narrow and winding.

2Option

Bus and shared jeep

2.5–3 h₹150–250

Some Uttarakhand Roadways and KMOU buses run from Haldwani to Mukteshwar via Bhowali on certain days. From Nainital, reach Bhowali first and ask at the stand. It is the slowest option but the cheapest if timings work.

3Option

Private car

1.5–2 h₹2,000–2,800 one way

A taxi is the easiest way, with stops at Ramgarh's orchards and the Mahadevi Verma museum. In winter, snow can make the final climb slippery; drivers carry chains or wait for the road to clear.

Drawn by Himalaya Hives from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

At each end

The two places

Photo: Skalvanov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

2,084 m · Hill station · Kumaon

Nainital

An eye-shaped lake, a Raj summer capital and the gateway to Kumaon

Best Mar – May · Oct – Nov2 nights

Photo: ParthaPratimNath · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

2,171 m · Village · Kumaon

Mukteshwar

Orchards, cliffs and a Shiva temple on a 2,171 m ridge

Best Mar – May · Oct – Nov2–3 nights

Questions

Asked about this road

How far is Mukteshwar from Nainital?

About 50 km via Bhowali and Ramgarh, roughly 1.5–2 hours by car and 2–2.5 hours by shared transport.

Is there a direct shared taxi from Nainital to Mukteshwar?

Usually not; take a shared jeep to Bhowali and change there. Go in the morning, as departures thin out later.

Is the road to Mukteshwar safe in winter?

It is generally fine, but snow and ice can make the last part slippery after a western disturbance. Drive in daylight and check current status before you travel.

What can I see between Nainital and Mukteshwar?

Bhowali's fruit market, the orchards of Ramgarh, the Mahadevi Verma museum and views from Nathuakhan.

Other routes

All routes

Nainital to Almora and Kasar DeviThe classic Kumaon transfer: down from Nainital to Bhowali, past Kainchi Dham, then along the Kosi river and …65 km Almora and Kasar Devi to JageshwarA short, pretty drive east from Almora on the Pithoragarh road, past the Chitai Golu temple to Artola, then i…36 km Almora and Kasar Devi to KausaniNorth from Almora down to the Kosi river, past the turning for the Katarmal sun temple and through the Somesh…52 km Kausani to MunsiyariThe long road to Munsiyari: down to Baijnath and Bageshwar, east to the Udiyari Bend near Chaukori and Thal, …185 km