Eco Cave Park: Nature's Subterranean Playground
Discover Nainital's Eco Cave Park: Explore natural caves, hanging gardens, and a musical fountain in this subterranean adventure for all ages.
Eco Cave Park in Nainital is where nature's artistry meets human ingenuity [11]. Developed by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) and opened in the early 2000s, this park was created to offer a fun, educational, and adventurous experience while promoting environmental awareness [11, 12]. Originally a rocky terrain, the area was transformed into a well-developed garden by Nainital Tourism, harmonizing nature and technology [4, 11]. The park features interconnected caves designed to resemble the habitats of various animals found in the Kumaon region, such as tigers, panthers, bats, and squirrels [11, 12, 16]. Venture into dimly lit tunnels and narrow passages, illuminated by traditional petroleum lamps that cast an enchanting glow [4, 11]. The caves vary in dimension, requiring visitors to crawl, bend, or climb through them, adding to the sense of adventure [12, 15]. Beyond the caves, the park boasts hanging gardens and small pathways, offering a peaceful break from the crowded tourist spots [12, 15]. In the evening, enjoy an electrifying musical fountain show that adds to the garden's beauty [4]. Eco Cave Park is a popular destination for families, school groups, and nature enthusiasts, providing a unique blend of adventure, education, and recreation [11, 12].
Local tips
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for crawling and climbing through the caves [12].
- Visit during the day to fully experience the caves and gardens; the park is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm [3, 4].
- Bring a camera to capture the unique cave formations and hanging gardens, but be aware of the camera fee [3, 4].
- Combine your visit with a trip to nearby attractions like Nainital Lake or Snow View Point for a full day of exploration [5, 12].
A brief summary to Eco Cave Park
- Sukhatal, Nainital, Naina Range, Mallital, Uttarakhand, 263001, IN
- +911352552626
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-4:30 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-4:30 pm
- Thursday 10 am-4:30 pm
- Friday 10 am-4:30 pm
- Saturday 10 am-4:30 pm
- Sunday 10 am-4:30 pm
Getting There
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Walking
From Mall Road, Eco Cave Park is approximately 1 km away and can be easily reached by foot [5, 6, 8]. Head towards the Mallital area on Kaladungi Road, enjoying the scenic views along the way [4, 6]. The walk is a pleasant way to experience the local surroundings. Consider that there is a vehicle restriction to enter Mall Road from 6 AM to 9 PM and one has to pay Rs 120 every time to enter through Mall Road using a vehicle [13].
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Public Transport
While there are no local buses directly to Eco Cave Park, you can take a shared taxi or cycle rickshaw from Tallital or Mallital [7, 10, 14]. Cycle rickshaws charge around Rs 10 per km [7]. Shared taxis are available around Mall Road and may cost Rs 100-300 per person [14].
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Taxi/Ride-Share
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are available in Nainital [7, 9]. A short taxi ride from Mall Road to Eco Cave Park will cost approximately INR 150-300 [7, 14]. Be sure to negotiate the fare beforehand. Uber Moto (bike taxi) is also an option for a quick and affordable ride [9].
