Credit: Ashok Aggarwal
Overview and History of Tiffin Top
Tiffin Top, or Dorothy’s Seat, is a beautiful and awe-inspiring hilltop located in Ayarpatta Hill of Nainital. It is located 5 km from the Tallital bus stand, is the second highest peak after China Peak, and is a much sought-after destination.
Situated at an altitude of 2,290 meters above sea level, tourists have to trek through a forest to access this place. The journey from the road point takes 2 hours, or you can take the option of horseback to reach Tiffin Top. They charge between Rs. 500 and Rs. 700.
Top offers an excellent view of the Himalayas and neighborhood and is a popular destination for photographers and aspiring painters who want to capture the excellent view.
Talking about the name “Dorothy Seat,” it has an interesting story. Tiffin Top is also named Dorothy Seat because this site is named after an English painter, Dorothy Kellet, who died in a plane crash. Tiffin Top is a stone bench built by her husband, J.P. Kellet, in honor of Dorothy Kellet.
In the past, the spot was a favorite picnic spot for the Rajas who ruled over the region. Since then, it has become an annual picnic spot and is named Tiffin Top, which means packed food consumed during the day.
How to Reach Tiffin’s Top
By Car:
Tiffin Top is located approximately 4 kilometers from Mall Road and can be reached by car or by trekking.
By Train:
Board a train to Kathgodam Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities in India.
From Kathgodam, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to reach Nainital.
After reaching Nainital, follow the directions mentioned in the car section to reach Tiffin Top.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Tiffin Top is Pantnagar Airport, located around 70 kilometers away.
From Pantnagar Airport, you can hire a taxi or take a pre-booked cab to reach Nainital.