Thursday, February 19, 2009

Delhi-Manali-trip


Plan a Shimla Manali trip from Delhi lasting 5/6 night or higher. Stay can be arranged in cottages or budget to luxury hotels in Shimla and Manali. Vehicle can be arranged from Delhi/Kalka/Shimla/Chandigarh or Manali.
For detailed itinerary and bookings email us at arounddelhi@gmail.com or call Delhi-09811193634/09891458220. Around Delhi Holidays Pvt Ltd.


Delhi Shimla Manali Tour Packages (2012)

Shimla Hotels 


Planned a Delhi-Manali trip to Manali last Nov. Started early morning on Thursday to avoid the city rush. By 7 AM we had crossed the bypass
to NH1 and followed it till Chandigarh via Panipat and Karnal. Further route Route-Ropar-Kiratpur-Gharmora-Swarghat-Bilaspur-Mandi-Kullu-Manali. The journey took us about 13 hrs with about 3 stoppages, we had two people driving so that helped. The total distance covered 556 km, out of which about 225 was in the hills. We were staying at the Highland Park Manali , which was right next to the river Beas with beautiful views of the river and the valley. The resort had beautiful cottage style deluxe centrally heated accommodation and provided value for money. We took a Luxuria suite which had the bed room with a living room, a living room with a balcony and a garden. We had an excellent dinner in the restaurant and retired for the day to sleep away our tiredness.
Next day after early bfast we first went to Hidimaba Temple, The temple is dedicated to Hadimba, wife of Bhima from Mahabharata. No idol is enshrined and only a foot-print on a stone is kept within. Manu Temple and the Vashisht temple are also worth a visit. Vashisht is know for Hot Sulphur Water Spring and temple of Lord Vashist. Back at the hotel in the evening we warmed to a bon fire over some
drinks and light music.

Next day we were off to Rohtang pass, about 50 KM from Manali,which is a high mountain pass at 4000m, that connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahul and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh. It has become a very popular summer spot for tourist as one can find snow here even in peak summers. It was freezing cold and the weather can be quiet unpredicatable here, so we were forewarned that we should leave at first hint of bad weather. We enjoyed some fun and frolic in the snow followed by some hot tea at a local joint and soon started back for Manali. On the way back we went to Solang Valley known for skiing and paragliding. Next morning we said good bye to this beautiful resort and hill station of Himachal and headed back to Delhi.
Where to stay at Manali
Stay at Shimla 
Shimla Manali Tour Packages

Dr. R.Anand, Around Delhi



Monday, February 16, 2009

Uttaranchal-Trip-Naukuchiatal-Nanital-Kausani-Binsar


(Also See Nainital Corbett Kausani Binsar Itinerary and Costing 2012)


Recently did a trip to Uttaranchal covering Nainital, Naukuchiatal, Binsar and Kausani. We knew it would be a hectic trip as we had limited days in which we wanted to cover a lot of destinations as we had some overseas guests traveling with us who wanted to see it all. Beautiful landscapes, lovely lakes, excellent weather and some very nice resorts, the trip had all this and more(details as below).
We started early morning on Thursday at 6Am and crossed Delhi by 6 AM onto Hapur via Gajiabad. Highway till Hapur bypass (NH 24) is one way with great roads.
The road from Hapur bypass till Moradabad is now fully constructed and it is a breeze to do this stretch.( 17th March 2012)  Stopped at Gajraula(Meriton) for breakfast(8:30AM) it is about 110 k from Delhi. (Route to Nainital) After Moradabad bypass we did not go towards Rampur, Haldwani but went towards Ramnagar
Corbett by taking a U turn. Took a right turn for Naintal(clearly marked)via Bazpur, Tanda and Kaladhungi. The road goes though a forest area near Kaaldhungi with Yamuna flowing on the right, it is a picturesque road with a wonderful drive and road. This route decreases the total distance to Nainital by 40 km. We reached Nainital via Sukhatal and went straight to Hotel Naini Retreat(previously Claridges). The hotel overlooks the lake and is a heritage property. The specialty of Naini Retreat is it's location, ambiance and food. We had a Garden view room which gave us a wonderful view. After a delicious lunch we went to the Nainital lake in the hotel's vehicle which dropped us near the Mosque. The lake is a walking distance from there and so is the Mall Road. After boating and some shopping we returned to the hotel by calling a vehicle form the hotel. In the evening we had some drinks in the lawns around a bon fire and listening to some nice old Hindi songs by a guitarist.
Next day we travelled about 30k to Naukuchiatal Lake Resort via Bhimtal, both lakes in the area. Naukuchiatal is a nine cornered lake and a beautiful one, it is much cleaner and less crowded than Nainital. Lake Resort Naukuchiatal is situated on the opposite side of the lake in the jungle with all lake facing rooms. The place is best to observe nature, go for long leisure walks and some boating on the lake. The serenity of the lake is something to look forward to and it really calms your senses.
Day 3 -Travelled 3 hours to Kausani via Kainchi and Almora. Staying at Sun-n-snow Kausani, a small but nice hotel, and by far the best available in Kausani. Kausani is a quiet place with some breathtaking views of the snow capped
peaks. The hill station is situated at a height of 1900 m and is surrounded by tea plantations and fruit orchards. Kausani is famous for it's Anasakti Ashram where the Mahatama stayed for some time in 1929.
Day 4- Travelled about 90 mins to Binsar, another of those quiet hill stations in the region. Stayed at Kassar Jungle Resort, named after a local Devi and located on Almora-Binsar road away from the main highway in the jungle area. Binsar is famous for the Binsar Wild Life Sactuary and Binsar Mahadev temple and of course the views of the peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nanda Devi and Kedarnath. It is difficult to decide which is more beautiful between Binsar and Kausani, but I think the greater height of Binsar gives it the slight edge. Had a visit to the Sanctuary and though we could not much animals, we were told that Leopard and other animals are sighted especially in the evenings. One can also have a Picnic lunch at Kosi river a little away form the resort. The resort also arranges for Adventure activities at a little distance like rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing etc.
Day 5- Started back to Delhi via Bhimtal, Moradabad and it took us about 8 hrs of driving + two breaks.

All in all it was a wonderful Hill Holiday which was quiet close to nature, relaxing and with some wonderful photo opportunity moments.

To arrange your trip to Uttaranchal you can call Around Delhi Holidays at 09891458220/09811193634, choose from Economy, Deluxe or Luxury Hotels- Nainital Itinerary

R.Anand,
Around Delhi

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Snow fall at most hill stations in North India


Fresh snowfall at Manali 9 Dec 2011
2011- 9th Dec- First snowfall of the season reported at Manali. Snowfall also reported in other parts of North India including Srinagar,Kufri and Narkanda.

2009-After a long dry spell this winter when most hill stations went without snow it snowed quiet heavily in hill stations of Kufri, Mussoorie, Chamba, Nainital, Kanatal and Shimla. The hills and trees in these hill stations were covered with a white blanket of snow giving a beautiful look. So if you are planning to take a break this weekend these places will make for a ideal weekend getaway. Below are some links with more details.

Snowfall at Shimla, Kufri,Narkanda


End of Dry spell at Shimla


Mussoorie, Nainital receive season's first snowfall

Dr R.Anand, Around Delhi

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Picnic at Botanics Damdama

Another corporate party near Damdama lake in Haryana, this time we did it at Botanics Nature Resort, the place I mentioned in my previous blog. The
place is based in 40 and most of it is lawns, gardens and full of flowering plants.The 40 acre global green park offers series of theme gardens and the marvels of nature. Park is built with the combined knowledge and inputs from experts of organizations like Samak Landscaping, WWF India and Haryana Tourism. The place provides options for a day picnic, day conference around Delhi or an overnite programme in it's cottages or luxury tents. The place is just half an hour drive
from Gurgaon and easily accessible from Delhi too. The place is a dream child of an horticulturist and what one sees is a result of a passion about nature and real hard work. The group was given a guided nature walk displaying the magnificent `Colors of Nature' in the breath taking series of gardens like Fragrance Garden, Herbs & Spices Gardens, Butterfly Park, and Rose Garden and many more. There is provision toplay various games along with the swimming pool and also the adventure activity area where one can do various activites like Jumping from Hurdle Wall Climbing Machaan, Balance Walk, Crossing Burma Bridge, Spider's Web etc.
We were served an excellent lunch and the sheer beauty and greenery surrounding us made it taste even better. For nature lovers the place is heaven with sighting of lot of birtds too in winter. The place also arranges for other activities like Zorbing, Dirt biking ATVs and Paint ball. For staying there are luxurious tents with attached toilets or the cottages.Only group bookings are done for minimum 5 rooms.So next time you plan to do some thing near Delhi either for the day or overnite contact Seema 09891458220 or Anand 09811193634 at Around Delhi.

More Picnic Options near Delhi


Dr Anand, Around Delhi

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