Weekend Getaways near Delhi

On a foggy Thursday morning in Janauray 2010 we started in two 45 seaters Volvo for Jaipur for a conference of about 100 people, some people were directly flying to Jaipur. The programme was already running late by an hour because of the dense fog and huge traffic on the NH8-the Delhi Jaipur Highway when we reached the new resort called Park Ridge at Rewari. This new resort on Delhi-Jaipur highway has got about 40 rooms with a swimming pool,lawns,bowling alley,pool table and a conference hall, ideal for a leisure or training programme or also for a short weekend getaway. After a quick breakfast we were off again, it was almost 12 noon, but still no sign of the sun as of now. As we entered Rajasthan, the Surya Devta made the first appearance of the day and soon it was bright sunshine, a reminder that we were in the vibrant Rajasthan. Rest of the trip to Jaipur was also not very smooth as the highway is being expanded to 6-8 lanes and there was a traffic jam at Behror and Kotputli. ...

                             To commemorate the holy event  of  the Amrita  Kalasha, recovered from Samudramanthan being put at  4 places, Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years. According to other Pauranic  legends,  actual fight took  place between Devtas and Asuras resulting in the Amrita Kalash being knocked, out  of which  Amrita (Nectar) fell down at 4 places, namely Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik. The Kumh is celebrated by bathing in the holy Ganges by millions of Hindus at the above sites. Haridwar is the nearest place in North India for Kumbh snan of 2010.                             There are various ghats where the snan can take place including Har Ki Paudi, Subhash Gha...

22 It's that time of the year, when it's time to say 'Good Bye'  to the 'Year' itself. Another year comes to an end and all of us prepare to usher in the ' New Year 2013 '. Around Delhi offers you various options to do so at resorts in North India. All the resorts have special packages for New Year and some for X-Mas too. Click on the Resort name for more information about the resorts. Around Delhi Country Inn Kosi     is just 100k from Delhi on the Agra highway, now has added new rooms, New Year One night @ Rs 14000/- and NY 2n/3days  for a couple at Rs 19000/- for a couple for 2n/3d. ( spl. deal avbl) Sariska Palace is 180 km from Delhi and close to Sariska Tiger Sanctuary, an easy 4 hrs drive from Delhi. Enjoy the New Year with a package of 30,000  for 2 Nites/3Days  all meals package with gala dinner with drinks on 31st nite with lots of activities like folk music & dance, DJ, magic show and more. Shiva Oasis, Behror 2 hours drive fr...

          Just back from organising a conference at a new 5 star hotel near Delhi-The Claridges Surajkund, a lovely Business cum leisure hotel. Very nicely located on the Shooting range road near the Surajkund lake, a very green and quiet area. The Claridges hotel has about 200+ rooms with most of them overlooking the Courtyard with a beautiful lawn and a spectacular Dancing fountain with burning fires making it a treat to watch. The staff was very professional and since we were handling the top 11 executives of a big telecom company I was a little nervous about the services. The check in was handed expertly and even all the arrangements were as required. We were using one of the smaller halls the 'Cilantro' and the place had an excellent pre function area for lunch, tea etc.           The rooms at Claridges Surajkund are just too good with even the base category rooms being about 400sq feet with ...

                Visited Chamba, Uttaranchal with a group of about 50 people for a leisure group. Started in the night on two 27 seaters and the driver was good but the roads not too good, still we were there in about 8 hours, which is good time. The Delhi-Haridwar Highway is being four laned and you have to constantly switch between single and double roads, but I think things will be much better shortly as construction is complete. The route is via Merrut, Muzzafarnagar, Haridwar , Rishikesh and Narendernagar. We were staying at the Classic Hilltop Chamba , which is literally at the top of a hill and at least 200m above in height from the Mussoorie-Chamba road. The first thing that strikes you as you hit the place is the wonderful view of the snow capped peaks of Himalayas giving you and almost 180 degree view of these wonderful natural precipices. You can see Yamunotri, Nanda Devi, Gangotri and more. The view...

                            Had a fantastic time last weekend at a 4 star hotel of Mussoorie Claridges Nabha, with family. I have never been too fond of Mussoorie because of too much commercialisation and concretisation of this hill  station. Lots of construction and deforestation had left the hill station, the Queen of Hills as a barren lot. The last few years has seen a sea change in this place with a bar on all new construction leading to a revival in greenery and better weather and rains to Mussoorie. This Monsoon the city had an excellent downpour and it had turned wonderfully green as we reached it in mid October of '09. Even the highway route to Mussoorie via Merrut, Khatauli, Muzzafarnagar, Roorkee and Dehradun is on improving as four laning is going on at most of the places along the highway. Once complete I think this will lead to dec...

Organized an all inclusive trip for rafting at Rishikesh end of October for 3N/3D. A group of 22 people enjoyed a wonderful rafting and camping adventure trip on the beautiful White sands of Rishikesh at the banks of the Ganges at Camp 5 Elements, Byasi,Rishikesh Run by the Leisure Hotels the camp the rafting camp in Rishikesh offers serene and rejuvenating environment. The Camp is indeed the most scenic, secluded & romantic beach camp on the Ganges. Sprawling over 500 meters of Silvery Sandy beach, the camp is surrounded by thick forests and mountains. The camp is located 27 kms from Rishikesh on the road to Deoprayag  between Shivpuri and Byasi Village. The tents are deluxe with a twin/double bed. There is an attached bathroom having running water (The only camps in Rishikesh with attached bathrooms) . Toilets, the typical dry pit ones are separately made.  Rafting Itinerary - Delhi-Rishikesh-Delhi Day 01 Friday 30th...