By Rashi Wadhera
One of the many privileges of living in the northern part of India is our proximity to the Himalayas {take that Mumbai}. All of us at some point {if not this summer} have planned a weekend away in the hills, whether it's to source a certain something something, for a change in weather, or to attend one of the many 'destination' music festivals. Whatever your motivation, we at LBB consulted our friends in higher places and proudly present 5 hill stations near Delhi to put on your Sat Nav right now.
Sitla Estate |
The home of our getaway consultant Vikram Maira, it's situated in the Kumaon region, and is touted to be bang in the middle of a so far undiscovered spot in the hills. Spread over 39 acres, it borders a virgin reserve forest, contains lush forest orchards and dense oak and pine forest covers. At a height of 7000 feet, you have the good fortune of a panoramic view of snow capped peaks including Nanda Devi, Trishul and Panchuli. The accommodation itself is a hundred year old english stone bungalow, restored to offer modern hotel amenities. Mr Maira personally attends to all your food requirements, cooking a variety of Indian, European and Oriental meals, and home-baked bread for breakfast! He is the avid mountaineer, so also get in touch for Ladakh Jeep Safaris, curated jungle safaris, mountain treks, river rafting, and customized travel itineraries.
Contact: Vikram Maira at +91 5942286330 or email him at maira_40@yahoo.co.uk
Price: On request
Driving time from Delhi: Between 6 and 8 hours
To find out tariffs, personalize your itinerary and book your stay, click here.
Raju's Guest House |
Even though we are of the belief there is no home away from home, Raju's Guest House comes pretty close. Situated in the Tirthan Valley, it's the perfect place to literally getaway, go for long walks along the river, and get fed endlessly by your hosts. For the more active traveller, you have the option of long treks, a trip to the Great Himalayan National Park, and a range of moderate to difficult hikes. Raju and his wife, Lata, run 4 fully furnished rooms with 24 hour hot and cold water, multi cuisine home cooked meals, and indoor games to keep you entertained. Don't expect too much activity around the resort; there's a few unassuming stores and one liquor store. A local trout farm and crossing the river via a ropeway seem to be highlights of the surrounding areas. Although there are air and rail options, given its slightly cut-off location, we recommend you drive down.
Contact: +91 8894000613 for reservations and directions
Price: INR 3,500 for a couple, per night, inclusive of all meals
Driving time from Delhi: Between 8 and 10 hours
Johnson Hotel and Cafe |
The Johnson Hotel offers three type of experiences. The hotel with 12 double rooms, the Jimmy Johnson Lodge, a family residence now converted into 4 service apartments, and the Raison Cottages, which are 3 self contained cottages ranging from 2 to 5 bedrooms. Situated in Manali, Kullu, its staff and services are known for their attention to detail and magnificent hospitality modelled on the lines of a home stay. We recommend the lodge or cottage for if you're travelling with a group of friends or with family. The in-house restaurant offers home-made specialties and includes local cuisine options. We hear the Local Manali Thali and the stuffed steamed sour dough bread are must-dos!
Contact: +918626814404, +919816273023
Price: The hotel rooms are priced at INR 3,200/night and the lodge at INR 7,000/night {the 2 bedroom apartment}
Driving time from Delhi: Between 10-12 hours
Camp Bliss |
Although we're fairly certain you've got a fair idea of what to anticipate courtesy the name, besides the bliss, you can expect sprawling luxury Swiss tents and a colonial bungalow nestled in the Kumaon region {Ranikhet, to be more specific}. Backed by a super qualified team of travel and tourism experts, Camp Bliss serves piping hot meals in the common dining area, and also has masseurs and Yoga teachers on staff. Ranikhet itself is a hill station worthy of seeing, with a rich historical significance courtesy the British Raj. The camp gives you the opportunity to maximize your stay with a trek through Ranikhet's apple garden, picnics in the jungle, and a chance to hit some balls at the Ranikhet golf course. For photography junkies and bird enthusiasts alike, Camp Bliss' seven acres of land is home to over 200 species of birds. And, it's dog friendly; their pet pooches make regular appearances, and you can take yours along for the ride.
Price: Suites start at INR 4,999/night for double occupancy and the Swiss Chalets are priced at INR 5,999 for double occupancy. All prices are inclusive of breakfast.
Driving time from Delhi: Between 6 and 8 hours
For more information, and to make a booking, click here.
The Himalayan Village |
One of the greatest things about hotels in the hills is their easy and more often literal names. The Himalayan Village is one such example, where each room has a different theme and corresponding decor, based and named after a different place in the State of Himachal Pradesh. Located in the Parvati Valley, Kasol, the resort has been built without cement. It employs an ancient style where stones were dry stacked one on top of the other. In total, they have 8 cottages, including 2 machans, all equipped with a king size bed, mini bar and fridge, a private lawn and semi-private outdoor seating. What really ups the ante is their in-house spa and fully stocked bar. If you OD on all the sitting around in your private lawn, the hotel can arrange river crossing, rappelling, nature walks, jungle excursions, trout angling, rock climbing and mountain biking. If that sounds too much for you, you can keep sitting, but maybe change where; try the jacuzzi, steam or sauna! If you hope to be forced to cut off from the world, we hate to burst your bubble, but they're equipped with a strong Wi-Fi signal.
Contact: +91 1902276266
Price: The cottages are priced at INR 7,600/night for double occupancy and the machans at INR 10,600/night for double occupancy.
Driving time from Delhi: Between 10 and 12 hours
For more information, and to make a reservation, click here.