It’s been a hot couple of months and there’s still a couple of them left. With some long weekends on the calendar, we are going on a lake resort trail… only because the beach is too far away.
Water Retreats to Escape To Before Summer Ends
Ten-Second Takeaway
LBB’s Loving
Aranyam
Reader’s Vote
Saras Resort
BUDGET ACCOMODATION
Saras Resort
A lake resort that caters to your picnic and party requirements equally, Saras is located bang on the banks of Damdama Lake. It has 13 rooms that have all the basic facilities and then some {mini-bar anyone?}. These lakeside rooms have to-die-for views of the sunrise, and if you’re not feeling like just a swim, they’ll arrange for zorbing, river crossing, paddle boating and other activities. You’ll also find camel rides for kids {to keep them busy while you relax, of course}.
Where: Damdama Lake, Sohna
Distance from Delhi: 62 kms approx. {1 hour}
Price: INR 1,100 onwards
Contact: +91 9582555626 , +91 9582555629
Check them out here.
Tilyar Lake
A rundown zoo of sorts, we recommend this resort purely for the fun quotient. It has a long list of things to keep you sufficiently entertained— think a toy train for children, a Columbus for adults, large green spaces for picnics and a big lake for boating or fishing. For those looking for the usual fare, Tilyar lake also has a restaurant and bar, and a zoo with tigers, panthers and a larger number of birds. You’ll have to let the management know if you’re interested in any of the adventure sports or angling and they’ll arrange it for you.
Where: Rohtak
Distance from Delhi: 42 kms approx. {1 hour}
Nearest Railway Station: Rohtak Junction
Price: INR 1,800 onwards
Contact: +91 9582555630 , +91 9582555629 , +91 7838348955
Check them out here.
River Side Resort
River Side Resort in the gorgeous Tirthan Valley {in Kullu} is the perfect vantage point to watch the Tirthan River flow by like a coiling snake. It’s an exciting little place, especially since you have to sit on a small pulley chair to get to it. You can sit by the river, and a bonfire is put up since it gets chilly. You can trek to the lake nearby, cross the river or walk over to the national park.
Where: Tirthan Valley, Pekhri, Himachal Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: 505 kms approx. {10 hours}
Nearest Railway Station: Ahju
Price: INR 2,000 onwards
Contact: +91 810008808, +91 98100932925
Check them out here.
Aranyam: River Retreat
Meaning ‘deep, dark forest’ in Sanskrit, Aranyam is tottering on the Banks of River Hyule, about six kilometres off the Ganges. It has a restaurant, open amphitheatre for activities, a shisha lounge and a dance floor. A yoga and meditation retreat, the place is perfect for those looking to reconnect with nature {in an alpine safari tent, no less}
Where: Vill. Sindhudi, Off Rishikesh Neelkanth Road, Via Brahmpuri Garurchatti Bridge
Distance from Delhi: 270 kms approx. {6 hours}
Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh
Price: INR 3,500 onwards
Contact: +91 9897684867, +91 8057549104
Check them out here.
The Western Ramganga River Lodge
We all know that fishing isn’t so much about the activity so much as lolling about on the boat and experiencing the joys of beer, but this is touted as one of the best places to fish for the golden mahseer. You can journey down the Western Ramganga just outside Corbett National Park and view the forests from atop a lazy creek. Also, if you stay in their cottages perched over the valley, you get a stunning view of the forest. They also do guided tours of self sustaining villages and rafting expeditions.
Where: Find exact location here.
Distance from Delhi: 240 kms approx. {5 hours}
Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam
Price: On request
Contact: 011 66544060
Check them out here.
MID-RANGE & LUXE ACCOMODATION
Soulitude by the River Side
As the name suggests, Soulitude is for those who are looking for some alone time away from the hustle-bustle of the city. The Kalsa River happily bubbles alongside this working organic farm, adding to the rustic ambience. The good food, emerald green rock pools and the seven rustic-style rooms have completely bowled us over. We recommend Soulitude if you’re absolutely fit, since it requires quite a bit of trekking up and down the steep slopes to access it.
Where: Near Kalsa River Banks, Chanfi, Nainital
Distance from Delhi: 314 kms approx. {7 hours}
Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam
Price: INR 6,000 onwards
Contact: +91 99993 30379
Check them out here.
Aalia Resort on the Ganges
Plush green lawns, a spa, and distinctly modern architecture, Aalia is your luxury option for Haridwar, overlooking the Ganges. And when looking out onto the horizon gets boring, try their jungle safaris; white water rafting {Rishikesh is next door}, archery, badminton, nature walks or picnics, and then there’s always the Ganga Aarti.
Where: Near Rajaji National Park, Chila Range, Shyampur Noamabad
Distance from Delhi: 222km approx, {Under 5 hours}
Price: Starts at INR 9,000
Contact: +91 9899975469
Check them out, here.
Lakshman Sagar
Cottages dot either side of the man-made lake, Lakshman Sagar and each open upto a splashing pool of their own. Boy, can we only imagine the champagne flowing on a romantic break here. The neighbouring village has inspired each cottage, but not one is identical to the other. Outside, the pools overlook the lake while inside, the interiors are something else-with brass vessels and accoutrements that reflect the local culture of Rajasthan. You can go in for local liquor tasting, star gazing or simply chilling by the rock-cut pool.
Where: Lakshman Sagar, Raipur Road, Near Haripur Railway Station, Dist. Pali, Raipur
Distance from Delhi: 514 kms approx {8 hours}
Price: INR 12,000 onwards
Nearest Railway Station: Haripur
Contact: +91 11 26494531-32
Check them out here.
Chhatra Sagar
This camp is only open from the 1st of October to 31st March, so we’d recommend that you book these right away. It’s beautiful and a complete luxury affair in itself; you probably won’t require activities to keep you busy. But if you do, then this Rajput-style resort offers bird watching tours and organises farm visits.
Where: Chhatra Sagar, Dist. Pali-Marwar
Distance from Delhi: 480 kms approx {7 hours}
Price: INR 30,000 onwards
Nearest Railway Station: Beawar
Contact: +91 9414123118
Check them out here.
