When the hills beckon

Mona

There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more

- Lord Byron

They worked by the day, they worked by the night. The air-conditioner did the same. They forgot the fresh air and they forgot the open sky. And then one day, the heat got to them! They switched off the air-conditioner and looked at the calendar. It was June. Time for a break! And the nearby hills of Himachal Pradesh sure beckoned.

Here are a few places that deserve mention.

Calm corner

- Koti Resorts

Serene and spectacular at the same time makes Koti Resorts an ideal getaway to soothe the frayed nerves. Just 30 minutes drive from the hustling-bustling Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, a sense of calm immediately descends as one drives uphill amid the shade of tall deodar trees!

At the resort, the very warm and efficient staff puts you in a zone that only few would want to venture out of. The suites done very elegantly in wood set the mood. Any time of the day or the night, one can enjoy sights and sounds that only nature can offer! The accommodation is comfortable; it gets even better as one steps out to enjoy nature’s bounties. The resort, which has 50 plus rooms in different categories, offers fairly reasonable dining options; has table-tennis, badminton and carom for recreation. Soon, they would be opening the indoor pool with steam and sauna facility. Drive around to explore the ‘Queen of Hills’ or indulge in adventure activities in nearby Naldera. You can pick up a mountain bike and go around the resort or better still take a jungle walk with a guide once the sun goes down. A lot of surprises await you!

Where: Koti Resorts, Village Sadhora, PO Baldeyan, Mashobra-Naldehra Road, Shimla

How much: Tariff starts from Rs 4,000 a night while a suite can be yours for Rs 9,500 a night plus taxes.

Water front

- Renuka Ji

If you love peace and water, there is a lovely combo at Renuka Ji! Around 100 kms from Chandigarh, the serpentine road takes you to the water body that’s spread like the shape of the woman! If you want to stay close to the lake, nearest option is Hotel Renuka. Though facilities are bare but tucked away from busy roads, the place is nice. One can explore the lake on foot or by boat, visit nearby temples or have a quick look at the small zoo! Little eateries offer nice stuff, but beware the town sleeps early so order your meals in time! In the solitary nights, if you are a nature-lover, you might enjoy the jungle coming alive.

Where: The Renuka, Renukaji, District Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh.

How much: Room tariff starts at Rs 1,200 to goes up to Rs 2,400 a night.

Regal touch

- Ramshehar Fort Resort

The Ramshehar Fort Resort offers a regal stay at the 500 years old fort. Restored painstakingly over the years the place offers most modern amenities, and yet maintains its heritage character. Situated at the top of a hill, it has a panoramic 360-degree view of the valley. Take a swim at its hilltop pool or go fishing or just lounge around in total peace. Take a trek, hit the gym or just walk around the fort for a date with history in the museum! And, yes, those in love with food can have what they like — Indian, Continental, Thai and Mughlai.

Where: Ramshehar Fort Resort, Tehsil Nalagarh,

District Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

How much: Tariff starts at Rs 7,000 for a standard room while a regal suite costs Rs 30,000.

Outdoor fun

- Behli Bhag

If you fancy spending the night in a tent and a ‘fancy’ one at that, Behli Bhag is the place to be. Swiss tents provide a comfortable stay while most of the food is sourced from the organic farm spread around. With green cover all around and a stream passing by, if you want to find yourself, this is your place to be. If you ask beforehand, they will be happy to arrange yoga and meditation sessions for you. If you are going in a group, they have very interesting team-building exercises lined up.

Where: Behli Bagh Naturopathy Tented Resort, Village Behli, Post office Mitian /Goyalapanner, Tehsil Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh

How much: The all-inclusive packages start at Rs 5,000 a day.

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