Vishranti - At peace finally in Dehradun

Located on the fringes of the protected Sal forests, west of Dehradun and deep in the Doon Valley, these majestic cottages exudes the charm and aristocracy of yesteryears. Nestled in 23 acres, with nothing but nature for company, Vishranti has a cricketing legacy inherent in its sprawling and beautifully landscaped grounds. The exhaustive library of books and music, tasteful aesthetic décor and ambience, mouth watering delicacies served up by the chef and the flora and fauna of the estate is reminiscent of a royal lifestyle.

The idyllic cottages are designed in the style of a countryside bungalow with sloping roofs and wide verandahs to from where one can indulge in the inherent serenity of the immediate environment. The organic farm and plantations, the floriculture project and the exotic bird aviary provide for endless pleasures and a tryst with nature.The estate is located at a distance of 24 kms from the bustling city of Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. The proximity assures the availability of all amenities of modern day lifestyle and the distance ensures an austere and secluded experience. The undulating topography of the Doon Valley is visible from every angle of the Resort and lends a sublime charisma to the complete leisurely experience of life at its best.

http://www.weekendtravellers.com/vishranti_offbeat.html

The Himalayan Village - Kullu

The Village

"The Himalayan Village” is a glorious mix of style,luxury and traditional architecture blending in harmony. An ideal place to rejuvenate your mind , body and soul.Sit under deodar trees in the morning hours with the sunrays breaking through and feel at peace with nature.The Village os Situated at the foothills of the famous Malana village, the oldest democracy in the world & just 10 K.M short of manikaran, famous for its hot water springs, right on the bank of the sacred parvati river in the bowl of the lesser known Parvati Valley.

The Setting

The village has thick deodar (pine) forest as the crown, river parvati wetting its feet, mountains made of black hard-rock, with as many features as one’s mind can think of protruding as lingas in different shapes & sizes. Snow covered peaks making a perfect backdrop for this “Shiv Nagari”. The village is a perfect place for nature lovers. The sights of day break, sunrise, and crystal clear skies full of numerous stars can remain etched in one’s memory forever.The valley offers some real good treks, mystic mountains gorges, Deaodar forests, himalayan fauna and crystal clear waterfalls.

The Architecture

Made in pure traditional & ancient Kathkunia style (dry stacking of stone & wood without cement), with mud plastered walls from inside blending perfectly with deodar wood work, beautifully carved teak furniture, handmade tussar silk curtains, traditional brass fittings make a perfect blend of aesthetics and class. The cottages based on different districts of Himachal have a build in area of 600- 750 sq ft with mini bar, mini fridges, study, separate dressing, fully furnished and equipped toilets and personal lawns.

The Facilites

Himalayan Village has multiple restaurants, a beautiful traditional bar, a spa with heat sauna, steam sauna, Jacuzzi, aroma bath therapy, kerotherapy, acupressure, and massages to take care of you after a day of activities like river crossing, rappelling, nature walks, jungle incursions, rock climbing, mountain biking, trout angling, trekking, orchard picnics, rafting. After refreshing your mind and soul, join us for the traditional folk dances of himachal done by “we the staff” and polish off the day with the mouth watering cuisines of himachal.

On Tiger Trail in Bandhavgarh National Park

Trip Down Tirthan Valley

The worst thing about being inthe travel business... one dosent get time to travel for pleasure..the best thing... frequent trips to places as far as 550 kms from Delhi.

We have just returned from an exhausting but exhilarating trip to Tirhan Valley, near Kullu. The urge to see the vally was so great that we travelled all the way from Delhi to the valley to spend a night camping by the tirthan river (unfortunately for us we could spend only one night) .
On the onset the road from Delhi to Ropar is pretty fine almost four laned highway, from Ropar till Anandpur Sahib not very good condition but we could see massive work being done on the four laning so we were happy to realise that if ever we take a second trip the road wil be as smooth as slik.
But the moment you enter himachal and start climbing up to Bilaspur the roadd gives away to potholes best suited for heavy trucks and HRTC buses, about 20 odd kms are bad rest of the journey is pretty smooth and pictureesque. On reaching the turnoff point (Tunnel) we took a right turn and the images of what we were expecting got crisp. The valley opens up beautifully and suddenly the body mind and sould was abuzz with expectation, tired but attentive eyes takin in the natures bounty which lied vast and open before us.Picture perfect villages, slate roofs, and smiling faces, inspite of the road not being good. (but who cares what humans could not do. When God's best creation was dawning on us)
We were not dissapointed, and dont think anyone else who ever set foot in this valley would have been. Its pristine, its beautiful and thankfully still not on the regular tourist map.
Rana ji a local native was waiting for us to lead us to our overnite camping site, across the tirthan river. We just could not wait to get there all the hunger pangs vanished as pure mountain air filled our soul.
Camping was what we had opted for inspite of being invited as guest to famous Rajus Guest House. We spent the entire afternoon and evening soaking our soul in the beauty which lied around us. As night fell the stars and a perfect moon over the mountains made the valley shimmer in silver light. And even Gods would have wished to be mortal at that moment.
The bonfire, the sound of the river gushing by , moon lit valley and delectable desi food prepeared by ranaji was a perfect memory which would last a lifetime.
We were lucky we could crack the TIRTHAN VALLEY, and sugget that you do it too, atleast once.
Some Facts:
Manali is mundane. Try Tirthan and beyond
Book in advance. Accomodation is limited.
Dont forget to be there for atleast 3 nights.