TRAVEL SPECIAL.... Tenting in the HILLY HEAVEN

Tenting in the HILLY HEAVEN





A quaint, little hamlet in Uttarakhand, Kanatal grants every wanderer, who walks its path, the invaluable gift of silence

“The mountains are calling and I must go.“

John Muir, Scottish-American naturalist

While leading a 24x7 connected life, it's difficult to take time out for yourself ­ to let your thoughts wander where they wish to, and enjoy some peace and quiet. The layered hills of Kanatal -a picture-perfect hill station near Dehradun, perched at 8,500 feet -may be just the place for tuning out of all the mental baggage, being one with nature and reconnecting with your disoriented self. It's a landscape straight out of Keats' poetry. Yet unharmed by commerce, Kanatal is surrounded by dense pine, cedar, oak and rhododendron forests and offers a splendid view of the mammoth, snow-capped Himalayas. While it is punctuated with fruit orchards and colourful blooming flowers during monsoon and spring, the high point of the year, at Kanatal, occurs between December and February, when over 50 inches of snow carpets its areas, making it look like a cotton canyon.

KANATAL EXPLORED ON FOOT

While a laid-back bibliophile can curl up in a hammock to read a book and, at intervals, stare at the never-ending vistas, an adventure seeker has a lot to explore. Climb the artificial rocks, mountain bike on the meandering terrain, rappel down a cliff or go for a guided moonlit jungle trail through a forest. It makes you overcome your fears and you come back with a feeling of scaling a summit. Plus, watching the blue-white moon faintly gleaming over snow capped mountains on a silent, breezy night is an ethere al ex perience. Get to know the sky a little more by planning a session of star gazing or simply enjoy a barbecue night with loved ones, spiced up with some soulful music, a lot of laughter and meaningful conversations. One thing you certainly shouldn't miss is the day trek around the scenic Jwarna region; it is dotted with little villages every few metres, and gives you an unfiltered taste of rural life.The two-three-hour trek has enough to keep you both engaged and mesmerised. Walking past these clusters of cosy pastoral homes set amid organised patches of planta tions (green pea, cab bage, turnip, potato, mustard and corian der), will energise your worn-out body and fa tigued soul. Pluck some sweet organic green peas and munch away or keep clicking photographs, as the vivid scenery gives you enough opportunities to get artistic with your eyes as well as your camera. Except a few steep paths, the trek is smooth throughout, making it apt for almost anyone with a decent fitness level.

EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY

Kanatal is not an ex traordinary destina tion ­ it's a simple place that leaves an extraordinary impact on you. A gratifying conversation with a pahari, ea ger to feed you home-cooked Himachali food, witnessing the saffron sunset sky while lying back and sip ping a cup of hot tea... washes away all the fatigue from your weary nape.

The pure mountain air refreshes your senses and the ever smiling locals reaffirm your faith in the simple way of life.

A hidden gem in every sense of the word, Kanatal is a haven where you will want time to come to a standstill.

FACT SHEET

GETTING THERE

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun. You can either take the road via Mussoorie, or opt for the Chamba-Rishikesh route. A one-way drop to the airport by taxi costs around Rs 2,000 to 2,800.Rail: The nearest railhead is at Haridwar.Road: Kanatal is about 300 km from Delhi, 70 km from Dehradun, 75 km from Rishikesh and 100 km from Haridwar.

STAY & FOOD

There are a couple of peaceful tent retreats nestled in the midst of the mountains; they offer a spectacular view of the snow-covered Himalayan ranges, warm hospitality and delicious local food. You can also carry your own camping equipment for a `close to nature' experience.

NEARBY PLACES TO EXPLORE

Manali, Dhanaulti, Chamba, Surkhanda Devi Temple, Tehri Dam and Kaudia and Devdarshini forests.

OTHER WINTER CAMPING SITES

Riverside camping in Rishikesh:

Rishikesh attracts rafting enthusiasts from across the country. Camp at the riverside and experience an adrenaline rush by hitting the rapids on the Ganga. There are a plethora of campsites that cater to every budget; these packages are usually inclusive of all meals as well as the rafting activity.

Wilderness camping at Jim Corbett National Park:

Wake up to the sound of birds chirping and witness the beautiful Ramganga River winding its course through the park. There are a wide range of options for tented accommodation and an authentic experience of living in the wild. You can also book a captivating jeep safari and an elephant ride. Don't miss the traditional Kumaoni folk dance.

Desert camping in Jaisalmer:

Jaisalmer has a bunch of mid range and luxury camping sites that offer a desert camping experience. You can enjoy delicious local food, camel rides, jeep safaris, village tours, cultural performances by the locals and great hospitality. Ideal for chilly winters.

Beach camping at Anjuna, Goa:

Well-known for its beautiful and serene beaches, Anjuna makes for a great camping location. Learn to cook some Goan delicacies from the locals, hang around at chapels and colourful flea markets and experience the languid life. Goa's happening nightlife is the cherry on the cake.

Forest camping at Kasol:

Perched at a height of 1,460 metres, Kasol is a hill station in the Parvati Valley of Kullu district.

Nestled in the luxuriant greens of the thick pines, it is a back packer's haven. There are a number of small camps located on the banks of Parvati River which are popular among trekkers heading up to Pin Parvati Pass, Kheer Ganga, Sar Pass and Yanker Pass.

shikha shah

TL17JAN16