Subhasis Banerjee

MAHABALESHWAR At an altitude of 1372 metres, it is the largest hill station of Maharashtra and is frequented by the Bollywood film industry for their outdoor shootings. The place abounds in natural beauty and houses the historic Pratapgarh Fort built by the legendary Maratha emperor, Chatrapati Shivaji. Mahabaleshwar may be called the ‘land of view points’. Echo, Hunting, Babington, Malcolm, Monkey, Elphinstone, Kate’s, Wilson and Ladwick points along with Arthur Seat provide mesmerizing views of the surrounding hills, forested slopes and the verdant valley below. The huge tabletop plateau of Panchgani is an important excursion from here. Accessibility : 120kms north, Pune is the nearest air and railhead from Mahabaleshwar and is well connected by roads. Accommodation : There are many good Hotels and Resorts apart from a Tourist Lodge in Mahabaleshwar. Season : Throughout the year.

MATHERAN At an altitude of 803 metres, it is a pristine hill station amidst the lush green Jambol Forests of the Shayadri Range . There is a blanket ban of motor transport in this virgin hill station and therefore, one has to travel by the heritage Toy Train through the forests crisscrossed by streams, waterfalls, mystic valleys and floating clouds with sudden glimpse of the pertaining wildlife. Like Mahabaleshwar, Matheran is also dotted by viewpoints, the major ones being Panorama, Park You, Alendria, Louisa, Monkey and Khandala points. The splendid Charlotte Lake behind a dam also provides the drinking water of the town. Accessibility : Mumbai is 108kms west of Matheran. By road or rail, one has to reach Neural and then take the toy train to come to Matheran. Accommodation : There are a variety of Hotels and Resorts in Matheran along with a Tourist Lodge. Season : October to May.

SHIMLA The erstwhile summer capital of British India, after the capital was shifted from Kolkata to Delhi, in the foothills of the Shivalik Range is a glamorous and popular hill station. The 12kms crescent shaped ridge at 2,213 metres, which is surrounded by woods of stately Oak, Fir and Rhododendrons, offer a splendid view of the snow-clad ranges of the upper Himalayas. The places of interest include the Mall, the Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum, Summer Hill, Jakhoo Hill, Prospect Hill, Sanjhwali, Chadwick Falls, Glen and Annandale. Interesting excursions from Shimla include Kufri, Fagu, Theog, Craignano, Masobra, Taptapani, Naldera, Solan, Narkanda, Hatkoti, Rohru, Jubbal, Rampur, Chail and Kasauli. All these places have earned their reputation as pristine hamlets in the Shivalik Hills for their natural beauty and uninterrupted views of the perennially snow-clad Himalayan peaks at a distance. Accessibility : Kalka is 96kms and Chandigarh 117kms south-west from Shimla by r...

MANALI Resting at an altitude of 1,928 metres and girdled by Pine and Oak forested hills on the three sides and snow-clad ranges of the upper Himalayas on the other, Manali is a pristine, quaint and popular hill station dotted by grassy meadows and wild bushes. The River Beas flows by this magnificent hill station. Places to see around are Hadimba Temple, Arjun Gumpha, Vashishtha Springs, Jagat Sukh, Rahala Falls, Neheru Kund and Beas Kund. But, beyond everything, the natural beauty of Manali reigns supreme. The British started growing apples here about a hundred years back and today, the apples of Manali have a worldwide market for its quality and taste. The 1500 year-old Naggar Castle is 23kms from Manali and is worth visiting. The Rohtang Pass, 50kms north, is a very adventorous excursion from here. Accessibility : Manali is best approached by road from Kalka, which is 351kms south, and Chandigarh 310kms south-west, both of which are well-connected railway stations. Bhuntur, 50...

WEST SIKKIM With Mt. Kanchendzonga looming large on the background, the recorded history of Sikkim began from this beautiful district with the coronation of the first Chogial in 1641 AD. Two prominent monasteries, the Dubdi Monastery – Sikkim ’s oldest monastery and the Tashiding Monastery – Sikkim ’s most sacred monastery, are located in this district along with the Pemayangtse Monastery. The holy Khechopary Lake is a trekkers’ delight and a pilgrims’ enchantment. The world’s second highest suspension bridge, Shinishore Bridge , is another attraction of the region. Some majestic and magnificent waterfalls are present in this region like the Singe Falls , Rimbi Falls and the Kanchendzonga Falls . The svelte and sylvan valleys of flowers, Varsey and Rangeet, encircled by the eternally snow-capped peaks of the Eastern Himalayas, make this place an exotic destination. Yuksom is at the end of the road in west Sikkim and is the jump off point for the Zongri-Goecha La trek. Access...

NORTH SIKKIM The road from Gangtok to the most serene and beautiful district of Sikkim is an adventure in itself. The road cuts through vertical hills, passes through dense alpine forests, moves past gushing streams and waterfalls and crosses cavernous gorges, making one sit on the edge of one’s excitements. The region falls in the Indo-Tibetan border and is harnessed by the spectacular majesty of nature. The plight of the terrain, married with the stupendous beauty of virgin nature, has turned the region into a veritable paradise. Over 500 waterfalls, deep gorges, steep forested hills, wide valleys covered in rich natural mosaic of rhododendrons and primulas, the aroma of natural incense herbs, hot springs and eternally snow clad peaks of the eastern Himalayas ensemble to welcome the visitors with one of the most romantic adventure of their life. All accolades fall short of any literary praise of the spectacular romance of the region. It can only be conceived through one’s senses by...

DARJEELING Known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’, Darjeeling was discovered in 1828 AD by two British army officers, Lloyd and Grant, on a fact finding trip. In 1835 AD, the British formally took possession of the place by purchasing from the Chogyal (king) of Sikkim for an annual stipend of Rupees Three Thousand. In 1840 AD, the first tea plant was planted here by a British gentleman, which eventually gave birth to the best tea plantations of the world. At an altitude of 2185 metres and surrounded by wooded hills and sloping tea plantations with the majestic Mt. Kanchendzonga looming large in the background, clouds play hide and seek with this mystic hill station. The world’s oldest narrow gauge Toy Train, started in 1881 AD, still amaze the visitors with its marvellous feet of engineering. Its journey from New Jalpaiguri begins in the plains and passes through mystic tea plantations, forests of Sal, Cedar and Teak, over viaducts bypassing gushing streams and waterfalls, and climbs thro...

KHAJJIAR Set against a huge lake, this 2kms by 1kms sylvan valley lies very near to the erstwhile princely state of Chamba. The serene ambience, created by stretches of Pine and Deodar forests and sprawling grassy meadows, makes it an ideal destination for contemplation. There is also a golf course here. Accessibility : On the road to Chamba from Dalhousie, Khajjiar is only 20kms east and its distance from Pathankote in the neighbouring state of Punjab is 107kms. Pathankote is very well connected by road and rail. Accommodation : There is a Tourist Lodge here and few standard and deluxe Hotels and Resorts. Season : October to June.

KATREIN Situated on the banks of the River Beas at an altitude of 1,460metres and very near to the famous hill station of Manali, it is a splendid haven against the scenic backdrop of apple orchards and perennially snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. This is also an excellent retreat for Trout fishing. Accessibility : 18kms south of Manali and 21kms north of Kullu, this place can be reached from both these places by road. During the months of March to June and September to October, flights are available from Delhi . Major railway stations nearby are Kalka and Chandigarh . It is best to arrive directly by road from these railway junctions or from Shimla. Shimla is 240kms, Chandigarh is 291kms and Kalka is 330kms south of Katrein. Accommodation : A Tourist Lodge run by the state tourism department, standard and deluxe Hotels and Resorts are available in Katrein. Season : October to June.

  BINSAR Shrouded in the serene embrace of alpine flora, ferns and hanging moss deep within Oak and Rhododendron forests, the virgin hill station of Binsar offers the ultimate view of the Himalayas with a 300kms wide panorama of the Kedarnath, Chowkhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandakot and Panchali peaks. At every quarter of the day with the changing position of the sun, these peaks adore a completely different hew creating a celestial aura. Accessibility : 30kms north-east of Almora, Binsar is approached by road. Accommodation : There is only a Tourist Lodge in Binsar. Season : October to May.