Hill Stations To Visit During New Year’s Eve

2017 was the year of long weekends and it’s no surprise that it is ending with the same.  The idea of spending the NYE in an overcrowded club or cars stuck in traffic jams is not the most exciting. Use the long holiday to your benefit and make way to the hills.

Spend the New Year with your cherished friends and family amidst picturesque mountains.  Read on to know the best places you can go to if you are near the National capital region.

Nainital

A beautiful hill town centered around the Naini lake, Nainital is one of the most popular vacation spots in North India. It surrounded by the surreal Kumaon hill that gives you the most picturesque scenery. Spend your days by visiting the innumerable sightseeing options here like the Himalaya Darshan, snow valley, Tiff and top, Land’s  end etc. Romantic evenings can be spent strolling on mall road and shopping. Our recommendation is to look for Cottage In Nainital For Rent and experience the hills to the fullest.

Manali

A little farther from Delhi as compared to Nainital, this location is nothing short of heaven. Since the new Manali is usually the place where the crowds descend, we recommend staying at Old Manali for a more quaint and peaceful sojourn.

Vashistha bath, Kullu factory, Hadimba Temple, Rohtang pass are a few must-visit places once you are here.  Accomodatio options resembling the Homestays In Uttarakhand are very popular here.You can opt for one if you don’t want to stay at a hotel.

Shimla

Another beautiful and extremely popular hill station is the Himachal Pradesh capital –Shimla. It is also referred as the queen of hills and why wouldn't it be.  Located in the majestic Lesser Himalayas you can’t give this destination a miss. Once here do visit Kufri, Tata Paani, and  Chail’s sanctuary. Mall Road is favorite of anyone visiting this place.

Start packing your bags already. If you are lucky it might even snow. Happy New Year in advance.  

The Joy Of Spending Your Winter Vacations At Homestays

The charm of spending vacations at a homestay in Uttarakhand is unprecedented, especially during winters. Interestingly, Homestays have become increasingly popular over the period of time.

The idea of spending winter vacations in some hill station may sound absurd for the first time but let’s admit it has a charm of its own. The biggest perk of staying at a homestay is that it offers an exact home-like experience.

Replete with home cooked authentic local meals to gorge on prepared by the owners of the place and comfortable beds to relax in, homestays become a part of a great travelling experience.

If you are still not convinced with what we are saying, we have few good reasons to tell you. 

Experience local culture first-hand

Staying in a homestay or a cottage is a great way to experience local culture. Living in these places you get to experience the local flavors of the place you are travelling to. If you decide to live in a hotel this experience goes missing.

To experience the best of the local culture with a great proximity plan a vacation in a place like Nainital. The cottages and villas in Nainital offer the best exposures to the local cultures during your vacation at these cottages.

Excellent for solo travellers

If solo travelling is your thing, then choosing to stay at a cottage or a homestay is the best way to enjoy your solitude. Not only will you get to live in close proximity with the locals but also get a taste of the local authentic culture in a manner that is not possible if you travel with people and stay in a regular hotel.

Experience community living

Hotels all around the world function in a similar manner as they offer similar services. And they also have the same drawback; they lack the authentic community living exposure.

A homestay on the other hand gives all its visitors a chance to interact as well as get involved with the local people and understand their way of living.

Discover the Land of Beauty: Kumaon

Let’s stop for a while and ponder over the rich and glorious time of the past. When living life within the warmth of nature and enjoying the sweet music of flora & fauna was much easier!

How many times do we curse ourselves for choosing a life that makes us slaves of technology and keeps us away to cherish what we have received from Mother Nature? Well, to match the living standards it is somewhere or the other important for us to keep following the rat race. However, stealing some time with your loved ones to escape away to an abode that greets you with a rejuvenating feel is not a task. Uttarakhand, the land of Gods, is a place that is away from the cacophony of the concrete world that we are living in. It gifts us the utmost sense of peacefulness and soul-soothing experience. Kumaon however, in particular, is a place that is a must visit. Look out for the reasons below to know why:

1. Jim Corbett National Park

If you have an adventurous spirit or interest to explore the wildlife, there is no way you should stop yourself to visit the place. With a historical background referring to the famous, Jim Corbett, this national park is dedicated to his spirit of killing man-eaters and love for them. There is a museum dedicated to Jim Corbett, shedding light on his life in India. Apart from this, cozy and beautiful guesthouses, machans, and bonfire settings will leave you awestruck.

2. Abbotsford House

Built in 1876, this Raj-era perfection once served as the summer home for a British official. Abbotsford House is classic Nainital: A genuine Raj-era home, on the edge of town, with a wide, well-manicured lawn and a commanding view of the valley, mountains, and forests. The main house is decorated and furnished in a traditional style, with wooden furniture, large portraits and antiquarian books and artifacts. The best part if that they offer accommodation too.

3. Rural life of Kumaon

Walking down a mountain at twilight in Kumaon, gives you a different kind of chills. Snow peaks in the distance; an owl sitting on a branch above, a small forest temple is just simply an expression of simple sanctity in a natural setting. Through those up and down lanes of the villages, you’ll see various cottages in Kumaon. People are extremely friendly and will entertain you over a bonfire with their stories to only take you into a sweet nostalgia of how their life is.

These are few things that can make you fall in love with the place, people and the whole picture of Kumaon. There are lots of places to visit in this region and a lot of places yet to be explored. To add more to your trip, choose Himalaica Resorts, which will provide you with finest amenities.

Planning a vacation in Uttarakhand? Choose a Homestay for a Memorable Stay

City-dwellers desperately long for a vacation to escape the chaotic urban lifestyle. A long vacation in some peaceful hill-station like Nainital or Ranikhet is required to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.     

Most of us tend to the repeat the same monotonous schedule during every vacation like visiting the popular places in the area, staying at a hotel, and going to some popular areas to eat. If you are planning to go for a vacation in coming Christmas and New Year season then make it worthwhile and unique.

Staying at a homestay instead of a hotel can give you a whole together different experience during vacations. These House cottages are increasingly become popular in hill-stations like Manali, Musoorie, and Nanital. Homestay Cottages in Nainital are typically equipped with modern amenities and dedicated staff that makes sure that your entire stay at vacation is worth remembering. 

The biggest perk of staying at a homestay is that you get to experience the local culture closely. Since you actually stay at a local residence, you get to see their culture and lifestyle. Your vacation does not remain just another regular visit to some place, you actually live and breathe the essence of that area. When you go back, you have a bag full of precious memories that you spent with the local people.

Unlike hotels, Homestays have a personal touch t. Since they are run local homeowners you get plenty of individual attention during the entire stay. For instance homestay cottages in Uttarakhand make sure that the guests get a personalized touch during the visit. Spending some quality time with local people will help you blend into the cultural ethos of the place. Some hosts and guests bond so beautifully during vacations that they keep in touch afterward as well.

Another amazing perk of staying at a homestay is the delicious home cooked local food. No matter how good a restaurant is, they can never match the level of deliciousness of the home-cooked local food. The toothsome meals will make your heart crave for it even when you will go back home.   

The advantages of staying at a homestay place are numerous. Besides being economic, it gives you a chance to escape into the simplicity of local culture. The unique sports activities and adventurous trips organized by the homeowners is another icing on the cake. So if you are planning to spend some days in peaceful surroundings, do consider a stay at local homestay cottage.   

Get the Best of Nature at Nainital

Referred to as the land of Gods, Uttarakhand serves as a charming sight for the eyes too. One of the popular tourist destinations, Uttarakhand has possessed beauties to itself. City sparkling golden in the sun, while tress shining green and high are sights that can be seen in the various cities of the state. 

However, like every land, Uttarakhand also has some of the places that are unseen, untouched and are still far from the grasp of man. From calm and peaceful home stay at Nainital to spectacular view of Himalayas, nature can be seen at its best at these places. Let’s take a look at the list of such places below.

Chaukori

A tiny and spectacular hill station in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It abodes between the uneven Western ranges of the Himalaya and gifts us one of the most serene and peaceful time while stay. To its northern is Tibet and Southern boundary hold Terai. The Eastern side of this place nestles Mahakali River. As the state is home to different Gods and Goddesses, Chaukori also has temples like Kedar temple, Ulka Dev Temple, Kamaksha Temple, Mostamanu Temple, Patal Bhuvaneshwar Temple and Jayati tmple Dhwaj.

Khirsu

Situated at the altitude of about 1700 meters above sea level Khirsu is located at the distance of 15 km from Pauri. One of the most distinguish thing about Khirsu is that it’s really small and relatively hidden from the eyes of tourists. However, ones who get lucky treat themselves with the panoramic view of the mighty Himalayas. Again, beautiful temples, open and wide green fields and exotic birds will make you want to stay there forever.

Pangot

If you love colors and nature, Pangot is the place that you must visit. Situated 15 km above city of lakes, Nainital, the way to this place passes through the forested areas of Peak of Cheena via the Snow View Peak and Kilbury, both of which are famous spots for Birding. Main feature of this place is bird spotting that includes beauties like Lammergeier, minta with blue wings, Himalayan Griffon, Forktail with slate back, woodpeckers with Rufus bellies and many more. Rare species like yellow throat Himalayan Marten, Leopard, Sambhar and barking deer can also be seen in this space. A complete habitat of rare but beautiful species, Pangot is truly magnificent. 

These places truly define the meaning of connection to nature. Also, because they are not yet commercialized, we should try and keep them the same way. Like Himalaica’s Nainital Cottage and Resort property is within the nature, without taking the essence away.

5 Best Places to Eat In Nainital

It is no secret that the present year, 2017, is peppered with numerous long weekends. With so many mini-vacations to look forward to, the idea of setting off for the hills is never a bad one. One hill station that remains evergreen throughout the year is the City of Lakes i.e. Nainital.

If you have already made plans for the city, and have decided to relax at one of the many Himalaica luxury cottages in Nainital over the coming long weekend, then make sure to hit all the best places to eat and dine out in the city. Savour the magnificent North Indian and Tibetan cuisines, along with local delicacies such as Aloo Ke Gutke, Ras and Baadi.

Here are four great suggestions for a fine culinary experience in Nainital:

·         Sakley Restaurant

Touted to be the best place for a foodgasm in Nainital, Sakley has exquisite global offerings which form the crux of its delightful menu. From Thai curry to pepper steaks, you can experience a wide range of cuisines here. What’s more, the chocolate pastries served here are absolutely sinful.

·         Machan Restaurant

A popular joint on the Mall Road, Machan offers mouthwatering food to go with its equally mesmerizing ambience. The décor is inspired by the wild, and you can always find your favourite Rogan Josh accompanied by soft music.

·         The Lazy Leopard

Located in perfect isolation near Mallital, the Lazy Leopard is ideal for a great dining experience. You can enjoy international delicacies such as Stroganoff, Turkish wraps and fajitas seated amidst the cover of oak trees and a starry night.

·         Café Chica

Look no further than this quaint little café for a hearty breakfast! Café Chica’s sandwiches, cakes and coffee are heaven on earth!

Of course, if you are staying in a Himalaica Nainital homestay cottage, you can always get food home-delivered. However, there is no better delight than exploring the cozy streets for the perfect culinary experience in the mountain valley.