Short Circuit

Fort Unchagaon
It is a little-known 19th century fort that has been turned into a quaint heritage hotel on the Delhi-Moradabad highway. There are 23 deluxe double rooms and suites,with the majestic interiors fortified with modern amenities. But it also throws in some back-to-earth activities — like going on buffalo rides,galloping on Peshawari horses,plucking fruits in an orchard,having a tete-a-tete with village artisans. Children can go for pony rides. Village potters teach the secrets of their trade before local musicians take over with their age-old songs in the evenings. And if you’re missing your normal fitness routine,there are fitness tracks,billiard rooms and squash and badminton courts.

How to reach: It is a three hours’ drive from Delhi. The village lies on the route to Garhmukteswar on the Moradabad-New Delhi highway.
Damages: Rs 7,200-Rs 8,400 per person for three days and two nights (offer valid till June 15).
Contact: 46520000

Sattal
Are your holidays fast-paced,adventure-packed breaks that leave you breathless? Or are they an excuse to sleep away the hours in a scenic locale? Either way,Sattal fits the bill.

From the Himalayan heights of Uttaranchal,the seven lakes that make up Sattal look like waterbowls tucked deep into an enormous expanse of undulating green forest. Narrow goat tracks wind through oak forests and are perfect for amateur trekkers with dubious fitness records. Along the steep climb,there are surprises like quaint churches and cottages. Families can hire boats lined on the lakes or go fishing. The fishing tackle can be hired locally. Children (and adults) can cycle on the tree-encircled lakeside patches that double as picnic spots. The lakes are also a home to rare birds and the forests are alive with bird calls. End the day lying in the open and looking straight up at the sky,without skyscrapers blocking the view. If you have time to spare,take a trip to Nainital,23 km away.

How to reach: A drive will take six-seven hours. You can also go on a seven-hour train journey to Kathgodam,the nearest rail head,and then travel 90 minutes by road. You can hire taxis for around Rs 500.

Where to stay: KMVN guest house
Damages: Rs 1,300-Rs 2,000 per night
Contact: 23712246 (Delhi office),05942-247047

Giri Camp
If you want to rough it out without compromising on luxury,this is the right address. Located near Solan in Himachal Pradesh,Giri Camp means sleeping in tents amid the Shivalik slopes while the Giri Ganga gurgles nearby. There are all the things you can do in Delhi but never manage to — bonfire nights,cricket and swimming— and all that you cannot — trekking to nearby villages,nature walks,river trailing and beach volleyball. For a few rupees more,you can also try your hand at archery,kayaking,mountain biking and angling.

How to reach: Solan is a seven-hour drive from Delhi,via Chandigarh. Or,take a train to Kalka and then the narrow gauge to Solan.
Damages: Rs 3,300 per person for three days and two nights
Contact: 9817519845,9810521443

Dhanaulti
This is where the deodar,rhododendron and oak create a panoramic vista against the snow-covered Himalayan peaks. Dhanaulti lies on the Chamba-Mussoorie highway and offers you every excuse to do nothing. Take it slow on the wooded slopes,savour the moments,it’s all about silence.

How to reach: It is an eight-hour drive. Take a train to Dehradun and a taxi or bus from there.

Where to stay: GMVN guest house
Damages: Rs 1,000-1,800 per night
Contact: 23364177,23746431,01376-226223

Mount Abu
It’s the coolest bit of Rajasthan this time of the year and free of the humidity of the plains. A holiday in Mt Abu is about stories — from those you hear to those you carry back. For starters,Mt Abu is where Sage Vashishta conducted a massive yagna. And Nakki Lake,around which Mt Abu sits,is said to have been created when the gods scraped the earth with their nails. Like all good stories,Mt Abu,set in the Aravallis,excites imagination even today. Check out the sunset,go boating on the Nakki Lake,trek through the forests where wildlife roam,they say even leopards come out at night,and try to capture that perfect NatGeo moment,or visit the sanctuary which counts as a birdwatchers’ delight. Oh,and the kids can make hay at the amusement park at Sunset Point.

How to reach: A 15-16-hour drive from Delhi. It’s better to take an overnight train to Abu Road and a taxi or bus from there.

Where to stay: Shikhar,operated by the RTDC
Damages: Rs 600-Rs 2,000 per night
Contact: 23381884,02974-238944

Chail
It’s far from the madding crowd,especially the Delhi population that throngs Shimla on weekends. When Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was exiled from Shimla in 1891,he decided to build his own summer capital and Chail,to this day,remains a gem tucked away amid the chinars,pines and deodars,high above Shimla. There is also the magnificent 19th century Chail Palace built on Rajgarh Hill and seems suspended from the clouds,and the Sidh Mandir,a temple the maharaja built on a peak following a dream. Chail Palace is now a hotel operated by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. (Retd) Lt-Col DS Grewal of the the Chail Heritage Foundation lists the other excitements,“The world’s highest cricket ground and a gurdwara that’s more than a century old. Besides,there’s Sadhu Pul,a small iron bridge over the river Ashwini,where the ‘city-bored’ cool their nerves.”

How to reach: It is an eight-hour drive. Kandaghat,29 km from Chail,is the nearest railway station from where you can take a taxi or bus. Or,take a train to Kalka and change trains to Chail.

Where to stay: Chail Palace Hotel
Damages: Rs 3,000 plus per night.
Contact: 23325320,01792-248141