Humayun Tomb - Delhi

People in NCR often wait for the weekend to go somewhere out of the city for a change. Trust me, a few hours spent at Humayun Tomb is a rejuvenating vacation! It is a break from the chaotic life right in the heart of a chaotic city! It is one of those places where we go and wonder why haven't we been here before! Situated very close to the Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah in Delhi, Humayun Tomb is easily accessible.

Humayun Tomb is considered to be one of the first Mughal constructions of India and its architecture is the inspiration behind Taj Mahal and many other constructions. This magnificent mausoleum is a UNESCO world heritage site. It recently underwent a massive restoration program which was a huge success and is very well maintained.

Like most of the monuments of India, Humayun tomb too has a lovely story and many astounding facts to boast of. The construction of Humayun tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife Bega Begum and its constructed started 9 years after Humayun's death with the patronage of his son (Akbar) in the 15th century.I would highly recommend a guide to know the history and many other interesting facts about this place.

The aura at this place is truly magical, it transforms us into the bygone era. The tomb is located at the center of a garden complex (called the Bu Halima garden) with four gardens and each garden leads to a beautiful gateway. There are big lawns and beautiful trees that add to the grandeur of the entire complex. It is a perfect place for family picnics too. The octagonal interior is even more intriguing. As we look at such complex structures and such fine craftsmanship ,we wonder how they were able to construct all this with absolute perfection in the 15th century. No doubt Humayun Tomb is a marvel of architecture.

My 2 Cents:

-For history buffs I would highly recommend to take a guided tour. There are many other tombs within the complex like Nai ka Gumbad, Nila Gumbad, Arab- Sarai etc. and many stories associated with these.

- For people fond of photography I would recommend to go during sunrise and sunsets. You will not be be disappointed.

- Timings are 6 am to 6 pm. There is usually a long queue at the ticket counter so if you want to capture sunrise or sunset it is better to be there well in advance.

- For all other details like entry fees, videography fees refer to Delhi tourism website here.

- The best time to visit Humayun Tomb is winters and spring.



P.S: Special thanks to Sushmita Bhattacharjee for the pics and for always motivating me to write !!!

Nainital - Uttrakhand

No matter how many times I visit Nanital I never get bored. One look at the Nainital Lake is enough to make me fall in love with it again.To me it's primarily a fun place- it is a place to go with family and friends, the more the merrier ! The town of Nainital is highly commercialized but there are some places around that are are not so crowded and are perfect for a quiet weekend getaway.


One of the most happening trips to Nainital was an impromptu plan. It was a hot summer evening in Gurgaon when we decided to get away from the heat for the long weekend. No, this was not the happening thing, the happening thing was our sarkari bus journey from Delhi to Nainital. Now anyone who has traveled on a government bus in the hills would agree with this: It takes courage! A lot more courage when you have to sit in the last row because these are the only seats available (Lesson learned: always book your bus tickets in advance during peak season!).
For those who haven't had a government bus ride experience in the hills so far, it can be described as a the ultimate gut-wrenching experience. If you are brave enough to peek out and look at the bus wheels at the turns, it almost feels like the last day of your life- you suddenly become religious and start praying! I highly recommend this activity for adrenaline junkies during daytime.Thankfully for us this time, it was a night journey.

As we stepped out of the bus in Nainital in the morning, a cool breeze washed away all the tiredness of the journey. Even though there are many hotels near Nainital lake still finding a hotel with a nice lake view was a big challenge as we did not have any prior reservations.After searching for almost an hour we got an amazing home-stay deal. It was a short trek uphill from the main road and the lake view from the balcony of the house was probably the best we could get. The home cooked meals were delicious- overall we got  lucky with the accommodation deal !

A boat ride in Nainital lake is always nostalgic, you simply cannot go to Nainital and not go for the boat ride! It brings back memories from all the previous trips- Many family trips as kids , the happening bus-ride trip , a trip with best friends when we went for a friend's wedding in Haldwani and many more..beautiful memories!

There are many other touristy places like the Naina Devi temple, Tiffin Top, Snowview Point, Cave gardens, Nainital Zoo etc. but I have my own list of favorite places that are lesser crowded.

My favorite places in Nainital:

Naukuchiyatal:
People who know me know that I love picnics. Naukuchiyatal or the lake with 9 corners is a perfect picnic spot! They do have some adventurous activities here like paragliding and parasailing but my favorite thing to do here is just sit by the lake in the evening, after all tourists have left and sip a cup of tea in solitude. There is something so peaceful and relaxing about it, a perfect way to end the day.



Hanumangarhi:
This is a Hanuman temple situated around 3km from the main town of Nainital and is quite famous.
The lesser known thing about Hanumangarhi is the beautiful sunset from this spot. Watching the sun disappear into the sky from here is simply magical.





Naina Peak Trek:
An easy trek through the picturesque forests takes us to Naina Peak, the highest spot in Nainital. The panoramic view of  the town of Nainital from this hill top is refreshing. A good spot for photographers.

St. John's Church:
A visit to this 18th century church will transform us into the bygone era. Surrounded by the deodar trees, this is a must visit for solitude seeking souls. The Gothic style architecture is breathtaking. The best part is that I have hardly seen other tourists here. I highly recommend a visit to this church to anyone seeking peace. You will not be disappointed.



My 2 Cents:

- Do not underestimate our government buses, they really are in demand! Always book bus tickets in advance during the peak season. Same goes for hotels.

- For people who cannot stomach the hilly drives, train is a good option. Take a train from Delhi to Kathkodam. Nainital is only 1.5 hours from Kathkodam railway station.

- For first time visitors to Nainital, I would highly recommend to take a lake tour. These beautiful cluster of lakes are in Khurpatal, Sattal, Naukuchiyatal and Bhimtal and are situated quite close to each other.

- For solitude lovers I would suggest to search for accommodation in Naukuchiyatal or Sattal. Prior reservations are a must during peak seasons.

- Tibetian market is a good place to stroll around you can also find some good Tibetian food options here.

- I would also recommend to visit this place called Lands End. You could take a horse ride for the fun of it. The view of Khurpatal from this spot is simply amazing.

- If you plan to visit Hanumangarhi for sunset, reach well in advance to experience this magic of nature.

Mharo Rajasthan - Places to Explore in Rajasthan

The colorful state of Rajasthan is one of my favorite states. I am in love with the culture, food and history of this amazing state. It all started with one trip to the Rat Temple in Deshnoke and then there was no turning back. Rajasthan has a mystic charm to it that has completely magnetized me and has compelled me to explore more and more.

Here are some of the places I liked very much:

The Rat Temple – Deshnoke : One of the most unusual temples with thousands of rats. An ideal place for reckless souls seeking some thrill. A never-to-forget experience!

Bharatpur : Home to the famous Keoladeo National park , this place is a paradise for bird watchers,  photographers and nature lovers. 

Bikaner : The beauty of Bikaner is that it offers a variety of historical sites- the astounding Rampuria Havelis, Junagar Fort, Lalgarh Palace , Gajner Lake etc. This place is a must go for history buffs. 

Jaisalmer : This Golden city of Rajasthan is my favorite. The Jaisalmer fort is the ONLY living fort in India. Camping in the desert and to experience a sunset there is a memory to cherish forever. Jaisalmer is an ideal place for an adventurous camping trip.

Udaipur : This White city of Rajasthan is the city of lakes and offers a variety of places to visit. The beautiful Lake Pichola and Fatehsagar Lake , the gigantic City Palace , the heartwarming Chetak Smarak and famous Jagdish and Eklingji temple- Udaipur offers something for everyone.

Jodhpur : This Blue city of Rajasthan possesses the mighty Mehrangarh fort with one of the most well kept museums I have been to so far. The ruins of Mandore fort , the architecture and tranquility of the Jaswant Thada mausoleum and shopping amidst the hustle-bustle of the city market- Jodhpur has a lasting impression on everyone.

Jaipur : This Pink city of Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist places in India. Jaipur is very convenient for kick-starting the Rajasthan trip because of its location and accessibility. Several visitor attractions like Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Birla Mandir , Chokhi Dhani , Amer Fort etc make it an ideal place for an amazing vacation.

Lohagarh Fort Resort - Jaipur

Well, I am not a big fan of resorts. I wanted to revisit just some places in Jaipur but did not want to stay in Jaipur as it’s too swarming for my taste.  The Lohagarh Fort Resort seemed as an ideal option location wise. With only this much research and relying once again on my gut feeling, we booked the Lohagarh Fort Resort for a long weekend in August. 

Away from the hustle-bustle of Jaipur, this resort is located in a village called Kacherawala on the Jaipur-Delhi highway. Main city of Jaipur is around 40 mins from this resort. It is around 220 km from Gurgaon. It took us around 4 hours to reach there with two breaks.

It was raining when we reached the Lohagart Fort resort. Grand entrance with stone pillars and antique gate imparted an actual Rajputana fort like feeling to the resort. It looked from the outside as if we were actually entering a fort. On the inside however, the ambience is more of an eco-friendly type rather than a heritage one. So yeah, the name doesn’t really go with the theme.The resort spreads over a huge area and is surrounded by the Aravali hills. The property is well guarded by many huge trees which add to the natural beauty of this place.

What I liked the most is that this resort has something in store for everyone. A pool, some cute animals, cycling, many outdoor and indoor games and above all a scenic environment to stroll around- no one would get bored here. We went there with 11 month old KU and it was manageable to roam around with her stroller.

They have a variety of unique rooms. We stayed at the cottage with private garden & an outdoor tub on Day 1. It was a huge room. Little KU enjoyed herself running around the garden and splashing in the tub. Everything went as planned and we had a lot of fun.

On Day 2, we thought of checking out the luxury suite and we were taken aback with the grandeur of the room! Even though it was a little pricey, we booked it for that day and it was worth every penny. Everything about this suite screamed luxury! The white marble stone bed was a statement piece and a matching center table gave an aristocratic feel to the room. The Jacuzzi was simply jaw-dropping! The wooden closest however seemed to mar the refined look of the room. It simply didn’t go with the theme of the room and looked out of place. The private garden outside had a cozy hammock and it was a relaxing experience to sit there under the stars.

The food was another plus point- The breakfast had a lot of variety and the staff was very courteous and helpful. They voluntarily made some dishes that even our baby could enjoy- This was a very sweet gesture. In all, we ended up spending more time at this resort than Jaipur as we had initially planned.  We had a quality time and enjoyed every bit of our stay here!

My 2 Cents:

-          It’s a huge property; don’t forget your walking shoes.

-          As there are many trees and a lot of greenery, mosquitoes are inevitable. Do bring extra mosquito repellent, especially if you are with kids.

-          They also have a village tour thingy but we did not go for it.

-          They do not serve alcohol- Stock accordingly!

-          Amer fort is nearby.

-          To know more about ‘Mharo Rajasthan’ do visit my other blog posts on Rajasthan.

Places to Visit In NCR - Day Visit

Many people have asked me to suggest some places to visit within NCR for a day visit or just for a couple of hours.Even though there are many places to visit within Delhi itself, I've mentioned only my favorites here. These are the places you could go to for a couple of hours and come back home.

This is an ongoing post. I will keep on adding places as I remember and as I explore more myself.

1.       Kingdom Of Dreams - Gurgaon

2.       Tikli Bottom – Gurgaon

3.       Sheetla Temple – Gurgaon

4.       Sultanpur Bird Sanctuay - Gugaon

5.       Damdama Lake – Sohna

6.       Hoho Bus – New Delhi 

7.       Chattarpur Temple – New Delhi

8.       Humayun Tomb – New Delhi

9.       Hauz Khas Village – New Delhi

10.   Badkal Lake – Faridabad

11. St. Stephan's Church - New Delhi

12. St. James Church - New Delhi

13. Lodi Gardens - New Delhi

14. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib- New Delhi

15. Niwamuddin Dargah - New Delhi

Offbeat Weekend getaways from Delhi NCR

Here are some quiet weekend getaways from NCR. These places are neither for shopping-centric travelers nor for party-centric travelers - no fancy shops and no posh pubs here.

These are the places that explorers and nature lovers will enjoy the most. These are the places that solitude lovers will enjoy- away from the chaos of city life and into the lap of nature. All these places offer a feeling of oneness with nature and gave me a purpose to remain travelored.

Consider these places as base camps from which your weekend expedition will start. There is a lot to explore around these places.

·         Chakrata

·         Kanatal

·         Chamba Tehri

·         Jamta

·         Chail

·         Lansdowne

      Bharatpur

Lohagarh Fort Resort- Jaipur

Chail Himachal Pradesh

Chail is a quiet hill station in Himachal Pradesh. The reason for choosing Chail for our summer break was that it is conveniently located near many famous tourist spots like Kasauli, Shimla, Solan etc. so most people flock to these known spots over quieter places like Chail.

Chail is around 370 km from Gurgaon, around 9 hours of drive with breaks. We did not want to overexert KU so we decided to stop whenever it was enough driving for her. With only this much planning and no prior reservations, we started our road trip on a cloudy May afternoon. We were traveling on a weekday so we took our chance with reservations. We left Gurgaon vowing NOT to stop at Murthal for paranthas.­­

 (Read here what happened when we halted unnecessarily at Murthal during our Jamta trip! We lost our way into the sugarcane fields at night)

It was drizzling by the time we reached Panchkula after around 5-6 hours of driving and Panchkula seemed to be a very comfy place to take a break before driving further. As we were sipping tea in the famous Aasma Revolving restaurant, we decided to call it a day and checked into Ana Clarks Inn itself. Chail in one stretch is easily doable from Gurgaon but we decided to spend the evening in Panchkula as it looked so colorful from the restaurant top.The Choki Dhani Resort was right across the road and it was a fun experience to spend some time there.

We left for Chail after breakfast the next day; it is around 100 km from Panchkula. As we drove towards Chail, the wind turned cooler and mountains grew bigger. The road was rugged most of the time. By the time we crossed the turn for Kasauli at Dharampur , traffic began to fade. There were hardly any tourist cabs or even local vehicles. We had begun to worry that Chail would be a crowded place – now we were relieved. We reached Chail after 4 hours of relaxed driving.

Chail is a little hamlet in the laps of nature surrounded by pines and deodars. We noticed many newly constructed hotels in Chail but surprisingly we did not see any tourists (I was really happy about it though). It could be because we were there on a weekday.

As we were traveling without reservations, we decided to check out some of the famous hotels there. Chail Palace topped this list so we decided to go there for lunch and see if we could get a room. We had heard a lot about Chail Palace- the ambience was royal, the food was great too but the hotel rooms were a downer for us. The rooms were damp and stunk. Disappointed with the rooms, we decided to just enjoy our lunch there and left after that.

Our hunt for hotel rooms ended as soon as we halted at the Ekant Retreat Resort. The location was lovely, the rooms were comfortable and the food was yummy!  It was very refreshing to sip our evening tea in the balcony, overlooking the valley. Cool breeze washed away all the tiredness. Our time here was totally chilled out. It was very rejuvenating to stroll around the village and visit nearby places.

Places I visited:

Kufri: Kufri is just 30ish Km from Chail and it took us around 1.5 hours to reach there. It is a cute little hill station perfect for 1 day outing specially with kids. It was a lot of fun to walk around the Kufri Zoo. We visited a few more places like Chini Bunglow , Tourist park etc. Kids would definitely enjoy the yak and horse rides easily available in that area.

Shimla: We visited Shimla just for old times’ sake. Chail to Shimla is almost 2 hours’ drive. We were told that we were lucky to be there on a weekday as it gets really crowded on weekends. It was nostalgic to walk down the famous mall road. We just had some coffee and came back.

Janedghat Market: It is not a tourist spot as such but a small village market that offers delicious local food. There are a couple of dhabas that offer fresh food. Ideal place for rajma-chawal lovers!

Kali Ka Tibba: To me ‘Kali ka Tibba’ is the USP of Chail. It is a temple situated at the hill top but to me this place has something in store for every kind of traveler- A beautiful temple for the religious ones, a thrilling place for the adventurous ones because of the 5km of awesome trek to this temple, a first gear drive on the bumpy road for the daredevils (specially in rainy season), a photographer’s paradise for the most amazing sunset and breath taking views and above all it offers tranquility, that sense of oneness with nature for all us solitude lovers for which we go to these offbeat places. We witnessed one of the best uninterrupted sunsets at this place.

My 2 Cents:

1.      Bag packers can stay in Junedghat as well. There were many cheap bagpackerish hotels there and it would cost peanuts.

2.      It is important to reach Kali ka Tibba before sunset to enjoy this place to the fullest.

3.      Take out some time to visit Chail palace, the cricket ground etc.

4.      A toy train ride from Shimla is highly recommended. It is an experience in itself.