Rishad Saam Mehta
Jet Wings; Dec 2004

A short and swift weekend break from the big city is a perfect antidote for the weary... Here are few itineraries from Delhi.

Thanedar

It is a straight drive from Delhi to Thanedar via Chandigarh and Shimla. Do make a determined effort to be on your way from Delhi by 5.45 am. This will have you crossing Chandigarh by 10.45 am, after a breakfast halt at Karnal. The 180-odd km to Thanedar will take the better part of five hours, thanks to the traffic in Shimla. You'll be in time for tea at Thanedar. Check into Banjara's beatific Orchard Retreat and let the views of the mountains lull you. Get the wonderful host, Prakash Thakur, to relate the story about Satyanand Stokes and how the Starking's Red and Golden Delicious strain of apple came to be grown here around the campfire later that evening. The kids will surely love it.

The next day you can see the same story in pictures if you're up to a walk to the Stoke's family house- Harmony Hall. Around the house are the heavily laden Barobagh Orchards and the beautiful Paramjyoti Mandir that Stokes built. After breakfast, drive up to the Tanijubar lake. It's a fascinating place to spend some time and maybe have a picnic lunch here. On your way back to the Retreat, visit the StMary's Church at Kotgarh, where stokes was sent to recuperate when he fell sick at Sabathu.

Shoja

Just two hours from Thanedar, Shoja is another good option for a weekend break. The road to this hamlet takes you past the Jalori Pass at 10,000 feet. Shoja lies five km from the pass. You can check into the Bnajara Retreat here. Definetly do the trek to the Serolsar Lake that is five km from the Jalori pass. The trail goes through the thick forest but is a very pleasant walk with splendid sightings of birds. The views are simply divine throughout the walk. Start out at 8 am and you should be back at the Retreat by 2 pm. There are snack stalls at the lake, incase you're hungry.

For another pleasant walk, had to the waterfall point that is an hour away. Recharge yourself with breakfast and if you're up to it, walk to the Raghupur Fort that is six km away. This walk is a little strenuous and small children might need to be carried some of the way. But the views from the fort are fabulous.

You can also spend a day at Raju's Cottage in Gushaini, 35 km away. The drive should take an hour or so. Raju's Cottage is a charming log hut on the opposite side of the Tirthan River and getting across is an adventure of sorts that will have you crossing the river in a little cable trolly. Indulgence is the name of the game here. Splurge on a breakfast laced with wild honey and then spend the morning exploring the orchards around the cottage or get Raju to explain to your kids the interesting process of jam-making. You can also fish for trout in the river or simply just lounge on the bank.