My Favourite Destination For Weekend Trips And Small Retreats

Best Destination for Weekend Trips

Hill stations have an unmatched charm which draws travellers from all over, especially during the summer season. Hailing from the mountain-side, I have personally always enjoyed going on vacations on hilly terrains. My favourite destination for weekend trips and small retreats is none other than Kasauli.

About the place

Kasauli is a small, yet the most frequented of the hill stations located in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is one of India’s most serene and peaceful hill stations. Owing to its location, Kasauli has become a favourite weekend getaway for travellers from Delhi, Chandigarh and adjoining cities. Giving a feel of the British colonial era, Kasauli transports you into time and takes you to pre-Independence times. Its spectacular buildings built during British era immediately catches one’s attention.

The scenic beauty and pleasant weather of Kasauli makes it an ideal destination for those who want to beat the heat and enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating short trip. Offering calmness, the place is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of traffic, air pollution and regular work life madness. Kasauli offers some of the most breath-taking views and takes you as close to nature as humans possibly can. The serene and picturesque location is ideal for going on a family vacation or spending a romantic holiday with your partner. Because of its secluded, isolated locations, Kasauli has been a preferred destination for honeymooners for a long time now. There are numerous evergreen trees in and around this tourist destination which provides it with a lush green serenity and makes it a personal favourite tourist spot for all nature lovers.  

Things to do in Kasauli

1. Nature Walk: Kasauli has romance in its air and its cool and pleasant weather just makes it a perfect setting to enjoy that stroll amidst nature. The walk is serene and refreshing as you inhale fresh oxygen free from the daily pollution which one would find in crowded cities. During the walk you can enjoy an awesome panoramic view of the gigantic Himalayan peaks.
2. Toy Train Ride: There is something about train rides that takes one back to childhood days. One can enjoy approximately 10 km of train ride from Kasauli to Dharampur and take the train up to Barog and return. The journey through the tunnels, oak & pine forests, and small hilly passages is an experience of a lifetime, one that you would have only seen in movies. The toy train has been declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. Toy train tickets can be booked in one month advance from all partner websites of IRCTC.
3. Kasauli Tibetan Market: One can find many local Tibetan shops at Mall road which sell handicraft items, woollens, hand-woven shawls, stoles, and scarves. The fruit markets sell fresh seasonal fruits like apricots, plums, and peaches picked from the orchards. Kasauli is also famous for its large assortment of locally produced and reasonably priced fruit wines. Some of the popular wines in Kasauli are apple wine, plum wine, sherry wine, peach wine, and black grape wine.
4. Local Tibetan food: The local Tibetan food is a must-try when you visit Kasauli. A wide range of dumpling and thukpa varieties are available at the local Tibetan food stalls lined up in lower Mall area. One can also try the local bread called Sidu, poppy seeds Halwa, and Madara. One of the most popular dishes in Kasauli is Band Samosa – a stuffed bun served with chutney and chhole. NH22 Dhaba and Narinder Sweet House are also quite popular among tourists.
5. Timber Trail: For all those who love adventure and are fond of photography, you must visit the Timber Trail in Kasauli. A favourite among kids, the 2 km rope way here is the perfect way to enjoy the views of the majestic mountains and green valleys of Himachal.

Stay in Kasauli (My personal recommendation)

Homestays have been emerging as a preferred alternative for travellers who wish to experience the comfort of a home along with home-cooked food even while travelling. During my recent trip to Kasauli I too opted to stay in one of the Homestays. Located on the Mashobra Valley View Nari Road, Mashobra in Kasauli is the Seclude Summer Vine, an ideal homestay which provides luxury-living.

Seclude Summer Vine is a property owned by Rohit Sethi who is operating similar such luxury style home properties in Manali, Shimla, Nainital, Delhi and Goa. This property in Kasauli is the perfect choice for those who wish to enjoy luxury style living during their Kasauli trip. I found it to be a value for money proposition and its much better and peaceful to stay here than any other popular hotel nearby.

Breath-taking views surround this property and one can enjoy prompt and timely service by the local support staff and chef who take care of the property there. During my stay there, I was treated to some delicious food including evening snacks and morning breakfast. The property had ample space for people to relax and unwind and enjoy the calmness of the place. I spent most of time reading books from their personal library sitting in a comfortable recliner. The room size was adequate, and cleanliness was well taken care of by the support staff there. The toilets were well maintained, and I felt quite literally at home in that Homestay. I would most definitely stay in the same property again when I visit Kasauli and I highly recommend all of you to go there once to experience luxury living in Seclude Summer Vine during your next visit to Kasauli.