MOUNTAIN HIGH

On a weekend getaway to Palampur, RASHIMA NAGPAL ventures into the heart of the beautiful hill station nestled in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh and finds a destination fit for the entire family.

- RASHIMA NAGPAL

IT TAKES A 10-HOUR DRIVE from Delhi to reach but Palampur is worth the wait. The sun has set by the time I arrive at Araiya Palampur - A Norwood Heights Resort. I hear nothing but the silence of the mountains surrounding the sleepy little village of Kandi, where the 25-room boutique resort is set. With a deluxe suite perched at the far end of the 2.7-acre property, I feel blissfully away from the clutches of city life. Not from creature comforts, though.

My chic suite flaunts European and Victorian influences, with artsy portraits of Prague and delicate chandeliers hanging in the living room. The bedroom is spacious yet cosy. And the views that greet me in the morning are a treat—I can see the Dhauladhar range from my bedroom window, the living room balcony, and the patio in front of my room. The golden hour adds magic to the snow-capped peaks. I simply stand there for a few minutes, gazing at the mountains and wondering how long they’ve stood there. I see the goats of the village are up and about. So, I get going too, for a day full of adventures.

There’s more to Palampur than tea estates, and the resort does a good job of showing its guests around. There is a wide range of activities on the portfolio of Araiya Experiences. From active excursions and cultural immersions to soulful experiences of self-discovery, there is something for everybody. The property has partnered with local experience provider Himalayan Adrenaline (himalayanadrenaline. com), which curates an array of activities for adventure enthusiasts. They run a huge, private ATV park in Palampur, where you can easily spend a day off-roading through curvy forest trails with family or friends. They also have dedicated spaces for paintball, archery, and a suspended rope-bridge trail.