EVER GREEN: Khajjiar is teeming with pine and deodar forests

Why stick to a single getaway this summer? A good recommendation is an exploratory Himachal Pradesh trip to three popular hill hotspots—Chamba, Dalhousie and Khajjiar.

Dalhousie, at a height of 2,039 m on the outer slopes of the Dhauladhar range, is an enchanting little town that will take you back to the Colonial Raj with its low-roofed buildings and pine-covered slopes. Spread over five hills, it is a walker’s paradise with meandering paths through dense forests, while Khajjiar, at 1,951 m, is Himachal’s Gulmarg. A scenic saucer-shaped plateau, it is surrounded by dense pine and deodar forests of the Kalatop Sanctuary and made all the more quaint by the presence of a small lake in the centre with a floating island and a 12th century temple of the Khajjinag deity. Finally, for a cultural experience to complete the trek- and walk-filled journey, there is Chamba, situated along the bank of the Ravi river. Here you can visit the Laxmi Narayan temples, the Bhuri Singh Museum that has a good collection of the region’s art as well as an old palace. Chamba is an ideal base camp for a range of treks. The best time to visit is undoubtedly the summers.

Chamba is connected with Pathankot (80 km) which, in turn, is connected to Jammu, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. One can also drive in from Shimla, Delhi, Manali, Dharamsala and Jammu. Gaggal (Kangra) is the nearest airport (140 km from Dalhousie). Punjab and Himachal Roadways run regular bus services as do private operators. Accommodation is hardly a problem in any of the three places with plenty of affordable options.

HOT DEALS
Sindhu Darshan
This two-day festival on the banks of river Indus in Leh includes cultural shows, musical evenings and a taste of the confluence of Indian religions. Opt for a four-day package (May 31-June 3) at Rs 11,500 per person or a seven night-eight day tour (May 29-June 5). Log on to www.sindhudarshanindia.com or call (011) 3748164-65, 3344422 (ext) 2040.

Matheran Magic
Matheran, almost 80 km east of Mumbai, is a charming hill station in the Sahyadari range. Ringed by superb walking tracks, it is best explored by foot and on your own. Mumbai’s TPH Tours & Travels offers a two-day weekend package for
Rs 7,100 a couple (valid till June 10). E-mail tph@vsnl.com. Call 022- 6498727/37/57.

TOURISM NEWS
Austrian Airlines has restarted its Vienna-Toronto-Vienna flights three times a week that had been suspended post 9/11. There will also be a non-stop Vienna-Montreal-Vienna flight thrice a week. The new schedule guarantees connections to and from Delhi. From July 1, there will be four weekly flights from Delhi to Vienna. As part of an agreement with Air Canada, Austrian Airlines will also operate code share flights from Toronto and Montreal, serving other destinations in Canada and the US. The new connections should improve traffic access between India and Canada and also offer improved in-flight services.

ECSTATIC HEIGHTS: Mt Kalusubai

Off the Beaten Track
Bhandardara, Maharashtra: Trekking on your mind? Think beyond Himachal Pradesh and head instead to Bhandardara, 185 km from Mumbai, that has the highest peak in Maharashtra: the 610 ft-tall Mount Kalusubai. One has to travel to the nearby Bari village (7 km) to ascend the peak. Bhandardara also packs in a neat holiday punch with its cluster of waterfalls like Randha and Umbrella; Ghatghar, a picturesque spot 22 km away; the Ratangadh Fort; the largest earthen dam in the country, Wilson Dam; and several temples. The best time to visit Bhandardara is soon after the rains arrive. Nasik is the nearest airport (93 km); Igatpuri, the nearest railhead (45 km). Buses also ply from Igatpuri.