Weekend getaway to an old world charm – The Grand Hotel, Nainital

Sometimes you feel like running away from the scorching heat, traffic of Delhi. That is what happened with me and my husband last weekend and we planned to rush out. But now the question was where to go? The limited options for weekend getaway from Delhi are Mussorie, Nainital, Jaipur, Shimla etc. Somehow we decided over Nainital.

We started from Delhi at 2:00 p.m. and reached around 9:00 p.m. Thanks to NHAI (National highway authority of India) for making it a pleasant journey. We checked into our hotel “The Grand Hotel” on the mall road. It’s a colonial style hotel with magnificent panoramic views of the Naini lake.

Naini Lake View - The Grand Hotel

Architecture

The Grand Hotel was first built hotel by Britishers in 1872. They have maintained their architecture in traditional style - long open verandhas, stone walls, wooden floors, high ceilings, preserved firewalls and veteran style furniture. We could even found the ball room dance lounge and grand banquets in the dining hall.  

Long Open Verandhas - The Grand Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comfort

In the room there was everything; from water to glasses to neat and clean beddings, attached washrooms with traditional cloth drying racks, old wooden cupboard, tall mirrors, ethnic style lighting and carpeting throughout the room to make it comfortable during winters.

Food

In the hotel, for meals we had to pre place an order and they are served only in the dining area, to give the perfect feel of grand banquets whereas snacks are served to rooms, throughout the day.

Nearby, there are good eating joints which are open till 12 midnight.

Weather

March end and April starting is the perfect timings to explore this place. There was a blend of cool breeze with sun warmth during the day and evenings are chirpy, cool. At one point of time I felt the need of shawl or jacket, but without it was more joyful.

Sitting in the verandha of hotel, we could get the panoramic view of Naini Lake with tall trees around it and people chirping on the streets of mall road.

Night View - Naini Lake

At night around 11, strolling mall road hand in hand was an amazing experience. You can see wonderful reflections of light and moon in the water.

Staff

Staff was courteous, mannered and well dressed. The welcoming smiles on their face made you actually speak to them.

In short, I will say it is a perfect blend of traditional and modern culture and a must visit once.

Visit to Fairy Land ! - Chandratal

This serene beauty had left a non healing scratch in my heart as well as brain since last I have visited this place.

Chandratal or Chandra Tal is at a height of 14,100 square feet, in Lahaul and Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh (India). The name, Chandratal, has two Hindi Words Chandra meaning moon and Tal meaning lake. That is why this place is also known as Lake of The Moon.

Chandratal Lake

The Lake has 2.5 kilometers circumference and is surrounded by arid mountains Moulikla and Chandrabagha. The deep blue color of the lake attracts tourists and is a source of Chandra River. 

This lake is believed to be found by shepherds. There are certain stories linked to this lake which I could gather from TenzinBodh:

1. God Indra landed in his Chariot at Chandratal to take Yudhishtra, (in mortal state), to heaven.

2. One shepherd used to come, sit and talk to Lake Everyday for hours. One day while sitting he saw a fairy. She wished to marry him and in return will fulfill his dreams. He denied and said he is already married. Fairy gave him solution that he can stay with his wife; marry her too without disclosing it to anyone. He was happy and didn't tell anyone about this happening. One night after drinks, he fought with his wife and during argumentation disclosed, that not only you but fairies also want to marry him. Its believed that after that day fairies could never be seen.

Trekking & Camping

This place is famous among both national and international tourists for trekking, and camping. Camping is not allowed near the lake. There are several camps for accommodation at base, around 2-3 kilometers from the lake. 

Tenzin Camps - Chandratal

Weather & Clothes

Days are warm, evenings are windy, breezy and nights are very cold (temperature is below zero). So, guys never roam and go without woolens. You need good woolens and windcheaters.

Fully Clothed Bird

Food & Drinks

At Camps in the morning and evening they give you aromatic altitude drink some what like Kahwa. You will get simple Dal, Chawal, Sabji for vegetarians and meat for non vegetarians. Water takes almost half an hour to boil. Tent owners are kind enough to serve you drinks too.

Best Seasons to Travel

The best time to travel is between May – September. You will get awesome views of snow-clad glaciers, arid mountains, green hills, river and lake.

Road to Chandratal

Roads

Roads are bumpy, stony or its better to say there are no built roads. 
They are motorable.  Last 2 -3 kilometers towards lake, you need to traverse mountain slopes, with 360 degree views.

 

Chandratal Lake View from Mountains

P.S. - Guys if traveling by your own vehicle, be equipped with spares as you will not find any person and workshop for miles. Also there are  no phone connections, no light at night.