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Searching for an offbeat weekend getaway? Consider Kanatal for your next Himalayan adventure. Here's why!
Kanatal—A Himalayan Gem Kanatal is a serene hill station in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Unlike its popular neighbours, it remains less talked about but is equally captivating. With its low population density and vibrant natural surroundings, Kanatal offers a unique and refreshing experience. It is accessible throughout the year and exhibits a different side of its charm with each passing season. It was a long weekend in August when my colleagues and I decided to visit Kanatal. We needed a break, and so this mini weekend getaway was quite welcome. We took an overnight bus from the Inter State Bus Terminal in Delhi to Chamba, Uttarakhand, and then a shared taxi to reach Kanatal. Alternatively, you can opt for a train, bus, or flight from Delhi to Rishikesh or Dehradun. From either of the places, you can book a taxi to Kanatal.
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We went through both premium and budget accommodations in Kanatal. However, unlike other hill stations, we could not find many options. So, we decided to get a unique camping experience on this trip and booked Keekoo Kanatal. It is one of the most luxurious properties in Kanatal and is modelled after glamping or glamorous camping. When I entered my room, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had many luxurious facilities, like room heaters, electric blankets, remote-controlled heated mattresses, Wi-Fi—you name it. We eagerly anticipated the start of our day, and after a satisfying breakfast, we embarked on a tour of the property. We were thrilled to see the vast area surrounded by organic apple orchards. What looked like igloos from the outside were six geodesic domes with efficient air circulation and temperature control inside. This place is environment-friendly and built to follow the practices of sustainable tourism. The staff proved to be exceptional hosts, ensuring a delightful and comfortable stay.
With more than two days on our hands, we made a rough itinerary. At first, it seemed like there was not much to do except laze around and gaze endlessly at the mountains. However, it soon turned out that there are many attractions and activities to indulge in and around Kanatal.
Our first excursion took us to Tehri Lake, approximately 34 km from Kanatal. This picturesque artificial reservoir sits at an elevation of 1,700 meters and offers opportunities for water sports such as boating and jet-skiing. Keep an eye out for the curious fish swimming nearby. Tehri Dam was next on our list. I checked it online to find that it is India's tallest dam and ranks 12th on the list of the world's tallest dams. Standing at a height of about 260 m on the Bhagirathi River, the dam is a remarkable engineering marvel. Back to our ultra-comfortable rooms, we rested for a while. Late in the evening, a delicious vegetarian dinner was served in the quiet surroundings. Soon, our sleep-deprived eyes gave up inside our comfortable domes.
The next day, we woke up early to see the sunrise. To our disappointment, it was a cold and foggy morning. We waited, and as soon as the sun was up, we headed outside. After breakfast and a piping hot cup of ginger tea, we went for a short hike. The trail was covered with dense deodar trees, and the noise of chirping birds accompaned us throughout. Although we didn't spot many animals during the day, we admired the natural beauty of our surroundings. The Jungle Safari in Kaudia forest has two packages that take 1½ hours and 3 hours, respectively. We decided to skip the Jungle Safari to explore other places.
Upon our driver's suggestion, we decided to visit Saur, a ghost village located near Kanatal. In Saur, most houses remain uninhabited and abandoned, hence earning the village its moniker. I was curious to know the reason. Our driver read my thoughts and continued that the village was around 300 years old. The earlier residents left one after the other, for better opportunities, leaving behind an empty village. However, with the creation and availability of motorable roads and government facilities over the last decade, some families have started coming back. Currently, it is mostly in ruins—deserted and desolate but not entirely a ghost village.
Dhanaulti lies at a distance of 11 km to 12 km from Kanatal, and is a popular tourist spot that is famous for its Eco Park. A young boy volunteered to give us a tour around the village. We followed him to a watchtower from where a clear view of some of the popular peaks of Uttarakhand welcomed us. One of them was Bandarpooch, a prominent peak.
On our way back, we decided to visit Surkanda Devi temple, 10 km from Kanatal. The location holds significant religious importance as it is believed to be the place where goddess Sati's head fell, according to mythology. There are two options to get to the temple—take a ropeway or hike to the temple. We decided to hike the 2-3 km trail from the main road. It took us more than an hour to reach the top. From here, we could enjoy a 360-degree view of the valley. It was a long yet fulfilling day. Back at our domes, we looked forward to dinner and a night of stargazing. Due to the fog, the visibility was poor. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what it would look like on a clear, summer night to gaze at a galaxy of stars.
It was our last day, and none of us wanted to leave Kanatal. A series of activities awaited us, and we kicked it off with the thrilling experience of valley crossing. One after the other, we glided across the green valley, excitedly shouting and cheering. A look down the valley is sure to give you shivers, but the thrill compensates for it. The more adventurous people were unstoppable and went rappelling, zip lining, rope climbing, skywalking, and so on, till they were completely exhausted. These adventure activities were carried out under the watchful eyes of trained professionals. Before we left, I took a few moments of solitude to soak in the beautiful scene of tiny villages with sleepy little homes snuggled in the mountains. This was indeed a very brief getaway, but I made a mental note to visit the place again for a longer stay.
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