in the lower Shivaliks, surrounded by forestland. Accommodation is in Swiss cottage or safari tents (www.prakritifarms.com). Take a farm tour to see environment-friendly farming practices at work. Dine on delicious Punjabi food made with organically grown vegetables. You could also catch a Sufi music performance in the evening.
Day 5: Pinjore
Distance: 25 km
Time: 30 minutes by road
French architect Le Corbusier's muse, Chandigarh is India's most well planned urban developments--roam the streets and you will know just what we are talking about. Its vantage location at foothills of the Shivaliks makes it a great basecamp for getaways.
Day 1: Chandigarh
Get into town
Arrive in Chandigarh and check into the JW Marriott in Sector 35-B (www.marriott.com). Put on your walking shoes and get ready to see the city. Begin at Capitol Complex, the administrative
quarters--a grand expression of Corbusier's work. Break for lunch; you are never short of places serving hearty Punjabi khaana in the city centre. A visit to the Le Corbusier Centre is also recommended.
Day 2: Chandigarh sights
Day about town
Time: Keep 4-6 hours
Today is for a tour of Chandigarh's most popular sights that attract tourists by the scores and for a good reason. First, visit the Rock Garden, which houses figures and sculptures made from industrial and home waste. Nek Chand scoured the Shivalik hills for interestingly shaped pebbles and rocks, interspersed them with waste materials like glass shards and created this spectacle spread over 40 acres. After a break for lunch, wander off to
Sukhna Lake, where the city gathers for an evening stroll. Head to Buzz for the evening in Sector 17. It's a good choice if you're in the mood for drinks, food and a dance floor to groove.
Day 3: Gardens
Day about town
Time: Keep 4 hours
Take a tour of the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10 with its splendid collection of stone sculptures from the Gandhara period. Pre-historic fossils are another major attraction here. Then, there's the Museum of Evolution of Life in Sector 10 that take you back 5,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization. The International Dolls Museum in Sector 23 has a colourful collection that children will love. Devote the second half of the day to a relaxing stroll through Zakir Hussain Rose Garden and the Garden of Fragrance in Sector 36 which lives up to its name. As the day winds down, get to sector 17; the sleek shopping area, dotted with fountains and sculptures. Here drinking and dining options are aplenty.
Day 4: Prakriti Farms
Distance: 45 km
Time: 1 hour by road
Make a short drive to Yadavindra Gardens in Pinjore accompanied by a picnic basket. Take a stroll amidst this Mughal-style garden that also has plant nurseries and Japanese garden. A picnic on its lawns is recommended. Return to Chandigarh for the night.
Day 6: Hidden Valley
Distance: 8 kms
Time: 20 minutes by road
It's time for the Hidden Valley, an eco-tourism centre. Here you are surrounded by nature. With options for trekking, mountain-biking and cart rides, this day trip is perfectly suited for children too. The famous Mata Jainti Devi temple is nearby. Return to Chandigarh.
Day 7: Anandpur Sahib
Distance: 85 km
Time: 1 and half hours by road
Anandpur Sahib, a sacred spots for Sikhs, is serene and calming, even with the hundreds of devotees who throng the place. Walk its marble corridors and say a quiet prayer, or meditate. After a break for lunch, travel to see the Gurudwara Qila Taragarh Sahib, a graceful fort that sits atop a hill. You'll be surrounded by spectacular views all around. Get back to Chandigarh in time for your return trip.
Do
A BOAT RIDE on Sukhna Lake may seem like a touristy thing to do. But try it, it's utterly enjoyable.
Eat
You can't leave without tucking into BUTTER CHICKEN at Pal Dhaba in Sector 28
Shop
PHULKARI is Punjab's beautiful embroidery. Buy dupattas at Punjab Emporium in Sector 17.
Weekend getaway
BAROG
'Easily accessible. Just a 45min drive form Chandigarh, it is actually cooler than Shimla!' Gunjan Utreja, TV actor
WHAT
Barog, a small hill station in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Most people travel to Kasauli or Shimla to cool off, but it is this hidden gem which definitely is a nature lover's paradise.
WHY
Surrounded by pine and oak forests, it makes for a picturesque ambience. Though there is nothing much to do except trekking and camping, I find it perfect to get away with a group of friends who I want to spend some quality time with and enjoy nature. A great place for a bonfire and beautiful music. It's very peaceful and easily accessible. Just a 45min drive form Chandigarh. Can you believe it's cooler than Shimla?
MUST DO
Sit back, switch off the cellphone, and disconnect from the Internet. Have a hot cup of chai, pakodas and Maggi at Barog station.
When to go: Mid-August to November is a good time to visit, especially if you prefer mild weather over extreme. But the cold winters have their charm, too, and are a great time to indulge in rich, Punjabi fare.
Good to know
Hop on hop off bus: This open-top double-decker bus service run by the Tourism Department and is a convenient way to take in Chandigarh's sights. It begins at Hotel Shivalik View, in Sector 17, and takes you to the Rose Garden, Museum and Art Gallery, Bougainvillea Garden, Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake.
Permits: Special permits are required to enter some of the key buildings in the Capitol Complex. These can be received at the Tourism Bureau.
Girls' nights out: Blue Blazer (Sector 26) and Score (Sector 8) have rocking ladies nights.
Great getaways: Chandigarh makes for a convenient point for short day trips to Kasauli, Barog and Renuka lake and Morni Hills.
Tip: Both men and women must cover their heads and dress respectably when entering Gurudwaras. These welcome people of all religions.
Top picks
Cooking classes at Prakriti Farms:
The organic farm, based on sustainable practices, offers cooking demos and classes in Punjabi cuisine. Sign up and get hands-on training in some classic dishes.
Rock the night: Even with its late curfew, pubs and discotheques in Chandigarh are very safe place for party animals. Besides Buzz, also check out Zinc Lounge in Sector 26, which is teeming with party goers.
Evenings at Sector 17: It's a daily party in the piazza at Sector 17. Fountains light up, people gather, bars and restaurants buzz with activity. A recommended way to spend an evening in Chandigarh.
No comments:
Post a Comment