What is your favourite summer retreat? This summer, escape the concrete oven with one of the many 3-Day vacation packages in the foothills of the Himalayas and return refreshed. Whisk away your loved ones to the majestic beauty and timeless charm of the legendary hill stations that have long fascinated the common man and British royalty alike.
One of the best and most underrated destinations in north India is Chail. With cool climes, wonderful views and serene surroundings, Chail has everything you can ask for in a summer retreat. It offers the quintessential hill station experience without the crowds, congestion and commercialization of the bigger hill stations.
Chail has been a hidden gem and the best-kept secret of the Himalayas for a long time now and directly competes with Shimla for the esteemed title of “Queen of Hill Stations.” Given the growing popularity of Chail, it seems it will soon dethrone Shimla and emerge as the “New Queen.”
There are a lot of things to see and do in Chail including stunning historical monuments, thrilling adventure sports and of course, enjoying the natural beauty and fresh mountain air. If you are unsure of what to do, here is a rough itinerary to help you plan your trip:
Day 1 – Enjoy a meandering road trip through the plains, fields and valleys of north India as you make your way to Chail from Delhi in a well-stocked and comfortable car. Take your time as Chail is only a 7-8 hour journey and if you start early in the morning, you will miss the city traffic and reach there in no time.
Check in to your resort and take a tour. Enjoy lunch at its flagship restaurant or order up some room service if you are too tired and feeling anti-social. Unpack, unwind and orient yourself for an exciting and eventful 3 days of exploration, enchantment and sheer joy.
If your resort has a swimming pool, jump in. Don’t wait for the opportune time, as nothing is more tragic than a pool wasted. If the pool has an al fresco dining option, grab it. Enjoying a wee-laid dinner by candlelight or by a bonfire under the stars is an essential and irreplaceable part of the hill station experience.
Day 2 – Rested and repaired by good sleep on thick, resort mattresses with stimulating hill air, you can now begin your adventure in the hills. The first thing you should do is check out the marketplace. In Chail, there is no big, central market but a small quaint nook where the locals meet.
Do not miss the many jams and jellies made from local fruits and flowers that are sold here. At first, they may taste strange due to the lack of preservatives and added sugar that we are used to, but the flavour lingers and after a while, you begin to appreciate the fresh, unadulterated sweetness of the hills.
After getting the vibe of the place, you should head to Chail Palace. This is the most important and best-known tourist attraction of this mountain retreat. Built by the Maharaja of Patiala in 1891, the palace is an interesting mix of Indian, Persian and European architecture.
Having checked off the major touristy things to do, you are now ready for the rush of adventure sports. You can visit the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, go trekking or engage in other fun-filled activities nearby such as paragliding, river rafting and river crossing.
Trekking is by far one of the best things to do in places like Chail. It allows you to be outdoors and explore the local conditions on foot with total freedom and away from the established routes and pathways frequented by tourists. This is the best way to truly get to know the place.
Day 3 – Alas, it is time to say goodbye to this idyllic sweet spot in the hills. On your last day, you can shop for local items such as handicrafts, shawls and hill wine or check off the remaining items that you missed during the first 3 days on your drive out of town and back home.
Chail is smaller than most hill stations and has fewer hotels and resorts. Sometimes, it can be hard to find a good resort, especially if you are not well-versed in local geography and distances. Luckily, we have explored Chail thoroughly and can recommend a resort that is sure to impress even ardent travellers.
The Tarika Resort and Spa is one of the best resorts in Chail. It is a truly exceptional property that offers interesting and luxurious accommodations, award-winning cuisine and the traditional warm hospitality of the hills that make it such an endearing experience for everyone.
Tarika Resort offers an attractive 3-Day package in Chail that includes breakfast, stay and other discounts at their acclaimed spa for an exciting and memorable vacation for couples, families or groups. This is one of the best resort deals near Delhi if you want to relax and let the resort be your guide as you chill in the mountains this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans. In 4 days, you can go anywhere you want but instead of wasting time travelling, you should opt for a destination that is close by. One of the best and most underrated spots close to Delhi is Chail. With cool climes, wonderful views and serene surroundings, Chail has everything you can ask for from a hill station.
Ans. Chail is one of the best places to go for a 4-Day trip from Delhi. It offers the quintessential hill station experience without the crowds, congestion and commercialization of other places. It also has enough to see and do so that you will not get bored for even a second.
Ans. There are a lot of interesting things to do in Chail like adventure sports, visiting temples like Kali ka Tibba and Gurudwara Sahib, exploring monuments and most importantly, enjoying the natural beauty and fresh air of the hill station.
Ans. Yes. Tarika Resorts offers an attractive 4-Day package that includes breakfast, stay and other discounts at their acclaimed spa that makes for an exciting and memorable vacation for couples, families and groups.
