A quick break by the lakes- Sattal & Naukuchiatal, India

An exhausting 8 hour drive followed by a moonlit ride across the lake, and a short trek was not the way I was expecting to start a vacation. But the minute we reached our campsite at Sattal, the exhaustion disappeared.

A little over an hour away from Nainital, Sattal and Naukuchiatal are part of the beautiful series of lakes that takes over most of this region in Uttarakhand.

Sattal Lake, Uttarakhand

Further away, hard to reach, and smaller than the others, Sattal is far less commercial but every bit as beautiful as its nearby lake sisters. With campsites rather than hotels, trekking spots rather than restaurants, Sattal is a must visit if your holiday plan is back to nature

We spent 2 nights in Sattal, followed by a drive to visit the nearby Bhimtal, and ended our trip with a night in Naukuchiatal. We found Naukuchiatal just as pretty, but far more modern.

TO DO:

In Sattal, you can trek, rappel, kayak through the day, and follow it up with a simple dinner by the campsite at night. We were really lucky to get a fantastic guide who knew the area, so we spent a rather active day in the hills and around the lake. Trekking is a must do; just an hour climb gives you a view of the Bhimtal lake and the Sattal lake.

The forest we trekked through

Rappelling was a first for us. Our guide asked us to follow him to the forest, where he identified a bunch of trees. After which he checked the height (a good 20 feet), tied rope around the tree, tested the strength, and asked us to climb backwards. This was definitely the most rustic way to go, and added to the fun of the whole experience. Needless to say, it was very safe.

Rappelling

Once we reached Naukuchiatal, we decided it was time to put our feet up and have a lazy day. Our only activity was kayaking around the tiny lake.

TO STAY:

We loved the atmosphere at the Getaway Jungle camp in Sattal. The tents were comfortable, but of course we needed to carry our own sheets. The toilets were clean.

Getaway Jungle Camp

We chose the Lake Village in Naukuchiatal, and absolutely loved it. With a beautiful lake view, and amazing music, it was peaceful and perfect. During our stay, we found out that the owner ran a music school in the hotel, guaranteeing that you had some talented future singers serenading you while you enjoy your meal.

View from Lake Village

TO SPEND:

The camp cost 60 USD per night, with meals included, and our hotel at Naukuchiatal was 150 USD per night with breakfast and dinner included.

5 Indian Vacations NOT to do this summer (and the ones to do instead)

I’ve come to realize that some of the most beautiful places from 10-15 years ago are now over crowded, or have lost their charm. Luckily, India being such a huge country with varied landscapes, there are many newer options to visit. Here are some Indian summer destinations I would choose over the ones I picked 10 years ago.

Sattal instead of Nainital, Uttarakhand– Nainital started out as a gorgeous hill station with a beautiful lake, 6 hours away from Delhi. The prettiest and largest of the 9 lakes in the area, it became the perfect summer break. Till it opened more hotels, sold more land for summer homes and just had more visitors than it could handle. Luckily for us, the close by Naukuchiatal and Sattal have similar beauty and far less people. Choose Naukuchiatal if you are looking for a peaceful summer break in a nice hotel, or Sattal if you would like to go camping by the lake

Sattal, Uttarakhand

Kasauli rather than Shimla, Himachal Pradesh– With its lovely cool weather even in the summer, Shimla was an obvious choice for summer vacations. In fact it was chosen as the summer capital by the British during their time in India. Till it reached a point where walking in the main town area was no longer fun. The newer spots are now Chail or Kasauli. Both are perfect for a weekend of long walks, lazing around and beautiful scenery.

Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh

Pawna Lake over Khandala town, Maharashtra– Khandala used to be the little hill station 2 hours away from Bombay, the perfect break for any season. Unfortunately too many people thought so, and many bungalows were replaced by hotels so much so that the main street of the town now looks more like a crowded city. For close by options, try Pawna Lake. Or if you are willing to drive a bit longer, try Bandhardhara instead. While it is further away, its lush green landscapes and minimal population make it completely worth it.

Pawna Lake, Maharashtra

South Goa rather than North Goa– Don’t get me wrong, I still love Goa. Its just parts of Goa like Baga and Calangute beaches which were my favourite a few years ago are now crowded and filthy. Definitely not what you expect in a beach vacation. Luckily for us, Morjim has become the new hot-spot with its beauty and a great vibe. Else there is the always gorgeous South Goa with its white sands and calming waters. Or a beautiful, more recent discovery is Ganpatipule a few hours drive away from Goa.

Leela, South Goa

Pushkar over Mount Abu, Rajasthan– Yes, there are beautiful old palaces converted into hotels, the lovely Dilwara temple, and crocodiles to see at Mount Abu. But unfortunately, the temple is crowded, the crocodile tank is dirty, and just beautiful hotels don’t make for a perfect holiday. Overall, Mount Abu is not terrible, but compared to the better options today, it’s disappointing. But with a state that has so much to offer, there are many more options in Rajasthan. Pushkar, with its lake and temples is a perfect spiritual break, and with its colourful streets, a treat for the eyes.

Pushkar, Rajasthan