There are some vacations where all you want to do is be out and about, check out all the heritage sites, shop, eat, and eventually end up thinking, "I need another vacation!". It was in search of this other vacation that we landed up in Bir – a hamlet resting under the wings of Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
STAY
Popular for paragliding, we were told that people don’t spend more than a day here, but Colonel’s Resort made us believe otherwise. Built in the midst of a tea garden, Colonel JP Singh and his wife have made the most of their sprawling ancestral property, and how.
We were given the options of a standard room, a deluxe suite, or a tent. The ‘dilliwallah looking for an adventure’ within us picked the tent for two (Rs 1,200 per night, inclusive of breakfast). We did take a tour of the other rooms, and they looked very cosy, with state of the art facilities, as well as great views. The tents, however, gave us a sense of nostalgia and were mostly occupied by groups of trekkers or kids on school/college trips. There are very clean bathrooms with rows of shower cubicles and washrooms, separate for men and women, that you can share with other occupants.
The meals served at the dining area were so fresh, they left us feeling healthy and craving for more. Their lunches and dinners (Rs 250 onwards, per person) are primarily vegetarian, unless instructed otherwise. So, if you’re craving a non-vegetarian meal, just let them know in advance and they shall organise it for you. Bir also has its very own brand of tea, which is served at the resort. The buffets have timings and there is no room service, so remember to be punctual.
EXPERIENCE
At Colonel’s Resort, every night is party night. They set up a bonfire at about 8 pm, giving you an opportunity to interact with other guests around, or maybe just sit there, and watch fireflies light up in the acres of darkness.
For early risers, they organise morning treks through some of the most beautiful trails in Kangra Valley. Taking fitness levels and duration into consideration, a trek can vary from 30 minutes, to a couple of days.
If you are interested in paragliding, the resort brings in pilots from all over the world to arrange tandem flights. A typical tandem lasts between 15-40 minutes, depending on weather conditions. This of course, closes down during monsoons, as the region recieves at least 12 feet of rain in these months. But even so, the rainy season has its own charm, as everything is lush green, making for a sight that is exclusive to this weather.
Surrounded by Tibetan monastries, Bir is a calm and friendly village, take a walk around the village or within the property itself, and bask in the solitude of this dream getaway. What made us love this place more is that they allow pets (with prior permission). With two wonderful dogs and horses of their own running free, you’ll be close to nature, in every sense.
Where: VPO Bir, Tehsil Baijnath, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Distance: 517 kms approximately from Delhi
Nearest Airport: Gaggal Airport in Kangra (about 65 kms from Bir)
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot Railway Junction (about 144 kms from Bir).
Best Time To Visit: August to November and March to May
Call 098055 34220 or click here for bookings.
There are some vacations where all you want to do is be out and about, check out all the heritage sites, shop, eat, and eventually end up thinking, "I need another vacation!". It was in search of this other vacation that we landed up in Bir – a hamlet resting under the wings of Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
STAY
Popular for paragliding, we were told that people don’t spend more than a day here, but Colonel’s Resort made us believe otherwise. Built in the midst of a tea garden, Colonel JP Singh and his wife have made the most of their sprawling ancestral property, and how.
We were given the options of a standard room, a deluxe suite, or a tent. The ‘dilliwallah looking for an adventure’ within us picked the tent for two (Rs 1,200 per night, inclusive of breakfast). We did take a tour of the other rooms, and they looked very cosy, with state of the art facilities, as well as great views. The tents, however, gave us a sense of nostalgia and were mostly occupied by groups of trekkers or kids on school/college trips. There are very clean bathrooms with rows of shower cubicles and washrooms, separate for men and women, that you can share with other occupants.
The meals served at the dining area were so fresh, they left us feeling healthy and craving for more. Their lunches and dinners (Rs 250 onwards, per person) are primarily vegetarian, unless instructed otherwise. So, if you’re craving a non-vegetarian meal, just let them know in advance and they shall organise it for you. Bir also has its very own brand of tea, which is served at the resort. The buffets have timings and there is no room service, so remember to be punctual.
EXPERIENCE
At Colonel’s Resort, every night is party night. They set up a bonfire at about 8 pm, giving you an opportunity to interact with other guests around, or maybe just sit there, and watch fireflies light up in the acres of darkness.
For early risers, they organise morning treks through some of the most beautiful trails in Kangra Valley. Taking fitness levels and duration into consideration, a trek can vary from 30 minutes, to a couple of days.
If you are interested in paragliding, the resort brings in pilots from all over the world to arrange tandem flights. A typical tandem lasts between 15-40 minutes, depending on weather conditions. This of course, closes down during monsoons, as the region recieves at least 12 feet of rain in these months. But even so, the rainy season has its own charm, as everything is lush green, making for a sight that is exclusive to this weather.
Surrounded by Tibetan monastries, Bir is a calm and friendly village, take a walk around the village or within the property itself, and bask in the solitude of this dream getaway. What made us love this place more is that they allow pets (with prior permission). With two wonderful dogs and horses of their own running free, you’ll be close to nature, in every sense.
Where: VPO Bir, Tehsil Baijnath, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Distance: 517 kms approximately from Delhi
Nearest Airport: Gaggal Airport in Kangra (about 65 kms from Bir)
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot Railway Junction (about 144 kms from Bir).
Best Time To Visit: August to November and March to May
Call 098055 34220 or click here for bookings.