Planning an #IntimateTravel vacation with your bae? Let this specially curated guide to Uttarakhand’s Kanatal, curated by travel bloggers, lead the way! By Donald and Diana of Naughty and Curly
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Located at an altitude of 8,500 feet, Uttarakhand’s tiny hamlet Kanatal is surrounded by panoramic sun-kissed Himalayan views, which make it a perfect retreat for couples looking to go on a romantic getaway. We spent two nights in the lap of this Garhwali Himalayan range, and boy was it great! We did not want to return from this paradise. During our time there, we found that it is a haven for adventure sports lovers, too. Here’s our guide to exploring it to the fullest!
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What to do
- Have garma-garam chai (hot tea) with pakoras (fritters) and enjoy the view!
- Do nothing! Instead, spend time with your partner by lazing around on the grass, and soak in the mystical Himalayan views during the day, and stargaze at night.
- Adrenaline junkies can try out adventure sports. Think zip-lining, sky-walking, rappelling, bridge crossing and more.
- Try the local drink there made from Buransh or rhododendron flowers. If you like, you can also pick up a bottle of the drink as a souvenir to take home.
- Go on an easy three-hour-long trek to the nearby Surkanda Devi Temple. Located almost 9,050 feet above the ground, the temple offers the best sunset and sunrise views.
- Wildlife enthusiasts can visit Kodai jungle for a safari. Here, you may spot numerous rare bird species and animals such as musk deers, wild boars, nilgais and barking deers.
When to visit
While tourists flock to Kanatal between summers in April to the monsoons of September, you can visit this place throughout the year. With every season, a different experience is guaranteed! Visit between December to March if you’re hoping to experience snowfall.
How to reach
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By air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport is the nearest one (roughly 90 kilometres away). From here, you can hire private taxis or buses for the onward journey.
By rail: Taxis and buses ply from Dehradun, which is the nearest railhead.
By road: Kanatal is roughly 300 kilometres away from New Delhi, close to 100 kilometres from Dehradun and Haridwar, respectively, and approximately 80 kilometres from Rishikesh. To reach, you can opt from either of the two routes—Rishikesh—Chamba—Mussoorie, or Delhi-Dehradun-Dhanaulti. Either way, the roads are well-maintained and offer stellar views of pine, deodar and rhododendron trees.
Where to stay
Choose to camp out rather than staying in a hotel or resort. This way, you will treasure the experience for life! We stayed at The Kanatal Orchids, and it was a very pleasant experience.
Related: Ever Been To Chakrata? Uttarakhand’s Hidden Hill Station!
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