Nothing feels as good as a trek in the mountains, sitting around a bonfire in a camp with no worries about an office meeting or a pending assignment. We all need a healthy dose of the outdoors to recharge our jaded batteries. Here are some ideas for some great escapes with family or friends.
A holiday in Sattal, a group of seven lakes set against a backdrop of oak trees, is perfect for some gentle roughing-it-out. To make the most out of your Sattal experience, leave the boat rides on the lakes to day-trippers and be a bit more adventurous. Carry your own tents, sleeping bags and walking shoes, and set up a camp by the lakes. Or you could stay at one of the organised campsites, which are great if you are travelling with kids.
Sattal or Sat Tal ('Seven lakes') is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes situated in the Lower Himalayan Range near Bhimtal, a town of the Nainital district in Uttarakhand.
What You Can Do
Sattal is a trekkers' paradise with both explored and unexplored paths in thick forest cover. Mountain climbing, rappelling, river crossing, rambling, fishing and mountain biking are some of your other adventure options here. And don't forget the campfires and barbecues in the natural outdoors to add to the fun.
What makes Sattal the perfect choice for camping is its equable weather throughout the year. Located at around 4,000 ft, it offers excellent nature trails. If it's your first attempt at trying adventure sports, Sattal will make it all possible. Rock-climb up "Suicide Rock," then rappel down the vertical face, cross lakes and gorges on ropes, all under the watchful eyes of an instructor. You'll meet plenty of boatmen who would be happy to take you around the lake at a reasonable price. Angling permits can be had from the Forest Department in Sattal. Check with the camp you are staying at and they will arrange the permit. Camps also provide fishing rods and bait so you are saved the hassle of carrying your equipment all the way.
Matheran literally means a forest on top of the hill. Its dense forest cover, teeming birdlife, long walks and flora and fauna make this an all-time favourite for walks. It's pollution-free as no vehicles are allowed in. With more than 8-10 different routes, Matheran is the ultimate destination for the trekker, naturalist and outdoor enthusiast.
What You Can Do
Go on long walks. Here's our suggested walking route. Start from Karjat and follow the road to Karjat-Chowk for 3 km until you come across a signboard indicating a right turn, northwards for Vaverle village. Walk another 2 km along a tarred road from Vaverle to Bhorgaon village (due north-east), which is at the base of Matheran. If you'd rather not walk along a tarred road, you could hire an autorickshaw to Bhorgaon.
If you decide to take a cross-country route, remember that you will have to cross a wide stream to get to Bhorgaon. It may be difficult in the monsoon. Just before you enter Bhorgaon village, a well-used footpath turns left (due west) and heads up a very gentle spur. It runs across some fields before turning northwest and climbing another spur, at the top of which you will come to Ambewadi village. This is the last point where you will get water, so fill up your bottles as you pass the two village wells just beyond the village.
From Ambewadi, the trail is joined by another well-used path coming up from Varosa village, on the other side of the spur. This is the final 3 km ascent to the top, climbing up a steep spur (due north) to a flat area. Big Chowk Point is clearly visible and looks like an elephant's head. The track now heads into a stretch of thick forest, which is a welcome respite from the sun.
Nestled in the Western Ghats, this is a perfect escape from the city grind. Witness waterfalls, mountain tunnels and bridges along the way. Situated about 130 kilometres from Mangaluru and 225 kilometres from Bengaluru, Sakleshpur is home to the famous railway track trek.
What You Can Do
Walk along the 56-kilometre stretch which has over 100 bridges, 25 waterfalls, and several tunnels, and promises trekkers a mesmerising experience. The trek is also lined with dense flora and fauna. Travellers should also halt at the Bisle Reserve Forest, Mallalli Waterfalls, and Jenukal Gudda -- the second highest mountain peak in Karnataka.