Lolling in Dreamtal

Of late, an excursion in the Capital is akin to swimming in pea soup. With the weekend being the only respite, the numerous idyllic towns in the Shivaliks beckon invitingly. With popular resort towns like Nainital and Mussourie overrun with chill seekers, it?s the smaller areas around that offer increased levels of quietude.

WEEKEND GETAWAY / Bhimtal

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Of late, an excursion in the Capital is akin to swimming in pea soup. With the weekend being the only respite, the numerous idyllic towns in the Shivaliks beckon invitingly. With popular resort towns like Nainital and Mussourie overrun with chill seekers, it’s the smaller areas around that offer increased levels of quietude.

Roughly 22 km from Nainital as the crow flies at a non-vertigo inducing altitude of 1,370 m, Bhimtal is just like Naina-behen, a town around a lake. Only with a lot less construction and commotion.

Incidentally, the lake here is bigger and cleaner with an island, about 91m from shore, where local restaurateurs have utilised their skills. As in Nainital, boating on the lake is a favoured touristy pastime. A walk around the town is an instant relief with its dappled pathways and ravines scented with dog rose and wild raspberry. Accommodation options around here are usually cheap, but with an increase in weekend traffic from the plains, expect to pay a hiked rate. Although not as crowded as sister lake-towns, Bhimtal has comfortable hotels like the Country Inn and Van Vilas that offer panoramic views of the hills around.

Van Vilas is perfect for budget tourists. The cottages here are thatched affairs which are carpeted and twin bedded. For those who like their nature undiluted, there are the tents. Both arrangements have attached toilets. There are also luxury rooms with private balconies. Bhimtal is perfect for that much-needed oxygen rush after battling DTC buses and irate bosses all week-long. Come here, get a room, park your rear in a chair and daydream.