Holiday in the Hill's

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I plan to take a holiday for about 4-5 day's in mid November with the family. Wife and two daughters.

Would love some advice on places to go. We want to enjoy in the calm serene hills, something with a nice view. Has to be quiet and peaceful. My daughter's are 6 year's and 6 months respectively.

Maybe someone living in the north east part of India can help suggest something for us?

Thank you :)
 
kalimpong, Delo, Gangtok, Darjeeling are great places to be in if there are no rains now... You can also go to Bhutan in case you love treks/ silence.
 
kalimpong, Delo, Gangtok, Darjeeling are great places to be in if there are no rains now... You can also go to Bhutan in case you love treks/ silence.
Plan is for November.
Trek with two kid's? Nope :)
What I would like is a lil cottage type accommodation in the hills with a nice scenic view on the hill somewhere.
 
Mussoorie....Friend of mine has a couple of hotels and if you feel like splurging then there is a JW Marriott.. Mussoorie is where Sachin Tendulkar chills out when he has the time...
 
Darjeeling is best in the winter even though people are scared to go at that time. I won't recommend Sikkim as you are travelling with two young kids - otherwise it's fantastic.

Further east - most of Assam is flooded right now :) but you can travel through it to the other states. By the time you travel things should be ok. The wildlife national parks, and places of historical interest can be your primary targets there. Meghalaya is intensely beautiful and there are plenty of tour operators these days who can plan everything for you, including staying at quiet hill resorts. I have a friend who travelled there recently - you can PM me if you want her tour operator's details.
 
I plan to take a holiday for about 4-5 day's in mid November with the family. Wife and two daughters.

Would love some advice on places to go. We want to enjoy in the calm serene hills, something with a nice view. Has to be quiet and peaceful. My daughter's are 6 year's and 6 months respectively.

Maybe someone living in the north east part of India can help suggest something for us?

Thank you :)
Hi friend
You may think about Arunachal Pradesh for your4-5 days outing. You must visit Tawang valley for the serene atmosphere and Dirangfor so many flowers. I am sure Arunachal will give you celestial pleasure. But you may also consider Darjeeling if you haven't already gone there . I had paid a visit to AP in 2016 with m y family and I was mesmerized seeing the scenic beauty there. But please keep in mind one thing, both Darjeeling and AP get cold in that time. I have mentioned it as you have two kids.
Happy journey
Cheers
Bhaskar

Edit:
If you are an orchid lover then Arunachal is waiting for you
 
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I have messaged the OP.
The Darjeeling - Sikkim circuit is a very popular circuit. Travel is safe especially for women and the place abounds in scenic beauty ( in spite of the heavy tourist traffic and ham handed attempts to increase tourism infrastructure by building grotesque , concrete monstrosities and by damming up the river and pockmarking the hills with tunnels etc). Here is a brief lowdown on the various places you can visit.
Darjeeling - still beautiful but very crowded. Don’t forget to visit HMI , the zoo ( probably the best small zoo in the country and the red pandas are cute) and the Happy Valley tea garden. I don’t think it’s a big deal but people like to do very hill station things like strolling in the Mall , English breakfast at Keventers etc, Glenary’s cakes etc. The DHR is overrated but since you are here it’s a good photo op.
Kalimpong - It’s a well known for its flowers , unhurried pace of life , good weather and scenic beauty. Less well known than Darjeeling ( thankfully) but charming and idyllic in its own way.
Kalimpong town itself is over crowded and over populated with vehicles. I would give it a miss or just a few hours.
Both Kalimpong and Darjeeling have a certain colonial legacy . Almost all houses have gardens, speak English passably , are ecumenical , have some musical talent ( yours truly being a rare exception) ,take special attention towards a more westernized attitude towards grooming etc. People are generally friendly and women are treated well and have a very high standing in society and take up vocations ( like bar tending or waiting in booze serving restaurants without it appearing like an aberration ) which may be quite incongruous in other places ( I would be happy to be proved wrong). Single women , even young ones can travel alone without facing any harassment or stress. Kalimpong has some good souvenirs like thankas, other type of paintings , handicraft bags to carry home as gifts.
Downside : Folks sleep by 7/8 so unless your hotel has some special nocturnal events planned , forget about a nightlife.
The Himalayan mountain ranges are spread panoramically and the greenery and diversity is immense.

Sikkim is a linguistic, geographical and cultural continuation of Darjeeling but better administered and therefore cleaner and more swanky.
West Sikkim - my favorite. Very scenic. You can see the Kanchenjunga masiff from very up close from places like Pelling and Ravang. Mountains , lakes , waterfalls , there works .. of nature. Rich in history too with old palaces forts and monasteries and not given much to the vagaries of the weather like North Sikkim.

North Sikkim : rugged , beautiful , mountains , lakes , glaciers but a little prone to slides etc.

East Sikkim : has Gangtok with its glitzy shops , MG maarg ,a kind of promenade with some cultural happening or the other most of the times , and of course for the high rollers , casinoes.
The East also has the popular silk route circuit with the tortuous meandering of the road leading to the Jelep La pass.
One thing about Gangtok , it’s clean and the pedestrians are respected with good walkways all around town.
Trek
Not sure it’s recommended to the OP with the small kids.
But Sandakphu and Phalut is a good easy trek. On a clear day .. when you can see forever .. you can see Everest and Kanchenjunga together. Octobers are clearer with the monsoons washing the dust and haze. April is full of rhododendron blooms but cyclonic showers and hailstorms might cause a bit of alarm.
It’s the best trek this side of the Annapurna.
The HMI has adventure, basic and advance mountaineering programs. The Dzongri trek in West Sikkim is also popular but may need reasonable fitness and a tolerance of the low oxygen air of high altitudes.
 
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If you’re looking for offbeat ideas with less tourists, Himachal Pradesh has many idyllic spots. About 8 years back, I had stayed for a while near Chitkul village near the border. It does command some exceptional scenery round the year. FM @Sushant Sharma must be able to guide you better
View attachment 37918
Hi
Sandeep
HP is really beautiful. I went there in2008 during the summer vacation. I like mountains so HP is always special to me. I can never forget the places like Manali, Bhunter , Simla for the scenic beauty. Those are really feasts to the eyes. Equally enchanting is the way from kalka to Simla by the toy train Shivalik Express. The people there are also very nice. I shall cherish those experience for ever.

Not only music but also travelling is something that attracts us. I like to travel a lot. As a matter of fact I used to travel with my family almost every year. But these days my son's study , some personal matters thwart me from outing. But I always try to be away from our stereo typed , boring life. Happy to know that some HFV friends have the same mentality as I have.
Cheers
Bhaskar
 
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Hi
Sandeep
HP is really beautiful. I went there in2008 during the summer vacation. I like mountains so HP is always special to me. I can never forget the places like Manali, Bhunter , Simla for the scenic beauty. Those are really feasts to the eyes. Equally enchanting is the way from kalka to Simla by the toy train Shivalik Express. The people there are also very nice. I shall cherish those experience for ever
Regards
Bhaskar
Hi Bhaskar, so true. I love outdoors and trekking. HP and Nepal have been my favourite destinations. Sikkim is next in line, have never visited, but Moktan’s short write up has stirred the wanderer bug :). If you’re feeling adventurous, HP has lots of idyllic spots to discover, like ReckongPeo, Sangla, Sarahan. There’s no end, a true paradise :)
 
I plan to take a holiday for about 4-5 day's in mid November with the family. Wife and two daughters.

Would love some advice on places to go. We want to enjoy in the calm serene hills, something with a nice view. Has to be quiet and peaceful. My daughter's are 6 year's and 6 months respectively.

Maybe someone living in the north east part of India can help suggest something for us?

Thank you :)
peace and quiet can mean boring for kids :) ..shillong is a beautiful place .. a couple of years back i stayed at a boutique guest house called Aerodene Cottage run by a german ( i think) lady. Wonderful experience
 
Hi Bhaskar, so true. I love outdoors and trekking. HP and Nepal have been my favourite destinations. Sikkim is next in line, have never visited, but Moktan’s short write up has stirred the wanderer bug :). If you’re feeling adventurous, HP has lots of idyllic spots to discover, like ReckongPeo, Sangla, Sarahan. There’s no end, a true paradise :)
Hi
Sandeep
The places that you have mentioned are yet to be explored. I planned to go there in 2017 but couldn't because of my father's demise. Please tell me which time will be the best to go there? I want to see the mountains and not the apples like others. Please suggest a good time other than September or October because Durgapuja is held in my ancestral house and I don't want to miss this grand occasion.
Cheers
Bhaskar

I have messaged the OP.
The Darjeeling - Sikkim circuit is a very popular circuit. Travel is safe especially for women and the place abounds in scenic beauty ( in spite of the heavy tourist traffic and ham handed attempts to increase tourism infrastructure by building grotesque , concrete monstrosities and by damming up the river and pockmarking the hills with tunnels etc). Here is a brief lowdown on the various places you can visit.
Darjeeling - still beautiful but very crowded. Don’t forget to visit HMI , the zoo ( probably the best small zoo in the country and the red pandas are cute) and the Happy Valley tea garden. I don’t think it’s a big deal but people like to do very hill station things like strolling in the Mall , English breakfast at Keventers etc, Glenary’s cakes etc. The DHR is overrated but since you are here it’s a good photo op.
Kalimpong - It’s a well known for its flowers , unhurried pace of life , good weather and scenic beauty. Less well known than Darjeeling ( thankfully) but charming and idyllic in its own way.
Kalimpong town itself is over crowded and over populated with vehicles. I would give it a miss or just a few hours.
Both Kalimpong and Darjeeling have a certain colonial legacy . Almost all houses have gardens, speak English passably , are ecumenical , have some musical talent ( yours truly being a rare exception) ,take special attention towards a more westernized attitude towards grooming etc. People are generally friendly and women are treated well and have a very high standing in society and take up vocations ( like bar tending or waiting in booze serving restaurants without it appearing like an aberration ) which may be quite incongruous in other places ( I would be happy to be proved wrong). Single women , even young ones can travel alone without facing any harassment or stress. Kalimpong has some good souvenirs like thankas, other type of paintings , handicraft bags to carry home as gifts.
Downside : Folks sleep by 7/8 so unless your hotel has some special nocturnal events planned , forget about a nightlife.
The Himalayan mountain ranges are spread panoramically and the greenery and diversity is immense.

Sikkim is a linguistic, geographical and cultural continuation of Darjeeling but better administered and therefore cleaner and more swanky.
West Sikkim - my favorite. Very scenic. You can see the Kanchenjunga masiff from very up close from places like Pelling and Ravang. Mountains , lakes , waterfalls , there works .. of nature. Rich in history too with old palaces forts and monasteries and not given much to the vagaries of the weather like North Sikkim.

North Sikkim : rugged , beautiful , mountains , lakes , glaciers but a little prone to slides etc.

East Sikkim : has Gangtok with its glitzy shops , MG maarg ,a kind of promenade with some cultural happening or the other most of the times , and of course for the high rollers , casinoes.
The East also has the popular silk route circuit with the tortuous meandering of the road leading to the Jelep La pass.
One thing about Gangtok , it’s clean and the pedestrians are respected with good walkways all around town.
Trek
Not sure it’s recommended to the OP with the small kids.
But Sandakphu and Phalut is a good easy trek. On a clear day .. when you can see forever .. you can see Everest and Kanchenjunga together. Octobers are clearer with the monsoons washing the dust and haze. April is full of rhododendron blooms but cyclonic showers and hailstorms might cause a bit of alarm.
It’s the best trek this side of the Annapurna.
The HMI has adventure, basic and advance mountaineering programs. The Dzongri trek in West Sikkim is also popular but may need reasonable fitness and a tolerance of the low oxygen air of high altitudes.
Hi
Moktan
A very nice write up with some necessary information. I am pleased reading your composition. This will be helpful for those who will go there. But now I understand why you love shoes so passionately:).keep on travelling and writing so nicely.
Regards
Bhaskar
 
Hi
Sandeep
The places that you have mentioned are yet to be explored. I planned to go there in 2017 but couldn't because of my father's demise. Please tell me which time will be the best to go there? I want to see the mountains and not the apples like others. Please suggest a good time other than September or October because Durgapuja is held in my ancestral house and I don't want to miss this grand occasion.
Cheers
Bhaskar
The photo I posted earlier was from May/June. I guess the summer from April to June should be great with clear blue skies, streams and snow capped peaks. In winter, the roads might get blocked and will be very cold. The apple orchards were in full bloom in the summer.
There was a hydel project under construction in Sangla, I hope it has not marred the beauty of the valleys
 
I love reading on travel. Bruce Chatwin In Patagonia was a favorite. But the best I have read on travel is The Road To Oxiana by Robert Byron. Someone called Byron the James Joyce of travel writing and his prose scintillates. The book is about his travels to the Middle East in his search for the roots of Islamic architecture through Persia, Afghanistan, India etc.
As a mountain person , deserts intrigue and fascinate me. When Lawrence of Arabia in the eponymous movie is asked why he likes the desert .. he says , ‘ ... because it is clean’. William Thesiger’s Arabian Sands was a great read. But the one book about travel I recommend everyone read is The Road To Oxiana.
Hi
Moktan
A very nice write up with some necessary information. I am pleased reading your composition. This will be helpful for those who will go there. But now I understand why you love shoes so passionately:).keep on travelling and writing so nicely.
Regards
Bhaskar
 
Oh boy now I’m more confused than ever! Wherever I go has to be reachable and serviced by an airport. Or maybe a couple of hours drive from an airport. Shimla anyone? My 6 year old wants to see snow (in India). She’s been to Canada 3 times and has seen the snow but she wants to see snow flakes in India lol

Me and the wife want to do nothing but wake up in the morning and have some tea looking at the mountains or hills. And drink some wine. ( it’s also our anniversary so the place has to be romantic ) oh well. Back to the drawing board. What we need is a stress free relaxed holiday. My wife is very outdoorsy and she loves trekking. I like nothing more than to sit all day and watch tv. I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up doing a lil walking up and down some hill surely!

Mussoorie....Friend of mine has a couple of hotels and if you feel like splurging then there is a JW Marriott.. Mussoorie is where Sachin Tendulkar chills out when he has the time...
Your friend has a couple of hotels? Damn. Ok, please pm if u can their details. Mussoorie also looks awesome!
 
My vote for Kalimpong too. Since it's my hometown lol. But it's a nice idyllic place especially if you stay out of town. Look up Morgan House. Might be difficult to get accomodation there last minute. Mussoorie gets my vote too, but it does get crowded peak season.
 
Sikkim is perfect. :)
Another friend of mine who’s from Kalimpong advised me to go to Sikkim as well. Most hotels I see are booked in November. Looks like peak season. I hate crowds btw. This is going to be harder than I thought.
 
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