subject: Holidays in Naldhera,Himachel Pradesh,india [print this page] Holidays in Naldhera,Himachel Pradesh,india
At the turn of the century, Naldehra was "discovered" by the British Viceroy, Lord Curzon who was fascinated by the deodar forests and green-carpeted slopes. Curzon spent many a happy hour romancing Naldehra"s cedar woods, communicating all the while with the British summer capital at Shimla, 23 km away. The idea of laying a golf course on the slopes of an enormous glade took root. The natural topography of the area was just right for a nine-hole golf course, surrounded by deodar woods and a view of the mountains. Naldehra got its name from the Nag temple (or Dehra of the god Nag) which lies bang in the centre of the course. Besides the glorious golfing, you can go for long walks through the woods and picnics in the valley.
Up there, at 6,706 ft, is a 9-hole golf course sitting amidst pine trees on the Hindustan-Tibet Road. You"ll never get such a high teeing off anywhere else in the world.
ShoppingNot too much to shop for in Naldehra. If you are here during festival time, hand woven shawls, caps and local handicrafts will be available in plenty.
EventsIf you''re here in June, there''s the Sipi Fair, which is a festival of match-making and the locals are out in full form.
Night OutNo restaurants here except at the hotels. The Golf course serves up quality cuisine if that is what you are looking for. Otherwise try the local dhabas which dish up a wholesome rajma chawal or aloo parathas!
ActivitiesGolf, golf and more golf! Considered one of the more challenging courses in the country, this 18 hole par-68 course has a host of tree hazards in the back nine. Situated at 2,200 mts the course is spread over undulating land characterized by tall pine trees and steep slopes Today Himachal Tourism
maintains the links and it is possible to pay green fees for the day or take temporary, annual and life membership. The course is open through the year; the monsoon months between July and September are particularly good for golfing since the highly watered turf becomes springy and the yardage increases. The Naldehra course is as much a test of your game as it is is of your physical fitness. The walks up the steep slopes are laborious and the chances of your hitting the ball out of bounds very high! Indian visitors who want to play for a day pay Rs 200; foreigners pay $20. One can hire a golf set for Rs 200 or $5 for foreigners. Ofcourse you would have to buy the golf balls and pay an additional Rs 100 caddy fee. Chamba about 18 km is the base for an 11 km rafting run down the Sutlej River. Typically this activity takes place between March and June and one can contact the Chalets Naldehra who are the organisers of the rafting trips. Shaily Peak 23 km away is the place to go to if you are in the mood for some outdoor trekking. It would be wise, to motor up early to Khatnol and trek up the 8 kms to the top.
SightsMost visitors to Naldehra are golf addicts, who come to enjoy the wonderful course and the conducive weather. But don''t be mistaken - there is more to do - go for long walks through the towering pine trees, take picnic baskets and spend the day on the rolling downs. For the spiritually
inclined, pay a visit to the Mahunag temple which is dedicated to the snake god and incidentally this is where Naldehra gets its name from. Naldehra got its name from the Nag Temple (or Dehra of the god Nag) which lies bang in the centre of the course.
How to get there by AirThe closest airport is Jubberhatti 55 km away from Naldehra. From the airport one can hiore a taxi to get to naldehra. The drive is approxiamatelt 2 hours and would cost in the region of Rs 800.
How to get there by RailThe nearest railhead is kalak 116kms away. From the station hire a taxi to make the 3 hour drive to Naldehra. Taxi charges would be around Rs 1200 or so.
How to get there by BusFrom Delhi take NH1 to Ambala via Karnal, then branch off on NH22 to Shimla. Proceed to Dhali, from where turn left for Naldehra.
Best time to VisitThe summers in Naldehra are pleasantly cool with temperatures ranging from 15C to 28C and this is the best time to visit. The winters are very cold and the temperatures drop to -4C, with a high of 7C, so it may not be a very good idea to visit in winter.
Hotels in NaldheraHP Tourism''s Log Huts, their Hotel Golf Glades and the privately-owned Chalets Naldehra are the places to stay in Naldehra.
Nearby PlacesMashobra 11 kms away surrounded by towering pine and cedar trees. Follow the winding trails through the forest to chance upon manicured gardens, apple orchards and an old Church. A footpath leads down to Sipur which is a verdant glade with a gentle stream running through it. Carry a picnic
basket and bask in the beautiful setting. Carignano the erstwhile summer residence of an Italian countess lies close to Mashobra and offers excellent views of the landscape around. Kufri 16 kms away is famed for its ski slopes and the panoramic vistas around. The crisp cool air of Kufri is rejuvenating and refreshing - so make a day trip It is well worth it! In summer, horse riding and short treks into the surrounding hills and in winter skiing and tobagganing in the snow are some activities you can undertake. Fagu lies in a sylvan setting just 22 km from Naldehra and affords sweeping views of the ranges and valleys around. Perched amidst forests and orchards, fagu serves as a good base for exploring the nearby countryside. Shimla 23 kms away makes for a great day outing if you want some action and yearn for a good meal to eat and also if shopping is high on your list. The Mall is the central point of Shimla and one can choose from the numerous restaurants and shop tou your hearts content. Tattapani famed for its hot sulphur springs is 25 kms away. The hot springs are known to have medicinal value and people come from all over to rid themselves of disease by taking a dip in the springs. There are a host of small temples and rock caves also around Tattapani.For more information for this Destination please check india Travel Guide
