Short break: Pangot, Uttarakhand
If you can be cajoled out of your chair on a lazy afternoon, Pangot has some easy walks through rich oak and rhododendron forests.
The hillsides are changing colour everywhere; a light fresh breeze blows through the trees. A cerulean sky, one that can only be witnessed in the hills, and varied bird calls from tree tops mesmerise me, my reverie is politely broken as I am informed that my tea is ready.
As I sip the warm brew I am delighted to have found my very own space in this small village named Pangot.
Just 15 km from the bustle of Nainital stands Pangot at 6,000 feet in Uttarakhand offering stunning sunsets and astounding views of the valley. The main attractions are of course, the birds including the elusive cheer, koklas and khalij pheasants.
The hills are home to the grey and red jungle fowls, redstarts, flycatchers, woodpeckers, jays, fork tails, laughing thrushes and more. Even if birding is not a passion, the bird calls will entice and draw you into seeking them out.
If you can be cajoled out of your chair on a lazy spring afternoon, Pangot has some easy walks through rich oak and rhododendron forests. And yes, don't forget the birds...be enthralled by the birds twittering and flitting through the air, a sort of a personal show just for you. Spotting the cheer pheasant, a vulnerable species, can be an extra thrill. There are a substantial number of them here and can be seen on the grassy slopes of adjoining village Vinayak. Near guaranteed sighting attracts bird enthusiasts from all over the world.
One popular walk through the forest is from Pangot to Kilbury forest resthouse. A long trail (15 km to and fro) leading up to Naina peak at 8,563m affords picture perfect views of snow-clad peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti, to name a few. If you have the time, do a three-day trek from Pangot to Corbett National Park. During the length of the trek you will walk through snow (depending on the time of the year) forest, cross streams, tiny hill settlements as you descend to the outer periphery of the famous stronghold of the Royal Bengal tiger.
Visit Pangot to ease your city stressed senses and enjoy the season.
Getting there: Take NH 24 to Rampur via Hapur; NH 87 to Nainital via Haldwani and 15 km ahead of Nainital is Pangot.
Stay: At the Jungle Lore Birding Lodge, it has a set of five cottages tastefully done. Cost starts at Rs. 6,000 per day for two with all meals inclusive. Tel: (0) 98111 24222/94120 85448; www.himalayanlodges.com
Must do: Trek to Hariyal and Vinayak or a day excursion to Nainital. Great sites for birding are at Kilbury, Pangot and Mungoli valley.
Handy: A good pair of walking shoes and a pair of binoculars.
Best time to visit: March to April is a special treat as the Rhododendron is in full bloom and entire hillsides can be rendered crimson by the colour of the blossoms.