2021, as a year, had been a mixed bag of experiences. On one hand, India witnessed one of the deadliest phases of the pandemic. On the other, over 8.47 COVID-19 jabs were administered globally. With the rolling out of vaccines, the travel industry, which had suffered harrowing losses amid the pandemic, also started picking up. And adhering to the precautions, guidelines and restrictions, we managed to escape to some offbeat mountain destinations in India. So, which are the best mountain destinations Curly Tales explored in 2021? Here’s the list!
1. Sakleshpur, Karnataka
Sakleshpur, lying on the cradle of Western Ghats, is a quiet town abundant in natural beauty. We had stayed at the Rosetta by Ferns that overlooks the echoing green landscapes of the hill station. The dense forests, the woods and the misty hills at this place will leave any nature lover mesmerised.
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2. Harihar Fort, Nashik
This is the perfect location for all those who love adventure and hiking. The Harihar Fort is located 40 kilometres away from Nashik City at 3,600 feet above sea level. It is one of the most challenging trekking trails in the entire state. Once you reach the top, you will be witness to a view that is worth every muscle pain, surreal and magnificent.
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3. Buranshkhanda, Uttarakhand
Buranshkhanda, lying in the heart of the Himalayas has stunning forest trails, shrines, lakes and more. Dehradun is just a couple of hours away from here. Mussorie is an hour away from Buranshkhanda by drive. At Buranshkhanda, we stayed at Barefoot Bungalow and also visited the nearby Jabarkhet National Park, a privately-owned wildlife sanctuary in the mountains.
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Also Read: I Lived By The Ganges At This 100-Year-Old Mansion Turned Hotel In Haridwar & It Was Surreal
4. Paliyan Gaon, Uttarakhand
This serene hamlet near Rishikesh sits on the bank of the holy Ganges and offers spectacular mountain views. Here, we had stayed at the Royale Rainbow Resort, a secluded property located right by the river that also overlooks a waterfall. The place detached us from the crowd and we also enjoyed camping under the stars at the sweeping lawn of the resort.
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Also Read: We Stayed At This Cosy Homestay Near Darjeeling During Pandemic & It Was Worth Every Risk
5. Kondana, Maharashtra
Kondana is a picturesque hamlet, located around 33 kilometres north of Lonavala. The place is known for the dramatic Kondana caves, which is a group of 16 Buddhist caves. With striking lush greenery, cascading waterfalls and constant chirrups of birds, Kondana will have your soul rejuvenated.
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6. Naggar
Known as the heritage village of Himachal, Naggar is not very far from Manali, yet away from its bustling crowd. Naggar is a place of historical significance and houses the Naggar Castle, which was constructed by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu in around 1460 A.D. Now, the castle has been converted into a hotel. The castle offers a panoramic view of the entire mountain valley, with river Beas flowing at a distance. From here, we also trekked up to the Murlidhar Krishna Mandir and went on a safari to Kais Wildlife Sanctuary. On the way, we tried local Himachali thali at Mani Ram Dhaba, located beside Jana waterfall.
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Which among these have you already ticked off from your bucket list?