FLYING TIGER ADVENTURE CAMP
DAGSHAI CANTT., SOLAN
Dagshai. A dot of a lush town coned in a scenic Himalayan range. Silence rules its lanes, quaint is its setting. Old fashioned bungalows, a Raj-era jail and a cemetery; its tombs covered with pine needles. There's a clutch of rickety shops strung together in a row, and, yes, a pretty elfin-size post office too. And, like any other small town, everyone seems to know everyone here.
Typically, nothing much happens in Dagshai. Time here is torpid — ideal for a city slicker to cool heels. Young Tiger Singh's sprawling family house, an old Raj bungalow, stands on the town's Charing Cross road, on a slope, way down the main road. A gravelly path opens out to a rambling patch overlooking the hills. There sits the bungalow with a cluster of lush trees and a jumble of multi-hued dahlia flowers.
The place has a huge playground, hammocks are strung on trees here and there. So are chairs and tables at quiet corners of the property, perfect to sit with a book, sipping red wine even as the soothing sunrays work on your back. Dog lovers would like to know that Tiger has two friendly dogs — Tequila and Whisky, always game for play.
The bungalow also has a room with a TV, its mud walls covered with photos of Bob Marley and an interesting lamp with a shade made from used beer bottles, among other curios. An alumnus of Lawrence School, Sanawar, and a trained pilot, Tiger might organise a barbeque night for you, on the house!
The food here is mostly Indian — tasty home-made fare. And yes, Flying Tiger Adventure Camp would be incomplete without its friendly and efficient staff.
How to get there
Take the Kalka Shatabdi Express from New Delhi Railway Station. At Kalka, hire a taxi to Dagshai for Rs.600 approximately. It is a 45-minute drive to the property. You can stop by at Giani da Dhaba at Dharampur for a sumptuous lunch. If you’re driving, the road is Delhi-Panipat-Ambala-Chandigarh-Dharampur-Dagsha.
Things to do
The Camp has a lot to offer vacationers. It organises hang gliding, paragliding and treks for groups and individuals on prior appointment. Besides, there are footballs, handballs, chess, badminton rackets, skipping ropes, playing cards and golf sets for the sporty types.
Go on a leisurly walk and enjoy the quietude of the place.
Visit the local cemetery and look up interesting tombstones.
Lie on a hammocks and soak up the sun.
Visit the former British jail. Don’t miss the board which explains how Dagshai derived its name from the jail.
Walkers can hike down to Kumarhatti, a sleepy hill township with an interesting bazaar.
The little town is also known for its two boarding schools — Dagshai Public School and the Army Public School, a few minutes walk from the property.
One can also take a day trip to Kasauli.
Tariff
There are two large rooms in the main house and four other rooms in the outhouse. The charges are Rs.2,000 per person per day including breakfast. For reservation, contact 01792-266103 or email tigershingh.sidhu@gmail.com
