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TIME OUT
Splash in the jungle
The Solluna Resort
Jim Corbett National Park
USP: Far from the madding crowd, and into nature’s lap
We were told there’s no mobile connectivity or landline in that part of the region. At first, the idea of not being in touch with the outside world didn’t perturb me. But would it be as easy as it seemed? The first panic attack hit us as we entered the boundary of Jim Corbett National Park. Our signals went blank. “Is your phone catching any signal?” everyone was asking. “Oh God! How will we survive three days?” was the next worry.
Nestled within the protected reserve of the 500-sq kms forest, Solluna Resort teaches you the pleasures of an unadulterated life. A quiet life without the phones buzzing, without TV and computer, and in the company of nature in its purest form. Suddenly, the mobile phone issue becomes a thing of the past.
A haven for wildlife enthusiasts, Jim Corbett National Park is located in Terai on the foothills of the Himalayas in Nainital district, Uttarakhand. And Solluna Resort is 35 kilometres further into the Park. It is built on the banks of the river Ramganga, surrounded by rocky peaks with thick tree cover on all sides.
It is 25 acres of sheer bliss — green lawns, pathways with lustrous trees on either side, and chaste scenic views.
At present there are 18 cottages, but by September the number will increase to 51 when the entire resort undergoes a five-star makeover. The resort has tied up with the Sarovar Group of Hotels for this purpose.
There are two cottages under one roof, and there are clusters of such identical buildings in different parts of the resort. Colourful climbers and shrubs adorn the cottage walls. There’s a small seating arrangement outside the cottage, where you can sip your morning tea at leisure. The rooms are spacious, with a huge wooden double-bed and a pair of bamboo lampposts by the bedside, giving a jungle feel.
A window in the roof allows you to enjoy the landscape lying down. The silence of the place is infectious, you no longer feel the need to talk. Let the gushing river, the cool breeze and the restless frog do the talking.
The resort has a restaurant that serves buffet meals, but food is merely passable. There’s no bar as of now, but you can bring your booze.
The resort rents out bicycles on hourly basis to allow you to explore the place on your own. There’s also a waterfall within the resort, which is active only during the monsoons. A sauna spa is also being planned.
It’s the best place if you want to recharge your batteries, and take back some fresh memories.
How to get there
The best way to reach the resort is by road. It’s only about 280 km from New Delhi, but takes over seven hours to reach, as the roads are bad. The rough path narrows as you enter Jim Corbett, so ensure you are in an all-terrain vehicle.
Ramnagar is the nearest railway station.
Tariff
A cottage with double-bed costs Rs.6,300 for two persons (breakfast included). Every extra person is charged Rs.3,300. There’s a special package for couples at Rs.10,999 for two nights and three days (including taxes). It includes lunch, breakfast and dinner.
Things to do
Situated amid dense forest and rocky peaks, the place is a paradise for adventurous souls. Mountain-climbing, trekking and rock climbing are just some of the options. During the monsoons and after, water-rafting is another choice. Go on a night and a day safari to spot leopards and tigers, but if you are not so lucky you can be content with watching elephants and sambar. Within the resort, there’s a swimming pool, a basketball court and a tennis court to unwind. Laze around on the lawns or the swings.
MANGALA RAMAMOORTHY
rmangala@thehindu.co.in
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Puducherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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