Shelapani

When I first saw pictures of this beautiful spot, I was spell bound! Shelapani is situated in Shimla hills. A 3 hour drive from Shimla takes you somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Shelapani is suitably complimented with snow clad peaks, green hills, a river, pine forest and Apple orchards. This place is the ultimate spot to connect with nature and stay in solitude. Shelapani translates to cold water and is named after a natural spring water flowing nearby. Shelapani is the best of rural and village tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

Shelapani is an attempt to connect with nature and spend time with people who support life by providing the raw inputs for the city life needs. From agriculture to sericulture, they do it all. What one explores during these tours is a unique experience and an eye opener to the basics of a rural economy. One not only get to see rural life closely, but also get a chance to connect and open avenues for rural India by interacting with people closely. While for city buffs, this gives a day off to go back to roots, for children it is an opportunity to get close to nature and learn about flora and fauna.

At 7500 ft, Shelapani is ideal for camping, trekking, and jungle walks. It offers marvelous landscapes, fishing in river Pabbar (22 km) and a lot of natural spaces for hiking, camping, cycling, horseback riding, skiing, Picnic lunches in the forest, meadows & apple orchards, rock climbing and village tours. The place is a great get away for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Shelapani offers a temple tour of the nearby villages. Horse rides along the forest trails is a must do. In the evening one can watch the most amazing sun set. There is a riot of colors. The clouds, the skies, the space between the mountains with various shades of pink, blue, purple, mauve, magenta, turquoise and what not! And what is more the hues and the color scheme changes every minute as the sun plays hide and seek amongst the clouds – a beautiful sight indeed.

Accommodation at Shelapani is at the beautifully done cottage – Dwarika Residency. This is a 4 bed room cottage and the amenities include TVs, VCRs, CD Players, Pet Friendly, Hot Tub, Gas Fireplace, Wood Fireplace, Washing Machine, Washer Dryer, DVD, BBQ Grill, Microwave, Hair Dryer, Toaster, Coffee Pot, Full Kitchen, Iron, Internet Access. All meals are included in the rent. Minimum stay of 3 nights is mandatory. Charges for full cottage is Rs. 8000/ per night. More information is available at the cottage website.

How to reach:

By road, Shelapani is situated a distance of 85 km from Shimla. One crosses through Theog, Kotkhai and Kharapathar. At Kharapathar, leave the main road and take a left turn towards Mandhol village (12 km). Further 1.5 km of Mandhol through a jungle road lies Shelapani. Shimla to Shelapani is a three hour drive. This place can be reached from Delhi straight in 11 hours.

So next time you plan a vacation… just try this new destination.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Posted by Anu on July 27, 2009.

Tags: dwarika residency, shelapani

Categories: Featured, Homestays, Off Beat