Just a short way out of Delhi, a towering statue of Hanuman announces the crossing of the sacred River Ganga at Garhmukteshwar on the highway to the hills. Another tall Hanuman greets you when you finally pull over the last hill into Naukuchiatal, a quiet hideaway filled with birdsong and the promise of peace.

Cradles by green mountains, this misty blue lake is fed by an underwater spring, which keeps its waters high. A single view of all nine corners of Naukuchiatal is said to bestow nirvana upon the onlooker ? a value add-on at no extra charge. So why not step on the gas and get to Lake Naukuchiatal for your sip of nirvana, a luxury taste of Kumaoni tranquility where the prices are modest enough to not disturb the silence and your peace of mind.

Nature walks

One of Kumaon's grand theaters of nature, Naukuchiatal is where an opera of butterflies, Himalayan birds, animals and flowers play out the ?four seasons? without any help from Vivaldi. With Byzantine nature walks and trails, boating and fish to angle into, where do you begin? Stroll around the periphery of the lake. This leafy 3-? -km nature walk takes you along a secluded path, scented with blossoms.

A huge statue of Hanuman, within the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, is right at the entrance to Naukuchiatal. Give thanks for your vacation or simple pay your respects after stooping through an artificial ?cave?.

In and around the Tal(lake)

Spend an enjoyable half-an-hour in the morning taking in the views of birds in striking shades of red, blue and green. You'll be sorry if you don't carry along binoculars. By the time you've had your fill, you sill have digested your breakfast, which means it's time to swim. Naukuchiatal is pretty deep and a fantastic arena for showing off your prowess in the water. But, remember, these Kumaoni tals have beds littered with pebbles. If you're used to he smoothness of a tiled pool or sandy seabed, this can prove disquieting.

Time to visit;

Best from March to November, avoiding the rains from July to September. Winter in Kumaon is cold, but it can be visited from December to February.

Boats are available in all shapes and gaudy colours. Cross over to the jetty on the southern side of the tal, next to the village school. Negotiate with the boatmen, who can take you out or let you row your self. Charges range between $3 and $8, depending on your bargaining skills. If you feel like you need something to go with the chips, how about fishing? Give your partner something to ?carp? about by dropping a line for this freshwater fish.

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