You can hear the gentle gurgling of the Beas river even as you enter Neeralaya, a hidden gem close to Kullu-Manali. The resort is straight out of a picture postcard with gardens, orchards and the mighty Himalayas surrounding it. This is the kind of place where you put your feet up, savour a cup of hot chocolate, stroll through apple orchards and watch nature in all its glory. That’s not to say the place is bereft of action; pump up your adrenaline with white water rafting in the Beas, mountain biking through dirt trails and arduous yet rewarding treks.
The resort takes sustainability seriously and everything right from its architecture to food has local touches. The rooms are rustic, spacious and allow you to soak up the best of what the region has to offer. There’s plenty of space to lounge around; so find a tree to nap under or have an impromptu picnic by the river.
The resort is great for those looking to acclimatise while on their way up to Leh and even travellers who want to revel in the beauty and solitude of the region before hitting the touristy spots at Manali next door.