AALIA ON THE GANGES, HARIDWAR

Destination Haridwar The region around Haridwar which also includes Rishikesh, Rajaji and Dehradunhas been a key destination for both the inbound and domestic travelers. And there has always been a dearth for quality accommodation in this area. A recent visit to Haridwar to stay at Aalia was an eye opener an I re-discovered Haridwar, a place I have been to many many times. As a spiritual retreat, river side getaway and a destination by the Himalayan foot hills, just over 5 hours driving time from Delhi, Haridwar has been idyllic as a two or three nights break from Delhi. Consider also its proximity to Mussoorie, Chamba, Rishikesh, Rudra Prayag, Dehradun, Corbett Haridwar can be a perfect base for myriad travel options, a wonderful connecting point for tour programs covering a wide spectrum of interests ranging from wildlife, trekking, pilgrimage tours, spa vacations, yoga or just a quiet destination at the beginning or end to India tour in the North. Haridwar is comfortably connected by a good highway from Delhi (NH 24 upto Ghaziabad, NH 34 unto Roorkee and NH 58 unto Haridwar) and express trains from Delhi, Kolkatta and Mumbai. Jolly Gant airport is about 25 kms from Haridwar city, a driving time of about an hour. Daily Jet Connect and Air India flig ts operate to Jolly Grant making it ideal to access by air as well. Ganga Arti at Har-ki-Pauri: Ganga Arti is offered at many places along the rivers journey through Northern India; however the sheer energy of Ganga Arti at Har-ki-Pauri is unmatched. One reason being the area around Har-ki-pauri with several temples dedicated to "Maa Gange" and several other deities is atmospheric and the flow of the river diverted through this bank dedicated for irrigation is energetic. At sunset every day some thousands of people gather here - the incense, the tiered lamps waving in the air , the ounds of bells and cymbals, the chanting and the floating flower lamps flowing past you….. it is raw, electric and magical.

Rajaji National Park: With the focus being the river all the time, one misses the forests of Rajaji popular as one of the protected habitats of the Asian elephant. Rajaji national park combines the three sanctuaries of Chilla, Motichur and Rajaji and covers an area of over 800 sqkm. Representing the Shivalik eco-system the sanctuary spread over Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun and Saharanpur districts of Uttarakhand and boasts of a check list of about 324 bird species. Coincidentally in the last couple of months there has been some interesting press about Rajaji.
Aalia - by the Ganges Aalia is a private retreat with just 36 suites cleverly spread on a manicured stretch of five acres set amidst glowing farms of mustard and rice at the entrance, a surging village to one side and the Ganges on her languid course. A brief 10 km drive from Haridwar takes you over Chandi Bridge towards the road to Kashipur and Corbett when you turn in at Shyampur and drive through pucca roads laid out amidst farm land that leads upto the wide gates of Aalia and its gravel drive. At first glance Aalia assumes the atmosphere of a chic 'farm house’.However a welcome party at the reception greets you with cold towels and a refreshing drink and you know that you are in Aalia, a quiet retreat that has been conceived to grant you every modern convenience in a spectacular setting. Aalia's most important feature is its location, which allows you to explore everything around you - Rajaji National Park, Haridwar, Rishikesh, the pristine banks of the Ganges and farms around. Guest accommodations at Aalia are set in twelve villas imaginatively designed so that every villa has the advantage of river views. Each villa opens separately onto the path that leads down to the river's edge and has three suites - one garden suite on the ground floor and two suites Chilla and River View on the first floor. Also on ground level are a private study and living room available only for villas that are booked as a whole. Chila suite opens out to a large terrace and the premium River view suite opens out to a smaller terrace that looks out over the lawns and the river yonder. Except for the views, suites are more or less all of the same size and decor - large, spacious with light streaming through glass doors that open to the terrace or gardens. The suites are air-conditioned (with radiators for the winters) leading to an ante-room with a closet and luggage rack. Attached bathrooms are sunny with ample shower enclosures and a wash area provided with amenities from Inaara (a brand from Forest Essentials), hair drier, shaving mirror etc. Suites are equipped with large double beds or twins and facilities include a plasma TV, DVD and an iPod dock cum radio cum alarm clock. Each suite also has a well-stocked minibar and a tea-coffee station, complimentary mineral water etc. The decor from the parquet floor to the pristine walls, sturdy furniture of settees, consoles, tables, to soft furnishings in muted colors enable a sense of warm and welcoming luxury. The splash of color provided by a collection of colored photographs printed on canvas that depicts flower clusters in breathtaking hues. Aalia : Dining and Services Aalia's main dining is a first floor indoor restaurant set away from the villas, above the reception and accessed by a flight of stairs with a cover for about 50 pax. A few tables are set on a brief terrace land look out to the river. Al- fresco dining is also possible by the river's edge, by the pool with tables organized on request. Aalia serves a variety of cuisines ranging from regional fare to continental, thai and chinese. Their chef serves up some amazing soups and entrees while Sodhi, the affable GM who is passionate about cooking often indulges guests by serving up some delectable chinese and Thai delicacies. There is a conference room with state-of-the-art AV equipment, board room seating, attached toilets and a private service area. The villas stand away from a wide lawn which is almost as much as the space used for villas, restaurant and reception. The lawns have a gently raised deck with uninterrupted views of the pool and river ideal for a session of Yoga with Umesh ji, Aalia's resident Yoga instructor. Many trees and flowering climbers have been planted along the fence which when fully grown will add lushness to what presently looks wide and open, but helps in affording fantastic river views. An intimate spa completes the sense of a retreat with two treatment rooms and a selection of massages aimed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation. At Aalia, one of best places to unwind is the Cigar Lounge, the cozy bar and lounge with sink-in settees, mood lighting, music, an active fire place and an impressive bar Menu.
Guest accommodations at Aalia are set in twelve villas imaginatively designed so that every villa has the advantage of river views. Each villa opens separately onto the path that leads down to the river's edge and has three suites - one garden suite on the ground floor and two suites Chilla and River View on the first floor. Also on ground level are a private study and living room available only for villas that are booked as a whole. Chila suite opens out to a large terrace and the premium River view suite opens out to a smaller terrace that looks out over the lawns and the river yonder. Except for the views, suites are more or less all of the same size and decor - large, spacious with light streaming through glass doors that open to the terrace or gardens. The suites are air-conditioned (with radiators for the winters) leading to an ante-room with a closet and luggage rack. Attached bathrooms are sunny with ample shower enclosures and a wash area provided with amenities from Inaara (a brand from Forest Essentials), hair drier, shaving mirror etc. Suites are equipped with large double beds or twins and facilities include a plasma TV, DVD and an iPod dock cum radio cum alarm clock. Each suite also has a well-stocked minibar and a tea-coffee station, complimentary mineral water etc. The decor from the parquet floor to the pristine walls, sturdy furniture of settees, consoles, tables, to soft furnishings in muted colors enable a sense of warm and welcoming luxury. The splash of color provided by a collection of colored photographs printed on canvas that depicts flower clusters in breathtaking hues.