LATITUDE 30 N GANGA, Near Rishikesh

BY KALYANI PRASHER

If I tell you there are endless traffic free, people free, stretches in the middle of uttarakhand, would you believe me? About two km short of the small settlement of Byasi, in Atali Dogi, the Ganga looks emerald and silky in the shadow of the mountains. It snakes along twisty roads, generously lending to the calm beauty of this little nook in the Himalayas—latitude 30, Indias first‘activotel. A comfortable hotel centred around adventure, its aim is to introduce outdoorsy activities to the uninitiated and, in these days of spa breaks, bringing the cool back to active holidays. Something, as I was to find out, they do quite well.

STAFF & SERVICE

Ao, or, Activity officers are at the heart of latitude. I can rattle off the names: Salil, Kailash, Kaan Singh, Bianca, Pankaj, Jeetu… each an expert on different activities; each a person worth knowing. People from all over the country—Darjeeling, Goa and, of course, uttarakhand—lend latitude that special flavour that only an amalgam of different cultures can bring. these are not only people who can spot a bird from a distance and do a twirl in the cold river on their way through a hike just off the hotel, one of the paths that Kailash has cleared himself, but am rewarded by a picnic tea set-up in the middle of the trek and the sighting of many birds. Bianca and Kailash keep a look out for birds as Salil names them: Black Drongo, Great yellownape Woodpecker, White-throated fantail…

the next day my photographer colleague and the Ao team geared up for mountain biking—while my colleague wore full gear and looked prepared for battle, the team of experts barely needed even kneepads! I followed them in a car and felt rather sorry for missing out on the fun—mountain biking from Dev Prayaag to Byasi Ghat (12 km) and then rafting down to Kaudiyala. this is an easy stretch of rafting, and one of the most scenic I have ever seen. We stopped to have a picnic lunch on an isolated beach in the middle of high mountains.

FOOD

After the activities, the most satisfying part of latitude is food. Sharmila, part owner of the hotel, has overseen the recipes herself and food is of a quality you dont expect in the mountains. the meals are typically light in the day—because of the activities—and heavier in the night and can range from orange cake to gajar halwa. We had day after day of excellent preparations. 1. Sit-out overlooking the Ganga which looks emerald and silky in the shadow of the mountains 2. The hardy Activity Officers (not in full gear as you would be) on a heady round of mountain biking

ROOMS

Spacious and comfortable with large baths, the rooms are meant to offer you luxury after you rough it out during the day. While there are a few teething problems, such as a misdirected shower or a leaky tap, I didnt really have any specific problems. What you might miss is room service though, which the hotel does not offer. Meal times are set and one has to go up to the common dining area—in a way a good thing as you get to meet other guests. However, the room rate includes five activities—mountain biking, rafting, trekking, etc—over two days and as long as you focus on the activities, you will come away happy.