Story of the week
Royal adventures at Neemrana Palace
This centuries old fort, now a resort, Neemara Palace near New Delhi, is the perfect outing with friends or family.Barely two hours from the Indian capital, this centuries old fort, now a resort, is a perfect plan for your weekend. Live like a royal, enjoy the quiet surroundings and even try a little bit of adventure.
Neemrana, here we come
Turn up the music in your car and hit the road. Neemrana fort is on the busy Delhi-Jaipur highway. You can get there by car, bus, bike or taxi. It is situated in the historical town of Alwar in Rajasthan, India, just 125 kms from Delhi. The fort is surrounded by the Neemrana village.
During the drive you will have mustard fields and the Aravalli hills range to give you perfect scenery. After some time, you will find Neemrana village on your right. A few minutes drive into the village and you will spot the resort, up there in the mountains. Perfectly camouflaged in the hills, this pale Neemrana fort seems very small from a distance. But looks can be deceptive.
Drive up to the fort
Now come rocky winding roads. The bumpy ride up the hill is fun . You see small century old houses, as if straight out of Hindi films from the sixties. All the dialogues and scenes come alive- the poor village girl being tortured by the munim (accountant) of the village, the young village boy swearing to avenge the death of his parents by a dacoit (you might hum songs from the Hindi movie Karan Arjun, if you have seen it, you’ll know what I mean).
Anyway, back to the trip, a few twists and turns and you are there. Park your car and get ready!
Blast from the past- enter Neemrana 
A big entrance welcomes you and you know- it ain’t that small. The fort is much bigger than it seems. As you enter the Fort, it suddenly dawns upon you that your surroundings are now different. The honking of cars has been replaced by the chirping of birds and call of peacocks. The hustle and bustle of the city is far away and you are in the lap of nature. There is a sense of calm all around. Just after entering, you see relics from the past- the vintage car of the
royals, a doli and old statues. After a huge tunnel like hallway you are inside the Fort.
You go back in time the moment you step inside a small room with old but fancy furniture, doors with carvings and inlay work, antiques and paintings. Overwhelming! This room overlooks the green mountains, the Aravallis. The room is attached to an open terrace with a lotus pond and a few chairs to enjoy the view. Sit there and relax. Your reverie of thoughts is stopped by screams echoing in the mountains. Well, these are screams of excitement and you know it's time to have some fun. Let the magic unfold.
Adventures at Neemrana 
Within Neemrana you have the option of zipping. After a few instructions, you go to
the top of the mountain, trekking all the way with your trainer. After a little bit more training and a gentle push, there you are, hanging in the air between two hills. You are gushing against
the wind, going from one peak to another. Down there, you see the village, the fort, the mountain and the trees. You are flying with the birds at your side. It is surely an experience. For more adventures, you can try the camel rides in the nearby hillocks.
Explore Neemrana
The fort is built on nine levels or sections, each having a different name and wide range of views. It is a 14th century fort. The place was ruled by Chauhans till India’s indepence in 1947. It got its name from a local chieftain named Nimola Meo. It turned into a heritage resort in 1986. Many royals have turned their forts and palaces into resorts, after India became a democratic country. This was a move to maintain these big palaces and have the money coming in. So did Neemrana. The staff at the palace told us that the royal family that owns this place lives abroad.
After becoming a resort, it welcomed people for marriages, functions, parties, honeymoon and holidaying. They organize marriages that can surely surprise you. For holidaying, go in winter when the sun is kind, that is from October to March. Staying here is quite affordable.You can even go and come back in a day.
Evenings at Neemrana
After you have had your share of adventures, go and relax by the pool. Enjoy the scenic beauty and munch on the snacks being served in silver cutlery by typical royal helpers in uniform with big moustaches. Watch the sun set behind the Aravallis, sipping wonderful coffee, listening to melodious folk music and enjoying the dance by folk dancers. Here, time stands still and royalty prevails.
Camping at Dum Duma Lake 
The routine life of office and home can get to you. When parties and dinners offer no respite and peace is what you seek, then Dum Duma Lake is just the place for you. Located near Gurgaon, Dum Duma lake is barely two hours from New Delhi. It offers a number of options such as camping, boating, rock climbing, para sailing, amidst jungles, at affordable prices.
Reaching the lake
Hop on a bike or get in the car and be ready to have a great time. As you leave New Delhi and cross the Gurgaon region, you see skyscrapers and tall buildings that tell the story of the country's development. Drive another ten minutes and you begin to see a steady contrast. The images of fast paced city life, from which you wanted respite, start to dwindle away and soon you feel you are in a small town out in the country. After a two hour drive, on the Delhi- Alwar highway, you see a sign that says "Dum Duma Lake", and you know the excitement is just around the corner.
Destination Dum Duma
Enter the village and you find fields, cows and goats, huts and people carrying wood to burn on their stoves. Two hours drive and you seem to have travelled back in time. After passing through villages and riding on mud tracks, you reach the lake. Around you are the Aravalli hill range, a jungle and the lake . Park your vehicle here and get on the boat. These boats take you to the camp site and are very safe. Row the boat yourself for a while, it's fun. The skill can be picked up easily.
In the Aravallis, you will spot villagers with their grazing goats, peacocks on the land, cranes on the lake, standing on one leg - fishing and seeming to keep an eye on you, and maybe a flying kingfisher to add to your delight. No honking of cars, just the chirping of birds and the noise the water makes when the oar hits the calm surface of the lake. Music to the ears. You don't want to talk, only listen to the silence. And soon, your boat reaches the bank. Go and unburden yourself in your cottage or camp. The facilities here are good.
Activities at the lake
So after a nap and lunch, gear up for some fun. Activities here, in and around Dum Duma Lake, include rowing, fishing, bird watching, nature walks in the nearby Aravalli mountain ranges, rock climbing, trekking , air rifle shooting, para sailing, Burma bridge, spider web, trampolin jump, zorbing, zig zag bars, barrel crossing, jumps, tarzan swings, fishing, flying trapeze, paint ball game and so on. So what's your pick?
One day and night at the camp along with these activities and food and drinks can cost you around four thousand rupees(around 40 dollars). You may have to make your own arrangements for activities like para sailing and zorbing, as they may not be available at your camp site.
Bonfire under the stars by the lake
The night here is equally exciting. The best time to visit the lake is from October to March as the temperature is cool. The sky is clear, unlike the city sky, and you enjoy seeing the stars. Set up a barbecue and make sumptuous tikkas, an Indian snack, yourself. Keep warm with a bonfire and drinks and in between, munch your snacks.
Well, if you have not planned any trip or party, you can plan your New Year here. The camp will have a DJ for your dance party, bonfire, snacks and drinks to welcome the New Year in a perfect way.
Calling it a day
Even when voices die down as people start returning to their tents, you may want to take a stroll and enjoy the silence of the night, all by yourself. Go for a walk, hear the animals calling in the jungle, see the trees silhouetted against the sky, feel the cold wind pinching your cheeks, and maybe you'll take a trip down memory lane. Only good memories will flash by. You will feel all rejuvenated and fresh. You have left the city's hustle and bustle far away. Enjoy and feel positive about life!
