Activities
Picnics
A guided walk along mountain trails and virgin pine forests leads to a beautiful picnic site with 180-degree views of Chandigarh and the Punjab plains. The spot which is level ground has a lone pine tree in the middle throwing natural shade from the direct sun. A curated picnic menu with refreshments is carried from the resort in picnic baskets and elegantly laid out to satiate hunger pangs post the trek. Dhurries, cushions and bolsters form comfortable seating arrangements to further enhance the experience of a five-star picnic. Relax, play board games or cards, listen to music and just soak in the views and weather, before returning back to the resort on foot, or alternately, drive back for the less energetic.
Duration: Round trip, 4-5 hours, the trek takes 1.25 hours and approx 2 Km’s distance (one way)
Price: Rs. 3,500/- for the picnic arrangements, set up and man power.
Beginner Trek
Beginners looking for basic treks are common, since everyone needs a start. There is no better way to connect with nature than to hit the simple walking trails around our property. The mysticism of the hills, the excitement of the unknown, and the joy of being in rarefied and clean air make this activity appealing to one and all. Starting right at our gate and around the property, we have a ‘beginners’ level trail waiting to be traversed for the uninitiated. It is a self-guided walk with an abundance of birds, flora & fauna waiting to be spotted.
Approximate walking time: 45 minutes
Distance: 1.00 to 1.25 KM
Intermediate Trek
For the more energetic and fitness-conscious, we have intermediate-level hiking trails, with gentle to moderate gradients. These trails meander through dense pine forests, lush vegetation and stunning flora. Along the route, the avid bird watcher has every opportunity to spot some rare birds like the plum-headed parakeet and the kaleej pheasant, amongst others to which the Himalayas are home. The trails open to picturesque sunny and shady picnic spots, offering breathing views of the plains on one side and snow-capped ranges on the other.
Approximate walking time: 90-120 minutes
Distance: 2.0 to 2.5 KM
Advanced Trek
Not for the faint-hearted, this walk requires decent to a good level of fitness. The price for a strenuous trek is paid in sweat and toil. This trail has periodic assents, so it’s ardours and requires some will power to complete what you set out to do. In return, you get untouched, pristine and jaw-dropping scenery of the surrounding vistas. We recommend you check with our resort guide its intensity and degree of difficulty before opting for the challenge. It is recommended to carry energy boosting snacks to keep the body and mind invigorated.
Approximate walking time: 180 – 240 minutes
Distance: 7–8 Km’s with moderate to steep ascents
in intervals of 30–40 mins
Birdwatching
The Kasauli hills have diverse avifauna. While India has over 1200 species of birds, the Kasauli hills have almost 100 different species. The birds belong to 9 orders and 26 families. The 12 most common species spotted year-round are Rock Pigeon, Spotted Dove, Black Kite, Large-billed Crow, Blue Whistling Thrush, Grey Bushchat, Cinereous Tit, Himalayan Bulbul, Red Vented Bulbul, Oriental White Eye, Grey-hooded Warbler and House Sparrow.
If you are an avid birder, lady luck would help in spotting the Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Rufous Turtle Dove, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Speckled Piculet, Black-Chinned Babbler, Verditer Flycatcher and the Red and Yellow-billed Magpie. The stars of Kasauli hills, with their vibrant colours are the Red-billed Leiothrix, Blue-throated Barbet, Plum-headed Parakeet, Common Rosefinch, Long-tailed Minivet and Indian Golden Oriole.
Keep your binoculars and cameras out (we provide a set of binoculars) and your walking shoes on to spot some of the exotic varieties mentioned. You may sight these either on a solo walk, or guided by a specialist in bird watching (depends on availability). To recognise the abundance of birds around our resort, we have created a brochure to help identify your sightings.
Duration: You may pace yourself as there are an abundance of birds all around the resort
Price: Guided walk (Rs. 3,000/- depending on availability)
Any limitation:The best time of the year for bird watching is October to early May
Yoga & Meditation
The following forms of yoga are offered :
Hatha Yoga Hatha Yoga involves the practice of physical postures in conjunction with an awareness of breath to help developmental focus and to connect the mind, body, and spirit. This Yoga practice can improve strength, flexibility and balance; reduce stress and provide many therapeutic benefits.
Power Yoga is a general term used to describe a vigorous, fitness-based approach to vinyasa-style of yoga. Power yoga enhances stamina, flexibility, posture and mental focus. Like all physical activities, it also relieves tension and releases toxins through sweat.
Pranayama Yoga It is an integral aspect of yoga, often incorporated into asana practice, or used as a preliminary step for meditation; connecting your mind and body. The practice of pranayama involves breathing exercises and patterns, which improve sleep quality, reduce stress, increase mindfulness and control blood pressure.
Meditation is the continuous process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. Meditation, which is the practice of focused concentration, brings you back to the ‘moment’ time and again. It addresses stress, whether positive or negative, reduces chronic pain, depression, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Duration: Available from Friday evening to Sunday morning 8:30 AM and 6:30 PM for one hour
Price: Complimentary
Any limitation: To be performed under doctors advice, but basic and intermediary yoga asana’s are followed and practiced
Board Games
To occupy your time in the evenings, or if you prefer staying in during the day, we have some fun and interesting board games to choose from. If exercising the mind is what you would like, or prefer having a few laughs and sharing some banter within the group, we have a selection of games to pick from. We also offer playing cards for the bridge and rummy enthusiasts.
Duration: Available in the privacy of your rooms or the recreational room.
Price: Complimentary
Any limitation: To sign in of all items before and after play
Social Responsibility Initiatives
In our small and conscious way, the 7 Pines family are custodians of taking small steps that works for the welfare of the area and its community. Responsible choices in our day to day living, has furthered our resolve to involve the community in building awareness and to recognise that our earth is fragile and an increased consciousness for its longevity and sustainability is our moral and social responsibility.
In sending out a message of creating a meaningful impact on the environment and community, regular tree planting and garbage collection drives are undertaken with the youth of nearby villages.
Indoor and Outdoor Games
Table Tennis, Fooseball and Pool are available in our recreational room.
Price: Complimentary
To sign in of all items before and after play
Library
The library is available in our recreational room with an array of books and magazines to choose from.
Price: Complimentary
To sign in of all items before and after play
Winter Bonfires
Bonfires for groups and couples are available and advisable from October to March.
Duration: In the evenings from 19:00–23:00 Hrs
Price: Rs. 1,000/hour
Please contact the service team for assistance
Visit to an Organic Farm
A visit to the “Nurtured By Nature” (NbyN) farm, takes you on a journey of an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. The key focus is to build a model of farming based on organic and natural agriculture, value-added food processing, water harvesting, afforestation, eliminating harmful chemicals used in households, reducing & managing usage of plastics and so on.
Duration: One Hour and Fifteen minutes driving time each way and approx. 4-6 hours at the farm, depending on the activity selected
Price: Rs. 2,000/- per adult and Rs. 1500/- per child
under 16. Please contact the reception for assistance
Other Activities
- • Live Music Performances (chargeable)
- • Cooking classes (complimentary)
- • Kasauli Walking Tours (chargeable)
- • Badminton (complimentary)