Eagles Nest Dharamshala has emerged as a distinctive mountain retreat, offering travellers an immersive experience in the serene Himalayan foothills. Located in Upper Dharamkot near McLeodGanj, the property is spread across two square kilometres of cedar, oak and rhododendron forests, standing at an elevation of 7,381 feet and overlooking the Kangra Valley and the revered temple of the Dalai Lama.

With the snow-clad Dhauladhar mountain range forming a dramatic backdrop, Eagles Nest offers uninterrupted views from its gardens and living spaces. Designed for travellers seeking calm, connection and nature-led experiences, the retreat serves as an ideal base for centre-based trekking, forest trail walks, bird-watching, horse riding and exploring local attractions. It also caters to guests interested in yoga, meditation, spiritual learning and quiet retreats.

The 17-room property reflects warm wooden charm with earthy colour palettes and a minimalistic design approach. Large glass panes allow natural light to flow in while opening the rooms to the surrounding landscapes. A welcoming atrium lobby with a double-height skylight and thoughtfully curated interiors enhances the sense of openness and comfort.

Rooms ranging from 320 square feet and suites extending beyond 400 square feet are designed for relaxed living. Each room is equipped with comfortable bedding options, electric blankets, writing desks, tea and coffee makers, heating radiators and modern amenities. Private sit-outs or balconies provide an intimate space to enjoy clear views of the snow-covered mountain range.

Common spaces at Eagles Nest encourage interaction and reflection. The ‘Den’, a fireplace lounge with a wall of books, and ‘Bonhomie’, a private dining hall, offer inviting settings for conversations and shared experiences. The property’s kitchen, supported by a skilled culinary team, serves Himachali specialities alongside select Indian and global dishes, using fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

The outdoor spaces include landscaped lawns, walking trails, colourful flower beds and a greenhouse dedicated to organic cultivation. Sustainability remains central to the retreat, with its own spring water source, rainwater harvesting systems and a strong focus on local produce.

Wellness is deeply woven into the Eagles Nest experience. Guests can practice yoga at ‘The Deck’, enjoy bonfire evenings under the stars, sip tea at ‘The Point’ with valley views, or find solitude in the dedicated Meditation Zone. The retreat also features ‘Balance’, a yoga room accommodating up to eighteen participants, and ‘Elevate’, a spa with a sauna room designed for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Adventure and leisure blend seamlessly with ‘The Barn’, which houses horses for guided forest trail rides, and trained local staff who curate personalised trekking experiences. Additional indoor spaces offer opportunities for reading, games, casual meetings and quiet relaxation.

Managed by Aashvim Hospitality Services under its BookMark Hotels portfolio, Eagles Nest Dharamshala positions itself as a refined yet soulful destination where guests are invited to breathe deeply, behold nature’s beauty and truly belong.

India is set to mark a major milestone in its transport infrastructure with the launch of its first bullet train, as confirmed by Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw. The high-speed rail service will initially operate on the Surat–Bilimora section, with the entire Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor expected to become fully operational by 2029.

The project, developed in collaboration with Japan, is progressing in phases. Following the opening of the Surat–Bilimora stretch, services will gradually expand to cover Vapi–Surat, Vapi–Ahmedabad, and Thane–Ahmedabad sections, before completing the full Mumbai–Ahmedabad route.

“The bullet train will be ready in 2027, August 15th, 2027,” said Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting the government’s commitment to delivering India’s first high-speed rail service.

The 508-kilometre Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is designed to operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities to just over two hours. The corridor will feature 12 stations, with Sabarmati serving as the terminal station in Gujarat and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) as the Mumbai terminal. Three depots are also under construction to support operations.

The route passes through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, with construction work progressing simultaneously across viaducts, bridges, tunnels, stations, and electrification systems. Officials have confirmed that a substantial portion of the viaduct work has already been completed, while land acquisition and station construction are advancing steadily.

The project recently achieved a significant milestone with the completion of its first mountain tunnel, marking an important step forward in the corridor’s development. The high-speed rail system will integrate Japan’s Shinkansen standards with Indian engineering expertise, ensuring advanced safety and operational reliability.

Once fully operational, the bullet train is expected to boost regional economies, strengthen inter-city connectivity, and position India among countries with advanced high-speed rail networks. The government has also indicated plans to develop additional high-speed rail corridors in the future.

In addition to the bullet train project, the Railway Minister announced the upcoming launch of India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train, further expanding the country’s modern rail offerings.

“For the bullet train ... you can buy a ticket now itself, as it will be operational by 2027,” he added, in a light-hearted remark.

As the year comes to a close, Uttarakhand’s popular hill stations are preparing for a strong New Year travel rush, with hotels across Mussoorie, Nainital, and several Kumaon towns reporting brisk bookings and expectations of near-full occupancy.

In Mussoorie, hotel occupancy has already crossed 60 percent, with hoteliers confident of a full house by New Year celebrations, driven largely by last-minute travellers. Sanjay Aggarwal, President of the Mussoorie Hotel Association, said the town traditionally sees a surge of walk-in guests during this period, with heavy occupancy expected to continue for several days.

Nainital is also witnessing a strong inflow, with nearly 70 percent of hotel rooms already booked and the remaining inventory expected to be filled shortly. Digvijay Bisht, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Nainital, said year-end travel is at its peak and hotels are preparing for a complete sell-out.

Smaller hill towns in Kumaon are seeing even sharper demand. In Munsyari, located in Pithoragarh district, all hotels and homestays are fully booked for the New Year. According to Puran Pande, President of the Munsyari Hotel Association, pleasant weather conditions compared to dense fog and cold in the plains are attracting visitors. Chaukori is also nearing full capacity, with Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam officials confirming that most rooms at their guest house have already been booked.

Hotels in Mussoorie and Nainital have enhanced festive preparations, decorating properties and offering New Year packages that include live music, gala dinners, and cultural programmes. Several hotels in Nainital have lined up Kumaoni cultural performances to add a local flavour to the celebrations.

The anticipated tourist surge has prompted heightened vigilance from the district administration and police, particularly in Nainital. Traffic diversion plans have been implemented to prevent congestion at key entry points, while tourists have been advised to use designated parking areas and shuttle services. Hoteliers have also been directed to display room rates clearly to prevent overcharging.

Kumaon Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister, Deepak Rawat, has instructed officials to strengthen traffic management and public safety measures across the region. Joint enforcement teams from police, revenue, transport, and excise departments have been directed to conduct checks to curb overloading, overspeeding, and drunken driving. He also ordered the removal of vehicles parked along roadsides to reduce accident risks amid foggy conditions.

Meanwhile, traffic congestion remains a concern on the Mussoorie–Dehradun route due to restricted movement on a temporary Bailey bridge, where vehicles face delays during peak tourist hours. Tourist movement is also expected to coincide with religious travel, with authorities in Champawat making special arrangements at the Purnagiri Temple to manage increased footfall during the New Year period.