Almost Kasauli: 35 People, 1 Bus & A Hill Station Plot Twist

Every office group trip tells a story. Ours? It's a hilarious epic titled "Almost Kasauli"—because we planned a grand escape to the majestic Kasauli hills but ended up camping in Sanawar, a mere 6 km away. The moral of this story is simple: when you try to book hotels for 35 people at the last minute, the universe (and Kasauli's hoteliers) will laugh and tell you to find a tent. And so, our luxury offsite became a rustic adventure.

This is the chaotic, carb-loaded, and utterly unforgettable tale of our corporate offsite that proves sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you didn’t plan for.

The Great Escape: A Bollywood-on-Wheels Road Trip

The saga began on a Friday evening, with 35+ of us cramming into a rented bus. Imagine a school trip, but with adult money, questionable song choices, and a shared passion for snacking. Silence was a banned concept. We were on a weekend trip from Delhi, and our first mission was food.

First Pit Stop – The Paratha Pilgrimage: Our sacred journey began at Sukhdev Dhaba in Murthal. People who had spent the last month "dieting" were suddenly seen inhaling parathas drowned in butter, with the ferocity of a starved wolf.

Dinner & DJ: By the second stop at Dana Pani in Karnal, the onboard playlists had devolved from classic Bollywood to a random '90s mix. The bus was a moving dance floor, filled with laughter and the sound of our collective sanity slowly fading.

We finally reached Sanawar at 3 AM. Our "hotel check-in" had been downgraded to "pitching tents in the wild"—a plot twist worthy of a masala movie.

Our Himalayan Avengers: Survival in the Wild

We arrived expecting Swiss-style glamping. What we got was "rustic chic" with a heavy emphasis on rustic. We faced a trifecta of horror: dirty beds, no toilet paper, and far fewer rooms than promised. The trip organizer's excuses were so creative, they deserved a stand-up comedy award.

But here’s the best part of our office trip: our group transformed into a team of superheroes. Bedsheets were changed, water was arranged, and sleeping spots were negotiated with the efficiency of a military operation. I personally became the self-appointed "hotel inspector," offering critical commentary on the lack of amenities from a safe distance.

The Sleep-Deprived Superheroes: Night Treks & Morning Thrills

Who needs sleep on a trip? Not us. At 4:30 AM, we were outside a tent hilariously dubbed "Kutiya No. 6," experimenting with night photography. Someone, in a moment of sheer genius, declared, "Bro, these stars look like Wi-Fi signals."

By 5 AM, a car arrived with the latecomers, holding beer like Olympic torches. Within minutes, we were playing cricket in the dark. Injuries happened. Regrets? Absolutely none.

The Culinary Commando Mission: A Hunger Games Breakfast

Breakfast was promised at 7 AM. By 8:30, a hunger mutiny had begun. A rogue squad (including yours truly) embarked on a 2 km trek downhill, like hunter-gatherers of Himachal, in search of food. We returned triumphant, with boxes of hot pakoras and parathas, just as the camp staff finally started serving breakfast at 9. The lesson: always pack emergency snacks. Always.

Adventure & Philosophy: Finding Zen in Chaos

Despite running on nothing but caffeine and optimism, we bravely signed up for rappelling and flying fox.

Rappelling: "Just lean back," they said. My brain screamed, “This is where it ends.” My heart replied, “Do it for Instagram!”

Flying Fox: My sleep-deprived brain finally woke up as I zipped over the valley, screaming like a rollercoaster rookie. Worth it.

Afternoons were spent doing what all philosophers do: sitting under a hilltop shed with a cold beer, contemplating the meaning of life while enjoying the stunning Kasauli hills views.

The Final Chapter: Talents, Ghosts, and Goodbyes

As the evening set in, we transitioned into party mode. There were snacks, music, and an intense game of Musical Chairs, because nothing bonds adults like chasing plastic chairs to Bollywood beats.

Then came the night trek—to an eerie cemetery with graves of 213 children. It was a humbling and sobering moment, a quiet pause in our chaotic journey. We paid our respects and trekked back under torchlight, feeling like amateur ghost hunters.

Later, we held a round-table talent show, which is when we discovered that our colleagues were basically superheroes in disguise—a national-level shooter, a gold-medalist swimmer, a cricket champion. Who knew?

We finally dragged ourselves out of our tents at 4:30 AM, leaving at 5 AM sharp. The trip was a mix of organized chaos and spontaneous brilliance.

Key Takeaways from Our Memorable Corporate Offsite

Destination ≠ Experience: We missed Kasauli, but we gained an incredible story. The real adventure wasn't in the location but in our shared challenges and victories.

Good Company is Everything: With the right people, even a logistical nightmare becomes a festival of laughter. Our group travel proved that teamwork can solve anything, from dirty beds to a hunger crisis.

Adventure is a Great Wake-Up Call: Rappelling is more effective than any espresso shot.

The Travel Blogger's Guide to Kasauli & Sanawar

Planning your own Himachal Pradesh trip? Here are some quick, tips:

Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to November are perfect for pleasant weather and clear skies.

Things to Do: Explore the charming Mall Road, visit Christ Church, hike to Monkey Point, and of course, embrace the adventure sports like rappelling and flying fox.

Where to Stay: For a large corporate offsite, book your hotels or camps well in advance! For smaller groups, consider charming homestays in the hills.

Must-Try Food: Don’t miss the Himachali siddu, mountain pakoras, and the ever-satisfying parathas.

Our "Almost Kasauli" trip wasn't the perfect plan, but it was the perfect journey. It was a comedy-drama-adventure series starring 35 people, a bus, and the unbeatable Himalayas. It was, without a doubt, one of the most memorable trips of our lives.