Did you know that Old Monk was the brand leader till 2002, not only rum but the entire spirit business in India.Till date Old Monk is one of the top selling rums in India. A smooth dark coloured rum with a hint of vanilla, it has an alcohol content of 42%. Loved world wide, the Old Monk had been awarded a gold medal at Monde World Selections since 1982.
With the first drop of Old Monk Rum, stirs up the age old legend. Old Monk Rum is a form of the legendary ‘Som ras’ of India’s centuries old scriptures-The Drink of Gods and Lords of India.
Situated in a picturesque location of snow covered mountains with fresh spring water made Edward Dyer Father of Col dyer responsible for the Jaillian wala bagh masacre) to set up the first brewery in kasauli. This later came to be known as Dyer Breweries in the year 1820s. Kasauli Brewery is supposed to be the world’s highest distillery the Himalayas and happens to be the first distillery for Scotch Wiskey in Asia. The entire equipment for the unit was imported from England and Scotland and still being used in the distillery . Since fresh spring water was available in Kussowlie so Edward decided to set up his unit here. Primary reason for setting up the Brewrey unit was the climatic condition similar to scotland and a market sponsored by the British and civilians and the nearby consumer market. In the begining India Pale Ale and malt whisky were the first brands of the distillery. With the increase in population and lack of spring water supply the brewery to be shifted to Solan.
The main whisky brand was single malt SOLAN NUMBER 1 which was named after the Solan town. Solan No.1 was considered to be one of he top brands and the best selling whiskies in India but has declined due to the upcoming brands and competitors.
The Kasauli brewery launched Asia’s first beer, Lion, which was very poplar amongst the British rulers and troops stationed in the hot climate of India. The Kasauli brewery site was converted to a distillery, which is still operatational. later H G Meakin, moved to India and bought the Solan Breweries from Edward Dyer .
The wine barrels are stored in a cold storage in order to keep the temperature . Wine barrels are wrapped in gunny bags and constantly sprayed with water sprinklers.
Later Colonel V.R. Mohan took over as Managing Director. Later the manufacturing activities of the company were diversified into other fields including breakfast cereals, fruit juices and mineral water under the leadership of Brigadier (Dr.) Kapil Mohan . Subsequently the word brewery was dropped from the company name .
Today, Mohan Meakin’s principal brands are Old Monk Rum and Golden Eagle Beer. Its other products include Diplomat Deluxe, Colonel’s Special, Black Knight, Meakin 10,000 and Solan No 1 whiskies, Asia’s original beer, Lion, is still sold in northern India.
Geologists have discoverd a 25-million-year-old rock fossil of a palm tree in Kasauli town in Himachal Pradesh.
The 5.1 by 0.9 meter fossil was standing steadily on a sandstone rock in Jagjit Nagar, Kasauli.
A MUST TAKE AWAY HOME WHEN IN KASAULI
More importantly, Bhuira Jams was employing women who belonged to this village, empowering them to enhance their quality of life.
A small farm nestled in the peach orchards of Rajgarh Himachal Pradesh, a team local women make India’s best homemade Jams, marmalades, jellies and fruit crushes .Bhuira Jams unit was up started in the year 1999, by Linnet Mushran. She contributed towards women employment was recently felicitated by the PHD Family Welfare Foundation who awarded her with the prestigious ASTITVA SAMMAN in the year 2017. The main motive was of providing employment to the local ladies to be self dependent and developing fresh, handcrafted jams & jellies. It was started as a small kitchen operation in BHUIRA village today spans two registered units, employing over 100 local women, sourcing fruits directly from local farmers. Their products not only maintain all quality standards but they are the only brand in the Indian market with over 25 varieties that have won many hearts in India and around the world. This remarkable journey started a couple of years ago in the village of Bhuira (district Rajgarh, HP) . The women now handle over two production units, receive orders online, plan their production accordingly and make sure their stock gets to their customers on time. They save, send their children to school and are respected by their husbands. 
The Kasauli Literary festival also known as Khushwant Singh Literary Festival is organised in Kasauli every October. The KS Literary Festival seeks to impart the joy of learning through stories, through books, through real life experiences that impact the lives of people and to help the less fortunate.
The Khushwant Singh Literary Festival is possibly the only literary festival dedicated to a cause: the girl child and the ecology of Kasauli.
The Lawrence School , established in 1847, situated at a height of 1750 metres and spread over an area of 139 acres, heavily forested with pine, deodar and other conifer trees.It was founded by Sir Henry Lawrence, and his wife Honoria.On the 15th of April 1847, a group of 14 boys and girls camped at the top of the foothills of the Himalayas. They lived under canvas for some weeks anxiously waiting for the first buildings to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon. Sanawar is a co-educational boarding school, affiliated to CBSE and has students of varying backgrounds from different parts of the sub-continent. It provides an environment that encourages a questioning mind and gives students many avenues for expressing their creativity and building their skills.
Do you wana experience Kasauli hills, but you only have a short time to do that?Kasauli is perhaps the best supported hiking destination in the entire region. One can you enjoy drop-dead gorgeous mountain scenery without having to carry anything more than a light daypack. But in today’s busy schedule, where both vacation time and money are tight, travelers may prefer to spend a more limited time in the kasauli, choosing to go on day hikes instead. They’ll be able to enjoy the mountain scenery, waterfalls, wildlife, and wildflowers during the day, and still be back in town before sunset. Go on a day trip with an experienced multilingual hiking guide to explore the accessible and beautiful mountain ranges of Kasauli. Hills, streams, pine forests and vast wilderness are just some of the sights you could encounter on a multi-day walk in Kasauli. Not only will you be filled with the satisfaction after completing a challenging day trek, you’ll also have experienced some of the most spectacular unspoilt scenery that the woods of kasauli are famous for.
A one day long excursion and back in the evening. No experience necessary! Kasauli well-known as ‘The land of Gods or Dev Bhoomi’ – is an empyrean for the nature lovers and trekkers enthusiasts. The rugged beauty of these lofty Kasauli mountains allure the tourists from all over the globe.
Kasauli is known for its pleasant climate conditions for trekkers. It’s being easily approachable from the plains makes it an ideal getaway for the tourists and trekkers. It isn’t heavily crowded by the tourists so one can enjoy clean pollution free air .
Altitude sickness and acclimatisation
A rule in trekking is that you should not ascend more than 300 metres per day .
In trekking mountain altitudes are divided into three zones … high, very high and extreme.
High altitude 2400m to 4200m 2400m to 4200m
Very high altitude 4200m to 5400m
Extreme altitude above 5400m
AMS : Acute Mountain Sickness : During the treks it is likely that some people experience at least some form of mild altitude sickness. This is caused by the failure of the body to adapt to the reduced level of oxygen in the air at an increased altitude. There are many different symptoms but the most common are headaches, light headedness, nausea, loss of appetite and a mild swelling of the face, ankles and fingers.
The following steps are helpful in acclimatisation:
Water : An intake of 4 – 5 litres of water per day is recommended. Fluid intake improves blood circulation and other bodily functions, but does not increase fluid leakage from the body.
Slow Walk : Pace is a critical factor on all routes around kasauli. If there is a steep uphill climb then your breathing rate should be the similar to walking down hill. If you are not able to speak then you are walking too fast.
Small backpack: You’ll be carrying all your stuff on your back up and down the kasauli hils so the size, fit and comfort of your pack is important. Aim to carry a pack that is big enough to hold the essentials, yet not too big that it will weigh you down. Don’t forget to bring a rain cover to protect your backpack in storms.
Camera bag: If you’re carrying a DSLR camera and multiple lenses consider packing a separate camera bag to protect your gear and to allow you easy access to it.
Kasauli hills provides all types of exciting trek routes to the visitors from easy to strenuous.The kasauli hills offer the wonderful opportunities for the adventure-bugs and is full of enticing destinations for trekking.
Firstly: there is a walking track to suit everyone and high season for walking is from July through to April. Having born and brought up in Kasauli, I have a few personal favourites.
With many beautiful walking trails around kasauli, one can spend hours in the pine forests working up an appetite. The trek takes you through dense forests rich in flora and fauna and presents stunning views of the snow capped mountain ranges.
We customise trekking in kasauli as per your stamina and can pack you a picnic lunch as you set off for the day exploring.To discover the heart and soul of a place , there is no better way to do so than on foot.
We take you away from the noise and pollution of major roads and off beaten tourist tracks giving you insights into the rural way of life in local himachali villages around kasauli.
The trails go from easy to a challenging day hike. We can organise camping for you as well. Our popular treck is a day treck to broken bridge. We send our expert guides with you and by the time you are tired we serve hot lunch by the stream.
Our experience allows you the chance to appreciate and enjoy hiking in kasauli without any worry. We get you there and back, safely.
Local knowledge: I have extensive experience and training understanding the issues confronting the region, from fauna and flora.
We adapt to whatever you would like to accomplish. We can stop, we can turn around or take a different route. I respond to you, to make sure you are safe and happy.
I am responsible to you and to the environment. I care.
We know where to take you to get the most memorable hiking experience in the Kasauli region.