Damdama Lake — Attraction in Gurugram District

Okay its a mixed review. We had visited Damdama earlier in 2019 during winters but it was completely dry and we came back disappointed. Last month we got to know that the lake is now full of water, so we decided to visit. The lake looks very nice with water and should ideally be a good place to spend some quality time.

However, the locals made our experience scary and we had to return with fear they would attack us. When we reached, we parked our car near the embankment and walked down to near the shore. The view is amazing with a nice breeze flowing.

But soon after, trouble started. Some kids were practicing rowing in the lake, while sat near the shore. After around 10mins, their coach started shouting at us that we should leave and made some crass comments in broken English. We are a couple and were just enjoying the view. Then a few ladies came and said the coach sir is asking to leave. Upon enquiry they said kids will have a bad impression seeing a couple. Then they went ahead to say that there are girls practising and we should not see them. (Now Haryana is know for its girl athletes but with this attitude, how will they excel in sports.) They even said "you are outsiders, why to invite trouble". When we said we are from gurgaon, they wanted to know our address. Anyways, realising that it may not be wise to stay any longer, we walked back to our car.

We had the shock of our life, when a guy approached saying this is wrong parking and we need to pay challan. He said he is from MCG. We said MCG does not charge challans and even if that is the case, please book it online and we will pay. Then he literally said its not challan..its "HAFTA..IF YOU HAVE VISITED OUR VILLAGE YOU HAVE TO PAY HAFTA". We quietly sat in the car to leave the place. He started knocking on the window and threatened to break it with a stone. Giving no reaction at all, we simply started the car and left the place..terrified. It was almost 5pm and we were worried that there might be trouble. Nonetheless, we did not encounter anything else on the way.

It was a surprisingly scary experience for us, especially since we have visited many more such village areas in Alwar, Nuh, Palwal etc but never faced such a thing.

So overall, a nice place that could become a good picnic spot but beware of...

Damdama Lake is a popular weekend getaway destination near Delhi, located in Sohna, Gurugram district, Haryana, India. It is situated approximately 60 kilometers from I.T.O. Delhi, making it a convenient and accessible spot for a day trip or a night stay.

Key Features

Boating and adventure sports: Enjoy row boating, paddle boating, or motor boating on the lake, as well as activities like rock climbing, zip lining, commando net, Burma bridge, cat walk, and trekking. Birdwatching and nature walks: The lake is a natural habitat for over 190 species of birds, including migratory and local species, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Picnics and family outings: Carry a picnic basket and enjoy the serene surroundings, or opt for a day picnic package with meals and activities. Conference and team-building facilities: The Saras Resort offers an air-conditioned conference hall and obstacle courses for corporate events and team-building exercises. Accommodation: Choose from lake-facing AC rooms or non-lake-facing rooms at the Saras Resort, with options for meals and activities.

Timings and Entry Fee

Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Entry Fee: Free

Restrictions

No alcohol allowed No plastic items allowed

Best Time to Visit

October to March (late summers and monsoons) for a pleasant climate Avoid summers (April to June) due to high temperatures and reduced water levels

Getting There

Road map: Delhi Dhaula Kuan International Airport Gurgaon Iffco Chowk Rajeev Chowk Left Turn from exit no 10 of express highway Sohna Road 14 km approx Bhondasi, Left Turn [Damdama Tourist Complex Road] 10 km approx Left Turn Damdama Lake

Address: Damdama Lake, Sohna, Gurugram district, Haryana, India

Rating

2.5/5 (based on 341 reviews on Tripadvisor)

Note: The lake's water levels may vary depending on the season, and the area is awaiting a government-sponsored renewal process. However, the scenic beauty and adventure activities make it a popular destination for a day trip or...

Damdama lake used to be a very commonly frequented place to spend the weekend with family, although that time the activities available seemed justified with the surrounding, location etc. 15 years back, the lake area was a bit larger with ample water and larger area to go boating. But now, there's hardly any water. Sure, it may get better with monsoon, but the lake and area is not maintained. The rides and camel ride area is now moved towards the entry of the lake, next to restaurant/room entry. Decent parking space available, @20/40₹ I guess. Camel ride is for 200 for maybe 5-7 min ride (we were 2 adults and a child). Normal swing ride was around ₹100. There's an ice cream stall and a bhutta stall. Roughly a minimum of 1000₹ can be spent in an hour's time without knowing!!! The food and service inside the restaurant is decent, the seating and toilets are clean. Restaurant is properly air conditioned. You can try tea and pakodas, they justify the cost and quality to an extent. To my surprise, they even serve beer. Boating was nice as the weather was pleasant too. Charge was 50₹/person for the big boat driven by oars by the boatsman, for approx 20 min, for a round of the lake. Lake water is quite dirty. All in all, you can skip this place to rather have a nice lunch or maybe go to Delhi and explore some picnic spots. Gurgaon doesn't seem to have any good spots I feel. Although we can spend 2-3 hours on any random weekend, when you can't seem to think of any place. The stretch of 4-5 km once you enter from the highway is bad, roads are not in...