Boutique Accommodations to Really Get Away From it All in the Himalayas
The Himalayas are a popular place
to relax and unwind in fresh mountain air. These 10 boutique Himalayan
village getaways will take you off the beaten track and away from the
crowds. They offer a range of activities for enjoying the great
outdoors. Some have cottages with multiple bedrooms, making them the
perfect escape for groups of friends or families.
If you're wanting to pamper yourself in the Himalayas, you might also be interested in these 10 Top Himalayan Spa Resorts.
If you're wanting to pamper yourself in the Himalayas, you might also be interested in these 10 Top Himalayan Spa Resorts.
1. Soulitude in the Himalayas, Ramgarh (near Nainital)
Evocatively named Soulitude nourishes the soul with abundant
tranquility, mesmerizing views, and scrumptious cuisine prepared with
ingredients from the organic orchard. Perched on a quiet hillside, it
has 10 rooms and suites. Choose the rustic style Bliss suite, with
fireplace, sunken bathtub, and skylights for stargazing. Or, if you
prefer extra privacy, the Nirvana suite has its own entrance away from
the main building. A day trip to Soulitude by the Riverside (a 45
minutes drive from Ramgarh, followed by a 30 minute hike through a tiny
mountain village) is highly recommended. This restored rural home,
adjoining a glacial stream and natural rock pool, also offers two
bedrooms for guests who wish to stay there.
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Shakti 360 Degrees Leti
2. Shakti 360 Degrees Leti, Bageshwar District (Kumaon Region)
Shakti 360 Degrees Leti is truly off the beaten track -- it's
situated high on a ridge almost in the middle of nowhere and used to be
only accessible on foot, although recent development has seen the
construction of a road nearby. To get there, it's a four hour drive
north of Almora in Uttarakhand. Accommodations are provided in four
luxury cottages and meals are cook by a resident chef. Stay in the
Hiramony cottage for a view of snowy peaks. Gola, the second best
choice, has superb mountain and valley views. Shakti Himalaya also offer
Kumaon village experiences that enable visitors to experience village
life in the little known Kumaon region. Visits to local schools,
temples, and markets unravel the culture of the region. (Note: The hotel
and village walks are operational seasonally, from around October to
April depending on weather conditions).
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3. Dunagiri Retreat, Ranikhet
Dunagiri Retreat is more than just a tranquil getaway. It's a
nurturing place for spiritual seekers, artists, poets, writers, and
nature lovers in a center of deep spiritual energy. Dunagiri has been
the meditation spot of many realized souls, and several sages of ancient
India had their ashrams and hermitages there. Dunagiri is also the
birthplace of Kriya Yoga. Swami Yogananda Paramhansa gives a vivid
account of this in his famous book, An Autobiography of a Yogi.
The accommodations at Dunagiri Retreat are provided in four lovingly
restored houses, with a total of 11 rooms. All buildings have a view of
the cave where Mahavatar Babaji, of Kriya Yoga, mediated for thousands
of years and initiated his first disciple. Fresh organic vegetarian
cuisine is served. Dunagiri Retreat conducts various focus tours as
well, with themes such as photography, cultural heritage, yoga and
spirituality, and arts.
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Read Review4. Te Aroha, Mukteshwar
Te Aroha is an inspiring example of someone following their
passion and turning dream into reality. A Colonial style summer house
converted into a boutique hotel, its apt name is derived from the
indigenous maoris of New Zealand and means mountain of love. There
certainly has been a lot of love put into handcrafting the exceptional
Te Aroha experience. The owner is a collector of antiques and this is
reflected throughout the house and in the quirky Flashback Cafe, where
treasures and memorabilia from all over the world are on display. Te
Aroha also has the first spa of its kind in the Kumaon region. You can
go on picnics, treks, bicycle rides, play games, or simply relax with a
book from the library. For real indulgence, the sprawling Master Bedroom
suite, in the old wing of the original summer house, has a 19th century
king size bed, living room with spellbinding views, study, and private
garden.
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5. Itmenaan Estate, Almora District
The picture perfect Itmenaan Estate is located on 10 acres of forest, with fields full of seasonal produce and a small private natural spring. Guest accommodations are provided in a 100 year old traditional Kumaoni style house, made out of stone and painstakingly restored. It has three bedrooms, all with attached bathrooms and daybeds by the window so you can relax and soak up the endless mountain views. If you want to get active, you can choose from activities including village walks to share tea with the locals, hiking, and farming and gardening on the property. Itmenaan Estate is located 10 minutes from the road, however if you're after a getaway that's more intimate than this, Itmenaan Private Retreats has two remote and exclusive cottages on offer in the Kumaon Himalayas. More »
6. Rainforest House, Rishikesh
Rainforest House, run by an Englishman an his Indian wife, is an absolute haven on the northern outskirts of Rishikesh. The guesthouse is tucked away in a valley on the banks of the river, near a small beach. It's perfect for anyone who wants to get away from it all. You can be at one with nature, meditate, swim, or even go white water rafting. There are a couple of things to keep in mind if staying at this place though. It requires a 100 meter walk down a sometimes steep path to reach it, and alcohol isn't permitted on the premises. A minimum two night stay is required. More »
7. Norwood Green, Palampur (Kangra District)
The four modern, architecturally designed cottages at Norwood
Green are nestled in the gardens of Bundla Tea Estate. Each has four
bedrooms, dining room, lounge, kitchen, and rear garden over looking the
tea plantation and mountains. Guest needs are looked after by personal
chefs and butlers, with food prepared according to individual
requirements. Walks through the tea gardens, bicycling, fishing,
trekking, golf, pottery, yoga, and paragliding are some of the
activities that are possible. The nearby sleepy artist village of
Andretta also has many craft shops and art galleries.
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8. Aamod at Ala, Dalhousie
Aamod, perched on a mountain ridge adjoining Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, has 15 eco friendly, luxurious mud cottages. Decorated in rustic but modern style, they all have spacious balconies or large panoramic windows with views of the snow clad Pir Panjal range. Aamod is renowned for its restaurant named "The Colonel" -- it's one of the finest in the region. The highlights are the local Himachali specials and the festive meal, Dhaam, served in true traditional style! Or if you'd prefer to dine somewhere different, similar to Aamod at Shoghi, the staff will set up a table anywhere on the property including in the forest under the stars. More »
9. Kalmatia Sangam Resort, Almora District
Kalmatia Sangam Resort, with 10 British colonial style cottages,
is another boutique Himalayan resort that harks back to the Colonial
era. Perched on the hillside seven kilometers north of Almora on the
periphery of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, it has an eco friendly focus and
has developed into a destination for yoga, meditation, birding, and
village walks lead by local guides. Massages and reflexology are also
available on request from the resident therapist. World cuisine food is
organic and locally sourced.
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10. Homestays in the Himalayas
India Untravelled, which specializes in offbeat getaways in rural
India, has come up with a "Homestays in the Himalayas" trail. Its four
destinations are not too far from the popular
Shimla–Manali–Dharamsala–Chandigarh circuit, yet far enough to let you
soak in the countryside. The trail starts with an artistic homestay in a
quiet neighborhood of Shimla and continues at a heritage British villa
amidst apple and kiwi orchards in Raison village near Manali. Next,
unwind at a 150 year old tea estate in Darang, in the Kangra valley, and
end your journey by the banks of the Sutlej River in one of Punjab's
last standing imperial forts. Each homestay is steeped in history and
provides quality accommodations. However, the highlight is being able to
interact with the hosts and gain valuable insights into local life.
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Uttarakhand Travel Guide -Planning to take a Uttarakhand Tour-
Call -Maa vashno Tourist Guide,Email: suresh.himalaya1988@gmail.com
Call-+91-9058913568
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