Jhaltola, a 1000 acre Offbeat Destination between Chaukori and Patal Bhuvaneshwar
Jhaltola, an erstwhile tea estate and apple orchard, is a blissful, secluded & protected 1000 acres of Himalayan wilderness, right in the heart of a reserve forest. It is located in Upper Kumaon, 100 kms further North of Binsar, right between Chaukori and Patal Bhuvaneshwar, and about 110 kms short of Munsyari. The unique location gives it a stunning Himalayan vista stretching from Hathi paravat in Garhwal Himalaya to Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Mrigthugni, Maiktoli, Chiringwe, Rajrambha, Panchchuli in Kumaon Himalaya, and Api & Nampha Himal in Nepal. The distance from the nearest railhead, Kathgodam, is 190 kms/ 7 hours, and distance from Delhi NCR is a little under 500 kms/ 13 hours. It is remote and a little off the tourist map, which makes it one of the very few destinations in Kumaon which is absolutely untouched by mass tourism. Once you reach, you will enter a cocoon of silence. The sheer space - a 1000 acres of solitude with stunning Himalayan vistas, is a haven for wild life enthusiasts, birders, Himalaya lovers, and offbeat travellers. Jhaltola is a world in itself; a truly offbeat destination; and a sanctuary for tired souls. Make it your next travel destination if you want to experience the best that Kumaon has to offer- absolutely untouched and pristine natural beauty!
Misty Mountains, Jhaltola - a place to enjoy stunning Himalayan vistas in Upper Kumaon.
Jhaltola houses The Misty Mountains Retreat - a collection of suites and cottages spread over a few acres. The uniqueness of the place is in the sheer space that the privately owned estate controls. It is flanked on 3 sides by rich evergreen forests, and face one of the widest perspectives of Himalayas that you can hope to see anywhere. Misty Mountains, Jhaltola, is the labour of love of host owners Ambika and Madhur. They ran it like an extended homestay for a decade and a half. Life has taken them to Haldwani, closer to their families for a few years. They keep visiting every now and then and Misty is still run with the same warmth and ethos by the very capable misty team. The accommodation is comfortable, the food nostalgic of our childhoods, and the staff - genuinely warm Pahari folks. You can experience a slower way of life for a few days and be hooked on forever.
The Stay @ Misty mountains - what to expect
Being at Misty Mountains is like being at your home in the hills. The setting is informal and spacious, the food home like fresh and sumptuous, and the accommodation clean and comfortable, with just a little dose of quirky. Accommodation options - 1. There are 4 Rosevilla suites ( 350 square feet approx , each can host 2 adults and upto 2 kids). These have a large bedroom , ensuite bath, separate bunk beds for kids, and a shared garden. 2. The premium category has 2 Oak suites (500 square feet each, can host two adults and upto 2 kids). These have a large bedroom, ensuite bath, bay windows with sit in space, attic room with twin beds, and a small private deck. 3. Rosebank Cottage (400 sq ft, can host two adults and upto 2 kids) - This is one of its kind with a quirky round bedroom with bay windows, a mezzanine floor with twin beds, and a small garden. 4. The last is a budget category for bigger families (700 sq ft can house 4 adults and 2 kids). Each of the two family cottages have two small bedrooms with ensuite baths, and a large living room alongwith with extra beds for kids.
The experience - things to do @ Misty
The Misty experience is slow and immersive. An ideal stay would be between 3 and 5 days, although you can stay for weeks if you enjoy the slow mountain life. During mornings and early evenings, we organize walks and hikes within the 1000 acre campus and surrounding villages. These vary between short 30 minute walks to 2 hour hikes. You can even have your very own picnic deep in the forests. Evenings can be spent enjoying a bonfire or chilling at our 3000 sq ft activity center with board games, table tennis and a small library. For sight - seeing, one can visit the famous Patal Bhuvaneshwar caves and Gangolihat Kalika temple, drive upto the Ramganga river @ Thal, and witness the brilliant work of a local NGO @ Aavni to pickup some amazing handloom products from them. Other activities include Birding (130 recorded species within the campus), Star Gazing ( there is minimum light pollution in this remote area and it is a Grade 3 sky), and mountain photography.