The Kumaon

Guests arrive at the main building of the property which features a minimalist lobby and a sweeping balcony where they can look out over the mountains. There’s a cosy fireplace and well-stocked library located here, as well as The Kumaon’s gourmet restaurant that features a cantilevered dining room offering magnificent Himalayan views.

Aside from the main building, there are 10 luxurious chalets set across five individual structures, with one chalets upstairs and another below. All of the chalets look out across the mountains and boast their own terraces and semi open-air bathrooms that are stocked with toiletries from an up-and-coming Indian brand. The suites are beautifully furnished and feature wood panelling in keeping with the natural beauty of the setting and the simplistic, yet luxurious ethos of the property.

We wanted to move away from the traditional facilities and services found in most of the Himalayan hotels and bring in elements of Kumaon culture and products. Our restaurant is very local and showcases traditional Kumaon dishes while all of the staff are from the nearby villages, although they’ve been trained by a professional hospitality manager from Delhi.

Adhering to our philosophy of providing a natural escape, guests have the option to just soak up the views from the terrace or settle in with a good book from the library, with a new spa in the works. We also offer lots of activities accompanied by local guides, such as village treks and wildlife sanctuary visits, or we can provide a driver and vehicle for you to plan your own excursions.

The Kumaon is very close to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary where guests can go in search of Himalayan gorals, musk deer and elusive leopards, as well as being on the doorstep of ancient temples dating back to the 12th century. There’s also the option to go on a guided walking tour through the surrounding rural landscapes and villages, which is a great way to get an insight into the local cultural traditions and customs of the Kumaon Hills.

Kasar Devi was visited by many artists and scholars, such as Bob Dylan, D.H. Lawrence and Swami Vivekananda (who meditated at the hilltop Kasar Devi Temple) and many people just like to experience what lured them here. Most of our guests come for a long weekend and stay two or three nights but we also have those that stay for much longer.