Remote & Heavenly Himalayas

Take the fast train to Kathgodam which takes about just under six hours from Delhi. Once you arrive, transfer to the boutique Sitla Estate rather than having to make a long drive all the way to Almora. Spend the next day on a short day walk around the estate.

Drive into the hills, and start your three-night walk. You will then begin walking from the village of Chitai – also famous for the Chitai temple (god of justice) for about two hours to reach your first village house in the small and sleepy town of Deora.   Later this evening, you may explore the village of Deora and familiarise yourself with the views and the faces of the local people. This will give you an insight into the rural lifestyle of the Kumaonis.

Set off from Deora and walk for about thirty minutes to the village of Chirala. Here you can visit the local school, and also the home of an interesting former army office. You’ll descend into the Shivalaya valley and it’s worth stopping at a ‘ghatt’ (water powered flour mill) Walk up the hill for twenty minutes to the road-head at Ka-Chula pool. Either take the car to the lunch spot followed by an easy thirty minute walk, or a longer hour and a half walk trekking all the way. After lunch, continue walking uphill through stunning rhododendron forests for around an hour and a half until you reach the lovely village of Jwalabanj.

After breakfast, walk downhill through the lush green terraced fields to the interesting Jageshwar Temple, constructed in the 8th century. Continue to your picnic lunch spot, located by a stream. It’s only then another hour of walking to the next village house, or you can opt for a longer three hour afternoon walk if you want to trek a little more.

Set off to Leti, located to the north of Almora, and in an area that simply sees no other tourists. It takes about six hours to drive there, along winding Himalayan roads that offer simply stunning views. Later that afternoon, take a cooking lesson with the head chef, learning a little about the local cuisine.

You have two full days at Leti, so you can do as little, or as much as you want to do. Guides and picnic hampers are at the ready for those who want to take day-walks, whilst the staff at 360 Leti are always there if you just want to sit on your terrace and enjoy the views, being constantly fuelled with tea, or a stronger tipple. The day walks are superb, and we can tailor a walk totally around how far you want to go.

Drive five hours south to Binsar, a wonderful wildlife sanctuary where you stay at Mary Budden Estate, a charming colonial bungalow that is now a boutique hotel. Spend the second day exploring the sanctuary with your guide, or just put your feet up.

Drive to Pantnagar which takes about four to five hours and fly to Delhi. Spend the afternoon close by in Gurgaon before flying home the next day.