By Aarushi Singhal
Living in Delhi, I always look forward to brief escapes from the busy routine, harsh weather, pollution and the humdrums of this citylife that I have grown to dislike. Luckily because of Delhi’s strategic location, a visit to the himalayas makes for the perfect escape in the summer where the air is cool and clean and you can enjoy long walks in the evening. I love the mountains and was so happy to learn that I was visiting The Whitepeaks over a long weekend with my mother.
Whitepeaks is tucked away high up in the mountains near Nainital but far from its hustle bustle, this homestay is perfect for those who want to look inward, catch up on their reading, enjoy home cooked food and leave feeling- rejuvenated. With serene atmosphere and green surroundings, it in an ideal getaway to slow down and spend time with your loved ones. Owned by a lovely couple from Delhi (Aparupa and Abhijit), the property is nestled amidst a thick oak forest in Gagar region of Uttarakhand.
Guests typically choose to come in for 3 nights so they get a chance to really decompress. The property is situated a 6-hour train journey from Delhi, followed by 2 hours car drive. While most people leave early in the morning, the vista of the snowcapped peaks will melt away your stress and you will feel inclined to go for a long walk. On your arrival, you will be greeted by Mohan, the caretaker who will make your stay as comfortable as possible. He is the best person to speak to for walking routes, your dietary requirements and if theres anything you need to make your stay more comfortable.
Curated beautifully with vintage pieces, this charming homestay is actually a self contained cottage. The entire property houses a living room, dining area, kitchen and a huge verandah on the ground floor and two bedrooms on the second floor with a small balcony offering the best views of the white Himalayan peaks. The view of the valley from the rooms is incredible. I am a morning person but I found I was waking up even earlier to the sound of the birds and with the first rays of the sun in the morning. Each nook and corner is thoughtfully curated with unique artefacts, wooden accents, small planters and the place gets a tonne of natural light. You will find a wide variety of books and I highly recommend you park yourself in the living room with a cup of tea and read in the afternoons. I would step out close to 4 and take a long walk with my mother before we head back for an early dinner. Please be mindful that the temperature does drop considerably after sunset so pack appropriately and carry a jacket and a shall. Its always a good time to visit but the summer is best because you get to escape the scorching heat of Delhi and I think I might be back during Diwali as well (well clad, of course).
The food here is all home cooked with a whole lot of love. They are generous with their portions and will do everything to take into account your preferences. Mohan is a passionate cook and is happy to rustle up something different, if you plan ahead of time. Typically speaking, breakfast is usually eggs any style, tea, poha or stuffed rotis. You can always ask for oatmeal or muesli with milk and take advantage of all the delicious fruit in the summer. For lunch and dinner, you can get chicken curry, paneer, dahi, fluffy rotis, pahadi veggies and rice, of course. Ask Mohan to cook according to your dietary preferences and he will take care of it. You won’t miss your home cooked food when you are staying at The Whitepeaks.
I highly recommend spending at least three nights at this cottage. Come here with your partner, your parents or alone, and “See you soon, Whitepeaks” is what you’ll think while leaving. You can choose to do nothing or go for trekking. If you are lucky enough, you might spot a leopard on your way. The bhutias around the area are loyal and friendly and will often accompany you on your evening walks to ensure you get home safe. Nainital is just one hour drive from this place, so you can spend a day being touristy as well. For an adrenaline rush, you can even choose to kayak at any one of the lakes around this area. Other places you can visit around the Whitepeaks are Binsar wildlife sanctuary, Naukuchiyatal, Pangot, Naina Devi, Bhimtal, Ramgarh and Ranikhet.
To sum-up, Whitepeaks is worth every penny you are paying for your stay. Set in a tranquil location, you can enjoy being in nature while having easy access to tourist destinations like Nainital, Almora, and Mukteshwar. You get the whole cottage to yourself which enables you to enjoy your staycation with an ample amount of privacy and comfort. All you pet lovers, you are also allowed to bring your dogs up to the mountains because the owners know how hard it can be to be away from your pets for too long. The Whitepeaks Homestay is for you if you embrace being in nature, travelling slow, spending time by yourself instead of the go-go-go life.
About the author:
I’m a 21-year-old girl who is obsessed with smoothie bowls, coconuts, face masks, spas, chasin’ my dreams, and travelling everywhere. I have to admit I haven’t been to many places but its safe to say that most of the places you’ve been dreaming of- will make it to my list. I am on my journey to converting to an organic and healthy lifestyle and I love to document my adventure and share what I find along the way through Instagram.When I’m not caught up in writing, you can find me in my kitchen trying out a healthy recipe, whipping up a face mask or a skin care recipe, gardening because that is my love or chilling somewhere in the mountains with my family.
