good for you

This delightful 19th century retreat is tucked among the terraced wheat fields of Kumoan - a verdant corner of the west central Himalayas, with valleys hiding rustic stone villages, their dirt roads lined with walnut and pomegranate trees. Blessed with the most captivating views of the Himalayas, take a rest here at one of Kalmatia Sangam's cosy cottages scattered throughout the estate - whether that be a rest from daily life or a few days recuperating from a Himalayan trek. Or use the eco-retreat as a base for exploring the area, trekking through the pine forest, past tumbling waterfalls and tiny temples, all set against the backdrop of the snowcapped peaks of some of the world's highest mountains.

good for india

Owned by a German / Indian couple, the cottages were built without logging or clearing and the restaurant's food is all organic and locally sourced. The resort's village trek is an example of low-impact, eco-friendly tourism (limited to four trekkers at once) that brings you into the homes of the friendly Pahari mountain community.

Rooms

Food

The restaurant "Sangam" a place for guests to meet and mingle with their friendly hosts. Beautiful, cedar-clad pillars, warm terracotta tile flooring, uniquely designed mosaic tile tables, wrought iron chairs with upholstery to match and a bright stone fireplace all invite guests to linger.

Local ingredients are harvested from the surrounding terraces, which grow organic wheat and vegetables, and purchased in the nearby villages. Herbs come from the resort's own garden.

The menu features a range of dishes, from authentic European cuisine to Indian vegetarian and meat dishes. Chef Dhiren's specialty is the warming mountain food of the area, which includes rotis, lentils, rice and aromatic curries. Exotic local ingredients are used to create innovative flavours - boiled petals of rhododendron flowers provide a delightful base for drinks, deserts and jellies. The highly prized Chanterelle mushroom (a delicacy in Europe) is harvested during the monsoon from

the nearby forests and used for pizzas, pasta, sauces and soups throughout the year. The bread and cakes are all freshly baked.

You can sit indoors or outdoors on the terrace overlooking the deep valleys, forests and villages, and of course the mighty Himalayas towering above.

Paintings by local and foreign artists are hung in the restaurant and are for sale.

Breakfast $6.75, lunch $11.25, dinner $13.50 (prices are approximate).

Features & Facilities

• The main hotel dates from 1867 and is built in the British colonial style. More recently built cottages are built in the Kumaoni style and are heated throughout winter.
• Yoga, reflexology and meditation can all be enjoyed on a special terrace at the retreat.
• The resort has a library of books (fiction and factual literature on Kumaon, its local temples, meditation, mountaineering etc.), and music cassettes ranging from Western to Indian classical and meditation music.

organised treks

• The resort has developed an innovative "village trek" which affords guests the opportunity to participate in daily life in some of the surrounding Kumaoni villages, staying overnight in homes that have been prepared for guests with the help of Kalmatia Sangam. Starting in the town of Almora, you'll observe local religious ceremonies and experience the rich culture of the area, while taking in the local architecture of the area's temples. The hotel arranges for porters who cook and carry kitchen gear, food and bedding. The trek package includes two nights at Kalmatia Sangam Resort to help you adjust to the altitude and get a feel for the area. The last night is also spent at the resort, allowing you to relax and unwind.

Local Info & Activities

The cedar, cypress and mimosa woods surrounding your cabin are home to langur, pine marten, flying fox and leopard.

All kinds of trekking and hiking trips can be arranged to take advantage of the rich surrounds. For those preferring soft trekking the resort is an ideal starting point for all sorts of activities and excursions. Walking trails to the close by waterfalls invite you to a dip in the pools.

Visit picturesque local villages with their stone and slate houses and lovely carved doors and windows. The Kumaonis are a friendly, peaceful and hospitable folk.

Trips to the nearby lakes of Sattal and Naukachyatal can be arranged, as can boating and birdwatching excursions. Migratory birds can be seen during

different seasons, with some 250 species having been sighted in the area.

Several interesting temples are nearby, including the famous Jageshwar temple complex, which houses the 8th of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and has 124 Temples. It was built between 8th and 12th century A.D. The Chittai bell temple dedicated to Golu Devta (god of justice), the Katarmal Sun temple (one of the few in India after Konarak) are also close by.

The Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is well worth a visit, with its beautiful, old hoary oak and rhododendron forests, hung with lichen and sweet smelling moss. The park offers wonderful views of the Himalaya from the highest point Zero Point (2410m).

corbett national park

The town of Almora is close, and has a good market selling pashmina shawls and scarves, copperware, traditional Kumaoni silver jewellery, rangoli paintings, and of course the famous Bal Mithai sweets, a speciality of the area. Almora was the first British hill station founded in 1815. Earlier in the 16th century the Chand Raja dynasty made it their capital from where they ruled Kumaon. Well preserved colonial buildings, old merchant houses in Lala bazaar, with wonderfully carved wooden doors and windows and the Govind Bhallabh Pant museum with its fine artifacts all make the town worth a visit.

insider tips

Visibility across the valleys to the mountain peaks is best from mid-September to April.

Sustainability

The resort owners are German designer Dieter Reeb and his Indian wife Geeta. Geeta inherited the land through her grandfather Edward Thomas Chowdhry, who was District Commissioner of the Kumaon.

Not a single tree was felled during construction of the cottages - the materials used are environmentally friendly and local craftsmen were employed.

All ingredients for the kitchen are organic and sourced from local growers.

The hotel has gone half shares with three village home-owners in renovating their houses (providing webbing beds, squat loos and bucket showers) to make them ready for receiving guests on the Village Trek. A limit of four trekkers at once visit the homes, each some six hours' walk apart, to share daily life with members of the friendly Pahari mountain community.

Getting There

Kalmatia Sangam is located in the heart of the Kumaon region in Uttranchal. Located just 7km above the town of Almora.

from delhi by train

There is a daily train service between Delhi and Kathgodam

Train: Ranikhet Express

Dep. Delhi: 10.40pm - Arr Kathgodam 0600am

Dep. Kathgodam: 2040pm - Arr 0430am Delhi

from delhi by road

To Kalmatia Sangam 8-9 hrs - 380km

Drive via Hapur (take bypass) - Gajraula - Moradabad (take bypass) - Rampur - turn left towards Bilaspur - Udham Singh Nagar - Haldwani - Kathgodam - Bhimtal - Bhowali - Garampani - Almora - take upper Kasardevi road towards Binsar (Wildlife Sanctuary) 7km - Kalmatia Sangam is 1km before Kasar Devi temple.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

• Valid from 1 Oct 2007 until 30 Sept 2008
• See 'Rooms' section for a description of the cottages.

eagles nest cottages - double occupancy

Accommodation + all meals: Euro190

Accommodation + breakfast + lunch or dinner: Euro176

Accommodation with breakfast: Euro160

Accommodation only: Euro153

eagles nest cottages - single occupancy

Accommodation + all meals: Euro126

Accommodation + breakfast + lunch or dinner: Euro119

Accommodation with breakfast: Euro110

Accommodation only: Euro107

Scarlet Minivet, Hoopoe, Himalayan Magpie, Cuckoo, Pheasant, Partridge or Owl Cottages

Double Occupancy

Accommodation + all meals: Euro158

Accommodation + breakfast + lunch or dinner: Euro143

Accommodation with breakfast: Euro127

Accommodation only: Euro120

Scarlet Minivet, Hoopoe, Himalayan Magpie, Cuckoo, Pheasant, Partridge or Owl Cottages

Single Occupancy

Accommodation + all meals: Euro107

Accommodation + breakfast + lunch or dinner: Euro100

Accommodation with breakfast: Euro92

Accommodation only: Euro88

rosefinch & goldfinch cottages - double occupancy

Accommodation + all meals: Euro116

Accommodation + breakfast + lunch or dinner: Euro102

Accommodation with breakfast: Euro85

Accommodation only: Euro78

rosefinch & goldfinch cottages - single occupancy

Accommodation + all meals: Euro77

Accommodation + breakfast + lunch or dinner: Euro70

Accommodation with breakfast: Euro62

Accommodation only: Euro58

children 5-12 years

Accommodation + all meals: Euro32

Accommodation + breakfast + lunch or dinner: Euro27

Accommodation with breakfast: Euro23

Accommodation only: Euro20

extra bed in room

Accommodation + all meals: Euro53

Accommodation + breakfast + lunch or dinner: Euro47

Accommodation with breakfast: Euro39

Accommodation only: Euro36

additional info

Children up to 4 years are free

Children above 12 years are charged at normal rate

Taxes of 5% will be added to each bill.

booking & cancellation policies

• Full payment is required in order to secure a booking.
• If a cancellation is made at any stage up until 31 days prior to arrival date, a 10% cancellation fee is charged.
• If a cancellation is made between 30 and 16 days prior to arrival a 25% cancellation fee is charged.
• If a cancellation is made between 15 and 8 days before arrival, a 35% cancellation fee is charged.
• If a cancellation is made 7 days or less before arrival date - no refund is given.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.