The Misty Mountains, Jhaltola (near Chaukori and Patal Bhuvaneshwar) invites you to its home amidst clouds, unpolluted crystal clear skies and an unending expanse of thousands of acres of forests. It is set amidst a quaint, quiet and serene Himalayan village, Jhaltola, in the hill state of Uttarakhand. The retreat is an offbeat destination for nature lovers. It offers all creature comforts in beautifully designed cottages right in the lap of nature.
Autumn is here and the pearl white vista of the Himalayas is beckoning tired souls to drench in its healing powers and rejuvenate. The lanscape has been transformed into green carpets and flowers of a hundred colors. The forest is alive with birds and is as peaceful as peaceful gets. This is the right time and place to live the magic of the mountains and absorb its life giving force. All the time being pampered in the middle of nowhere. Do explore our photogallery to get a better idea of the retreat.
The Misty Mountains is a destination in itself and most of our repeat guests end up staying 3-4 nights here. However, it is bang in the middle of Chaukori and Patal Bhuvaneshwar and can serve as your base or a worthwhile stop while exploring places like Binsar, Ranikhet, Kausani, Chaukori, Birthi Falls, Munsiyari, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Gangolihat Kalika temple, and Jageshwar. Please see the map alongside for details. And for our guests from far off places like Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, Calcutta, Ahmedabad and Baroda, we offer free custom tour plans including other destinations in Kumaon as a one stop information point.
The Misty Mountains is at Jhaltola, one of the last remaining once-upon-a-time-estates in Kumaon. Some others being Chaukori, Berinag, Kausani, Jalna, and Sitlakhet. We are right between Chaukori and Patal Bhuvaneshwar in terms of location. However, since we are at a higher altititude than Chaukori, and have no habitation in front of us, we enjoy a much wider and clearer Himalayan View than Chaukori hotels and resorts. It is a relatively new destination (set up in April 2009). It is what Binsar or Chaukori was 10 years ago - an unspoilt gift of nature with a 1000 acres of forests around it.
It took the owner 3 years of full time travel to the nook and corners of Kumaon to finally select this Offbeat Destination as a place to create a heaven for families to have a true vacation. A vacation where you could actually get away from 'it all'. Just spend quality time with your loved ones while being pampered with home-like food, warm hospitality and our personal attention.
The Misty Mountains has a range of accommodation options to meet your specific need.
Kaafal House
A family cottage with a master bedroom (attached bath) 1 adjoining room, 1 living room (attached bath) and an attic room. Can host a family of 4 adults and 4 kids.
Lily of the valley
A family cottage with a master bed room with attached bath, 1 adjoining room, a living room (attached bath) and an attic room. Hosts a family of 4 adults and 2 - 4 kids easily.
Rosebank cottage has the distinction of being at the highest point of the retreat. It has two beds on the ground floor and four on a mezzanine floor. Suitable for a couple or a small family. There are no separate rooms.
Rosevilla rooms - This is a single block of 4 rooms, each with an attached bath. Suitable for couples. They have a large sit out but no living room.
Rosevilla Suites - These are the latest addition to our accommodtion options. Suited for a small family (2+2) the suite has a large bedroom with some sitting space, a separate cabin with bunk beds for kids and an attached bath.
Eagle's Nest - This is a large group cottage which has 14 beds and a living space to match. It can host upto 20 people. There are 4 baths and 4 loos attached. This is suitable for families/friends/colleagues in groups where shared space is preferred. There are no separate rooms.
Delicious food
The Misty Mountains has a well equipped kitchen and trained staff to serve fresh, hygienic and tasty Punjabi, Mughlai, and local Kumaoni cuisines. Special care is taken to ensure that food is not too oily, and is as fresh and tasty as home food.
Kalrav - Our activity center
Kalrav, our activity center at The Misty Mountains, is the heart of the retreat. It has a unique and radical free form design that is the soul of the retreat - spacious, spiritual, natural and creative. It’s the perfect place to host workshops for large groups and serves as an indoor play area for kids when you travel with your families.
The center also has a built in stage for theatrical performances and presentations, and is flanked by an open air amphitheater that hosts musical evenings at the retreat.The amphitheater made entirely out of local materials serves as the perfect space for local artists to perform the rich and enchanting art forms of the region. We also have lots of activities to entertain and rejuvenate you. Please see our Activities page for details on what all you can do at The Misty Mountains.
* Nature and each other : - Right on top of our lists of things-to-do at The Misty Mountains is to just immerse the goodness of nature and rejuvenate in its bounty. One can gaze at the many hues of the Himalayas from sunrise to sunset, enjoy a walk through the jungle, go for a hike to Lamkeshwar (2700 meters above sea level), or have a small picnic with your loved ones in the forest.
* Treks to places of interest around the site include the following
Lamkeshwar - an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva sits atop a mountain which is a 3 km uphill climb from the retreat. It also offers fabulous 360 degree views and on clear days, one could spend an entire day tirelessly taking pictures and still not be satiated. This is a four hour trek including return.
* Patal Bhuvaneshwar - one of most important shrines of Lord Shiva, is a major tourist attraction. The return trek is about 16 kilometers and takes about 8 hours, including about two hours spent in the underground caves. The place is also accessible by a motor road and is a forty five minutes drive from the retreat.
Adventure activities - All activities are coordinated by trained, certified and experienced professionals who can design tailor made programs to suit your experience and enthusiasm.
* Rock craft - this includes rock climbing/rappelling/ Tyrolean traverse and Burma Bridge.
* Rafting and fishing at Ramganga with prior notice, we can also organize rafting in the Ramganga river.
Games : - The Misty Mountains has a dedicated area where one can enjoy badminton and volleyball. We also have a collection of board games for you to enjoy late into the night.
Folk dances & music -
The musical art forms of Kumaon have a charm of their own. They truly reflect the simplicity, beauty and a very easy paced sense of rhythm of the people of the mountains. These performances can be organized on request.
Star gazing :- The retreat houses a telescope for amateur star gazers. The high altitude location, zero pollution and minimal lights offers the perfect opportunity to gaze at the stars and brood over their immense mysteries.
Sight seeing
Chaukori Tea Gardens - 30 kms
AVNI – an NGO nearby - 12 kms
Patal Bhuvaneshwar Caves - 20 kms
Gangolihat Kalika Temples - 25 kms
Birthi Water Falls - 70 kms
Musk Deer Park at Kotmanya - 35 kms
Delhi to Kathgodam by train. Details of trains below.
Kathgodam to The Misty Mountains by road. PWe can arrange a cab for you.
Please feel free to contact us for this at +91 98109 62562.
Distance of The Misty Mountains retreat from other Tourist Places
Kausani - 117 kms
Binsar - 100 kms
Ranikhet - 135 kms
Jim Corbett National Park - 270 kms
Sonapani - 135 kms
Munsiyari - 125 kms
Abbot Mount - 140 kms
Mayawati Ashram - 135 kms
Expected Weather
March & April/ September & October --- 15 to 25 degrees on most days. Himalayas visible early morning and sometimes during the day.
May/ June --- 20 to 30 degrees on most days. Himalayas visible if it rains or if you have prayed really hard :)
July/ August --- 15 to 25 degrees on most days. Heavy rains expected till mid August. Ask for road conditions before planning a trip here.
November/ February --- 12 to 20 degrees on most days. Excellent himalayan views expected. Night temperatures around 10.
December/ January --- 12 to 20 degress on most days. Near zero during the night. Snowfall expected late december to early februrary.
Things to carry -
Light to warm woolens depending on expected weather.
Good walking shoes.
Torch, umbrella, medicines.
Any items of personal use including your favourite brand of liquor or cigarettes.
Internet/ Mobile connectivity
The Misty Mountains retreat is an offbeat destination and does not have a land line. For mobile as well as internet you can carry Vodafone, Idea or BSNL phones and data card that work best in the area.
Accommodation Type
Room Only (in Rs.)
Rose Villa Rooms – 4 rooms
Tariff for a couple on twin sharing basis and one child below 6.
No extra person allowed.
Rs 1850/-
Rosevilla Suites – 2 suites (One bedroom with sitting space + one room for kids)
Tariff for a couple and two children below 12.
No extra person allowed.
Rs 3450/-
Independent cottage (one such cottage – one bedroom with sitting space and a mezzanine floor) Tariff for a couple and two children below 12.
Extra Person 6 – 12 years ------- Rs. 0/-
Extra Person 12 years or above ------- Rs. 1950/-
Rs 3950/-
Family cottages- ( 2 such cottages – two bedrooms, one attic room for kids, and a living room)
Tariff for two couples
Extra Person 6 – 12 years ------- Rs.0 /-
Extra Person 12 years or above ------- Rs.1350/-
Rs 5450/-
Group Cottage (one cottage – 14 beds on three levels, no separate rooms)
Tariff per person
Rs 1100/-
Meals ( per person for anyone above 12 years)
Breakfast Rs.150
Lunch – Rs.250 (veg), Rs.300 (non veg).
Dinner – Rs.250 (veg), Rs.300 (non veg).
for children 6 - 12 years – 50% of charges above
Taxes- Service tax 5.15% on room tariff & Sales Tax 13.5% on Food
Please note –
* We cannot accept credit cards as there is no land line available.
* Drivers would be charged Rs.300 per day for food and accommodation
* The tariff is valid till 31st March 2012 with the exception of the week of 24th to 31st December 2012.
Note : Above mentioned rates are not valid from 23rd Dec till 2nd Jan.
