Two Chimneys

Tucked away in the verdant hills of Kumaon, away from the tourist rush of Nainital, Two Chimneys is a century old stone and wood cottage with a colourful past. Built in the 1890s, it belonged to the wife of a British Army Officer, who fell in love with the picturesque village of Gethia. It is said that Gandhiji once had tea here and that famous hunter-conservationist Jim Corbett was a friend of the lady of the house and often came visiting. Today, this charming cottage has been converted into a beautiful living space, where you can spend a few days de-stressing and fill your nostrils with the fresh, fragrant mountain air. There are eleven beautifully-crafted and elegantly-furnished guest rooms at Two Chimneys, each with a distinct character and style, which represents the rich history of the house. With so many beautiful spaces to unwind, you will be hard pressed to choose your favourite spot. Spend your summers bathing in the warm sunshine on the deck or lounging in the teal-coloured swimming pool and your winters huddled by the fireplace in the grand, yet snug living room, which also consists of a dining area and a bar. Spend some alone time in the old school reading room, with a classical publication and drink by your side or bust out your competitive side in a game of pool or ping-pong in the game shed. Or take a stroll to Land’s End, the last part of the estate, a quiet haven to enjoy a beer while taking in the beautiful surrounding vistas. Whatever your idea of a vacation is, Two Chimneys has it all. Consider it a home away from home set on a beautiful hillside with stunning views of towering mountains and sprawling valleys.

Cuisine: Local, Indian, Colonial and International; Home cooked meals

Weather:

Summer – Min 17°C, Max 32°C
Winter – Min 0°C, Max 17°C
Monsoon – Min 13°C, Max 25°C, Heaviest rainfall in July and August

By Air: Pantnagar Airport (60 kms, 2 hrs)

By Rail: Kathgodam Railway Station (25 kms, 1 hr)

By Road: Delhi (300 kms, 7 hrs)

Nainital: About 15 kms away is the famous hill-station of Nainital, situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters. Enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding Himalayas. You can visit the popular lake in the center of town, or the high altitude zoo. Other attractions include the Governor’s House and Golf Course, a remnant of the British era located on the outskirts of the city or take a ride on the Nainital Ropeway and enjoy a birds-eye view of the Kumaoni Hills and Valleys.

Bhimtal: Located about 20 kms away, is another popular tourist spot. The Bhimtal Lake is in the middle of the town and there’s an island in the middle of the lake.

Sat Tal: An interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes, located close to Bhimtal and about 20 kms away from the resort. Enjoy activities such as fishing or boating, take a dip in the waters or picnic on the shore of the lakes.

Naukuchiatal: Being in the lake district of India means there are obviously lots of lakes to explore. This particular one – ‘the lake of nine corners’ has a lot of activities to offer such as rowing, paddling, yachting, fishing and even paragliding, when weather permits. Fed by an underground perennial spring, this lake is the deepest one in the Nainital region.

Ghorakhal Temple: Situated 15 kms from the property and at an altitude of about 2,000 meters, this picturesque temple offers great views of the surroundings.

Birdwatching And Wildlife Spotting At Pangot: Pangot, situated at a height of 2,000 meters and about 25 kms from the property, along with Kilbury, is a popular spot for bird watching. You can see a variety of Himalayan species along the way such as Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Blue-Winged Minla, Spotted & Slaty-Backed Forktail, Rufous-Bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-Bellied Niltava, Khalij Pheasant and a variety of thrushes. Almost 150 bird species have been recorded at Pangot and the surrounding areas. The numerous perennial & seasonal creeks are home to a variety of flora and fauna including Leopards, Yellow-Throated Himalayan Martens, Himalayan Palm Civets, Ghorals, Barking Deer and Sambhar.

Day Trips: Other popular hill stations nearby include: Almora (65 kms), Mukteshwar (45 kms), Ramgarh (35 kms) and Ranikhet (60 kms)