INTO THE WOODS

Nestled amid dense forests, picturesque mountains and a pine-covered valley, The Kumaon is an abode of solitude and tranquillity

- SHUBHANJANA DAS

Far away from the cacophony of city life, perched 1,750m above sea level on Uttarakhand’s Kasar Devi ridge, stands The Kumaon, a retreat with an understated opulence. After a three hour-long drive from the Kathgodam station and a 10-minute hike from the main road, the hotel— camouflaged in the ochre landscape—reveals itself like a pleasant surprise to weary travellers. Its advantageous location allows unhindered views of the Nanda Devi range and the quiet luxury of isolation. Interestingly, The Kumaon didn’t set out to be a commercial property. Owner Vikrom Mathur had envisioned it to be his private home, but a chance meeting with investor Raghav Priyadarshi in 2014 led to the property opening its doors to guests, while carefully limiting its accessibility and commercialisation. “The enchanting, uninterrupted view of the high Himalayas made our decision very easy,” recalls Priyadarshi, coowner of The Kumaon.