Shakti Kumaon Delhi – Kathgodam – Shakti Village House – Shakti 360˚ Leti – Binsar Sanctuary Shakti offers a rare opportunity to discover compellingly beautiful and remote regions of the Indian Himalaya, combining an honest and sustainable approach with sophisticated simplicity and style. Without the strenuous effort involved in trekking, the romantic and rejuvenating effects of the Indian Himalaya can now be experienced. Shakti’s Village walks in both Sikkim and Kumaon and the mountain retreat, 360° Leti along with a third village experience and a unique river journey in Ladakh, all offer a distinctive experience to the traveler. All five experiences are united by a pioneering vision to provide comfort and luxury, but above all, an authentic Himalayan experience. Map of Shakti Kumaon Introduction to The Kumaon The Himalayan part of Uttar Pradesh was given state hood in 2000 and the stunning state of Uttaranchal was born. In 2007 with the Congress party gaining power in the region, the name was changed again to Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal) falls into two distinct regions that broadly divide the state in half, The Garwhal which includes the famous yoga and pilgrimage centre of Rishikesh in the west and the little known Kumaon region in the east. The Kumaon contains some of the most stunning mountain scenery that we know of anywhere, from the perennially snow capped peaks of the Great Himalaya range in the north to the pretty hill stations of Almora and Nainital in the foothills and the stunning wilderness of Corbett National Park where the hills meet the Indo-gangetic plain in the south. The recorded history of the region dates back to 7/8 th century and was essentially dominated by the Katyuris (8 th – 12 th Century AD) and the Chands (12 th – 19 th Century AD) – until the British entered the region. In 1790, the Gurkhas of Nepal entered the region and took possession of Almora – the largest town in the area and ruled the Kumaon for 25 years before the British managed to dispel them with tremendous local support. Few people have heard of the Kumaon outside of India and surprisingly the region escaped the influx of backpackers that characterised the recent history of parts of Himachal Pradesh and to a lesser extent, the Garwhal. Shakti, who fell in love with the region and was founded here in 2004, is extremely grateful for this as we were able to pioneer the village walks concept in an unspoilt and off the beaten track part of India. We have been able to bring benefits to both the local people of the region and to the guests that we have taken there without a negative impact on the Kumaon’s environment and culture. In 2007, the village walks were joined by our luxury lodge, 360º Leti. Situated on a stunning mountain spur close to where Nepal, Tibet and India meet and with mind blowing views of the Great Himalayan Range, we truly believe that 360º Leti is one of a kind. Shakti Kumaon Village Walks The concept of the Village Walks is to facilitate an authentic ‘underfoot’ experience and provide a ‘snapshot’ of rural life in the Himalayan Mountains of Uttaranchal and Sikkim. The walks traverse the terraced foothills with overnight ‘home stays’ in various villages. As an honoured guest, the locals are keen to share their way of life with you so you can encounter life as it is. Accommodation is basic, although clean and comfortable, but does not detract from the authenticity of the experience. Any shortcomings are more than compensated for by the genuine warmth of your hosts. 360º Leti - Shakti’s Himalayan Retreat An innovative language of architecture that combines age-old local building techniques with contemporary design and structural technologies, set in a stunning mountain wilderness at 2200 metres (8,000 feet), 360 ° Leti is a place where you can take time to reflect, and allow the space, peace and astonishingly beautiful landscape to work their magic around you. With only four private guest pavilions cottages and a main lounge-dining area, 360° Leti provides an exclusive mountain experience – the first and only place of its kind in the Himalaya. Indoors, there’s gourmet cooking and fine wine, as well as beds adorned with pashmina blankets and fluffy duvets. Outdoors there are mountain walks (with private guides), delicious picnics, fabulous views, just chilling out in planter’s chairs – and, if you wish, yoga and meditation sessions by arrangement. Day One Delhi to Kathgodam to Shakti Deora Driving time: 3 hours Duration of the walk: 5hours (8.6 km) Altitude: 1495 m (4904 ft) This morning you will be met at your hotel and driven to Anand Vihar Railway Station for your train- Shatabdi ANVT KGM Express to Kathgodam at 0615 hrs. Arrive: Kathgodam 1150hrs On arrival in Kathgodam (the last station on the line), please wait in your compartment as our guide will come and collect you from there. You will then be driven to the Almora region (three hours away) from where the Village Walks will begin. Setting off from the road head on the Kasar Devi Ridge (1862m/6108ft), where on a clear day, a grand sweep of the Great Himalayan Range is visible, you will begin by walking down through the pretty village of Maath, scenically positioned on a ridge. The walk continues downhill through terraced fields and into a Chir (pine) forest, where you will stop for a drink. Continuing on from the forest, the path turns a little dry and rocky before you pass the village of Bimtola and walk for 2 hours to Pathshal Village. You will then be driven 30 minutes to the nearest road head from where you will walk for another 30 minutes to your village house in Deora. Overnight: Shakti Deora Village House - Double (Fully Inclusive) Day Two Shakti Deora to Shakti Jwalabanj Duration: 6-7 hours (14.8 km – 17.1 km) Altitude: 2147 m (7042 ft) Setting off from Deora, you will reach the village of Chirala after approximately thirty minutes of walking, where you can visit the local school. If he is around, you can also visit the house of an interesting ex army officer. Continue walking through a pine forest, descending into the Shivalaya valley as the forest peters out. The scenic valley has a stream running down one side and one can often see children playing in the stream and adults working the fields. Walk along the valley before turning left and climbing up towards the village of Alai. Follow a water canal for twenty minutes before stopping for a drink and the opportunity to dip your feet in a natural rock pool. Continuing along the path, passing a ‘ghatt’ (water powered flour mill) and terraced fields through the village of Palyu, before climbing for twenty minutes to the road head at Ka-Chula pool. From Ka-Chula Pool you have the option of taking our car (which will be waiting for you) to Dhaulchina, around twenty minutes away, before walking gradually uphill for thirty minutes to the lunch spot. For those who are feeling more energetic, the walk from Ka-Chula Pool to the lunch spot (without taking the car) takes around an hour and a half with two fairly steep uphill stretches. After lunch, continue walking gradually uphill through stunning rhododendron forest for around one and a half hours until you reach the village of Jwalabanj. Overnight: Shakti Jwalabanj Village House - Double (Fully Inclusive) Day Three Shakti Jwalabanj to Shakti Kana Duration: 6-7 hours (12 km) Altitude: 1892 m (6206 ft) Provided the weather is clear, we will wake you up early and walk you up to the road head for a very short drive to our mountain viewing point. Watching the sunrise over the Great Himalaya Range is well worth getting out of bed for! Return to the house for breakfast, before starting your walk with a short ten minutes climb. You will walk down through ancient oak forest, passing the village of Kandhar, where you will have to clamber down some slightly steep terraced fields. Once you have reached the bottom of the valley, you will follow the stream through the oak forest, getting to see a kingfisher diving into the stream if you are lucky. An hour or so after you have left the house; you will emerge onto a proper road which leads to the 8 th century temple complex at Jageshwar, a Hindu pilgrimage sight. Explore the temple complex before continuing along the road and back through terraced fields. The final part of the walk takes you through a thick mixed forest to the village of Kana where lunch will be waiting for you at the village house. This last part of the walk is uphill most of the way. As you will only have walked for around two and half to three hours today, we have arranged for you to take an afternoon walk to the village of Jhankarshein which has an interesting temple. The three hour return journey takes you through an interesting mix of pine, oak and rhododendron forest dotted with berry trees and a peach orchard. The temple is dedicated to a local deity, Golu Devta and is a popular local pilgrimage sight . If you feel that you have walked enough by the time you have reached Kana at lunchtime, your itinerary is completely private and flexible and if you wanted to, you could spend your afternoon sitting outside reading a good book and admiring the scenery. Overnight: Shakti Kana Village House (Fully Inclusive) Day Four Shakti Kana to Shakti 360° Leti Driving time: 4.5 hours Duration of the walk: 45 minutes (3 km) Altitude: 2230 m (7314 ft) This morning you will walk to the road head, around twenty minutes away down the hill where you will be met and driven for five hours to Leti.