Lake Pleasant Resort Naukuchiatal – A harmonious blend of comfort and nature

Naukuchiatal, a nine-cornered lake is perched in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand. Bordered by the lush green peaks touching the sky the lake offers a blissful sight. The beauty of Naukuchiatal is left untouched by the many myths circling around the globe. It is believed that at no point on land can we see all the nine corners of the lake in a single sight and if one does then he/she will achieve nirvana and disappear as a cloud of smoke. In this, all so enchanting environment a laid-back property is indeed to have a relaxing vacation. Lake Pleasant Resort is one such resort situated a little off the track and provides splendid views of the Naukuchiatal lake.

How to reach Lake Pleasant Resort Naukuchiatal?

<span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>Naukuchiatal is well connected via metalled roads to big cities like Delhi and Dehradun. The Pantnagar airport at 60 km is the nearest with regular flights plying to and from Delhi. For those who prefer the railways, Kathgodam is the nearest railway station at 33 km. Both shared and private cabs are available at disposal as you get off the bus or train.

As you continue on the Bhimtal – Naukuchiatal route, you will come across a Hanuman Temple to your right. At about 3 km from this, take the road diverting uphill to your left. From here signboards will lead your way to the Lake Pleasant Resort, Naukuchiatal.

About Lake Pleasant Resort-

Lake Pleasant Resort- Cottage View

Lake Pleasant Resort is a lovely property resting on the peaks circling around the Naukuchiatal Lake. The property offers splendid views of the lake and the evening sky shows a spectacular sight. Besides the cozy suites and deluxe rooms, the cottage offers a rooftop dining where you have all the cuisines to savor. Of all, I would strongly suggest going for their local kumaoni dishes.

There are plenty of activities offered to keep you engaged and make a perfect vacation for all travelers be it solo, group or family. The list of activities includes forest walks, paragliding, bonfire and MTB off-roaders. Also soon you will be able to shot a ball in their pool room and go for a ride on the mountain bikes.

Salient Features of Lake Pleasant Resort-

Solar Powered, Rainwater Harvesting, Sleeping Facilities for Drivers, Courteous Caretaker & Cook and a human’s best friend- DOG

How about the rooms?

This home away from home has a 3 BHK Villa (Includes 1 family room + 2 deluxe rooms) a suite room below the rooftop restaurant and 4 deluxe rooms. With more rooms coming up soon, each room offers a breathtaking view from the comfort of your blanket. The suite room comes with all the amenities like Television, cupboard, a bathtub and a much-needed room heater. All the rooms have a spacious bathroom with just the basic toiletries and continuous hot water supply. All in all, it is a perfect place to be called a HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

How to spend a day in Naukuchiatal?

• Go for a Nature Walk

Early Morning Forest Walk

The whole sole purpose of a vacation in the serenity of Naukuchiatal is to rejuvenate your mind and body. So start your day with an early morning forest walk. The walk is a loop that takes you through the vistas of nature to the Naukuchiatal Lake and back to Lake Pleasant Resort.

Naukuchiatal Lake

Through this walk, you not only freshen up your lungs but also a beautiful crimson skyline to treat your eyes with. Not to miss are the little chit-chats with the locals that could reveal many unknown stories from the past.

• Get some Adrenaline rush

Naukuchiatal is the only place in the region where you can go adventure sporting. To begin with is the mud bike followed by Paragliding. At just 5 minutes from the Lake Pleasant Resort is the takeoff and landing grounds for paragliding and bookings can be made from the resort itself. I would suggest to go for a bigger one and not for the basic one that lasts for just about 2mins. The basic one can cost you anywhere between Rs. 1k to Rs. 2k depending on the season.

Naukuchiatal

Now that you are done playing with the mud and air its time for some water sports. Yes, you got me right! Naukuchiatal Lake offers plenty of activities to indulge in. For the calm and peaceful couple there is boating and for the boiling blood, there is Kayaking. And believe me, the view from the center of the lake will make you want to just stay there with eyes wide open and a calming soul. There exists a fixed rate system so no scope of fraud which means no bargain. Please do no carry eatables in the lake and don’t spoil the beauty of the hill station.

• Let’s ride some horses

I have always wanted to explore a town on horseback but never got to. For you wish the same then just make a request and a horse will be waiting for you outside the cottage. For a minimal cost, you can add an hour of a unique experience to your memory lane.

• Done exploring all the places- Now what?

Sunset from Lake Pleasant Resort

Well, the eve has just begun and a crimson red sky awaits your eyes only.The biggest plus point is that you get to enjoy splendid views from every nook of the resort. So just relinquish the sunset at the backdrop of Naukuchiatal lake followed by a bonfire that can be arranged on request.

• Nearby Attractions

For those captivated by its serenity, encircling Naukuchiatal are many more attractions awaiting to lure you. From holy temples of Naina Devi and Hanuman Garhi to the charisma ofMukteshwar. Also, the pristine lake cities of Nainital, Bhimtal and Saat Taal in the proximity make for a perfect day trip from the Lake Pleasant Resort, Naukuchiatal.

For the hunger calls

Rooftop Restaurant

The rooftop restaurant not only serves its guests but also to those looking for a pocket-friendly meal. The food (veg/non-veg) cooked by their in-house chef Anand Ji is not only scrumptious but also of great quality. If you are lucky enough to meet the owner Mr. Sanjay, you will not only be bestowed by his courtesy but also be served some of his specialties.

The cost factor!!

Lake Pleasant Resort is a very restful property perfect for a budget-friendly stay. It is a peaceful stay and a perfect place to get to know the local food, culture, and people. To ease the process, bookings can be made across the leading platforms such as MakeMyTrip, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com.

For Direct bookings-

Website- Lake Pleasant Resort, Naukuchiatal

*Though we were offered a free stay and food at the property, the review is completely unbiased and reflects our actual experience to its best.

** The post contains some affiliate links which won’t cost you any difference but would help us earn a bit for each booking made through this.

Have you ever made Rotis at the height of 3600 meters?

Have you ever made Rotis at the height of 3600 meters? At Kuari Pass Trek

I have.

It was my Day 3 of Pangarchulla-Kuari Pass Trek. We were at the campsite of Gelaghad (3,600 m), one of the most intimidating campsites I have ever been to till now.

It was around 6 pm. We had just come back from our hike to Kuari Pass, me and 8 other Bengali men who I was accompanying on the trek.

It was friggin cold, around 1 degree Celsius. Rather than going to my cold, solitary tent I thought of stepping into the kitchen tent. The heat from the cooking stove had made it warm and snugly.

I broke a chitchat with the staff who were working so swiftly and efficiently preparing dinner for all of us.

Since I wasn’t really being helpful to them sitting idle in the tent, I volunteered to make Rotis for dinner. Plus working up my muscles to make those Rotis would only make me warmer, I thought.

Had I been in the kitchen at my home, I would have nagged about this task. But it was so much more fun at the campsite.

When all the food was prepared, I saw them taking out the first roti and a bite from each dish in the name of God and offer it to the birds. I was impressed by their humility and gratitude for food.

The next morning, it was still dark at 5 AM when we began our climb to Pangarchulla Peak. It would have been my maiden peak if I succeeded.

Camping on the way

And, I did.

No climb is ever easy. Neither was this. Never have I ever seen so many boulders in my life. It’s like all the rocks on the earth had been deliberately placed to make our climb difficult than ever.

It was not the only test of our endurance, but also a test of our patience. We were pestering our Expedition leader Wakeel with desperate question ‘Are we there yet?’.

The views of peaks like Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Hathi Godha and Dronagiri we’re sure a great booster.

Views of the peak

We were looking at each other expecting that any moment one of us would break and ask us to stop.

Thankfully, no one did.

At 12:30 pm, we were finally at the top. The view from the top was a dichotomy of nature. ‘Kahi dhoop, kahi chhaon’. While snow was falling over our heads, the rest of the place shine brightly in the sunshine.

The weather was getting worse. So we began to.descend in no time. It was a long way back to our campsite, colluded by fog and hurdled by big boulders.

Finally atop the Kuari Pass

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The route to our new campsite, Tali, was via Gelghad, the place where we camped previous night.

It was around 5 pm and already dark when we reached Gelghad. And it would still take us 3-4 hours to reach Tali. We took out our headlamps and began our journey to Tali.

It was all pitch dark around us. But walking through the jungle in dark was thrilling and again my maiden. We were all walking coherently in a line.

As soon as we reached Chitrakantha, half way of our journey, we found two guys from Kitchen staff waiting for us with a kettle of tea and biscuits. They even offered us to carry our backpacks.

Finding them there was a moment of Hallelujah. What else can make you feel better after walking for more than 15 kilometers? I had more respect and love than ever for those guys.

I was touched by their generosity and concern for us strangers who they may never see again.

Mountains do bring people together. Among many things which mountains teach us, compassion was one. It was amazing to see all of us sticking together as a team looking after each other.

That day brought us closer than ever. First, it was our expedition to the peak. It was an encouragement to each other that kept us all going. The second was the trekking in the night that bound us as a team.

I high-fived all my team members as we reached the camp in the night by 9. It was the best experience of my life.

By Dhaaran Kukreja
A gypsy with a heart of a writer, Dhaarna has just stepped into the world of trekking and she is falling in love with the mountains with one Himalayan trek at a time. When not trekking, she can be found talking and thinking about the food all day long. She is also a cinephile. 

Club 10 Pine Cottage in Mukteshwar

A cottage in Mukteshwar engulfed by the pines, where the day starts with a view of sun rays spreading from the peaks through the terraced valley to your doorstep. Where the day ends on the crimson red note of the horizon post which soon the area is blanketed by the million stars. A place where a person’s soul is disconnected but still connected. Connected to the vistas of nature that detoxifies from all the hustle bustle of a polluted city. Is this resonating with your thoughts? All this is possible in the whereabouts of whimsical Mukteshwar.

Thanks to the properties that are coming up in the abode of nature making our dreams come true. This makes it possible to hop on getaways that can rejuvenate us from the routine hectic life. Such are the pros of Club Ten Pine Lodge making it the best cottage in Mukteshwar. Situated in the abode of the Kumaon hills of Mukteshwar region, this cottage is just as one always wish to spend some peaceful time at.

Location-

Mukteshwar is small quaint hill station in Uttarakhand, India at an altitude of 7500 feet. Nestled with the fruit orchards a fresh breeze blows all over the terrain. Muktehswar’s calm and secluded environment is a true reflection of its name meaning Moksha- A salvation from the bustling life. Embellished with reddish roofs, the cute homes with ancient style wooden window frames and picket barriers bring back the reminiscences of British Raj.

About Club Ten Pine Lodge Mukteshwar-

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Set amidst in an enchanting environment is the Club Ten Pine Lodge. There are six spacious rooms dividing into two categories- Deluxe and Suite and each room comes with an extra bed.  The balcony is where one is ought to spend most of their time relishing the views from sunrise to sunset and also the sky with a million stars twinkling to soothe your eyes and soul.

Words by the Owners –

‘Frequent flyers who love nature came to this place 10 years back and thought of having a home away from home at a peaceful location. Just to relax and rejuvenate with no thoughts for commercialization. This was created and built because of interest – SHOUK BADI CHEEZ HAI, Kuch Bhi Kara Deti Hai. Started from a small property but kept adding to the property as time flowed. Still, we think of trying how we can make it best. One can get this idea by seeing a private bar, which makes us feel like a VIP having a glass of drink and enjoying a game of Table Tennis. Roam around balcony seeing birds chirping, valley views, and the wandering clouds.’

The cottage is well connected by road from nearest International Airport in Delhi. For those plying in with their own vehicle will find ample parking space in the cottage premises. One can also hire easily available cabs from the nearest railway station in Kathgodam which is at a distance of 72 km.

How about the Rooms of  your cottage in Mukteshwar?

All the six rooms of the cottage come well furnished with an attached bathroom. The modern amenities in the room include a television, a sitting area and round the clock service. Also, the bathrooms are spacious enough and equipped with the much-needed hot water geyser and all required toiletries. Embracing the rooms is the balcony attached to each of the rooms. Witness the changing moods of the valley from dusk to dawn and top it with a blanket of million stars.

How to spend a Day in Mukteshwar?

Although Mukteshwar is a hill station for the laid-back travelers but for there’s more to get connected. Connected not through the technology, nor the peers on social media. The bond is between your soul with the serene and enchanting beauty of the hills. Hills that are covered in different shades from the refreshing green in the monsoon to the bright reddish-yellow in the autumn.

• Start off Bright-

A morning in the mountains is incomplete until one savor the sunrise. As the sun rises at the backdrop, the rays falling on the wavy peaks slowly brightens the valley afront. So just sit on the balcony, grab a cup of tea and watch the rays traverse from the peaks through the terraced valley.  If this doesn’t suffice to feed your hunger for sunrise views then put on your jacket and take a drive uphill the cottage. This will take you to the spots from where you can witness the crimson red reflections on the snow-clad peaks of Nanda Devi and Panchachauli range.

• Devbhoomi Aye aur  Mandir Nahi Gaye

Uttarakhand is known as Devbhoomi- the land of gods, for its many temples that exist on the holy land. This makes it inevitable to wrap up a trip to Uttarakhand without a temple tour. So once you are freshened up proceed to the nearby Mukteshwar Dham. Set amidst in the forest is this temple devoted to Lord Shiva, the god behind the naming of the town. A five to ten minutes climb up the stairs will lead you to the temple. A sense of calmness enchants all through the premises of the temple. At the backdrop are some picturesque wide-angle views of the valley. This very spot is known as Chauli Ki Jali.

• Bhalu Gaad Waterfall, Mukteshwar

Flowing down through the deep forest is this place to be closest to nature. The trek with an hour of walk on the rocky trail, crossing the streams and climbing the rocks up and down takes you to this covert waterfall. In autumns, the trail gets covered with lovely reddish-yellow leaves making it an impeccable walk through nature.

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall, Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand

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• Other Places in the vicinity of Mukteshwar

The laid-back town of Mukteshwar is in close proximity to much-known tourist places like Nainital, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, and more. If you are here for a long stay then reward yourself with a visit to these beautiful places each having a unique charm of their own. One can try water sports like zorbing and kayaking or go paragliding all at Naukuchiatal which is just an hour away from the cottage. Also at just 40 km is the town of Nainital that has been seen in cinemas a lot..at least until the producer has a budget for international destinations. Here you can spend your day boating, shopping in the Tibet Market or go horse riding, take a ropeway to snow point and more. As the sun sets the streets of Mall road are buzzing with herds of people shopping and savoring their taste buds.

The day ends on a beautiful note of the million billion stars. This was when I and my ghoomakkad friend tried capturing the night sky from the balcony and created memories.

You may also like – The Naini Lake, Nainital

Feeling Hungry?

Food is something that can make or break your trip. When at club ten pine, be assured to be served the best. The restaurant in the cottage serves some of the most scrumptious home-like food.  You just have to relish the food along with the beautiful valley view outside the window. Guests have an option for both veg and non-veg and can also place a special order for children below five years.

The cost factor

We all make a number of plans of getting out on a weekend trip or even long trips. The moment the cost factor comes into play a big hole in the pocket starts appearing. And then what…Leave it Yaar, Abhi Paise Nahi hai, phr Kabhi chalengae. The plan gets dumped all because of those colored printed papers. The tariff at Club Ten Pine is unlike others not exorbitant but falls in a mid-range stay. This adds to the many reasons to chose Club Ten Pine Mukteshwar apart from its service and the picturesque location.

So what are you waiting for..winter is approaching and soon the town will have a new white look embracing its beauty. Book your stay for the peak season now and avoid any last minute rush.

For bookings-

Club Ten Pine Lodge Mukteshwar

Cell: + 91 9034-200500

Email: info@clubtenpinelodge.com

MeTripping – Making your destination hunt easy

Much before I discovered MeTripping, often I felt stuck in a position where the selection of the destination for our next trip was a nightmare. With so much on our bucket list left to be ticked off, it’s hard to decide where to visit and where not. Considering so many factors like how far is one willing to travel from the origin, or what is one looking for in a trip; Relaxation, adventure, sights or a mix of all, landing on that one perfect destination was just another inevitable struggle. Having so many factors to consider before heading on our next trip was just so mind boggling…Well at least for spontaneous travelers like me finding a perfect combination in the least possible time is the biggest concern.

How to find your next perfect destination?

This Diwali I came across a platform that makes all this just like a cake walk. MeTripping helps you find your next perfect destination in just a few clicks. MeTripping inspires you to discover places based on your outline of a perfect trip. The trip suggestions are accompanied by Ranked Destinations, Ranked Flights, Ranked Hotels – all meant to get you to that decision without tearing your hair out. And the most important of all it helps you find the cheapest deal on the web by comparing over 1200 websites…So basically they do all to help you choose your next perfect destination.

And guess what…all this comes for free. Yes from the very beginning to the end of your search MeTripping charges just a little info to serve you the best destination. That is you only pay for your flights and hotel bookings and have not to worry about any service charges. This makes finding your next perfect destination with MeTripping even more compelling.

How does MeTripping work?

Finding and booking yourself a perfect vacation can never be as easy as this. With everything at just clicks away you will be all set to leave for your lifelong cherishable holiday. Just go through the gallery below to see how easy it is to walk through the site and have your next perfect destination decided.

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With your destination finalized, its time to have an itinerary handy so as you don’t miss any places/activities unexplored… But not to worry as MeTripping has all done for you beforehand. Just filter the activities based on your interest and you are all set to pack your bags.

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*click on the image to zoom

Above is the scenario when you are not bounded by any particular destination but here’s what you can do if have some destinations already shortlisted in your mind…

Have a destination already shortlisted?

There might be a case when you are vacillating between some of the destinations to tick off your bucket list. But here’s the solution to this too. With MeTripping be assured to have in hand a perfect trip planned for you against the three destinations you provide them. Now either go with the suggested flight and hotel or choose from the detailed list before proceeding with the payments.

How to make the payment?

You can either book your trip or add it to your trip cart to check back later.  To proceed with the bookings you will be redirected to their partner site and have to make payment for the flights and hotels individually. The gallery below will guide you through the payment process.

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KUDOS ! You are all set to leave for your next perfect destination. So start packing your bags and meanwhile read some of my travel stories to inspire yourself.