Thikalna Himalayan Retreat

We had a fantastic family vacation as we travelled with our kids - aged 10 and 6 years. The key highlights were daily hikes in nature trails which are very untouched, the great and customised food at the resort and the seclusion in the midst of nature. We would highly recommend the place to experience true natural beauty of the Himalayas and on a good clear day we also got a fantastic view of the snow peaked Himalayas which was surreal. It is very much away from the commercial areas and offers a unique experience in the mountains.

If someone needs a serene place to disconnect from the world then Thikalna is the place to be! Perched atop a hill, this two room property is a place to enjoy quietude, fresh air, sounds of gusty winds, night sky, delicious homely food and of course, the Himalayas! Surely coming back here again!

We visited the Itmenaan property in Thikalna from 24th to 27th December, 2022. Three of us ***** with our fur baby were the sole guests in the cozy property. The property is a beautiful, rustic two bedroom, two washroom, one living room and a kitchen house. There are two helpful and kind care takers, Mr Bheem and Mr Govind who look after you so well. It is a 10 hour drive from Gurgaon and we reached the destination comfortably. We were warmly greeted by Bheem and Govind, served an aromatic tea, yummy parantha on arrival. The view from the house was amazing. It is quiet, serene and beautiful. Bonfires in the evening ***** with pakoras and steaming cups of tea was a great way to sit back and connect as a family. It was tech detox for all of us. We spoke at length with each other, played with our pet or just sat quietly together immersed in the beauty of the hills and basking in the welcoming sunlight. It was freezing cold, however with woolens, heaters, hot water bags we enjoyed the chill. Above all the hospitality of the staff was overwhelming. Delicious piping hot meals which had the rustic taste of the hills, layed out under the sun was thoroughly enjoyed by us. We would love to visit the property again for a longer stay!!

Uttarakhand Himalayas are one of the most stunning places in the entire world. Within this region, Thikalna retreat is a rare gem. Let me warn you beforehand that the place is not easy to reach, about 9 hours of drive from Delhi and then some walk. But the effort is completely worth it. You are guaranteed amazing seclusion, spectacular Himalayan views and star lit nights that you have not seen before. You are in the middle of nature at its best. The two rooms at the property are basic but clean and comfortable. Hospitality is excellent. Local staff makes sure that you are treated like royalty. Good, healthful food, tea / coffee on request as many times as you want. Ask for their walks are the property that allow you to see centuries old temples, interact with locals and give you an immersion in the local culture. Take ***** your books for evening reading before the evening bonfire is set up. Traveller’s Tip: Best to take both the rooms for your party to enjoy the exclusivity. Stay for at least three nights given the travel time. We are from Bangalore so we combined this stay with their Kumaun program covering bhimtal and itmenaan estate for a seven day stay.

If want to enjoy a true peaceful holiday in midst of nature …away from the regular life in the cities…..This beautiful property near Almora is the one…!! Had gone to this beautiful Himalayan village retreat with my friends last month and we had the most relaxing and enjoyable time there. It has a view that can mesmerize you totally. Just imagine a place where you can just sit and read a book and sip some local chai…and with a view of 180 degree of snow capped Himalayas. There are lot of beautiful walks there….our guide and chef..Govind..took us for some beautiful walks around this village and Rhododendrons flowers on the floor was just like a red carpet for us. We highly recommend this place to all the people who love & respect nature. Perfect get away for relaxation. PS＞ Internet can be a small issue here. But the good part is that its a perfect place to get out of normal mobile routine :)