“Lovely days don’t come to you, you should walk to them”...Rumi. She hands me a brochure which has this quote on its cover and a soothing picture of a mountain. Aparupa Ray Ganguly is a hotelier by profession, travel writer by hobby and brilliant at luxury hotel reviews. But why she is being featured on The Hotel Explorer is a story we believe all travellers out there would like to read.
Story of her two-bedroom homestay ‘The White Peaks’ that sits pretty on a mountain top in a little Himalayan hamlet Gagar, which is an hour long drive from the nearest rail station Kathgodam. Aparupa is a discerning traveller who bought this beautiful cottage, built in 1997, a year back to spend her weekends in the mountains away from the hustle-bustle of her hotel life. “One day when I was talking to my parents they suggested it’s a good idea to rent out this small cottage to other travellers too- those looking for a slow vacation,” she says. And that’s how ‘The White Peaks’ was born in May this year.
Get up, close and personal with the nature
Perched on a mountain top at a height of 7000 feet, this homestay is for those who want to get up-close and personal with the nature. It is surrounded by oak and rhododendron forests and an ideal place for bird watchers, photography enthusiasts and those who want to ‘look up’ and go on a digital detox .
The cottage has two bedrooms that have been furnished tastefully by Aparupa and are adorned with antiques, an old stone fireplace, a study and a dining area. If you are planning to check-in this non-hotel you will be served meals cooked home-style by a couple who takes care of this hill house. The average per night rate at The White Peaks (inclusive of meals) is Rs 3000 per person.
The Fireplace- for those chilly evenings
Its early days but the response has been great, Aparupa tells us. The home stay is pet—friendly and being an animal lover herself she is kicked about all the queries that she is getting from dog owners on The White Peak’s facebook page. “I have guests who are visiting from places as far as Bangalore and Chennai,” she says. We love such stories. We love such (non) hotels that have a heart.
The best thing to do at The White Peaks is to soak in the breathtaking views. But a little trekking, jungle walks and exploring the Kumaon hotspots will do no harm either. Nainital, popular tourist destination, is just a 45-minute drive from Gagar. There are other tourist attractions too that one can visit- picturesque hill town Pangot, Naukuchiyatal which is a paradise for bird watchers and Binsar which is an elusive hill-station. Whether you believe in Rumi’s sayings or not, visiting The White Peaks this monsoon is a good idea.
For more information regarding this boutique Himalayan homestay you can visit www.thewhitepeaks.com
For Bookings you can also call: +919810050514/9810053380
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