The document provides information about Kalmatia Sangam Himalaya Resort in Kumaon, India. It summarizes the resort's accommodations including 10 cottages with expansive Himalayan views. It also describes village homestays that offer a rustic yet comfortable cultural experience. The document outlines a 7-day walking itinerary that incorporates day hikes, visiting ancient temples, and staying in different villages each night.

1. An initiative in community based tourism, the walk provides insight into the lives and daily
routine of the Kumaoni villager. With local religious customs and ancient traditions are very
much alive here, the itinerary covers both the cultural and natural aspects of the region.
Itineraries can be tailored for longer or shorter walks, with activities or relaxation at Kalmatia.

2. Kalmatia Sangam
Kalimat Estate was built in 1867 by a British Captain ES Jackson. The resort is now owned and
supervised by Geeta and her German husband Dieter. Kalmatia Sangam Himalaya Resort has ten
cottages with expansive views of the Himalayas. Each cottage is spacious, designed and
decorated differently. They have large doors and windows to let in natural light and the views,
and are equipped with ensuite bathrooms with modern facilities. A few cottages are on two
levels. Some cottages use local stone others brick, and each are heated in winter.
The restuarant Sangam, opens out onto a terrace which on a clear day offers panoramic views
of the western himalayan ranges. Meals are from local Kumaoni, Continental and Indian
cuisine.

3. The Village Homes
The home-stays in the villages are small twin bed units leased out from the villagers for the
exclusive use of Kalmatia guests. Each home has two units with bath and toilets, adjacent to
the house. Toilets are western and hot water is provided in buckets for bucket baths. In winter
the houses are heated with bukharis (stoves fired with wood).
The village home
stays are rustic
and simple, yet
charming and
authentic, with
amenities to
ensure comfort
and hygiene.
Mattress, pillows,
blankets and
linen are the same quality as used at the resort. Kitchen and service staff are trained at
Kalmatia. Meals are traditional local and Indian, with spices tempered to suit Western palates.
Indian breads are served piping hot straight off the stove,
The first two village home at Deora and Palieu have electricity, though prone to frequent
power cuts. Electricity has not reached the last village home in Jawalbhanj yet. Petromax
lanterns and torches are provided after sunset.

4. 1 Arrive at Kalmatia Sangam
Delhi a drive of 8 to 9 hours
overnight train followed by a drive of 2
½ hours
Corbett a drive of 4 ½ through the hills
Rishikesh a drive of 10 hours drive through the
hills,
overnight at Rudraprayag
A drive of 6 hours through the plains to
Corbett
and thence 4 ½ hours
For those arriving at lunch the late afternoon is at
leisure.
For those arriving at breakfast, after breakfast start an
easy walk to the Chittai temple. The path is through
pine forest with views into the valley and Himalayan
range.
Walking time to Chittai and back: 4 to 5 hours - 10
kms. Altitude 1700 to 1950 metres
2 Kalmatia Sangam
For the guests who arrived at lunch the
previous afternoon – Chittai Temple Walk
For those who arrived at breakfast the
previous day - Binsar Sanctuary Walk. After
breakfast drive to Binsar. Walk through
dense oak and rhododendron forest and hike
downhill to the Shiva temple. Packed lunch is
served enroute. Drive back to resort.
Walking time in Binsar is 5 to 6 hours. Driving
time is 2 hours. Altitude 1700 to 2400
metres
3 to 6 Village walk
The walks vary from gentle to slightly steep.
The village trek leads through villages past
ancient flour mills, where you can stop and
see how they work. Pass terraced fields,
waterfalls, streams and irrigation canals,
crossing through pine, cedar, oak and
rhododendron forest. Pass villages where the
castes are strictly segregated.

5. People are friendly, curious in a childlike manner and happy to answer questions and be
photographed. The walks touches ancient Kali, Vishnu and Shakti temples some over a 1000
years old.
Each afternoon reach a different village to stay the night. The landlord while preparing dinner,
hops in and out of his fields to get fresh vegetables and herbs for your meal. Guests are
welcome to watch and help. Relax, chat with the locals.
Daily average walking time is about 5 to 7 hrs. Altitude is
between 1450 to 2250 metres.
6 Return to Kalmatia Sangam
Walk downhill to Jageshwar. At Jageshwar visit the ancient
temple complex built by the Chand and Katyuri rulers between
8th and 12th Century AD. It is a 1 ½ hour drive back to Kalmatia
Sangam. On the way stop to see the prehistoric rock art at
Lakhudiar.
7 Leave Kalmatia Sangam
After breakfast, leave Kalmatia Sangam.

6. US$ xxx per person sharing a double/twin bedded room
Includes all meals, 3 nights at Kalmatia Sangam and 3 nights at village houses, porters, guide
and transport back to the resort from Jageshwar.
Ask us for special prices on groups and families traveling together.

7. • Best through October and April, though a bit hazy towards the end of April
• Spectacular in winter
Spring March & April
Blue skies, fruit trees in blossom, the forests flaming red with rhododendron flowers, and views
of the Himalaya peaks
Summer
Cool pine scented breezes, song of birds and a variety of butterflies, a refreshing storm now
and again and perhaps a lucky split in cloud cover, with glimpses of the Himalaya peaks
Monsoon
No incessant rain. Fresh newly washed, lush, green, riots of flowers, wild herb and mushroom.
Sudden dramatic views of the Himalaya peaks. Ghostly wisps of mist swirling through dripping
trees.
Autumn September & October
Golden sunshine, hills dotted with cosmos flowers, wild cherry in bloom and Himalayan views.
Winter December to February
300 kilometres of unhampered Himalayan view. Crisp and clear, the sweet scent of the mimosa
filling the air. If there happens to be snow – a silent, white world of pristine beauty.
Best time for the trek is mid September to mid April
Birds, butterflies, langurs (grey, longtailed Baboons), monkeys, jackals, foxes, hares, pine
martens, wild cats, red squirrels, porcupines, flying foxes, flying squirrels and the leopard.
Cedars, Cypresses, Pines, Mimosa, Wild Cherry, Crepe Myrtle, Horse Chestnuts, Rhododendrons,
Himalayan Oaks, Bottle Brush, Kaphal, wild, edible yellow Raspberries in May, Chinese Bamboo,
exotic flowering cactii, Holly, Mistletoe, Ivy, to mention just some varieties.
Kalmatia has a library of books on various topics (fiction and non-fiction), a library of music
cassettes to suit different tastes in Indian and Western Classical Music and a variety of games
like Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, Ludo, Cards, Backgammon, etcetera.
Arts & Crafts
Local crafts include shawls and stoles of angora and pashmina, copper craft items, Kumaoni
Rangoli paintings, traditional jewellery, natural herbs and oils.
Architectural Sites
Colonial architecture at Ramgarh, Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, Nainital & Almora
Bird watching
150 species have been sighted in this area.
Caves
Patal Bhubaneshwar
Day Walks
Walks pass through a cedar forest and further down the ravines and gorges, past waterfalls
with pools for splashing around. Different walking trails of 3 to 7 hours can be planned.

8. Festivals
Bageshwar Mela (Fair) January
Jageshwar Sawan Mela July & August
Dhunagiri Festival April
Devidoora Raksha Bandan August
Ramlila Festival October
Dassehra Almora October
Holistic Health
Massage, Reflexology, Diet consultation and Moxibustion Therapy including health diagnosis
and body manipulation can be arranged with therapist Annie Del'Bove
Lakes
Sattal Birdwatching, Hiking, Boating
Naukachiatal Boating, Birdwatching
Nainital Shopping
Bhimtal Boating
Prehistoric Sites
Lwethap, Pharkanauli, Phulseema, Lakhudiar & Devidhura
Temples
Jageshwar, Katarmal, Baijnath, Kasar Devi, Chittai, Shayhi Devi, Gannanath Malika,
Gangolihat & Dunagiri.
Traditional villages
Mat, Deora, Baijnath, Paliu, Gadholi, Kimu, Gogina, Khati, Almora Bazaar
Walking Itineraries and Stay at Kalmatia Sangam are tailor-made.