Junoon in the Hills

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Junoon in the Hills Peace and quiet in the Kumaon Hills... The weather here is far less extreme than other places in the Himalayas . On average, this train journey takes 7 hours.

About Darmani:

At a height of about 4500 feet, 70km from the railhead at Kathgodam, Darmani is a small and sleepy village of a few hundred souls. Untouched by the hustle of modern life, the village was served until recently by only a mountain path. 3 years ago, a small mountain road was constructed to connect the village to Garampani. In the winter, although the temperature drops to 0 degC at nig

ht, you can lounge in the sun during the day wearing just a t-shirt. In summer, the temperature goes up to the low 30s in the sun - but the shade is sweet and cool. When the sky is clear - typically in the winter months between October and March - there are beautiful views of the distant snow-clad Himalayas, especially Mount Trishul and Nanda Devi


Facilities:

We have built our home to ensure that each room has its own view of the valley and the mountains beyond. The entire grounds of the property, and the various decks and gardens, are yours to enjoy. A TV and satellite TV connection in the family room means you don't have to miss that sports event or serial that you want to watch... When the electricity supply fails (mostly during the day, rarely at night), an ‘inverter’ power back-up means you can continue to watch TV for at least an hour or so. Even better, you can relax by the fish pond or on the deck with a nice book. In addition, at night, there are solar lanterns and candles to keep the dark at bay. We have recently installed a broadband Wi-Fi connection in the family room – along with a PC for basic email and browsing. The network can be temperamental, though – depending on whether there is power availability at the relay centres in the hills. As a back-up, your Airtel and Vodafone mobile data connection will work here (GPRS), if all else fails…

In addition, there is a pool table, as well as a gym - both of which can only be used by those over the age of 15. A trained masseur can be made available (he will travel up from Delhi ahead of your visit) provided you book him at least 2 weeks in advance. During your stay, please do keep in mind that while we're delighted to have you as guests, it is a home we have built with love and passion. Please respect and look after it while you enjoy it - as you would your own home! Accommodation:

Each bedroom on the property has its own attached bathroom with a shower and electric water heater. During the winter, the heated floors in the bathrooms and drawing room in the Main House keep you warm. We also provide electric blankets to keep you cozy and snug, and heaters if required. There is a wood-burning stove and an open fireplace in the drawing room. Of course, double brick and insulated walls mean it's always warmer inside than out...! In the summer, on the other hand, there are many windows to let the breeze in, and fans to keep the circulation going. Outdoors, you can sit in the shade and enjoy a cool drink with the gentle summer breeze. Wine and Dine:

Our food is simple and hearty, and cooked to your liking by a dedicated full-time cook in our large family kitchen. Activities:

When visiting for a long weekend, most visitors prefer to just stay at home, relaxing and catching up with each other, getting pampered, playing pool, staying fit in the (small but adequate) gym, or catching some TV. Long walks along the country road are enjoyable, with some beautiful valley and snow-capped Himalayan views in the winter - you can spend hours just soaking these in...

For the more adventurous, there are mountain trails winding through small villages all the way down to the stream at Garampani. Our staff can help you decide what you'd like to do, and arrange for local guides if needed. If staying longer, Darmani is well situated for trips to local destinations. Nainital is due south, a little over an hour away. Similarly, Ranikhet and Almora are about 40km away, further north. Various other local sites - such as Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal, Mukteshwar, Sitla, and other Kumaon destinations - are all within easy motoring reach, allowing for comfortable day trips. Our staff can arrange for local taxis to travel in the hills, at very reasonable rates - just ask! Getting there:

Broadly, there are two ways of getting to Darmani:
By train (from Delhi)
By road

1. Kathgodam, the last railway station on the route, is well-connected to Delhi, with 3 trains at different times of the day. From Kathgodam, the drive up into the hills takes you past Bhimtal up to Bhowali (about 5500 feet), before descending to Garampani. At Garampani, the old Khairna bridge leading left off the village centre takes you up again, towards Dhaniyakot (and then on, via Betaalghat, to Corbett National Park). About 10km from Garampani is the village, and our home is visible a couple of kilometers across the valley as you approach the village…

Train tickets can be booked at the IRCTC website (click here) - on the website, please select destination as KGM (Kathgodam). We can arrange for a taxi service to pick you up from the station and take you to Darmani. Please mention this in the reservation email if you'd like us to arrange the pick-up.

2. You could also choose to drive all the way from Delhi - a distance of about 280km to Kathgodam. The road is a 4-lane national highway most of the way to Moradabad, and a 2-lane state highway from there to Kathgodam. If driving up from Delhi , any kind of car can get to Darmani - there's no need for a 4-wheel drive!

Cotton clouds passing over the hills, casting shadows now and then is a mesmerizing view. As you lay in the patch of gra...
31/03/2022

Cotton clouds passing over the hills, casting shadows now and then is a mesmerizing view. As you lay in the patch of grass, happy with where life has brought you, wonderful things are yet in store for you in the hill holidays at Junoon In The Hills.

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As the sun shines brighter, the snow recedes, revealing a lush green landscape. The transformation is magical!www.junoon...
30/03/2022

As the sun shines brighter, the snow recedes, revealing a lush green landscape. The transformation is magical!

www.junooninthehills.com

Rocky, sandy river beaches have their own charm against the backdrop of towering green slopes and clear blue skies. With...
29/03/2022

Rocky, sandy river beaches have their own charm against the backdrop of towering green slopes and clear blue skies. With summer approaching, the land here transforms into a veritable paradise!

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Now that travel is open again, is it not time to catch up with the old gang? Where better than in the hills, trekking an...
28/03/2022

Now that travel is open again, is it not time to catch up with the old gang? Where better than in the hills, trekking and chilling! Junoon In The Hills with its 5 bedrooms is ideal stay for a small group to explore the off-beat destinations of Uttarakhand.

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Known for many white water rapids, Uttarakhand is a paradise for adventure seekers. Seen here the calm before the storm ...
26/03/2022

Known for many white water rapids, Uttarakhand is a paradise for adventure seekers. Seen here the calm before the storm as they get ready to brave the cold waters for the next few minutes that will remain in memory forever!

Vacation must have elements of exhilaration and complete restfulness. Post your adventure activities we recommend taking the time out to just be in the calm of Junoon In The Hills.

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Stone Balancing as YogaIn recent years, piling stones has become something of a spiritual practice in itself. Some peopl...
25/03/2022

Stone Balancing as Yoga

In recent years, piling stones has become something of a spiritual practice in itself. Some people create towers of smooth pebbles in nature, each representing a prayer or thought of gratitude as a meditation on the divine. Others, like Shane Hart, choose more challenging rocks to balance rather than pile, using the practice like meditation. He calls it “Upala yoga,” with “upala” meaning “stone” in Sanskrit.

This balancing of stones as a yoga practice is a meditation on impermanence. As Shane says on his website: “Upala yoga is temporal. Hours can be spent on a sculpture, and a subtle vibration or light wind can take it down in an instant.”

During the practice of balancing the stones, the mind is required to focus and become very quiet. The balance calls for three contact points that can often be intuitively felt only in deep stillness and silence. Michael Grab, who has been balancing stones since 2008, describes the experience as similar to states of samadhi. “There comes a point when the mind shuts off entirely, like in a deep, meditative state. And finally, when I approach the ‘zero-point’ with minute-final adjustments, it is like nothing ‘other’ exists. I am inside the vibrations of the rocks and everything in my surroundings becomes one. In a very literal sense it feels like creating a state of union with the environment.”

Read more on https://wanderlust.com/journal/the-yoga-of-balancing-stones/

Wanderlust

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The hills are a masterclass in perspective whether you are ascending or descending them. While ascension requires grit a...
21/03/2022

The hills are a masterclass in perspective whether you are ascending or descending them. While ascension requires grit and diligence, one step up at a time, descending has its own set of teachings. The many easy trek routes around Junoon In The Hills are happy to teach you what you need to learn the most at the moment! Are you ready?

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A highland lake is a surreal and calming presence. If you have never beheld one, you surely have missed something, my fr...
20/03/2022

A highland lake is a surreal and calming presence. If you have never beheld one, you surely have missed something, my friend! Uttarakhand with its many towns named after lakes is blessed with the largesse of this beauty and serenity. Come experience the grandeur of the large lakes and the intimacy of the small ones.

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High in the mountains, in between the slopes, babbling brooks take birth and race towards the valley. The hills and moun...
19/03/2022

High in the mountains, in between the slopes, babbling brooks take birth and race towards the valley. The hills and mountains extend into the horizon with each layer creating a different hue, all the way up to the pristine white of the giants that stand over the landscape. Just to behold such a vista is restful beyond words.

At Junoon In The Hills, every bend has a view to indulge in.

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From beaches (sandy, river ones) to bridges and beyond, Uttarakhand has much to offer for the travel hungry adventurer. ...
18/03/2022

From beaches (sandy, river ones) to bridges and beyond, Uttarakhand has much to offer for the travel hungry adventurer. Just dare a little to go off the beaten track and you will find vistas subtle and bold, beautiful and exhilarating. You may even come to discover your own cove of clam like we did with Junoon In The Hills.

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The slopes of charming hill stations are dotted with colourful houses that look much like toy houses as you approach the...
17/03/2022

The slopes of charming hill stations are dotted with colourful houses that look much like toy houses as you approach them from far. In our minds, this already takes us back to a happy time from childhood. A perfect prelude to a vacation!

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A sudden glimpse through the canopy as you trek in the dense woodlands around Junoon In The Hills brings in focus a surr...
16/03/2022

A sudden glimpse through the canopy as you trek in the dense woodlands around Junoon In The Hills brings in focus a surreal landscape with the lower mountains receding into the valley while the giants look like they float in the heavens above the clouds.

www.junooninthehills.com

Rocky gorges, lush slopes, emerald water rich in minerals, steel bridges connecting otherwise unconnected lands just acr...
15/03/2022

Rocky gorges, lush slopes, emerald water rich in minerals, steel bridges connecting otherwise unconnected lands just across the torrent of rapids - the landscape around Junoon In The Hills is dynamic and eventful, but once you climb up the slopes and look at all this from a distance, the dynamism recedes to the background with a beautiful and calm picture of the valley painted just by the dint of distance and altitude. Come experience the serenity the mountains bring.

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A contrasting colour, the orange of the ascetics stands in stark contrast to the blue skies, the lush green of hills and...
14/03/2022

A contrasting colour, the orange of the ascetics stands in stark contrast to the blue skies, the lush green of hills and the white of snow. It resonates with the more ephemeral elements of nature such as a flower or the twilight. Perhaps the ascetics too understand their role in this perpetual stage is a limited one and the orange helps keep this in perspective. Half their job is done in seeking enlightenment.

At Junoon In The Hills, although you will unlikely run into orange-clad ascetics, nature's beauty, constant and ephemeral will set you along the path of serenity.

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Much as the thoughts that form and dissolve in our consciousness, so too the clouds in the skies over Junoon In The Hill...
13/03/2022

Much as the thoughts that form and dissolve in our consciousness, so too the clouds in the skies over Junoon In The Hills. Sit here in meditation or practice Yoga as is your preference. You are in good company with the Dev Bhoomi having a rich legacy of seekers coming here for many millennia.

www.junooninthehills.com

Much like the famed palaces around the Ghat at Varanasi where the kings of all kingdoms owned prime properties overlooki...
12/03/2022

Much like the famed palaces around the Ghat at Varanasi where the kings of all kingdoms owned prime properties overlooking the river with their own ghats, Haridwar too was a sought after destination for the royalties to have a doorway to heaven. Seen here is one such called the Patiala House. These magnificent structures are now dilapidated with disuse. Wish they find a second lease of life in the sacred city of Haridwar.

Uttarakhand has many such little known secrets for you to unravel. And of course the mountains for you to escape into. Where better than Junoon In The Hills when you want to leave the everyday behind.

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As the winter lifts, so does the mist revealing slopes lush with green, speckled with flowers all over. The epitome of t...
11/03/2022

As the winter lifts, so does the mist revealing slopes lush with green, speckled with flowers all over. The epitome of this of course is the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand. But something of that rubs of on the other parts too including Junoon In The Hills.

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Call us suckers for the classic. But we can't resist a timeless picture of a happy face beaming along with a blossom. Ma...
10/03/2022

Call us suckers for the classic. But we can't resist a timeless picture of a happy face beaming along with a blossom. Many such days and scenes to come with the gardens of Junoon In The Hills set to be overrun by flowers and children, both of who love the mountain home and acres of gardens around.

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Ferns are heralds of spring. unrolling into beautiful forms the ferns take over the landscape as the sun warms the winte...
09/03/2022

Ferns are heralds of spring. unrolling into beautiful forms the ferns take over the landscape as the sun warms the winter out of the mountains of Uttarakhand. Elsewhere these ferns are harvested even before they unfurl as the succulent bud is considered a delicacy and pickled for use through the year.

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The sombre snow-peaked mountains in the distance always looking heavenward are a constant reminder for us to pursue our ...
08/03/2022

The sombre snow-peaked mountains in the distance always looking heavenward are a constant reminder for us to pursue our highest passion and goals. Along the way when you get tired, the hills with their lush green life provides solace to your soul to recharge and come out on top!

At Junoon In The Hills, you can indulge in the life's little joys and beauties even as you recharge to conquer your next summit!

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When did you last indulge in life's little joys? With spring and harvest around the corner, one such joy awaits you. Whe...
07/03/2022

When did you last indulge in life's little joys? With spring and harvest around the corner, one such joy awaits you. Where better to experience it than the cool hills of Uttarakhand about to come alive after the winter slumber.

www.junooninthehills.com

Mountains chipped ever so lightly to create the snaking roads that follow the valley below as we ascend to the heavens, ...
06/03/2022

Mountains chipped ever so lightly to create the snaking roads that follow the valley below as we ascend to the heavens, high in the hills of Uttarakhand. One such is our beautiful and luxurious homestay with just 5 rooms for an exclusive vacation with loved ones.

www.junooninthehills.com

With spring round the corner, it is the ideal time to soak up sun and feel the cool mountain breeze on your face at once...
05/03/2022

With spring round the corner, it is the ideal time to soak up sun and feel the cool mountain breeze on your face at once. When are you coming home to the hills?

www.junooninthehills.com

Smiling faces and smiling flowers, the gods have been generous to the mountains. With spring at the horizon, come to Jun...
04/03/2022

Smiling faces and smiling flowers, the gods have been generous to the mountains. With spring at the horizon, come to Junoon In The Hills, a luxury homestay, and truly understand what we are talking about.

www.junooninthehills.com

Happy faces even in the face of hard lives. People in the mountains come to appreciate the little joys of life early on....
03/03/2022

Happy faces even in the face of hard lives. People in the mountains come to appreciate the little joys of life early on. Perhaps this is why those seeking Nirvana recluse to the mountains. Natural energy here fills you with spirituality, supercharging your life to be self-fulfilled.

www.junooninthehills.com

The topography of a mountain town is rather misleading. What appears near takes forever to reach, what is not even seen ...
02/03/2022

The topography of a mountain town is rather misleading. What appears near takes forever to reach, what is not even seen is just a few steps ahead. Much like life? Indulge in such philosophical musings at the charming mountain vacation home of Junoon In The Hills.

www.junooninthehills.com

Maha Shiva Rathri wishes from the land of Kedarnath! Immerse the sublime spirituality of the mountains.www.junooninthehi...
01/03/2022

Maha Shiva Rathri wishes from the land of Kedarnath! Immerse the sublime spirituality of the mountains.

www.junooninthehills.com

Many places lay claim to the title of Queen of Hill stations. For us, Nainital is a clear winner and we call her the Que...
27/02/2022

Many places lay claim to the title of Queen of Hill stations. For us, Nainital is a clear winner and we call her the Queen of Hearts! A charming colonial town with beautiful homes, many dating back over a century, Nainital is filled with landmarks. Nainital makes for a great day trip while spending a vacation in the escape of Junoon In The Hills.

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The many moods of the mountains in and around Junoon In The Hills! For every season, for every reason. www.junooninthehi...
26/02/2022

The many moods of the mountains in and around Junoon In The Hills! For every season, for every reason.

www.junooninthehills.com

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