A 100-year-old colonial dak bungalow located at a picturesque point commanding a sweeping view of the Himalayan ranges. Surrounded with multi-layered gardens, and as typical of the 'Raj' bungalow architecture, there are high-ceiling rooms, exquisite stone flooring and teak roof. A fireplace with a mantelpiece above and antique furniture completes the period setting.
This is the “
Peora Old Dak Bungalow 1905” in Village Satoli near Mukteshwar in Uttarakhand, India.
Leased out and renovated by Pradeep and Shubha Gupta, this bungalow serves as a homestay for those who like to spend a few days of solitude by taking in the fresh mountain air and listening to the chirping of birds while sipping hot tea and other favourite brews. The Guptas have taken care to retain the old-world Raj-era charm with the rustic furniture, basic amenities and comfortable beds. There are three rooms – two suites and one double room. The suites have a living room with a fireplace, a divan and comfortable chairs. All rooms have an attached kitchenette with the necessary utensils if you care to cook your own food. Otherwise, you can be Mrs. Gupta’s guests for meals.
And what delicious meals she cooks! Being a compulsive carnivore that I am, all in my family were astonished at how many chappatis I gobbled down with the delicious vegetarian fare she served. Breakfast and lunch are usually served out in the open while dinner is served in the cozy little cottage where the hosts live.
The extensive verandah overlooking the Himalayas is furnished with arm-chairs, ‘murhas’ and comfy chairs where you can laze around all day reading from the good collection of books and magazines kept in the rooms.
If you feel like moving out, you can trek to Aarohi. Aarohi is a non-profit, grassroots organisation committed to need-based and people-planned integrated rural development in the Central Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. Aarohi is located a few kilometres from the dak bungalow and runs a school, a hospital and a Nature Shop where you can buy local handicrafts like soaps, scrubs, oils and herbs. All materials are sourced from the nearby villages and grown organically. Both Mr. & Mrs. Gupta are associated with Aarohi.
I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking…
 |
| Living Room |
 |
| Living Room |
 |
| Bed Room with the Kitchen further right |
 |
| Bedroom |
 |
| Main Gate |
 |
| Front View |
 |
| Front View |
 |
| The Gupta's Cottage |
 |
| On a clear day you can see the Himalayan Range from here |
 |
| The verandah |
 |
Breakfast time!
|
Do not come here looking for made-to-order meals, room service and modern amenities. This is a homestay where the hosts treat you like house guests and ensure that you eat well, sleep comfortably and leave with a promise to come back again.
