Transform your workout on Jilling's historic trail, where 2km of British-era stone path rises 1,000ft through pristine Himalayan forest. This 35-degree climb delivers a full-body workout, burning calories while you breathe mountain air and soak in valley views. Nature's perfect gym awaits at 6,800ft. #CreateInTheHimalayas

Experience Diwali from 7000ft at Jilling Terraces, where harvest meets heavens. Discover how India's festival of lights aligns with nature's rhythm, from mountain harvests to ancient trade traditions in the clear Himalayan air.

What We’re Reading is a curated collection of articles, blogs, and books that inspire and inform our creative and cultural explorations. Each edition features insightful reads that blend tradition and innovation, with a focus on craftsmanship, design, and sustainability. Stay updated with what’s sparking our interest, and don’t hesitate to share your own recommendations. We might feature your suggestions in an upcoming edition!

A Month of Festivities, Nature, and Culinary Delights

October in Kumaon is a celebration of both nature and culture, offering a unique blend of festive traditions and outdoor adventures. This time of year marks one of the most important festivals in the region, Nandaashtmi or the Nanda Devi Festival, alongside opportunities to enjoy Kumaon’s stunning natural beauty, including camping, stargazing, and savoring local culinary delights.

On October 17th, 2024, the night sky will host the closest Super Moon of the year—known as the Hunter’s Moon. This rare celestial event, steeped in ancient traditions, is said to thin the veil between worlds, making it a powerful time for transformation. In Vedic astrology, this full moon is associated with Sharad Purnima, a time of heightened spiritual energy, believed to promote health, wealth, and fulfillment of desires.

Best Himalayan retreats, spas, lodges and hideaways

A rustic but luxurious mountain lodge overlooking Nanda Devi – India’s second highest mountain – Jilling Terraces is a superb retreat.

Sheela and Rajeev Lunkad fell in love with this 80-year-old colonial bungalow a decade ago.

Over the next few months, we are optimistic to record more species of birds around Jilling and we hope to have you join our birding programs. Our birding programs aim to provide exclusive guided birding trails with our in-house naturalist at Jilling Terraces with the hope to help our birding guests sight some of the amazing Himalayan avian fauna around Jilling.

We at Jilling terraces are in the happy position of offering you a safe home away from home where you can continue practicing social distancing. Come stay with us as we watch nature rejuvenate herself.

“The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician” - Paracelsus, 16th Century Swiss-German physician

When you are in direct contact with the ground (walking, sitting, or laying down on the earth’s surface) the earth’s electrons are conducted to your body, bringing it to the same electrical potential as the earth. – Dr. Mercola

Find yourself immersed in complete silence, and achieve states of ‘flow’. With umpteen working areas, treat yourself to a distraction-free environment. Do meaningful work, read, write, and most importantly, reflect.

 Using recycled industrial yarn and his exceptionally long thumbnails, Errol creates magic as he deftly locks and interlocks one twisted cord through another. Being a teacher for most of his life, Mr. Pires comes as an honest, humble and patient tutor who answers numerous queries of his disciples who are keen to learn this art.

The snow capped peaks of the Himalayas are gleaming , the fragrant forests are standing silent, the bonfires are crackling. Immerse yourself in the local culture of Kumaon, experience and discover the joy of the carefully crafted mountain retreat that you will remember for a lifetime. Don’t let your age, size, fitness level or skill stop you from discovering the power of travel.

The season of colors is here. And as the dark and gloomy winter months gave way to the brightest and most colorful Spring months, travelers from all across the world descend on Uttarakhand to enjoy its vivid colors. The nip of winter, the colors of spring, the severity of summer, the glorious-grey of the monsoon and the bareness of autumn all acquire a different dimension when experienced from the Chestnut House of Jilling Terraces, an 80 year old colonial cottage standing tall amidst the South Gola range of Himalayas in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

For the love of all things wonderful, here's a little something to get your hearts racing. An Eco-tourism resort with all the frills to leave you awestruck.

The moment you arrive hand-in-hand , you are greeted by our warm and hospitable team. The melody of the cold waves will entice you further inside. The evenings spent near the fireplace with dreamy life tunes of the crackling fire will keep you swaying. The night sky above you. The twinkling stars as your only light – you just need to turn your heads up and then wait for the unforgettable evening to unfold.

And if you haven’t felt it yet, you know where to come.

Seeing the awe-inspiring vista through the viewfinder, you will find yourself driven by the urge of capturing the magnificent panorama in your camera. You might run helter-skelter, throughout the space trying to get the best shot but eventually, you will find yourself milking the art of stillness as you will gulp down the coffee or relish the hot piping paranthas cooked with love by the warm and hospitable staff of Jilling Terraces.

It is on solo trips you learn to push through your fears—be it talking to strangers, walking alone into a fine dining restaurant or sleeping alone in strange places.You learn to ‘ask’, to receive, to give and to take. Prejudices dissolve. You learn to trust humanity.

Sai Vivekananda is an architect from Coimbatore and a passionate bird watcher who counts Valley of Flowers amongst his favorite travel destinations. Whenever he is on a new travel adventure, he likes to indulge his love of photography.

In his recent visit to Jilling Terraces, he encountered some of the most beautiful species of Himalayan flora and fauna. Read about his close encounter with the Marten Kind - one of the agilest animals seen around Jilling. 

Beautiful, fascinating birds are everywhere in startling numbers. You see them everyday. Once you decide that you would like to be able to identify them, it happens — you’re a birder!