Why Boutique Mountain Properties Are Redefining Himalayan Hospitality

As featured in Condé Nast Traveller's recent showcase of "14 charming Kumaon homestays for the winter," boutique mountain properties are transforming the landscape of luxury hospitality in the Indian Himalayas. Among these curated escapes, Jilling Terraces stands as a testament to the growing appeal of intimate, personally-run mountain retreats in Uttarakhand.

Where Stars Tell Time: Christmas & New Year in the Himalayas

Experience an intimate Christmas & New Year celebration at 7,000 feet. Just 16 guests, pristine Himalayan wilderness, and starlit celebrations at Jilling Terraces, Kumaon. Featured in Condé Nast Traveller.

Battling Kala Ghas in the Himalayas: Jilling Terraces' Conservation Story | Uttarakhand

Discover how Jilling Terraces is fighting the invasive Kala Ghas (Ageratina adenophora) in Uttarakhand's mountains. Learn about our successful restoration efforts and join our conservation initiative at 7,000 feet.

📚 Discover India's Ancient Global Power | Reading William Dalrymple's "The Golden Road" at Jilling Terraces 📚

Journey with William Dalrymple's groundbreaking new work that rewrites history, revealing India's central role in ancient global trade and culture. Read this paradigm-shifting narrative from our heritage mountain home at 7,000 feet, where ancient trading routes once wound through these very mountains, connecting India to the world it helped shape between 500 BCE and 1200 CE.

🏛️ Discover India's true role as ancient world's economic powerhouse 📚 Revolutionary retelling of global trade history 🏰 Heritage mountain home with curated reading spaces 🌅 Contemplate ancient trade routes from mountain viewpoints 🍵 Evening discussions about India's historical significance

❄️ Winter in the Himalayas | Luxury Mountain Stay at Jilling Terraces, Nainital ❄️

Discover winter's most intimate secrets at Jilling Terraces, where every frosty morning brings crystal-clear views of the snow-capped Nanda Devi. Perched at 7,000 feet in the South Gola range, our 100-acre forest sanctuary transforms into a winter wonderland from November through February. Wake up to misty mornings in our heritage Chestnut House, warm yourself by traditional fireplaces, and experience luxury that blends seamlessly with authentic mountain living.

From INR 9,000 onwards | All-inclusive stays with meals 📍 2 hours from Nainital | Private forest location 🏔️ Clear views of Nanda Devi range 🔥 Traditional fireplace in Buransh suite 🌲 100-acre private forest 🍲 Authentic Kumaoni winter cuisine

This December 13-14 in Jilling Terraces, join us for a celestial celebration where up to 120 shooting stars per hour will dance above our mountain sanctuary. Whether you're a serious astronomer with your GPS-guided telescope or simply a dreamer with wonder in your heart, Jilling Terraces offers you a front-row seat to the universe's grandest show.

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.