Wood Owl Cottage: tranquil retreat, majestic views

Nestled amidst a lush oak grove, with sweeping views of Himalayan snow peaks, The Wood Owl Cottage isn’t just a homestay. It is a serene sanctuary, where every creak of the floorboard, rustle of leaves, and whisper of wings greets you like an old friend. Stepping inside you will discover a spacious living room with a fireplace and well-equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, an attic studio with a viewing deck, 3 toilets, and a powder room with many sit-out areas and working spaces too. The space There are two 200 square feet bedrooms with attached toilets fitted with warm toilet seats and an electronic bidet. Additionally, there is a 250-square-foot attic with a 120-square-foot viewing deck, working corner, and attached toilet. The bedrooms have queen-sized beds while the attic has a sofa-cum-bed and a futon. There is a large 600 square feet of space on the ground floor where living, kitchen, and dining areas are flowing into each other. This place has glass windows on all sides and serves as a great family space. There are also ample spaces outside the house to sit out. Here, amidst the tranquil beauty of nature, you'll forge unforgettable connections with both resident and migratory feathered friends. It's not merely a place to stay; it's a profound communion with the natural world, where the symphony of birdsong serves as your morning melody and the dance of butterflies adorns your day like fluttering confetti. For the intrepid souls seeking adventure, an attic with a viewing deck awaits, offering a front-row seat to an awe-inspiring 180-degree panorama, showcasing the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas on clear days. Every corner of the cottage is designed to ensure not just a comfortable stay but also the creation of enduring memories amidst the splendour of nature. Guest access The entire house is available to guests, except for one bedroom and a study. The same is used by the hosts for themselves and remains locked while the guests are here. The guests will have complete privacy during their stay. Other things to note Facilities: 1. Fully equipped kitchen with cooking range, oven, microwave oven, mixer, toaster, large fridge, utensils, crockery, and cutlery. Basic spices, tea, coffee, and sugar are already in the kitchen. The other food and provisions need to be arranged by guests. There is a grocery store nearby, which delivers at the cottage. 2. Dining Area with seating for up to 8. 3. Comfortable beds including queen-sized, sofa-cum bed, and futon options. 4. Caretaker cum Cook available. 5. Living Area with a smart TV for viewing OTT channels. You may need to log into your OTT a/cs. 7. Fireplace 8. Sit-out decks 9. Lobby 10. 2 large Bedrooms [on ground and first floor] with double beds and attached toilets 11. Heated toilet seats and electronic bidet facucets [ with bedrooms only] 12. Attic with a futon and sofa-cum-bed with attached toilet and a viewing deck. 13. Ample parking space for 2 cars. 14. Sleeping & toilet facility for one driver 15. Outdoor seating 16. Wifi connectivity 17. Access to nearby walking trails 18. Towels & Bed linen [ Changed only on request] 19. Running Hot and Cold water 20. RO purified drinking water 21. Cleaning Location: The guests are advised to navigate to Satkhol. Upon reaching Satkhol look for a gate with a signage of Ramchandra Ashram on the right. Enter from this gate and be on the lookout for a road going up on the right side. Take this road to SonaPani village. You will notice Ek Satoli Café and Hill Mart on your right. Soon after this, there is a road going down on the left side. Take this road and keep going on this road till you find an iron gate. Enter that gate, The Wood Owl Cottage is the first cottage on your left side. How to reach: It is located around 43 km from Bhowali and around 350 km from Delhi. The nearest airport Pantnagar is 106 km away. The nearest railhead Kathgodam is 72 km from here. Local taxis are available at the station. • If you are driving – you must have experience in hill driving as the last 800 meters to the house has a few sharp and steep turns. The car reaches the cottage and there is a parking space for two cars. Activities: Birding: The Wood Owl Cottage and surrounding areas have rich bird diversity. Embark on birding adventures with binoculars provided on-site. Hiking & Walking Trails: Explore scenic hiking trails trails starting from the property's arched gate. Stargazing: Indulge in stargazing on clear nights, you see a sky full of stars. Forest walks: An interesting forest walk starts from the IVRI check-post about 3 km away. Yoga & Meditation: It is an ideal place to practice some Yoga and meditation amidst breathtaking mountain vistas and single-digit AQI. Horizon watching: From our viewing deck in the attic. You can see the saucer-shaped valley, Almora town, the Greater Himalayas, and more. Peak watching [on clear days]: The following Himalayan snow peaks are visible from our viewing deck on clear days. • Chaukhamba • Kamet • Mana • Ghori Parvat • Haathi Parvat • Nandaghunti • Trishul • Mrigthuni • Maiktoli • Nandadevi • Nandadevi East • Nandakhat • Pindari Glacier Pass • Chhanguch • Nandakot • Laspadhura • Dangthal • Panchachuli group • Api Interesting Places Around: IVRI forest [ 3.5 KM away] Mukteshwar [ 12 KM away] Kapileshwar [ 15 KM away] Aarohi souvenir shop [a walking distance of 15 minutes]