Set in a clearing amidst 100 acres of untouched forests in Uttrakhand is a 80 year old house... 

... a couple of hours away from Nainital  in the South Gola range of Himalayas, with stunning views of Nanda Devi and the surrounding peaks on clear days. 

Chestnut House, built in 1933 by a Sanskrit scholar for his Polish doctor wife pining for the cool climes of her country has now been converted into a warm homestay... 

Two large suites Buransh and Utish on the ground floor and two rooms Kafal and Padam with double beds on the first floor, wing a large family room. Each of the suites has a ante room to loll in during the day or let the young ones snuggle up together at night.

Start From Here...Choose your room

Padam

The gorgeous Himalayan wild cherry tree is the inspiration for this room. Mesmeric when in bloom with its delicate flowers, this room aspires for the same delicacy in its impact. This compact room on the first floor offers supremely magnificent views of the Himalayas, lounge on the bed let nature roll over you, sip masala chai, read, think or just drift - let the peace and silence sink in.

Buransh

The scarlet hued suite is named after the rhododendron flower that peeps out between the thick canopy of oak trees heralding the advent of spring.  Moving from scarlet to a madder red hues the suite has a traditional fireplace a king size bed and a comfortable ante room with an extra bed and a study table – enough space if one wants to set up home for a few days to read, write or watch nature work its magic in the mountains. This opens out onto the verandah with fireplaces where one can enjoy the outdoors without being chilled.

Kafal

The bay berry or box myrtle, this tangy sweet wild berry is a favourite with all kids. This room tucked away on one side of the house is a haven for the late risers and those taking a break from any sounds of civilization. One can breathe in the essence of the mountains – simply throw open the windows on two sides of the bed and feel the mountains roll up next to you.

Utish

The local alder tree with a burnished bronze bark gives this room its quintessential character. The wood of the tree has been ingeniously used as towel stands, toilet paper holders and wedges for mirrors all over the nooks of the house. Done in shades of indigo this majestic suite has an ante room too – perfect for a small family to play a raucous game of monopoly or work out a 1000 piece puzzle from the collection in the living room. It opens out to the verandah on the ground floor and has a patch garden at the back.

Ringol

The self sufficient cottage is named after the resilient dwarf bamboo, traditionally harvested from oak forests and crafted by locals into utilitarian goods. Here we use it as the unique ceiling under the tin roofs.
Sit on the day bed in the living area, toss up your favourite salad or make green tea in the pantry area, or have a midnight hot chocolate, sit around the 4 seater dining table and write a poem or discuss the nuances of home schooling – enough space to do what you please. Then clamber up to the loft bed space and watch the moon rise and wind its way through the sky and peek in from each of the 4 windows. Step out into the verandha in the morning with your book and drift…. The world can wait.

Oak

Our darling Oak Cottage is now open for long stays! Come down the path from ChestnutHouse and find it tucked away between oak trees. Walk into a living room that doubles up into a balcony, pantry and dining room, then step into the spacious bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. Awaken to raucous bird song, open the french windows to watch clouds from your bed, answer emails on the study table, carry a tiffin down from the main house for lunch on the dining table, curl up on the couch with a book, brew yourself a pot of green tea to sip from the comfort of our old cane chairs, help weed the private garden out back, and revel in the peace and privacy of your own home in the "hills".

The Farm is a charming traditional Kumaoni house adapted for modern living with a bedroom, living room kitchen, and a bath with a central courtyard that is the heart of the cottage ..Nestled amidst terraced slopes and clear skies; it retains some of the core features such as low sloping roofs with skylight cut-outs , mud n slaked lime walls, cow dung, and mud-plastered floors and an angithi in each room. The house is made from chiseled granite, mud plaster, local wood, and balli / tatktas salvaged from the old house that has stood the test of time since 1943.

Important: It is a 15-minute walk from the main house and a 10-minute walk from the oak cottage.

The walls and floor are washed n tamped with mud plaster and cow dung. It keeps the place cool in summers and warm in winters and also keeps insects at bay. There is a charming fireplace in each room and a 360-degree view of mountains n forests from all sides

This house is for those who derive pleasure from being amidst pure nature, natural materials, and the hands of local masons n carpenters. This is the aesthetic of real India and functions beautifully for many a man n woman
We hope to bring to you all a part of their life n living and if there is anyone out there wanting to shed excessive trappings and be one with earth n mud n stone n wood; this is where your feet should take you.

Travel Planner

A moderate 1 hour 30 minute trek up from Matial through - large conifers, thick oaks, luscious rhododendrons, a stray horse chestnut, laden peaches, plums and apple trees lining the path...

Unless you are a fitness buff, after a point the heart pounds, the cheeks are aflame and your breath comes in short harsh gasps – the invigorating walk up to Chestnut House is something memories are made of...

Parking the car at a village (Matial) along the main road and walking up to a quaint peaceful destination crossing seasonal waterfalls, maybe chancing upon a grumpy porcupine or a snuffling, greedy wild boar along the path gives our travellers many holiday stories to take back home. A rosy cheeked village kid or a hardy gentle yokel may cross your path, normally what happens is that one follow the guide upto the house in awed silence, overwhelmed by the landscape all around. a few of us just need to concentrate on keeping our breath and foot step steady.

The guides will carry all your luggage up and give you a break half way up, with tea from a flask or nimbu pani, while you catch your breathe!

Hike up to Jilling from Matial village

Chestnut House Guidelines

Our beautiful heritage home is perched up on a mountain in the midst of luscious mixed forests. Here we find barking deer, sambar deer, yellow-throated martens, Himalayan palm civets, the occasional leopard and black bear, as well as an enormous diversity of plant, bird and insect life. Our lodge is for those guests who can appreciate the luxury of a hot bath and delicious home-cooked meals, while being in the lap of Nature. Jilling Terraces also boasts spectacular sunsets, and on clear days, the magnificent Nanda Devi massif and her sister peaks are visible from the house.

It is our endeavour to respect our environment and our team, while providing you with a memorable experience. In view of our lovely but remote setting, all guests are requested to famliarise themselves with our guidelines: