The day of the journey was filled with a kind of electricity that can only be experienced when something special is about to happen. We sent out invitations to all our family and friends weeks in advance, announcing our great departure for a beautiful destination in India’s Kumaon Region. As we piled into the car, we were awestruck by the anticipation building inside us.
Landing in India
Arriving at Delhi Airport, the resort arranged a mini-van for us to reach Fredy’s Bungalow. Traveling along the Indian plains, I watched in awe as the scenery continuously shifted while locals smiled at my passing and a crisp earthy scent wafted through the air. Time flew by faster than I realized until we eventually arrived at Fredy’s Bungalow at Bhimtal.
At Fredy’s Bungalow, Bhimtal
When we reached the Bungalow after an exciting drive through roads of the Indian Subcontinent, we were met with lush greenery everywhere! It was like nothing we had seen before – so much life and beauty surrounding us from every angle. We made it to the Bungalow where we were welcomed warmly by genuinely caring staff –– Gaurav and his team.
It was a magical evening! We got to see the sky become filled with oranges, pinks, and purples as we watched the sunset from a viewpoint taken to by Gaurav –– the caretaker of the residence. We had never seen anything so incredible before – it felt like my bond with my wife was strengthened by sharing this moment together. After that special evening, we headed back to the Bungalow as it became dark and we were fully exhausted.
Gaurav and his team at the Bungalow had certainly outdone themselves in making us feel welcome and taken care of. They had arranged for a special dinner for us, filled with exclusive and fabulous Indian local flavours that engrossed our taste buds from the first bite.
The aroma coming from the kitchen was a combination of spices and herbs like cumin, coriander, turmeric, asafoetida, ginger, and green chillies – a truly tantalizing blend! Our delicious meal began with some freshly steamed rice and vegetable curry. The curry was so flavourful that it kept me going back for more helpings. Then came the dal makhani, which was creamy and comforting with its mild notes of butter. For accompaniments, there was some freshly cooked bhindi (okra) fry, which added a little crunch to each scoop.
The meal ended perfectly with a classic Indian dessert – kheer – made out of rice, and milk and topped off with chopped nuts. We savored every spoonful of this sweet treat as it brought closure to an appetizing feast fit for royalty.
We thanked the staff for their gracious hospitality and made our way back to our room where we just couldn’t stop talking about how amazing this experience had been! Little did we know that tomorrow would bring even more excitement when we were taken out by Gaurav to explore the many lakes nearby.
Boating
The next morning, went for walks around the Bungalow’s green environment, which lead us to multiple lakes nearby.
The lakes of Bhimtal are renowned for being some of the most beautiful in the Kumaon Region and they are enveloped in lush greenery and surrounded by hills that sprawl up from all sides.
The biggest of them all is called Bhimtal Lake and it is filled with sparkling blue-green waters, which gently ripple beneath a layer of clouds. It is sure to take your breath away with its picturesque beauty and mesmerizing serenity. The lake has an elongated shape, allowing it to stretch in length for nearly two kilometres, creating a peaceful space for leisurely boating activities and swimming. This majestic water body is home to various aquatic species like freshwater fish, tortoises, and several kinds of migrating birds.
We set out on our boating journey on this bright morning, I and my wife preparing our own oars as we excitedly hopped onto the boat. The scenery around us was absolutely gorgeous! We could see mountains framed against the sky, while thick forests stretched along both banks and the gentle waves lapped after us as we moved ahead.
Despite having been gifted numerous opportunities to capture these moments of immense beauty with our cameras, my mind kept racing back to all that we had experienced so far – not just at this lake but also at Fredy’s Bungalow where we had spent a night full of hospitality, caretaking staff and delicious food.
As our boat journey came to an end, I felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Mother Nature for providing me with such an unforgettable experience here at Bhimtal Lake!
Picnic Lunch
We finished our incredible morning boating trip at Bhimtal Lake and headed back to the property for a quick breakfast before setting out on an even more exciting adventure. This time, we were heading to a private lake, called SatTal lake located nearby. To complete this special day trip, the staff had arranged for a picnic lunch of Indian dishes that would be served in the midst of nature’s beauty.
The moment we arrived at the lake, all of us were captivated by its atmosphere and surroundings. The water sparkled beneath the sunlight while various species of birds fluttered around us as if they were welcoming us into their world. Thick trees spanned both sides, providing shade from the heat while colorful flowers adorned their branches and trunks. And then there was the picnic table – prepared just for us – filled with an abundance of delicious Indian dishes!
Our meal began with some crispy papadums that were perfectly spiced and roasted over an open fire. Although I personally am not a fan of spiced-up papadums, my wife did enjoy it. We enjoyed these with a variety of chutneys, including mint-coriander chutney and garlic-ginger chutney, both of which offered extra flavor to pair with our meal. Then came warm palak (spinach) paranthas straight from the tandoor oven, served with cool raita (yogurt dip) to balance out its flavors.
For protein, we devoured some spicy chicken curry cooked in freshly ground spices along with creamy dal makhani laced with buttery notes and freshly chopped ginger root for added zing. Our meal also included some lightly fried okra stir-fries mixed in with potatoes and onions as well as several other accompaniments like biryani rice mixed in saffron and nutmeg for a fragrant base dish.
The experience was made even more special by the fact that we could enjoy this wonderful feast while surrounded by nature’s bounty – watching as various species of birds perched onto trees or glided past us on their path toward another destination. It was truly spectacular!
By the time we finished our meal, our bellies were full yet contented – a true sign that this experience had been one to remember! As we said goodbye to this breathtaking paradise tucked away in India’s mountainside, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly thankful for having been able to share such an unforgettable memory together with my wife.
After our picnic lunch, we headed back to the Bungalow to rest for the next day’s venture. As soon as we arrived, we were already looking forward to tomorrow’s adventure. We cautiously stepped into our room and were staggered by the sheer grandeur of the place – the walls draped with intricate butterfly collections and the ceilings adorned with art from some of India’s most renowned painters.
We retired for the night, with our minds wandering back to all that we had experienced today, but already dreaming and planning ahead for tomorrow’s journey.
It was a day to remember – filled with beauty and adventure, and as I drifted off to sleep that night, I knew that this would be a vacation to cherish – forever!
Birding Tour
The birding tour of the Kumaon Region is an experience that one simply cannot forget! It was truly remarkable to be surrounded by the beauty of nature and its different inhabitants. As we walked along the trails, we were fascinated by the variety of birds that flew across our path. The place is home to 500+ species of birds, making it one of the richest birding spots in India.
We spotted some rare species such as the Black-throated Sunbird, Himalayan Monal, and Crested Kingfisher which are only found in this region. It was also exciting to watch some common but beautiful birds like Great Barbet and Rose-ringed Parakeet flying around us. The sights were so mesmerizing that no one wanted to turn back!
Gaurav, throughout the tour, was very knowledgeable about bird watching and gave us detailed information about each species we encountered. He told us about their natural habitats, food habits, breeding behaviors, and other interesting facts which made this experience even more enjoyable for us.
At every corner, there was something new and exciting waiting for us – from strange-looking warblers resting on branches to large raptors soaring high in the sky. We had never seen anything like it before! To top it off, we also had delicious snacks served during breaks which made our day even more special.
To sum up, I would highly recommend anyone looking for an unforgettable experience to take a birding tour at Kumaon Region – home to a 500+ variety of bird species! It’s an experience that will surely stay with you long after you have left this beautiful place!
Unforgettable one!
The rest of our trip was spent exploring and enjoying all that this beautiful Kumaon region in India had to offer. It was such an amazing experience, one that will stay in my memory forever! From the warm reception at Fredy’s Bungalow to seeing nature’s beauty firsthand – it truly made me appreciate the beauty of India’s gifted Kumaon Region.
–– Written by Itmenaan Lodges Team.