Pangot, 17km from bustling Nainital, is a pretty hill village that happens to be a birder’s paradise. Thick forests surround the hamlet and host about 350 bird species. Quiet walking trails in the forests ensure birders can spend many days exploring different parts of the region. Dedicated to the activity of birding is Asian Adevntures’ Jungle Lore Birding Lodge, located on a forested hill slope in Pangot.
Set amidst oak trees, Jungle Lore offers accommodation in five cottages. There is also a dining area (with its own fireplace!) and library filled with books on birds. The cottages seem straight out of a storybook, with whitewashed walls, stone and wood finishes, sloping roofs, large balconies and even loft sleeping areas (in a couple of cottages).
You can spend the day in your cottage’s balcony watching the birds through your binocular or monocular. Of course, exploring the surrounding woods is the main purpose of visiting Pangot and hiking and trekking the forest trails is a rewarding experience. You can book the services of a guide at the Lodge for the hikes so you do not miss out on the better trails.
Beyond birding, Pangot is located in the picturesque Kumaon belt of Uttarakhand and the region is dotted with many beautiful villages. Walking to and through these villages and admiring the traditional Kumaon homes is a great pastime. You can also ask the staff to arrange a camping experience, which includes pitching Swiss tents in the great outdoors and enjoying camp cooking.
While birding is mostly a solo experience, the communal dining hall offers much needed camraderie during meal times. The sumptuous local food adds to the experience. The Lodge also arranges picnic lunches for those wishing to spend the whole day outdoors. Almost all the produce that goes into the meals are grown locally. If you are really taken in by the food, the Lodge will also arrange cooking lessons!
Price: Rs 6,500
Read more: https://junglelorebirdinglodge.com/
Slow Travel
A percentage of the profit at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge goes towards conservation. The Lodge has started a project, Zero Waste Pangot. which was an initiative to have the hotels in Pangot to practice such methods like opting for reusable water bottles instead of plastic bottles, carrying snacks in reusable containers instead of opting for packaged snacks etc. At the Lodge, guests are asked to take back any plastic they bring as there are no recycling facilities at Pangot.