“Come Here Do Nothing”
Just
Rest, Relax and Rejuvenate.
Welcome to The Calm Cottages, a peaceful three-room mountain retreat in the quiet Himalayan village of Nathuakhan, just 40 km from Nainital and 18 km from Mukteshwar. If you’re looking for an offbeat Kumaon stay, a peaceful family getaway from Delhi, or simply a place to slow down, you’ve found it.
The Calm Cottages was created for families and couples who believe the best holidays aren’t about rushing from one attraction to another but about spending meaningful time together. Here, personalized hospitality, home-cooked food, and the quiet rhythm of mountain life come together to create an experience that’s warm, intimate, and unhurried.
Wake up to birdsong instead of alarm clocks. Enjoy your morning tea overlooking the mountains. Read a book, take a leisurely walk, share long conversations, or simply do nothing at all. Because sometimes, doing nothing is exactly what we need.
With just three thoughtfully designed guest rooms and a maximum of 10 guests, every stay is peaceful, personal, and refreshingly uncrowded.
Meet
Your Hosts
The Calm Cottages is more than a mountain retreat—it’s our home, and we love sharing it with guests who appreciate nature, meaningful conversations, and the joy of slowing down.
In 2014, we fulfilled a long-cherished dream of building a home in the peaceful village of Nathuakhan. We didn’t create The Calm Cottages to run a hotel. We created a place where others could experience the slower, simpler mountain life that we had fallen in love with ourselves.
After spending over 25 years in hospitality and the corporate world, Sandeep chose to exchange busy schedules for mountain mornings and meaningful guest experiences. Every guest who walks through our doors is welcomed with the same warmth we would offer friends visiting our home.
Gunjan, a teacher by profession, brings the same warmth and care to The Calm Cottages. She also works closely with village women and children, reflecting our belief that hospitality extends beyond our home and into our community.
An equally important part of The Calm Cottages family are Dinesh and Harinder, both from Nathuakhan. Over the years, they have become much more than our team—they are the familiar faces our guests remember long after their stay. Whether it’s Dinesh’s thoughtful care or Harinder’s delicious home-cooked meals, they make every guest feel genuinely at home.
Together, we have created a place where hospitality is personal, conversations are genuine, and guests often arrive as visitors but leave as friends.
A PLACE
TO SLOW DOWN
At The Calm Cottages, the days are wonderfully uncomplicated.
Nestled in the peaceful village of Nathuakhan, surrounded by forests, orchards, and Mountain views, our three-room mountain retreat invites you to step away from busy schedules and rediscover the luxury of unhurried time.
There are no fixed itineraries here. Spend your mornings listening to Himalayan birds, enjoy leisurely breakfasts, wander through village paths and forest trails, curl up with a book, share stories over endless cups of tea, or simply watch the mountains change colour as the day unfolds. Our philosophy is simple—Come Here. Do Nothing.
With just three thoughtfully designed guest rooms, every stay remains intimate, peaceful, and personal. Families can choose to book one room, two rooms, or the entire retreat, making it an ideal setting for reunions, celebrations, or simply spending uninterrupted time together.
Every meal is freshly prepared with care, using seasonal local ingredients whenever possible. Evenings are best spent under a sky full of stars, around quiet conversations, board games, and the simple pleasure of having nowhere else to be.
The Calm Cottages isn’t about checking off attractions or following a packed holiday schedule. It’s about reconnecting—with nature, with your loved ones, and with yourself.
Personalized Hospitality
Warm, attentive hosting with just three thoughtfully designed guest rooms.
Home-Cooked Meals
Fresh, wholesome meals prepared with seasonal local ingredients.
Slow Mountain Living
Forest walks, birdsong, books, and the luxury of unhurried time.
Meaningful Time Together
Created for families, couples, and small groups seeking peace and connection.
Why Nathuakhan?
Not every mountain holiday has to be about crowded viewpoints, busy markets, and packed itineraries.
Hidden away in the fruit belt of Kumaon, Nathuakhan is a quiet Himalayan village just 18 km from Mukteshwar and about 40 km from Nainital. At an altitude of 1,940 metres (6,360 ft), it offers cool mountain weather, peaceful forests, panoramic Himalayan views, and the luxury of space and silence.
Unlike many popular hill stations, Nathuakhan invites you to slow down. Walk through village lanes and forest trails, listen to Himalayan birds, admire orchards that change with the seasons, and enjoy uninterrupted time with the people you love. Here, the destination isn’t about ticking off attractions—it’s about experiencing the mountains at their most authentic.
Just an easy day’s drive from Delhi NCR, Nathuakhan is an ideal choice for families and couples looking for an offbeat Kumaon stay, a peaceful mountain retreat near Nainital, or simply a place to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature.
Once you discover Nathuakhan, you’ll understand why so many of our guests return—not for the crowds, but for the quiet.
Peace Instead of Crowds
A quiet village where nature, not traffic, sets the pace.
Walks, Not Rush
Forest trails, village paths, orchards, and fresh mountain air.
Close to Everything, Away from It All
Within easy reach of Mukteshwar and Nainital, yet blissfully removed from the tourist rush.
A Place to Slow Down
Perfect for longer stays, meaningful family time, and the simple joy of doing nothing.
ACTIVITIES AROUND
THE CALM COTTAGES
Taste the Seasons of Kumaon
One of the simple pleasures of staying at The Calm Cottages is experiencing the changing seasons of the Kumaon hills. From May to July, orchards around Nathuakhan come alive with plums, peaches, apricots, pears, and apples. Walk through the village, watch farmers tending their fields, and discover seasonal crops like peas, rajma, turmeric, and the famous Kumaoni radish. Many of these fresh, locally grown ingredients find their way to your plate, making every meal a true taste of the mountains.From May-June enjoy fresh fruits from the orchards around you. Savor fresh plucked Plums, Peaches, Apples, Pears, Apricots. Depending on the season one can explore the area and enjoy watching varied vegetation like Peas, Corn, Rajma, Haldi, Kumaoni Raddish and many more. These also form a part of meals served to our guests.
Wake Up to Birdsong
Every morning at The Calm Cottages begins with the melodies of the Himalayas. Surrounded by oak, pine, and rhododendron forests, Nathuakhan is home to an incredible variety of resident and migratory birds, making it a delight for both experienced birdwatchers and curious nature lovers.
Enjoy birdwatching right from the garden or take a leisurely walk through the surrounding forests to spot species such as the Black Drongo, Eurasian Jay, Green-backed Tit, Rosefinches, doves, and many more. Whether you’re carrying binoculars or simply a cup of morning tea, nature always puts on a wonderful show.
Witness the Majesty of the Himalayas
One of the highlights of staying in Nathuakhan is the opportunity to witness the grandeur of the Himalayan peaks from nearby viewpoints. On clear mornings, the snow-clad ranges reveal spectacular views of Trishul, Nanda Devi, and the Panchachuli peaks.
Local folklore adds a touch of magic to the experience. Many believe that the outline of the mountains resembles Lord Shiva resting peacefully—a sight that has captivated generations of visitors.
If the skies are clear, we’ll be happy to guide you to the best nearby viewpoints, where the Himalayas reveal themselves in all their magnificence.
Walk Through the Rhythm of Village Life
Leave the main road behind and explore the quiet trails of Nathuakhan, where life still follows the rhythm of nature. Stroll past stone houses, terraced fields, orchards, and grazing cattle, and experience a pace of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations.
Along the way, you may meet friendly villagers, watch everyday mountain life unfold, or catch the comforting aroma of wood-fired kitchens drifting through the air. It’s a simple walk—but one that often becomes a memorable part of the stay.
Wander the Forest Trails
Step into the forests around Nathuakhan and discover walking trails that wind through majestic oak, pine, and rhododendron trees. Whether you choose a gentle stroll or a longer hike, every trail offers fresh mountain air, birdsong, and the quiet beauty of the Kumaon hills.
For longer or lesser-known routes, we recommend exploring with a local guide who knows the forest well. It’s the best way to enjoy the journey safely while discovering hidden corners, local stories, and the rich natural heritage of the area.
Hidden Mountain Stream
During the monsoon and the months that follow, a charming seasonal mountain stream comes alive just a short distance from The Calm Cottages. Reached by a leisurely one-hour walk or a scenic 6 km drive, it’s a wonderful spot to pause, enjoy the sounds of flowing water, and soak in the tranquillity of the surrounding forest.
Pack a picnic, dip your feet in the cool water when conditions permit, or simply sit back and enjoy nature at its most peaceful. Like many Himalayan streams, its flow depends on the season, making every visit a little different.
Sightseeing -
Excursion and day trips
Mukteshwar
Mukteshwar is a popular tourist spot and known for its beautiful scenic views of the Himalayas and its other ranges….
Nainital
At an elevation of around 1938 metres, Nainital is located and developed around the beautiful Naini Lake….
Dhokane Waterfall
A stunning waterfall amidst a magnificent pine forest. It is surrounded by beautful mountains….
GoluDevta Temple
Lord Golu is the legendary God of the Kumaon. It is the picturesque site at the height of more than 2,000 m……
Bhalu Gaad
Absolutely breathtaking and pristine, Bhalu Gaad is an incredible place for nature lovers. Ideal for aday trek….
Bhimtal
It is a lake city named after the mythological Bhima of the Mahabharat. It’s a scenic spot with a small island….
Jageshwar
Jageshwara temple is most well-known for its Swayambhu Linga, also known as the Nagesh Darukabane….
Binsar
Binsar is encircled by a vast wildlife sanctuary, a home to many rare animals, birds and wild flowers….
Almora
Almora is a picturesque district in the Kumaun region, East of Uttarakhand , with a breathtaking view….
Sattal
Its a cluster of seven interconnected freshwater lakes located in the Nainital district of Kumaon region….
Naukuchiya Tal
As per the localites version Pandavas stayed around this Lake during their “Agyatwas” and bathed into it….
