On a deeply wooded Himalayan mountainside in Garhwal Uttarakhand, lies a stunning mountain lodge complete with traditional pahadi rooms and suites made of stone and mud, and restored from the ruins of an old Himalayan home.
Rhodo Den sits above a small village surrounded by some of the most prominent peaks in the vicinity. Hike up to a crystalline lake that resides above.
The village is familiar with the occasional tourist, but after a short hike up, you’ll find plenty of space to welcome you to mountain living. The entire mountain slope is filled with crops from the locals who have tapped into this fertile reservoir of nutrition.
Before walking further up to sit by the glassy Deoria Tal, experience traditional culture with modern comforts.
Rhodo Den shares a common goal with us – to help the local communities and keep their traditions alive. The hosts have managed to provide employment for the local community, without disrupting their way of life. Apart from employment, the hosts also support children’s education by running volunteer programs to fund local schools.
comforts
The rooms are made to keep the heat in and cold out with splendid views of the valley below and the peaks of Chandrashila ahead. Read from an eclectic collection of books, some contributed by friends and family in the cafe with a hot cup of tea.
There are 4 double rooms; two suites and two mud rooms, built in the Pahadi style with stone and mud walls. Each room comes with attached bathrooms, kettles, and geysers for running hot water. In case the geysers are not working, there are also immersion rods for hot water.
The suites can accommodate up to 3 people comfortably and have king-size bedding. The rooms can accommodate a couple comfortably and have queen-size bedding.
Based on the time of the year, you may even have a chance to spot snow in the village.
food
The hosts are well-versed in comfort food at Rhodo Den.
They grow greens, corn, rajma, and herbs. Other produce is sourced from the local market, while some supplies come from other parts of Uttarakhand and India.
They would be happy to provide you with scrumptious meals that are either local cuisine or with influences from down south.
Ask for coffee or hot chocolate anytime to make your mountainside residence cosier.
ideal for
Avid photographers and birders will flourish in this environment due to the breathtaking views and blossoming avifauna. Hikers and walkers will find plenty of trails in all directions. The village nearby is rich with culture and history, and anyone interested can visit the nearby temples to learn about the area’s stories. The surrounding area can be explored by people of all ages and experience levels.
If this is your first time in a mountain village, you may notice a few striking differences between your life and the lives of the people here. Time slows down for a bit here in the mountains, and it is best experienced by slowing down your mind to savour the quiet moments you experience. Be conscious, engaged, and present. Meet and greet our local friends. Exchange stories. All in all, we would love for you to have a comfortable and restorative mountain experience.
getting there
The closest airport (Jolly Grant Airport) is in Dehradun, around 220 km from Rhodo Den. The closest railway station is in Haridwar/Dehradun. We can safe and experienced mountain drivers to drive the remaining 5-6 hours to the village.
Rhodo Den is located at the top of the village and is accessible after a walk of 500m from the main road. The property is open throughout the year.
things to do
Hike to the pristine Deoria Tal lake, and relax by its banks, watching the myriad colours reflecting off the lake’s surface. Situated at an altitude of 8,000ft, it is heavily wooded, with lush green surroundings of snow-covered mountains- Chaukhamba being one of them- in the backdrop.
Enjoy a yoga session in the Yoga Space, and have a nice hot shower afterwards. Refreshing!
Treks are easily accessible here, you can take the 18km trek to Chandrashila from Chopta. The summit reaches 13,000 feet at its highest and passes through Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world! Just imagine the view from up there with the sheets of snow and the sky that much closer to you. The peaceful atmosphere there is perfect for a placid meditation session. On the way to the temple, you may find the dazzling and flashy monal and, if you’re lucky, perhaps catch a glimpse of the endangered musk deer.
price
The pricing at Rhodo Den is dynamic and varies from season to season. The minimum booking is for 3 nights at Rhodo Den.
From October to March the Pahadi rooms are priced at Rs. 5,050 and the Suite rooms are priced at Rs. 6,160
From April to June the Pahadi rooms are priced at Rs. 4,450 and the Suite rooms are priced at Rs. 5,600
From July to September the Pahadi rooms are priced at Rs. 3,920 and the Suite rooms are priced at Rs. 5,040
The above pricing is inclusive of accommodation, breakfast and all applicable taxes for two adults.
