Travel + Leisure India & South Asia brings you #TLFinds, a weekly series that gives you a sneak peek into new and interesting places and experiences across the country and overseas. The next in the series is Parvada Bungalows, a luxury homestay at the heart of nature in the scenic village of Parvada in Uttarakhand. By Ralan Kithan
What is it?
A luxury homestay with a spacious villa and cottages in the remote Parvada village in Uttarakhand. The property offers an opportunity to connect with nature. Visitors can avail of a range of activities here like yoga, bird watching, and fruit plucking in the property’s orchard. There’s a library too on the premises and guests are treated to home-cooked food.
Ideal for
Conscious travelers, families, and for travelers who are looking for a unique experience.
Review of Parvada Bungalows
Nestled in the hamlet of Parvada, Parvada Bungalows located within VS Fruitree Estate is a retreat where you can unwind and completely immerse yourself in nature. Away from tourist hotspots, the homestay is located 10 KM from the town of Mukteshwar. On reaching the village of Parvada, I was welcomed by the lush vegetable farms in the hills and the silence. The calmness was something I hadn’t experienced in a long while.
The homestay has one villa—Wild Fig Villa with 2 duplex rooms, one suite, and two cottages—Oak cottage and Pine cottage. The villa and cottages are distinctively named after the trees that grow near each of the properties. The homestay is surrounded by views of the South Gola mountains in the lower Himalayas.
I stayed in the Wild Fig North Room, a spacious bedroom that comes with a beautiful attic room. The room is perfect for a family or a group of friends. The whole of Wild Fig Villa can accommodate up to 10 guests.
The rooms of Parvada Bungalows are cosy, warmly lit with the interiors and the furniture made of pine wood. Pine cones from the nearby village have been beautifully placed in the rooms and the enticing smell of the wood fills the space.
In the kitchen, they offer a diverse menu ranging from continental, Chinese, and Indian to local food, sourcing all organic and fresh vegetables, fruits, even cheese from the village. Having the Kumaoni thali for lunch was an unforgettable experience. The aloo ke gutke, raita, bhatt (black soya) ki daal, madua roti, jhingore ka kheer were all delicious.
With interesting amenities, the homestay is sure to keep you entertained throughout your stay. The Victor Lounge has a library with a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books. The lounge is a great place to unwind or play a board game with family and friends. The homestay also houses a spacious, yoga and meditation room which, in the evening, transforms into a leisure room complete with a big TV and comfy couches. A short walk up the hills above property leads to an orchard filled with apples, pears, plums and apricot trees. You can experience fruit picking in the orchard during the harvest seasons.
With sustainability in mind, the property preserves energy and encourages guests to conserve energy as much as possible. There are solar water heaters for the bathrooms and the homestay uses fresh spring water. The bath water is also captured and recycled for use in irrigation.
We took a stroll around Parvada village, and not a single car passed by. The village is serene, beautiful and lush green and seems like a tranquil paradise. If you are in the mood for some adventure nearby then head to Chauli Ki Jali. A short hike from Mukteshwar temple takes you to the Chauli Ki Jali cliff and you get uninterrupted views of the Himalayan ranges from here.
Another interesting spot near the homestay is the Bhalu Gaad waterfalls, the way to the waterfall takes a short hike of about 2 KM through a beautiful dense forest and mountain streams. The water flowing from the waterfall is crystal clear and fresh. For those who want to swim in the waters, life jackets are available for hire and there is a campsite near the waterfall.
The owners of the property Vasudha Sondhi and Sanjay Sondhi were looking for a second home, and found peace in Parvada village and we can imagine why, it’s a perfect place for a getaway. The experiences offered by the homestay and the serenity of the village together make Parvada Bungalows apt for a perfect vacation.
Address
Village Parvada, Mukteshwar, District Nainital, Mukteswer, Uttarakhand, 263132, India
Tariff
Starts from INR 8500 for double room inclusive of breakfast and tax.
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