NATURE LOVER'S PARADISE

If you’re a Wildlife Enthusiast, Nature Lover, Avid Birder, Naturalist or a Nature Photographer, you’d inevitably look to pin a destination on the map, one which is serene, rich in biodiversity, picturesque with jaw dropping landscapes, devoid of pollution, tranquil and quiet, a destination that offers a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life.

 

No sooner the idea hits your head, you instantaneously surf your gadgets to supplement your desires with impetus on two keywords, ‘DESTINATION & STAY’. Here's my recommendation as in a destination, one that has been right on the forefront for me on my frequent visits to Corbett National Park as a Naturalist.

 

‘Pangot’, a quaint little town, 15 kms on an up-road drive from the widely frequented hill station of Nainital. A true Birding Heaven, Pangot is home to more than 250 species of vibrantly colorful birds within its captivating landscapes which adds it up as photographer’s paradise. It is safe, easy and inexpensive to visit Pangot even on a day trip road when at Nainital. Pangot being located at 6,510 feet above sea level, was not settled when Nainital was Founded in 1841, thus it is not one of the oldest towns around Nainital, but it is strongly recognized as a Birding Heaven since Nainital was founded. The Britishers did build a few colonial bungalows high up in the dense forests in and around Pangot back in the day.

A typical Landscape at Pangot

Once can get to Pangot by a car or a rented taxi from Nainital. The drive takes roughly about. 30 minutes as the road is narrow and winds in and out with some haripin bends locked on it. A couple of kilometers from Nainital up towards Pangot, one can admire the exceptional picturesque snowcapped peaks of Mt. Nanda Devi right from the road itself. 

Nanda Devi Peaks

This drive is through the 'Eco Zone' and is one of the most pleasant journey one can experience. A journey that offers exceptional scenic landscapes and breath-taking views of the Himalayan canvas, cutting through the dense forested zone dotted with sunlit green glades around the Naina Peak Range. The green cover of the forests here is dominated by thick ban-oak, pine and rhododendron cover. Avid trekkers can trek this road on foot but it is safe to do so in daylight only. 

The Nainital Pangot Road

Located roughly half way on the way up to Pangot from Nainital, is the 'Kilbury Bird Sanctuary' which is one of the most frequented destinations by birders, photographers and tourists alike. Apart from being home to a wide variety of species of birds, woodpeckers in particular, the sanctuary also offers surprising sightings of animals with the likes of Yellow Throated Martens, Bears and Leopards. 

Kilbury Bird Sanctuary

Bird at Kilbury Bird Sanctuary 

Once at Pangot, you have plenty of hotels and resorts to keep you comfortable in town for days. The picturesque look of the vicinity is so tempting that it entices one to use the extra time to explore every inch in the lap of nature and unsurprisingly one could easily stay longer being mesmerized by the laidback feel of the town. 

One amazing property at Pangot which I personally recommend is the 'Jungle Lore Birding Lodge'. A peaceful and attractive property in aesthetic wilderness with quaint rustic cottages, that display a mixture of British colonial and Indian cultural influences, thanks to the colonial history. The Jungle Lore Birding Lodge runs on 'Eco Tourism' values and offers some attractions that carve a niche on the memory plank. 

A rustic wooden gat at the entrance of the property is the first eye catching sight at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge. This welcoming door leads to a landing downhill over the steps where one cannot turn a blind eye to an enchanting view that compels one to admire the tall green conifer trees and lush vegetation sloping down below the eyeline. 

The catchy entrance at the property

The never-ending downhill cobblestone stepway all the way down to the last cottage deep in the thick forested base reveals the colonial cottages and the rustic dining cottage from various bends as one walks up or down on the winding stairway through the lush green outgrowth. 

The dining cottage boasts of a photo worthy porch that not just reveals its colonial architecture but also provides an ideal sitting space under an extended roof that is open to the enticing view.  It's worth to sit here at daybreak and dusk to admire the pandemonium breaking loose with melodious bird calls. At the rustically decorated dining cottage is a fair display of collectible animals and birds as in sculptures, wood carvings and drawings. 

Porch at the  Dining Cottage

A small reading room is well equipped with the books on subjects related to Wildlife and Nature at the lower deck of the 'Cheer Cottage' across the courtyard which is a  perfect suit for avid readers over a cup  of tea or coffee. 

The Cheer Cottage with Reading Room Below it

The Parking area which is located at the entrance of the property has a perch that is a perfect sunset point. The parking area is located at a higher elevation than the cottages, and thus gives out a commanding view of the hills on the west, north and south sides of the property. The guests need not venture out at a distance to capture the beauty of the setting sun. The big wooden balcony at the Cheer Cottage itself commands a magnificent view of the setting sun which adds a romantic touch for the guests at the cottage. 

Sunset view from the Cheer Cottage 

Besides enjoying this captivating small town and everything it has to offer, there're various surprises that Pangot springs for Birders and Wildlife lovers. Early morning and evening walks down the 4-kilometer road that leads to a small village downhill called Baggad is highly adventurous and thrilling. Nature enthusiasts and photographers find this a heaven as the chances of sighting birds with the likes of Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Blue-winged Minla, Spotted & Slaty backed forktail, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Khalij, Koklass & Cheer Pheasants to name a few, and mammals such as the Yellow-throated Marten, Sambhar, Himalayan Goral, Barking Deer, Leopard, Civets, Yellow-bellied Himalayan weasal, Leopard Cat, Serow, Wild Boar, Red Fox and more. 

A couple of kilometers going down towards Nainital from Pangot is a gorge that cuts a deep trek into a narrow ravine which is shimmeringly beautiful and worth trekking. A clear water stream juts out of this deep gorge and the trek leads to a dead end where one faces high precipitous cliffs from which small waterfalls sprout  creating a flowing stream of clear cool drinkable water which flows down the  mountain towards Nainital. This gorge with all the amenities it provides is an ideal hiding place for Bears and Leopards. 

The flowing stream at the Gorge

Pangot being on a high altitude is blessed with pleasant climate except for December and January when early mornings and late evenings are too chilly. Average high temperature in summers is 26 degrees and low is 13 degrees, while in winters average high is 13 degrees while low is freezing point. 

THANK YOU