Why Naukuchia House Should Be Your Next Himalayan Getaway

At six in the morning, Naukuchiatal has little interest in waking up in a hurry. The first light slips down pine-covered ridges, catches the surface of the lake and gradually illuminates the surrounding hills. Birds begin their morning conversations in the oak trees, the air carries a familiar mountain chill and the biggest decision of the day might just be whether to have another cup of cardamom-laced tea. At nearly 4,000 feet above sea level, this is a different kind of mountain escape, one where the hours seem to stretch a little longer.

It is precisely this feeling that Naukuchia House, Naukuchiatal – IHCL SeleQtions, seeks to capture. Set against the backdrop of the Kumaon hills, the 42-key property brings together the charm of a mountain estate and the intimacy of a lakeside retreat. Palladian-inspired architecture, nature-led wellness experiences and a kitchen that celebrates produce from the surrounding region come together to create a stay that feels connected to its setting. Rather than competing with the landscape, the property lets it take centre stage.

The Allure Of A Quieter Kumaon

While Nainital often gets the attention, just 26 kilometres away, Naukuchiatal offers a rather different proposition. Winding lanes, cottages that look as though they have been lifted from a storybook and dense stretches of pine and oak forests that descend towards the water. There is less of the bustle associated with popular hill stations and more room to enjoy the landscape at its own pace.

The lake is, quite literally, the centre of it all. Naukuchiatal translates to ‘lake of nine corners’, and local lore suggests that all nine corners cannot be seen at once with the naked eye. Whether you set out to find them or simply settle in to admire the view, the lake gives the town much of its character.

For travellers looking to experience the Kumaon hills beyond the familiar tourist circuit, the setting makes a compelling case. And Naukuchia House offers a way to settle into it, with the surrounding forests, mountain views and water becoming an extension of the stay.

An Estate With A Collector’s Eye

There is more to Naukuchia House than its enviable location. The property takes inspiration from a rather interesting local resident: the Gold-billed Blue Himalayan Magpie, a bird known for its curious, collectible nature. That sense of character and discovery carries through the interiors, where the design draws on the idea of a mountain estate and brings elements of the outdoors into the living spaces.

The 42-key property offers different ways to take in the landscape. The Premium Lake View Rooms make the most of their setting, with expansive windows framing the mountains, forest and water. A sofa and writing nook add to the appeal, creating spaces that are as suited to a slow morning indoors as they are to an afternoon spent looking out at the lake.

The Executive Suite takes the experience up a notch, with windows overlooking the water and a separate living room that flows into the bedroom. Meanwhile, the Deluxe Garden View Rooms look out towards the surrounding pine and oak trees. A half-wall creates a small living area, giving the rooms a more residential feel. Across the categories, the emphasis is on considered comfort, with the landscape remaining a constant presence.

A Taste Of The Mountains

A good way to understand a destination is through what it puts on the table, and at Naukuchia House, the culinary offering takes its cues from the hills. Ija, the all-day dining restaurant, takes its name from the Kumaoni word for ‘mother’, bringing a sense of warmth and familiarity to its approach to food.

The kitchen sources ingredients from within a 20-mile radius, allowing the menu to follow the seasons and make the most of local produce. Alongside Indian, Asian and European favourites, regional dishes offer a taste of Kumaon’s culinary traditions. Millet khichdi and jhangore ki kheer are among the preparations worth looking out for, bringing local ingredients and familiar flavours into the dining experience.

When the sun begins to dip, Himmaleh Lounge & Bar offers a different reason to linger. The cocktail menu draws inspiration from ingredients found across the surrounding hills, including rhododendron, the vibrant red flower that colours the Himalayan landscape, and kafal, a tart wild berry that ripens during the warmer months. Malta and juniper berries make their way into the drinks, too, lending the menu a distinctly mountain-inspired character.

The best way to enjoy it? Take your drink out onto the deck as evening settles in. With the lake gradually turning a muted shade of pewter and the surrounding hills slipping into the shadows, it is a setting that makes staying for one more round particularly tempting.

Getting Lost In The Woods (In the Best Way)

Not every mountain experience needs to involve a challenging trek or a particularly ambitious itinerary. At Naukuchia House, one of the more interesting ways to explore the outdoors is through its guided forest bathing session, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku.

Led by a resident naturalist, the experience is less about covering kilometres and more about slowing down enough to notice the forest. Guests move through dense woodland and quiet clearings, taking in their surroundings through all five senses. Sunlight filters through the canopy, birdsong carries through the trees, leaves crunch underfoot and the scent of pine lingers in the cool mountain air. Even the texture of tree bark becomes part of the experience.

The walk eventually leads to a spot overlooking the lake, where a high tea is laid out. It is a thoughtful way to bring the experience to a close, moving from the stillness of the forest to an equally unhurried afternoon outdoors. For a property that places so much emphasis on its natural setting, forest bathing feels like a particularly fitting way to experience it.

Making Room For Wellness

If the idea of a mountain holiday involves doing a little less and feeling a little better, Naukuchia House has that covered, too. Wellness here is woven into the daily rhythm of the property, beginning with morning yoga and meditation sessions. Sound healing offers another way to unwind, using vibrations to encourage relaxation and quiet a restless mind.

The spa draws on ancient healing traditions, with therapies designed to bring the body and mind into balance. After a day spent exploring the surrounding hills, a massage on a cool mountain evening feels less like an indulgence and more like a natural part of the itinerary.

For those who prefer a more active approach to downtime, there is a temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool overlooking the forested hills and the lake beyond, along with a well-equipped fitness centre. Whether the mood calls for a slow afternoon by the pool or a little movement before breakfast, the property makes space for both.

A Spiritual Side To the Hills

The Kumaon region has a spiritual identity that runs as deep as its natural beauty, and Naukuchia House offers guests an opportunity to explore it through its Trails of Devotion. Led by one of the property’s nature guides, the experience follows routes around the lake that have long been associated with worship, with stops at small shrines along the way.

The trail includes visits to Ghanta Devi Temple, Golu Devta and Bhimeshwar Temple, offering a glimpse into the local traditions and beliefs that continue to shape life in the region.

For those willing to venture a little further, Kainchi Dham is another significant spiritual landmark. The ashram of Neem Karoli Baba, it draws devotees and spiritual seekers from across India and around the world. Located a little over an hour and a half from the property, it makes for a meaningful excursion for those interested in exploring the spiritual heritage of Kumaon.

The Pleasures Of Doing Nothing

Of course, a holiday in the hills should leave enough room for the occasional unscheduled afternoon. Naukuchia House has a few ways of making even that feel like an experience. Angling on the lake offers a peaceful way to spend a few hours, while the property’s resident horse has become a favourite among guests.

For a closer look at local life, a village walk takes visitors through fields growing chillies, malta and Himalayan gourd, with opportunities to meet the people who live and work in the surrounding villages. It is a reminder that the region’s character extends beyond its postcard-worthy views.

Then there is The Nook Picnic, a more secluded outdoor experience set beneath a canopy of trees, with views of the lake and birdsong for company. It is the sort of afternoon that needs little embellishment: a beautiful setting, something to eat and no particular reason to rush back.

Together, these experiences give guests plenty of ways to enjoy the property and its surroundings, whether that means exploring local traditions, spending time on the water or simply finding a quiet corner to call their own.

The Beauty Of Taking Your Time

There is a certain appeal to a holiday that does not demand a packed itinerary, and Naukuchia House makes a convincing case for one. Its Palladian-inspired architecture, thoughtfully designed rooms and lakeside setting establish the mood, while its dining experiences, wellness offerings and excursions bring different dimensions of Kumaon into the stay.

From a morning spent among the trees to cocktails flavoured with ingredients from the hills, a visit to Kainchi Dham or an afternoon picnic overlooking the lake, the property offers several ways to experience its surroundings without losing sight of what brought you there in the first place: the pleasure of slowing down.

For those who associate Kumaon with the busier lake towns, Naukuchia House offers a quieter alternative. One where the forests, the villages and the nine-cornered lake set the pace, and where doing very little can turn out to be the most memorable part of the holiday.

How to Get There?

Naukuchia House, Naukuchiatal – IHCL SeleQtions, is located in Naukuchiatal, in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, approximately 26 kilometres from Nainital and 302 kilometres by road from New Delhi. The nearest airport is Bareilly, around a three-hour drive away, while Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is roughly six hours away by road.