MAKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
Khali Estate - Mountain Retreat
Gateway to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Gateway to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Deep in the wooded valleys of the ancient kingdom of Kumaon, and dominated by magnificently panoramic views of the Nanda Devi range of the Himalayas, lies Khali Estate: the ideal mountain retreat. Situated near Ayarpani village in Almora district of Uttarakhand, Khali sits within the Binsar wildlife sanctuary, with accommodation in individual picturesque stone rondavel cabins set amongst the pine trees. The perfect place to relax and unwind, or the perfect base to explore the mountain paths and local village
2025 marks 150 years since the creation of Khali Estate and 20 years since the founding of Village Ways in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. To mark the occasion we will be holding a special day of celebration on 23 October including rural bazaar, folk music, meeting the communities linked to Khali and Village Ways, and a special gala dinner in the evening. Come in time to celebrate Diwali with us on 21 st October and enjoy a splendid few days of peace and celebration at Khali and in Binsar. Old friends and new friends, all will be welcome for our special few days of celebration. Starting with Diwali, we will keep our own festival of lights burning for three days to include our anniversary day.
Come stay at Khali for 4 nights to include Diwali and our anniversary celebration for the very special price of £655 per person. If you book our new Khali in Kumaon holiday for this period, these celebrations are included free of charge.
This family-run hotel offers a wonderful blend of simple comfort. Each round stone cabin has en-suite facilities and the communal dining room offers delicious vegetarian produce. locally grown and sourced – some from its own gardens. The tranquility is what appeals most to guests – waking up to witness the sunrise over the mountains with a cup of bed chai is such a special feeling. Stroll the grounds of the hotel and relax with a book, or request a local guide and explore the footpaths trod by leopard and barking deer through the forest. Switch off from every day life and enjoy the modest luxury of Khali Estate.
Binsar has had a significance far beyond its isolated location and size. It was the summer capital from the 11th to the 18th centuries of the Chand kings. No wonder, then, that the British Raj Commissioner for Kumaon, Sir Henry Ramsay, bought and developed Khali as his summer residence. Times change, and the next significant owner was the father of modern India, Mahatma Gandhi, enchanted by the peaceful surroundings. For five years Khal became an ashram (Shail ashram), and also a centre for debating and planning the independence of India. When the Nehru family then took over Khali, the great and the good of independent India were regular visitors including its subsequent first President and first Prime Minister. In 1988, after much development, Khali became the mountain retreat hotel we know today. Special walks around the grounds are being created to celebrate this rich history, in time for the 150th anniversary in 2025.
With its own farm and a fantastic water capture system, Khali is moving towards truly self-sufficient sustainability. Plans are being made to introduce solar energy anf evolve Khali into a truly 21st century eco-hotel – but one with a history and location others can only envy.
Khali Estate is undoubtedly the headquarters and the heart and soul of Village Ways, as it is from Khali that the idea of introducing low-key tourism into the neighbouring villages was born. The introduction of the wildlife sanctuary to Binsar in 1988 – much needed for wildlife populations and conserving the rich flora – did little to support the inhabitants, and so village life began to decline as people left for the cities. The owners of Khali Estate, Himanshu and Manisha Pande, began to consider whether tourism could help reinforce the local economy and reduce this outward migration. They wandered along narrow wooded footpaths, marvelled at the views from Alpine meadows, and wondered at the resourcefulness, resilience, magnanimity, pride and warmth of villagers. They knew that the landscapes and the pleasures of Himalayan village life would enchant guests, and that with every footstep and every night in a village guesthouse, visitors would experience the privilege of knowing they are contributing to sustaining life in those villages.
From the first seed of an idea, strong connections with the local villages were formed, and Village Ways began.
Holidays to the Binsar villages and to the neighbouring Saryu and Pindar Valley typically start and end with a night at Khali, giving guests a wonderful experience. All of our trips can be tailored to meet your needs – or a new itinerary can be planned just for you. Whether you want a weekend break away from India’s busy city life, or are travelling from abroad for a longer stay, we can create a holiday to delight. Choose to rest and relax, to immerse yourself in village life, or to hike to the high points of the area.