Summer Berries & Starry Nights

Escape to Khali Estate this May for a four-day summer adventure in the Kumaoni hills. Forage for kaphal berries on forest trails, go on a treasure hunt across the estate, and learn to tell time by a 200-year-old sundial facing the Himalayas. Watch for over 200 species of birds, try your hand at painting and candle-making, and end your evenings stargazing on the deck. At 1,650–2,500m, the air is cool, the pace is unhurried, and the mountains are right there.

May 21 – 24, 2026

Overview

Join us for the coolest 4-day summer adventure in the mountains! Wake up in a cozy stone cottage with a view of the Himalayas, surrounded by oak and rhododendron trees and the music of countless birds.

In the summer, kaphal trees drip with delicious berries that have a sweet and sour taste. Walk on stunning trails around the estate to collect and eat the berries on the spot! At night, lie on our deck and look up at the stars as we lead a stargazing session. 

We’ve also planned a treasure hunt in the Estate to help you find fascinating corners filled with secrets of the past. We’ll teach you how to tell time before phones, or even digital clocks existed. Our guides will help you identify different birds by sound, identify various types of woodpeckers, and there will be ample opportunities to take your camera out for a photography session. 

This is our summer holiday special. While we’ve packed it with activities, there’s still a lot of time to relax and explore the forest in a safe but exciting environment.  

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Day-to-day itinerary

You stay in cosy rondavel cottages in Khali Estate, deep within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. From here, go on forested trails – but there’s plenty to explore on the estate.

What's included

  • Personal guiding
  • All meals at the guesthouse and campsite
  • Guesthouse accommodation
  • Materials for activity workshops

Arrive at Khali Estate and settle into your room. In the evening, join a story session on the history and spirit of Khali, followed by a briefing for the next two activity days.

Start with an early morning estate walk. We’ll show you our old sundial, built in the 1800s, facing the magnificent Himalayan peaks. From this perch, you can spot the sun gleaming on Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and the Panchachulis. Our team will take you through how the sundial works. Tell time as they did back in the olden days to plan farming cycles and understand the mountain seasons. 

In the afternoon, take part in painting and candle-making workshops. After dinner, gather for stargazing.

Start the day with a forest walk that includes foraging for kaphal berries. This sweet and sour berry is native to the Himalayas and loved for its intense flavour. Bring a basket back to the estate before going on a little treasure hunt that our team has planned – this is our favourite way to explore hidden corners of Khali Estate. Follow this with a delicious picnic in the forest. After an evening of relaxation, we encourage you to peek into our kitchens and meet Puran da, our talented chef, as he talks about fascinating Kumaoni preparations. If the weather permits, enjoy one more night of stargazing. 

Eat one last breakfast on the deck overlooking the Almora valley. On the drive out of Khali Estate, look out for neighbouring foxes and other forest dwellers. We recommend stopping at the famous town of Kasar Devi for a quick visit to the Kasar Devi Temple. You can also go shopping for Kumaoni handicrafts in one of the many stores dotting the route.

Pricing*

Party of 2

Cedar Grove rooms

INR 39,500

Buransh Grove rooms

INR 43,500

Children 5-12 years

INR 5,550

13+ years/extra adult on extra bed

INR 9,750

*All prices are per guest. Prices vary by season and reduce with larger group sizes due to shared logistics and accommodation.

Pricing*

2026

Cedar Grove rooms: INR 39,500 for 2 people

Buransh Grove rooms: INR 43,500 for 2 people

Children 5-12 years: INR 5,550

13+ years / extra adult on extra bed: INR 9,750

 

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Extend your holiday
Combine this 3-night experience with our other holidays, visit additional villages, or just extend this trek by a few days. Get in touch with us to customise.

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Where you'll stay

Perched at around 2,000 metres in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Khali Estate sits atop a hill in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, , looking out across a panorama that earns its keep. From the estate’s grounds, the Nanda Devi peaks fill the horizon.

You’ll stay in round stone cottages with wooden floors and conical ceilings, tucked into the pine trees.

There are no televisions. The forest around the estate is walked by leopard and barking deer.

The kitchen runs on a farm-to-table philosophy — vegetables and fruit from the estate’s own orchards and gardens, Kumaoni recipes passed down through generations, communal dinners either in the dining room or under the stars.

Who this is for

This holiday suits:

  • families with children (5+)
  • couples and friends looking for a short mountain break
  • first-time walkers who prefer non-technical trails
  • guests interested in local food, nature-based activities, and slower travel

It is not designed as a high-intensity trekking programme.

Explore other Himalayan holidays
Spend time at other elevations, meadows, and villages. Click here to take a look.
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Read our story
Village Ways was established 20 years ago. Read about our journey.