Stay at Our Cozy Mountain Home in Kotkhai
I opened my ancestral home in Kotkhai so you can trade city chaos for apple orchards and slow mountain living. Every room here is crafted from local pine wood, offering a quiet space to breathe, reset, and truly disconnect.
A quiet moment in the hallway of my home. The walls and ceiling are covered in traditional Himachali wood paneling, which keeps the house warm and cozy.
I love the way the light falls in this part of the house. You can see the detailed craftsmanship in the wooden ceiling and the staircase balustrade.
A candid shot showing my goofy side. There is truly no place like home, especially when it's surrounded by mountains.
This is my favorite spot to just sit and gaze at the endless layers of mountains. The balcony is designed for you to feel like you are floating above the valley.
Posing on the balcony with the pine forest as a backdrop. This is the view you wake up to every morning from your room.
Just soaking in the fresh mountain air and sunshine. The balconies are spacious, perfect for yoga, reading, or just being.
Feeling playful and happy at home. The red tin roof is a classic feature of many Pahadi homes, adding a pop of color to the landscape.
Enjoying the bright sun on a clear day. The valley stretches out behind me, showing the vastness of the landscape you'll be immersed in.
Leaning against the balcony pillar, with the mountain slopes visible in the distance. It’s a great place to get your dose of Vitamin D.
A close up shot on the roof, with the terraced farms and hills of Upper Shimla behind me. The air here is just different.
About Our Cozy Mountain Home
This isn't a hotel, so do not expect room service or a television. What you will get is a private wooden room with a valley view, fresh mint tea plucked right outside, and a digital detox that feels natural rather than forced. If you want to experience life in a working apple orchard rather than just watching it from a window, this is the place to be.
When I say this is home, I mean it. My place in Upper Shimla is built from local Himachali pine, with wood paneling throughout that keeps the rooms warm even when the mountain breeze gets chilly. Every morning, you wake up to the sight of deodar trees and the sound of the valley.
Why this stay is different
This is a place to slow down. I don't offer TVs because the view from your balcony is better than anything you will find on a screen. My goal is to help you hit the reset button.
- Farm-to-table meals: We eat what we grow. You will have meals prepared with organic vegetables from our garden and fruits from our orchard. Sometimes we even cook on a chulha (traditional earthen stove) outdoors for that real Pahadi flavour.
- Digital detox: Leave the emails behind. This is where you trade scrolling for reading a book on the verandah or hiking forest trails.
- The orchard life: Depending on the season, you might find me picking apricots or working on orchard maintenance. You are welcome to join in, get your hands dirty, and learn how we live here.
What you get
Whether you choose just the room with breakfast or the full board plan, your comfort is covered. Every room has a western-style bathroom with hot water geysers and that essential valley-facing balcony. If you are here for a deeper dive into wellness, I also host small group retreats where we combine yoga, meditation, and guided walks through the pine forests. It is not just about visiting the mountains; it is about living in them for a while. If you have been feeling the need to just pause and breathe, come home to these hills.
Manikarnika
I’m Manikarnika, a yoga teacher who finds my balance between city classes and my family farm here in Kotkhai. I created this space to share the stillness that only the mountains can give, and I would love to host you for a bit of quiet.
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