Nature Getaway – Abbott Mount Cottage

Abbott Mount Cottage

www.abbottmount.com Abbott Mount, near Lohaghat, Uttarakhand

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbbottMountCottage
Features
Abbott Mount Cottage is a beautiful hundred year old heritage lodge located 165 Km from Kathgodam railway station and 9 Km from Lohaghat in Uttarakhand. Tastefully refurbished keeping the old style intact, this lodge has four rooms with en suite facilities. We have a fully equipped kitchen, ideal for self cooking but we also offer the services of a cook for your comfort. Surrounded by lovely gardens, this is an ideal relaxing getaway for families and nature lovers. With stunning Himalayan views and resplendent forest cover, this place is excellent for birding and nature treks. This is also an ideal base for anglers who wish to fish the Mahseer at Pancheshwar. Abbott Mount is a lovely stopover en route to Pithoragarh & Munsyari. It is easily accessible from Almora via Jageshwar.
Nearest Towns :

Champawat: 35 km 

Pithoragarh: 50 km 

Lohaghat: 9 km 

Almora: 120 km 

Jageshwar: 87 km
How to reach
Google MAP co-ordinates: 29.426708, 80.103942 Map photo
To get to Abbott Mount, one can take any of the following options:
Drive from Nainital via Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 6 hours

Drive from Ranikhet via Almora: 6 hours 

Air-conditioned trains:  From Delhi to Kathgodam and the drive via Bhimtal, Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 6 hours.

From Delhi to Ramnagar and the drive via Nainital, Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 8 hours. 

Drive from Delhi via Moradabad, Rampur, Rudrapur, Khatima, Tanakpur and Lohaghat; Tanakpur to Lohaghat is a 90-km hill drive. 

Upon reaching Lohaghat drive towards Pithoragarh for 6 km & arrive at Marorakhan. Turn towards Abbott Mount, drive 1½ km and take a sharp ‘U’ turn and drive another ½ km to the lodge. This is the first lodge where the road ends.

Best Time to Visit:
Situated in the mountains, Abbott Mount can be visited anytime. Summers are cool, winters get quite cold and it may snow. The best months are October, November, December, March, April, May & June.

Things to do:
Heritage Architecture:  This historic hamlet of Abbott Mount is situated at an altitude of about 6500 ft above sea level in the eastern part of the Kumaon Hills near the small town of Lohaghat in Champavat District. Abbott Mount was founded by and named after Mr. John Harold Abbott. An English businessman who wanted to start a hill station for the European community at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike many Indian hill stations Abbott Mount has changed little since its inception. There are only thirteen secluded cottages spread over this private hill. There is a picturesque church set amidst the forest and an old cricket pitch with an unsurpassed view of the mountains.
Mayavati Ashram:  Visit Mayawati Ashram, the headquarters of Adwait Ashram, it was sanctified by Swami Vivekanand and is also known for its charming surroundings and architecture. Check timings before you go.
Fishing in Pancheshwar:  This is area is the best for Mahseer angling. Please visit the page http://abbottmountcottage.com/mahaseerfishing.htm
Bird Watching:  More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the area. One can have excellent birding opportunities in the lodge itself. Besides, there are numerous circular walks through the terrace fields into wooded oak and pine forest which are extremely rewarding. Please visit www.junglelore.com or write to us for a complete birding tour.
River Rafting on Saryu River:  Rafting trip of 25 km can be arranged on prior notice.
Banasur Fort:  Kotalgarh, 6 km away from Lohaghat is fabled to have been the strong-hold of the arrow-demon Bana Asura (Banasur) Daitya, the son of Mahabali, who fought with Vishnu and his Suras and prevailed not though the conflict was long and doubtful. No sooner was a Daitya slain, and his blood poured on the gournd, than it produced a hundred others, so that the greater the slaughter of the enemies, the further were the gods from victory. In this difficulty, Mahakali was created, like Pandora, by general donations from the celestials, and by her were the giants at length ecterminated. Among those who fell by her hand was Kottavi, the mother of Banasur, who, with a coat of mail over her bust, and naked from the waist downwards, fought like an amazon on the battlements, which are said to derive their name from her exploits and appearance, Kotulgarh being interpreted by “the fortress, the abode of the naked woman.” The learned Pandits of Kumaon, affirm that Sui is no other than Sonitpur, “the red city”, of the Puranas, the abode fo Banasur. The peculiarities of the soil at and around Lohaghat explain the mystery. On removing the sod, in some places a blue, but far more generally a deep-red ferruginous clay is found to form the soil, and to this the people appeal as ocular demonstration of the legend : it owes its colour to nothing else than the blood of the giandts. During the rainy season, the Lahu or “blood” river is similarly discoloured, and hence the name of the place”-Lohaghat.
Yoga & Meditation:  The lodge can be hired for yoga and meditation retreat. Should you wish to conduct a programme with an expert teacher from Isha Yoga Centre, do let us know and we shall organise it for you.

Note:

 This cottage proves to be economical for guests staying for minimum 3 days or longer.

 Meals are not included in the price. The guests may get their own provisions & supplies to food.

 The care takers will help in cooking and in housekeeping. The kitchen is equipped with cooking and dining utensils.

 We have limited stock of water. In the absence of water supply the guests will have to pay for the water tanker to replenish the tanks for their usage. The cost of 3000 liters of water is about Rs. 3000.

 The hot water is supplied in buckets due to scarcity of water. We have solar and geyser supply to the tap.

 The non-refundable tariff cannot be paid in parts, 100% payment will have to be made in advance at the time of making a reservation.

 Should you wish to prolong your stay, you will have to make the balance payment at the lodge in cash.

Abbott Mount Cottage

www.abbottmount.com Abbott Mount, near Lohaghat, Uttarakhand

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbbottMountCottage
Features
Abbott Mount Cottage is a beautiful hundred year old heritage lodge located 165 Km from Kathgodam railway station and 9 Km from Lohaghat in Uttarakhand. Tastefully refurbished keeping the old style intact, this lodge has four rooms with en suite facilities. We have a fully equipped kitchen, ideal for self cooking but we also offer the services of a cook for your comfort. Surrounded by lovely gardens, this is an ideal relaxing getaway for families and nature lovers. With stunning Himalayan views and resplendent forest cover, this place is excellent for birding and nature treks. This is also an ideal base for anglers who wish to fish the Mahseer at Pancheshwar. Abbott Mount is a lovely stopover en route to Pithoragarh & Munsyari. It is easily accessible from Almora via Jageshwar.
Nearest Towns :

Champawat: 35 km 

Pithoragarh: 50 km 

Lohaghat: 9 km 

Almora: 120 km 

Jageshwar: 87 km
How to reach
Google MAP co-ordinates: 29.426708, 80.103942 Map photo
To get to Abbott Mount, one can take any of the following options:
Drive from Nainital via Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 6 hours

Drive from Ranikhet via Almora: 6 hours 

Air-conditioned trains: From Delhi to Kathgodam and the drive via Bhimtal, Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 6 hours.

From Delhi to Ramnagar and the drive via Nainital, Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 8 hours. 

Drive from Delhi via Moradabad, Rampur, Rudrapur, Khatima, Tanakpur and Lohaghat; Tanakpur to Lohaghat is a 90-km hill drive. 

Upon reaching Lohaghat drive towards Pithoragarh for 6 km & arrive at Marorakhan. Turn towards Abbott Mount, drive 1½ km and take a sharp ‘U’ turn and drive another ½ km to the lodge. This is the first lodge where the road ends.

Best Time to Visit:
Situated in the mountains, Abbott Mount can be visited anytime. Summers are cool, winters get quite cold and it may snow. The best months are October, November, December, March, April, May & June.

Things to do:
Heritage Architecture: This historic hamlet of Abbott Mount is situated at an altitude of about 6500 ft above sea level in the eastern part of the Kumaon Hills near the small town of Lohaghat in Champavat District. Abbott Mount was founded by and named after Mr. John Harold Abbott. An English businessman who wanted to start a hill station for the European community at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike many Indian hill stations Abbott Mount has changed little since its inception. There are only thirteen secluded cottages spread over this private hill. There is a picturesque church set amidst the forest and an old cricket pitch with an unsurpassed view of the mountains.
Mayavati Ashram: Visit Mayawati Ashram, the headquarters of Adwait Ashram, it was sanctified by Swami Vivekanand and is also known for its charming surroundings and architecture. Check timings before you go.
Fishing in Pancheshwar: This is area is the best for Mahseer angling. Please visit the page http://abbottmountcottage.com/mahaseerfishing.htm
Bird Watching: More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the area. One can have excellent birding opportunities in the lodge itself. Besides, there are numerous circular walks through the terrace fields into wooded oak and pine forest which are extremely rewarding. Please visit www.junglelore.com or write to us for a complete birding tour.
River Rafting on Saryu River: Rafting trip of 25 km can be arranged on prior notice.
Banasur Fort: Kotalgarh, 6 km away from Lohaghat is fabled to have been the strong-hold of the arrow-demon Bana Asura (Banasur) Daitya, the son of Mahabali, who fought with Vishnu and his Suras and prevailed not though the conflict was long and doubtful. No sooner was a Daitya slain, and his blood poured on the gournd, than it produced a hundred others, so that the greater the slaughter of the enemies, the further were the gods from victory. In this difficulty, Mahakali was created, like Pandora, by general donations from the celestials, and by her were the giants at length ecterminated. Among those who fell by her hand was Kottavi, the mother of Banasur, who, with a coat of mail over her bust, and naked from the waist downwards, fought like an amazon on the battlements, which are said to derive their name from her exploits and appearance, Kotulgarh being interpreted by “the fortress, the abode of the naked woman.” The learned Pandits of Kumaon, affirm that Sui is no other than Sonitpur, “the red city”, of the Puranas, the abode fo Banasur. The peculiarities of the soil at and around Lohaghat explain the mystery. On removing the sod, in some places a blue, but far more generally a deep-red ferruginous clay is found to form the soil, and to this the people appeal as ocular demonstration of the legend : it owes its colour to nothing else than the blood of the giandts. During the rainy season, the Lahu or “blood” river is similarly discoloured, and hence the name of the place”-Lohaghat.
Yoga & Meditation: The lodge can be hired for yoga and meditation retreat. Should you wish to conduct a programme with an expert teacher from Isha Yoga Centre, do let us know and we shall organise it for you.

Note:

 This cottage proves to be economical for guests staying for minimum 3 days or longer.

 Meals are not included in the price. The guests may get their own provisions & supplies to food.

 The care takers will help in cooking and in housekeeping. The kitchen is equipped with cooking and dining utensils.

 We have limited stock of water. In the absence of water supply the guests will have to pay for the water tanker to replenish the tanks for their usage. The cost of 3000 liters of water is about Rs. 3000.

 The hot water is supplied in buckets due to scarcity of water. We have solar and geyser supply to the tap.

 The non-refundable tariff cannot be paid in parts, 100% payment will have to be made in advance at the time of making a reservation.

 Should you wish to prolong your stay, you will have to make the balance payment at the lodge in cash.