Kumaoni Village Walk and Lunch

A walk through the village of Salla Rautela is a great way to see how an old Kumaoni village functions. On a good day, you may also see the entire Kumaon Himalayan range.

Daffodils in the village of Salla Rautela in Shitlakhet
The Pathak's home in the village of Salla Rautela in Shitlakhet
A village home in Salla Rautela near Shitlakhet
Daffodils under a walnut tree in the village of Salla Rautela in the Shitlakhet region.
Facets of Salla Rautela

This guided walk will help you explore more about life in a Kumaoni village through its architecture. We will be visiting the village of Salla Rautela. On the way you’ll learn a bit more about the local vegetation – including the dreaded Bichhu – and the local crop pattern.

We will also visit some of the local houses with their beehives, holes for swallows and the beautiful Likhai work done on the doorways. There are also Hawandastas, the persimmon and reetha trees and all the activity of the villagers. In autumn, you’ll see the daffodils in bloom.

The village takes on different hues at different times of the year. Summers are usually used for planting new crops. The monsoons are great to see the green fields. During autumn, the village is buzzing with activity as grass is cut and the haystacks are made to keep grass for the cattle during the winters. You may see some Verditer Flycatchers and Alexandrine Parakeets also in the village (If you’re interested you can also take a forest and birdwatching hike). This village walk is both a cultural and architectural immersion into life of Kumaon. During Diwali, the roses posing as a backdrop of the Aipan work is also a great sight.

The village is especially interesting just before Holi. After your walk, return to Nayalap for a scrumptuous Kumaoni lunch comprising of the following:

Entree

  • Pahadi Dal Salad
  • Aloo ke Gutke with Bhaang ki Chutney

Mains

  • Gehat ki Dal
  • Gajaik – Sweet and Sour Pumpkin cooked in Pahadi style
  • Chaulai – Cooked Amaranth leaves

Accompaniments

  • Lesu Roti (Wheat Roti with Ragi Filling)
  • Rice

Dessert

  • Jhungar ki Kheer – Kheer made from Barnyard Millets
Excellent Kumaoni food in Shitlakhet

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₹1,250.00

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Description

Indulge yourself in this unique Kumaoni way of living. I’ll take you on a walk through some of the old villages and beautiful old homes of the region. We will end with a Kumaoni lunch comprising of recipes passed down the generations in my family. This Kumaoni village tour takes you through this all. We’ll first go on a short hike through the old Kumaoni village. I’ll show you some of the wood carvings (also known as Likhai work), the produce grown in the year, other means of sustenance and some of the trees in the region. At the end of the hike, we will rest and eat in a beautiful oak forested private dining space. It will be a 4-course meal consisting of Starters, Vegetarian Mains, Non-Vegetarian Mains and Dessert. You can then relax in the environs of the property and return once you’re well rested.

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