Best hotels in Kumaon

Shakti 360 Leti is truly an untouched paradise. Tucked away in the rarely-visited region of Kumaon, deep in the Himalayas, this unique bolthole offers a one-of-a-kind mountain experience. The property itself is crafted from stone, wood and glass to blend beautifully with its simple but breathtaking surroundings and the key is in the name - everywhere you look, there's an even better view of the snow-hatted Himalayas, usually reserved for the most hardened of hikers. Walking is the name of the game, but if you want to hunker down, breathe in the mountain air, and just relax, this is a pretty good place to do it...

Like many of our favourite India stays, Mary Budden Estate has its own fascinating history. Sitting at a lofty 2500 metres, the estate was named for its last inhabitant, Mary Budden, who travelled to India with her parents as they started their charitable mission in the Kumaon Hills. In 1990, Ashwani and Serena Chopra bought the estate and began to transform it into a peaceful retreat. Today, it's a serene sort of place, perfect for a spot of contemplation away from modern-day India and an exploration of the surrounding Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.

The land The Kumaon sits on was originally set aside for a private home - and boy are we pleased that the plans fell through and it's now a hotel that we can visit ourselves! The property itself is exquisitely designed (by disciples of the iconic Geoffrey Bawa nonetheless) using natural materials from the local environment, and perfectly complements the surroundings with its neutral textiles and palette. There are only 10 suites and the place has a knack of making you feel as though it's just you and those eye-watering views... All in all, a devastatingly-stylish mountain bolthole, that has simplistic luxury down to a tee.

If you've always dreamt of exploring the Himalayas on foot but don't want to forgo the comfort of having a roof over your head, then read on... Shakti Kumaon Village Houses are centred around walking and you'll spend your days hiking along trekking paths, exploring local villages and visiting temples. At night, you'll bed down in village cottages, all perfectly cosy and with just as many mod cons as you'll need. Local guides will lead the way as you go, keeping you on track and making sure you don't miss any of the spectacular sights.