Hiking in the remote Himalaya

From India’s buzzing capital, Delhi, hop on a train north to the forested town of Kathgodam. Meet your guide and journey three-and-a-half hours by car into the Himalayan foothills to the village of Almora. Peckish? Stop for momos (Indian-style dumplings) along the way. Start your trek from the mountain town of Chitai that takes you to Deora, a hike of two hours among milky rivers and deep pine forests. Rest up at the first cottage enjoying drinks by the crackling fire while a private chef whips up dinner alfresco.

It’s a thirty-minute walk to the village of Chirala where you can visit a friendly local school. Continue walking through the forest that opens up into a scenic valley, an ideal spot for your gourmet picnic. Follow the canal past the villages of Palyu and Ka-Chula, where you’ll may see farmers working in the emerald terraces. The trail takes you through ancient rhododendron forestland to the village of Jwalabanj – you’ll be welcomed by smiling faces.

From Jwalabanj, walk along the south-western ridge where locals use horses to transport resin, a primary contributor to the local economy. From these heights you’ll catch glimpses of snow-capped peaks looming in the distance and sky-scraping mountains dominating the skyline. Descend through the village of Artola where you can enjoy a picnic in the flowering fields. Circle back uphill pausing at Kutul before taking a narrow trail back to Jwalabanj for the night.

Start your last day with a downhill hike. You’ll soon come across the Hindu Jagweshar Temples dating back to the 8th century. Spend time inspecting intricate relief carvings and ancient inscriptions before enjoying a spot of lunch. Your picnic today is set up next to a trickling stream from where you can take in the Himalayan silent hum. Then wind through the forested valley of oak and rhododendron to your last stop of the journey, the small village of Kana.