Pangot: A Bird Lovers Paradise

The mountains have always attracted me with their tranquil atmosphere, and Pangot is one such place. Located in the Kosiyakutoli tehsil of Nainital district in Uttarakhand, Pangot is a treat for nature enthusiasts and bird lovers and is 15 km from Nainital.

Why Visit Pangot
– Nature Trails
– Birdwatching & Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
– Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
– Home Stay Experience

Places to see in and around Pangot

Jeolikot & Kilbury Bird Sanctuary

Jeolikot is 18 km short of Nainital (Nainital-Haldwani Highway) and is en route to Kilbury Bird Sanctuary (2528 meters), home to over 580 species of birds and butterflies. It is open all days till Sunset with free entry. The sanctuary is also known as the Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Reserve because of the Naina Devi temple and namesake lake Nainital in the area.

Besides the sanctuary, you may also visit places like the Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Eco Cave Garden, Snow View Point, Raji Bhawan, Nainital Zoo, Aerial Ropeway, and many more.

You can also choose to trek the 8 km route that takes you from Pangot through the forest to the Kilbury forest rest-house and leads you through Naina Peak (also known as China Peak or Cheena Peak), which is at a height of 8579 Feet. Here, the views of Nainital are perfect. Also, one can view the stunning surrounding mountains of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti, to name a few.

Bird Watching at its best: Look out for Himalayan Blue Tail Male, Grey-backed Shrike, Black-faced Warbler, Yellow-browed Tit, Grey Bushchat male/female, Blue-capped Redstart, Whiskered Yuhinia, Slaty Blue Flycatcher, white-throated thrushes, rufous-bellied woodpeckers and the striated prinia.

Hari Lama is one of the renowned birders in India and owns his own Hari Lama birding offering various tours in and around Pangot.

Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Pangot

Pangot was one of the chosen destinations for meditation experts, including Guru Swami Vivekananda and Shri Aurobindo, who have spent a good amount of time here in the hills. Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Pangot, was established in 1989 by Janet (Jenny) Cochius, Jeanne Bakker, and Sujata Leemans of Holland to assist women become independent and help develop their spiritual lives. Today, the place offers a Cultural-cum-Retreat Centre for devotees.

Visit ARIES

Tucked away in the tranquil hills near Nainital, the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) is a hidden gem for travellers with a curious mind.

Established in 1954 and named after the legendary mathematician-astronomer Aryabhatta, ARIES is one of India’s premier centres for astronomical and atmospheric research. Its location at Manora Peak and Devasthal offers a clear, pollution-free sky, which is perfect for stargazing and scientific exploration. The institute is home to India’s largest optical telescope, the 3.6-meter Devasthal Optical Telescope which has been instrumental in studying galaxies, stars, and cosmic mysteries. Visitors can explore the observatory during select hours, attend guided sessions, and even catch mesmerising night-sky views, making it a unique blend of science, wonder, and travel.

Did you know?

• Jeolikot has a colonial past that is worth exploring. Check out the old ivy-emblazoned cottages and cemeteries found tucked away in hidden corners and pathways of Kunjakharak.
  
  A blog from Tripoto highlights the colonial times of Jeolikot.
• Among the more popular cottages is the House of Warwick Sahib, a retired major of the British army who lived in Jeolikot. What made Major Warwick more than a footnote in Jeolikot’s history is the fantastic secret he’d kept, till death, that he was actually a she!
• Another bungalow with an interesting story of a lady, a direct descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte, who came to visit Jeolikot and then fell in love with a local boy and stayed on.

Stay Options in Pangot

Most of the holiday homes and hotels in Pangot and Jeolikot are old colonial British homes that have been renovated and are lovely to stay.

• For budget options, visit: Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam.
• Once Upon A Forest is located 7 km from Pangot and is quite an exquisite location for adventure seekers.
• Jungle Lore Birding Lodge: Surrounded by thick Oak and rhododendron forest on 3 Sides, this lodge offers the best stay option, especially if you are travelling with family.
  
  Mohit Aggarwal, Owner of Jungle Lore, also initiated a ‘Zero-Waste Pangot Initiative’ with ‘Chintan’, a non-profit group that works towards waste segregation and disposal. Several hotel owners have since joined the drive, helping make Pangot plastic-free.
• Mountain Quail Birding Lodge: This lodge is run by a couple, Siddarth Anand and Bhavna Anand, both passionate adventure travellers. The lodge commands a panoramic view of the hills and adjoins a forest teeming with birds and wildlife. The accommodation has 4 comfortable cottage-style suites, 3 mountain log cabins, and a few safari tents for outdoor camping fun.
• James Cook Cabin, Jeolikot: Situated in the lap of nature, this charming stone heritage cottage built 100+ years ago. The place offers solitude and soul healing! The accommodation offers a choice between 4 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a dining room, a bar, and a study area. Another option is a 2-bedroom unit that has its own kitchenette and dining area.

For Luxury stay options, here are my picks:

• Muskotia is another great option promoting responsible and eco-tourism. It is a boutique property located in the Kilbury forest @ Nainital and is just 2 km ahead of Pangot.

• Seclude Pangot Perch: The eight-cottage resort is just a 14-minute drive to the Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary.
• Abbotsford Estate (Prasada Bhawan): is tucked away in the quiet corner of the Pangot-Kilbury trail bordering the outskirts of Nainital. It is a private heritage home, now open for travellers, and offers 2 fantastic houses and 1 Cottage.
• The Palace Belvedere, Awagarh Estate, Nainital, is located approximately 16 km from Pangot and is a boutique heritage property with breathtaking views of Naini Lake.

Most of these places offer home-cooked meals made using fresh farm vegetables and freshly ground spices sourced directly from the nearby villages. A few also take up the request for a ‘picnic lunch’ that can be carried on treks!

• Camp Mehi: Camp Mehi started in 2008 with an aim to increase and highlight adventure activities in the Kumaun region. The camp is ideal for schools and corporate camping trips with lots of activities to choose from. Contact Person: Sanjay Budhalakoti +91 9012063669, 9012589415, 9456763669  Camp phone:- +91 9682701879
• Kampland Nature Resort is one of the best places to camp out in the middle of a lush green valley, surrounded by dense forests, and yet it has all the modern-day luxuries, including a swimming pool! There are 3 Deluxe Mud Cottages & 3 Luxury Cottages on double/triple occupancy with attached washroom (Western style) and all modern-day amenities such as electricity, running water, and satellite TV. The resort also has a well-equipped recreational room and game room with facilities like table tennis, pool, Xbox gaming, and more. The resort offers buffet-style dining with hygienic and freshly prepared meals and the choicest of local ingredients. The location of the camp is on a cliff offering an unbeatable, spectacular view of the high mountains and valleys beyond. Connect with Somriti Mitra (Owner): +91-8826657657

Location & Distance Guide to Pangot

Road conditions are a mix of good and average. I will recommend starting early to avoid the morning traffic.

New Delhi to Pangot: 293 km
Moradabad to Pangot: 138 Km
Pangot from Haldwani: 48 Km
Pangot from Nainital: 15 km (Approx 40 minutes)

The Nearest Airport to Pangot is Pantnagar Airport: 75 Km

Route Options
1. NH24 to Rampur/Moradabad via Hapur, Gajraula, Joya and Moradabad
2. NH87 to Jeolikot via Haldwani, Kathgodam and Ranibagh

Stopovers for Food:
Sky Lark Dhaba: Approx. 9 Kms from Garhmukteshwar, Ganga River
Punjabi Potli, 22 km ahead of Rampur (just 8 km short of Bilaspur)

Best Time to Visit: Pangot can be visited all year round. Winters can be really chilly, and summers are pleasant. But the best time to visit Pangot would be March to April, when the whole valley is rendered in crimson red with the blossoming Rhododendron and, of course, with the birds too!

March to June: Summer holidays, so expect high tourist season
July to September: Heavy Rainfall, but the valley is breathtaking and perfect to capture nature at its best
October to February: Evenings are chilly, and January brings in a bit of snowfall
November to March: Best season for bird watching