Before we get introduced, I think it will be a good start to let you know about the add ons and extra charges you might have to pay at our homestay, so that our relationship remain amicable and ever-lasting. So here goes: ----Pet Policy---- Well behaved, toilet trained pets are welcome. One time pet cleaning fee of INR 500 applies. Pet Etiquette: Pets are not allowed on beds or sofas. We request that pets be kept indoors after 8 p.m. to avoid attracting wildlife. ---- Add Ons ---- ---- Bonfire ---- An outdoor bonfire can be arranged at an additional cost of INR 1,500 per use (approx. 3 hours). ---- Barbecue: Available at INR 1,000 per use ---- ---- Driver/Cook/Nanny Accommodation ---- Up to two female house helpers (nanny/maid) can stay in the villa’s living areas for INR 500 per person per day, with mattresses and linen provided. Driver accommodation is not available onsite, but can be arranged in nearby village homes for a nominal charge (subject to availability). ---- In House Meals ---- Meal packages are available as follows: INR 600 per person for breakfast, lunch/dinner, and high-tea and INR 900 per person for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and high-tea. Now a little about the hosts: Katie's Abode, Hartola is hosted by Dhruv, Deepa and their two cute fur babies, Katie and Chloe. Dhruv with a journalism career spanning 16 years, ventured into the homestay sector when it was still emerging, launching a dedicated website for Indian homestays back in 2006-7. Later, he established his own homestay in Vasco, Goa. Today, he lives in this quaint hamlet of Hartola with his wife, Deepa, a senior ELT professional who works from home, and their two fur babies, Katie and Chloe. Much of his time now is spent on their farm, where he grows fresh vegetables to serve to guests at Katie’s Abode. He is also working on a few writing projects, blending his love for storytelling with the tranquil life he has embraced in the hills.

Katie's Abode is a beautiful 5 BHK pet-friendly homestay named after the owner's beloved pet, Katie. Nestled in a serene forested valley with stunning views of the majestic Himalayas. The villa offers a comfortable and tranquil stay with breathtaking scenery visible from every room and the spacious sitout. The guest rooms are located on the first and secong floors, with the ground floor reserved for the hosts. ---- Entrance ---- Guests access the villa through a separate staircase leading directly to the first floor living room. The owners have a separate entrance. Living Room: It offers two cozy sitting areas—one side features a fireplace with a TV and comfortable loungers, and the other side has a cozy sofa seating area. ---- Dining Area & Kitchen ---- The dining area includes a table with a writing/laptop space. A large patio is also connected to the dining area. Bedrooms: Two bedrooms with attached bathrooms are on the first floor. ---- Second Floor ---- A staircase from the dining area leads to a spacious family bedroom fitted with three queen beds and an attached bathroom. ---- Here are some distances and nearby places about which you should know ---- ---- Kathgodam: 70 km (2 hours 30 mins) ---- ---- Bhimtal: 50.7 km (1 hour 57 mins) ---- ---- Nainital: 52.7 km (2 hours) ---- ---- Ramgarh: 28.5 km (1 hour) ---- ---- Mukteshwar: 23.9 km (45 mins) ---- ---- Nathuakhan: 11.2 km (30 mins) ----

Nestled in the Himalayas, about 360 km from Delhi, Hartola is a hidden gem where nature paints in vivid, untamed strokes. The landscape is lush with fruit orchards, banjh oak trees, dotted with occasional buransh, their red flowers adding splashes of color against the green. The crisp mountain air carries a hint of earth and pine, and on clear days, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas stand majestically on the horizon, their icy crowns glittering in the sun. The quiet here is profound, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves, the occasional call of a distant bird, and the echo of a dog’s bark rolling through the valleys. Dawn in Hartola is even more magical—light seeps over the mountains, casting a warm glow over terraced fields, and mist clings to the hillsides, lending a mystical air. In winter, the nip in the air is more pronounced as mist blankets the landscape, giving everything a silvery sheen. Here, time feels slower, and nature’s rhythm is uninterrupted—a perfect sanctuary for solitude, reflection, and connecting with the beauty of the wild. Hartola offers a unique opportunity to guests to just laze around and rejuvenate their mind, body and soul. With hardly any traffic, one can go on long walks in the village. There are also walking trails and treks that guests can go for. Apart from these, there are several places of interest around Hartola which can be visited: ---- Mukteshwar temple: 45 minutes (23.9 km) ---- ---- Jagweshwar Dham: 3 hours (80.8 km) ---- ---- Kasar Devi: 1 hr 59 min (53.7 km) ---- ---- Dhokani waterfall: 1 hr 22 min (35.4 km) ---- ---- Bhalugaad waterfall: 1 hr 20 min (30.9 km) ---- ---- Kainchi Dham (Shri Neem Karori Baba Ashram): 1 hr 27 min (34.1 km) ----