Kalmatia Sangam Himalaya Resort

Set 7km above Almora in the Kumaon hills (Uttaranchal), Kalmatia Sangam Himalaya Resort offers one of the best accommodations in Uttaranchal. Kumaon lies at the feet of the tallest Indian mountains, Nanda Devi 7816m, Kamet 7756m, Trishul 7120m, Nanda Kot 6860m and Panch Chuli 6903m, making it the most attractive mountain destination in all Indian Himalaya, and closest to reach from Delhi. Kumaon is situated between Garhwal to the west and Nepal to the east, offering extensive possibilities of connecting itineraries, either towards Western Nepal and its national parks or Garhwals holy pilgrimage temples. Having pilgrim route to holy Mount Kailash pass through and being once a major trade link to Tibet, Kumaon has been a confluence where cultures have blended together, leaving behind many architectural and archeological wonders as well as charming villages set amongst green terraces where local traditions, beliefs and folklore still survive. Established in 1815, Almora, one of the first British hill stations, is an interesting blend of British colonial and Kumaoni architecture seen in the various estates in the area, and several buildings in Almora town. In short, being located in the heart of Kumaon, the Kalmatia Sangam Himalaya Resort is a perfect place from which to explore some of the most wonderful parts of the Indian Himalaya.

Our specialty is preparing itineraries for jeep safaris and and adventure trekking to high pasture meadows (bugyals) and glaciers all throughout Kumaon and Garhwal, providing you with logistical support of porters, cooks, and mountain ponies, using the resort as a base.

The resort is also an excellent place for those interested in bird watching - 250 species have been sighted in this area. For most a stay of  7 days or more at the resort  gives enough opportunities to discover the Kumaon Himalaya in a very individual way, without missing out on the comforts and luxuries of Kalmatia Sangam Himalaya Resort. From the resort one can follow numerous walking trails to places like Chittai temple in the nearby area of Sitlakhet, Shayhi Devi temple or some of the villages nearby. One can also make one day excursions by car, jeep or coach to Kausani, Nainital, Mukteshwar, Devidoora, Binsar, Jageshwar, Bajinath, Ranikhet, Chaukori, or other destinations.

One of the best things about the resort, aside its stunning location and comfortable accommodation is its restaurant. The resort restaurant is the confluence of traditional and international cuisine, blending the best of local produce in a variety of dishes, constantly creating new menus, combining refined international tastes. It offer freshly baked bread, pastries and cakes, home made pastas, locally harvested fruit preserves, pickles, mustard and mayonnaise, as well as herbs from the resort's own herb garden, which produces a number of exotic and indigenous flavors and salads. The chef's specialty is Indian Tandoori. The banquet consists of tandoori chicken, mutton shish kebab, paneer tikka, stuffed tandoori potates, nan, dal makhani, fresh vegetable dishes, raita, salad, chutney and pickles. For desert you can have Shahi Tukda and a sample of Almora's famous chocolate or "Bal Mitthai." Other menus include Middle Eastern or Meditteranean inspired buffet lunches where one can sample humous, babaganoush, pita bread and tatziki or ratatouie, tomate a la provencale, pizza, stuffed vine leaves and fresh pasta. And since we are talking French here, the French "floating islands", meringue or fresh fruit pastries and tarts is a must for desert. Picnic lunches are offered to resort guests who want to enjoy sightseeing in the beautiful natural surroundings. A variety of choices, including parathas, pakoras, omelets and salads, or Chinese spring rolls, fried rice and chowmein, or club sandwiches, tarts and slices. All packed lunches include fresh fruit, cakes and soft drinks. For breakfast the restaurant offers fresh baked breads and muffins, home made preserves and cereals, fruits and fresh yogurt. For those guests with a larger appetite a range of egg dishes, potato pancakes or traditional Indian breakfasts are served.  The restaurant is at the same time an art gallery, displaying works by foreign artists, which are also for sale. Being far from the wide variety of products and produce available in large cities, Sangam relies on ingenuity to overcome the gaps. Pickles from locally grown flower seeds replace capers in salads and pizzas. Rhododendron which flowers in March are abundant and the petals, once boiled make an excellent base for drinks, sauces, desserts and jellies. Home made ice cream is made from fresh buffalo milk and in summer the fruit salads include local strawberries, apricots, peaches, plums and guavas. During monsoon, the delectable and highly prized mushroom "Chantarelle" (a delicacy in Europe) is harvested from the surrounding forests and added to freshly made pasta and sauces. In spring wild asparagus is collected - young and sweet and added to quiches and tarts. After heavy winds when the pine nuts fall in abundance they are used to decorate salads and sweets. ( If not taken by birds and monkeys!!). Resort guests are invited to participate in cooking courses, which begin with a walk in the forests to collect the secret Himalayan herbs which are used throughout the recipes. With a magnificent view of Nanda Devi and the Great Himalayan Range, this uniquely designed restaurant allows guests to dine in splendor and comfort whilst enjoying the impressive natural surroundings. Breakfast and lunch on the sunny terrace or a romantic dinner in front of a crackling, open fire - "sangam" offers all it's visitors a welcoming and unforgettable experience. And after a gala dinner, often a time an evening sitting around a blazing bonfire makes a perfect end to the day.

All cottages have Himalayan views. The rooms are all different, with unique interiors, sizes, décor tastefully and elegantly done. Some are suites, and in some rooms the bed and living area are on different levels. All rooms and bathrooms have modern amenities. The basic differences are in architecture and interiors.

Please contact us to design a tour for you that will include a stay at the resort and allows you to see the best of Kumaon, no matter what is your interest, whether adventure trekking, honeymoon seclusion, birding or meditation! Please do remember that only through us you can get resort rates you can not receive if you contact the resort directly.