Himachal Heritage Village in Palampur is a quintessential place which gives unique pleasure of experiencing different Himachali cultures under one roof. Himachal Pradesh is a vibrant state with diverse range of culture, tradition, food, landscapes and architecture. Palampur in Kangra district has become a choice for many travelers who want to spend peaceful moments in serenity away from the crowd, in the middle of infinite tea gardens and pleasant weather all year round.
Tea Gardens of Palampur
Himachal Heritage Village is tucked in Dhauladhar mountain range near Thalla village, away from the hustle-bustle of the city. There's an off-road which leads to this property and cuts you off from the entire world. The surrounding mountains are snow-covered in winters and lush-green during the monsoons.
Beautifully designed huts with authentic architecture from different districts - Una, Kangra, Barot and Khaniara depict cultures from these 4 districts of Himachal Pradesh. The huts have been made by actually pulling off logs of wood from Barot, slates from Kangra, hand-made sundried bricks from Una and special stones from Khaniara.
The huts are furnished with interesting artefacts collected from different places. You would go back in time when you hear the old time music in the dining area.
Beautifully designed huts with authentic architecture from different districts - Una, Kangra, Barot and Khaniara depict cultures from these 4 districts of Himachal Pradesh. The huts have been made by actually pulling off logs of wood from Barot, slates from Kangra, hand-made sundried bricks from Una and special stones from Khaniara.
The huts are furnished with interesting artefacts collected from different places. You would go back in time when you hear the old time music in the dining area.
Himachal Heritage Village
2 dogs outside the dining area and a naughty duck seen roaming on the ground welcome you to the property.
Dining area - Himachal Heritage Village
Una Hut in Himachal Heritage Village, Palampur
It is a mud-house with roofing of grass and bamboo. This 2-storied house has a set of 2 bedrooms with individual bath, changing rooms and entrances and is also connected from inside. The upper room also has a traditional wood fire cooking place. This eco-hut is cool inside and makes you travel back in time.
Una Hut - Himachal Heritage Village
Bedroom with wood fire cooking set
Kangra Hut in Himachal Heritage Village, Palampur
This is built with local-cut stones and hand-made sun dried bricks with a slate roof, just the way the traditional houses in Kangra are built. It is a 2-storied house with 2 bedrooms, individual bathrooms, changing rooms and entrances. The 2 floors are also connected from the inside. There is a pretty living room decorated with bamboo furniture and a wooden storage drum and fully-functional kitchen on the ground floor. The room on the top floor has a traditional wood fire cooking place. The room has a roof storage, showing the exact lifestyle of the locals in this part of the state.
Kangra Hut - Himachal Heritage Village
Living room in Kangra Hut
Barot Hut in Himachal Heritage Village, Palampur
It is a single room wooden cottage representing the life-style of people in Barot. The unfinished logs of wood give a real rustic feeling that made me choose this cottage for myself. It has a chimney for wood-fire in the bedroom. The bathroom is well-decorated with wood logs being used as hangers. The grass headed lamp-sheds capture attention as well.
Barot Hut - Himachal Heritage Village
Bedroom with firewood in Barot Hut
Khaniara Hut in Himachal Heritage Village, Palampur
It is difficult for anyone to not like this piece of architecture made up entirely with stones from Khaniara. It is a single-bedroom cottage and definitely a treat to the eyes. The stone made chimney for fire-wood and the waterfall structure in the bathroom add to the beauty of this master-piece. The room is perfectly equipped with vintage radio set.
Khaniara Hut - Himachal Heritage Village
Firewood place in Khaniara Hut
Food in Himachal Heritage Village, Palampur
The first thing you will observe once you enter the dining is that it's a huge area, meticulously decorated with interesting artefacts collected from various parts of the state. You would want to know from the masters about the benefits of using narrow-mouthed brass utensils for cooking. The food is cooked from in-house farm fresh organically grown vegetables.
Dining - Himachal Heritage Village
They serve the best food in the Kangra region. The passionate owners of this place Mr. Gagan Sharma and Mr. Dogra would suggest you to shun the menu for a night's dinner and convince you to try the local Himachali food called "Kangri Dham", which they specially get cooked for a group of guests on request.
They serve a couple of finger-licking walnut-based slow-cooked gravies called "Khatta" and a mustard-based slow-cooked daal with rice.
A non-lover of rice like me ended up over-eating these dishes proves that this is the best Himachali food available around.
They serve a couple of finger-licking walnut-based slow-cooked gravies called "Khatta" and a mustard-based slow-cooked daal with rice.
A non-lover of rice like me ended up over-eating these dishes proves that this is the best Himachali food available around.
Gagan Sharma treating with Kangri Dham
Hospitality in Himachal Heritage Village, Palampur
Mr. Gagan and Mr. Dogra along with the entire staff, wouldn't give you any chance of complain when it comes to hospitality. Just like each artefact in the property is hand-picked, every guest is taken care of personally. They go out of their way to take care of the personal choices of the guests and make a memorable holiday for them.
They continuously keep innovating and adding services to their property. They are soon going to come up with a natural swimming pool, a health center and a spa. They put in volunteer efforts in developing Palampur through various social engagements.
Gagan will happily suggest you things to do in and around Palampur and arrange them for you keeping your comfort in mind.
They continuously keep innovating and adding services to their property. They are soon going to come up with a natural swimming pool, a health center and a spa. They put in volunteer efforts in developing Palampur through various social engagements.
Gagan will happily suggest you things to do in and around Palampur and arrange them for you keeping your comfort in mind.
Things to do in Himachal Heritage Village, Palampur
1. If you come here just for a day to relax, thinking about it as a normal resort, I bet you would would be surprised with yourself as you would want to spend more time here doing nothing. This property has everything to stop the time and get you back in time. Ideal plan would be to spend atleast 2 days here.
2. Catch hold of Mr. Dogra over a drink or tea in the evening and hear stories about Himachal. He would recommend some interesting temples to visit and talk about different cultures of the state which would make you want to know more.
Mr. Dogra has unique collection of old postcards used before the independence and artistic sets of chess boards. He selectively opens up his box for guests he connects with.
Mr. Dogra has unique collection of old postcards used before the independence and artistic sets of chess boards. He selectively opens up his box for guests he connects with.
3. Get an authentic feel of playing chess on this chess board which Mr. Dogra has hand-picked. I was hooked on to this game for hours, after ages.
4. Gagan came across as one of the finest human-beings I've known, who helped me discover gems in palampur. Right from crispy jalebis to paneer momos, best-selling soda, fried chicken and golgappes, he would guide you to the best street-food around.
5. Visit some tea-gardens and factories in Palampur and go on a tea-tasting spree. I am a green/black tea lover. I had an amazing experience visiting the Himalayan Brew tea factory and sampling unique flavors like Pinewood Smoked Tea, Bulgarian Rose Green Tea, Orange Pekoe Tea. They are also experimenting with tea wines, and I would be there to sample it the moment it is ready!
6. Uncover new roads and camping locations in Palampur.
7. Go paragliding in Bir (30 km away) and fly like a bird.
8. Visit some peaceful temples and monasteries around Palampur
9. Go for day-hikes or longer treks in the Dhauladhar Range of the Himalayas.
P.S. I was invited to review Himachal Heritage Village. I had planned to go there for a day but I ended up staying longer.
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