Discover the Essence of Kumaon

A picturesque landscape featuring a vast expanse of lush green hills in the foreground with a backdrop of towering, snow-capped mountains under a clear, deep blue sky. Small structures are nestled among the greenery, giving a sense of tranquility and seclusion.

Founder's words

Namaste!

Greetings from Kumaon Himalayas!

As a prospective Resort Developer from Kumaon ( Uttarakhand) and to scale up my existing Wood Villas property in Dhamas ( Near Almora), I would like to connect and link-up with your esteemed Resort/ Hotel chain.

I have 5 exclusive cottages (Wood Villas) in Dhamas, Almora, Uttarakhand with a Total Land Area of 129600 sq. feet.

Apart from Dhamas, I have land available in Dewlikhan, near Almora, which is all of 51840 Sq.feet and another piece of land measuring 60480 Sq.feet at Lohaghat.

All the 3 plots are strategically located, offering magnificent kaleidoscopic vigenettes of the snow clad Himalayan peaks.

As a proud native of Kumaon Himalayas, my family intends to develop residential apartments that have the element of sustainability as the " Watchdog".

We are open to collaborations with your esteemed Resort and hopefully start a meaningful dialogue towards fulfilling our dream of showcasing the very best of Uttarakhand Himalayas to the discerning global travelers.

The Surreal Backdrop:

A visit to lesser known, yet gorgeous Himalayan hamlet of Dhamas (32 Kms. from Almora) could be an eye opener. Out here at an elevation of 1424m/4672feet, a silent revolution is on; courtesy, the untiring efforts of a native Koranga family, whose forefathers had left behind landed properties on some of the most vantage positions.

Chandan Koranga, a fiercely proud ‘Millennial’ Kumaoni of the Koranga family has rather resolutely been implementing his dream project – “Wood Villas”, which is nearing completion. Once complete, this prestigious one-of-a-kind wooden villa project, made out of the finest variety of English Wood and German Pine, will be a pioneering wooden architectural marvel in the state’s competitive tourism landscape.

Having weathered the rough and tumble of the new-age entrepreneurship, the never-say-die Kumaoni that Chandan is, he is highly optimistic that “Wood Villas” will carve a niche for itself as one of Uttarakhand’s most preferred Chalet / Villa accommodation.

According to Chandan – “Wood Villa units will offer breathtaking views of the full range of Himalayan peaks. The architectural finesse is every bit European and each independent villa is wholly constructed out of wood, a rarity in the Indian context!” He further adds – “Our client base is NRIs and high net worth individuals (HNI) who have shown tremendous interest on this unique project. These villas are available for leases for up to 3 years and further renewable”.

Family Background:

Chandan Singh Koranga’s forefathers, the late Dewan Singh Koranga and later on Shri Nandan Singh Koranga, in particular, served with great distinction in one of the Indian Army’s oldest and most decorated infantry units - the Kumaon Regiment, has been operating wildlife safaris to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary with tremendous zeal and innovation.

According to Chandan Singh Koranga, “My late grandfather Shri Dewan Singh Ji was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with Jim Corbett at a time when the entire Kumaon Himalayas was infested and terrified with dangerous maneaters (tigers and leopards). We grew up listening to stories about Corbett’s courage in confronting the Big Cats. However, for us Kumaonis, we do not consider tigers and leopards as predators; rather, we believe that their presence is an indication that our ecosystem is healthy. Perhaps this attitude originated from the great Hunter-turned-Conservationist Jim Corbett himself, who first instilled in us the need to be sympathetic to the Big Cats.”

Vision

Wood Villas & Beyond - Vision Statement:

As the world strides ahead, there is an all enveloping awareness of a world that is veering more and more towards “Planet and People First” phenomenon, with the North Indian state of Uttrakhand, magnetised by the mighty Himalayas, truly evolving as New India’s most preferred Conscious Travel destination.

In the days of yore, the Kumaon region, Almora and its surroundings used to be a quiet, sleepy Himalayan outpost, blessed with magnificent Himalayan vistas and a trading hub. The eerie silence of the Himalayas and the pristine mountain environ has for a long time been luring writers, poets and artists to rejuvenate themselves. It goes without saying that creative people find the Kumaon Himalayas (Almora and beyond) particularly conducive for creative pursuits and have found fulfilment here.

Off late, the stupendous cultural diversity, aka Indigenous culture of the Kumaon region has touched the chord of today’s discerning traveller. Needless to say, a journey through the rugged Kumaoni mountain landscape is a stellar experience, an assault on your senses through culture, cuisine, history, heritage and dance.

In a world reeling under global warming and climate crisis, the Indian state of Uttarakhand comes as a breath of fresh air. With the snow capped high Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi(7816m), Chaukhamba(7138m), Panchchuli(6904), Trishul(7120m)…..standing like sentinels, the peace loving people of Uttarakhand along with the state government’s nodal Tourism department have taken a vow to protect the state’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem through a series of eco-friendly measures like encouraging home stay options inin lieu of the commercially profitable multi-storied apartment hotels, promoting immersive holidays with the stress on taking tourism to the villages and hamlets; the idea is to make tourism ecologically sensitive and thereby offer high value experiences.

In the Post Covid world, visitors worldwide have unequivocally shown preference towards visiting Carbon Neutral destinations, where nature is pristine, the culture unscathed by modernity and distinctive cultural traits are well preserved.

No wonder, the Kumaon Himalayas (Almora & surroundings) blessed as it is with the majestic Himalayan peaks, is also the melting pot of tribal/indigenous people – Tharus, Bhutiyas, Jaunsaris, Buksas and Rajis, whose fascinating lifestyle, belief systems, cuisine, jewellery design and folklore have all endeared themselves within the minds of today’s discerning travellers.

Embarking on a Tribal Tour of Kumaon Himalayas could be life changing and transformative. Out here, travel is slow. The essence is on immersion and engagement with the local folks. The roads are intimidating, yet, the natural vistas, flora and fauna are just fabulous. Sometimes, you keep hiking for hours together with not a soul to be seen!

Each tribe is unique with their own set of belief systems in place. For Instance, the Tharus are matrilineal and women are the torchbearers of society. The colourful Jaunsaris on the other hand are one of the world’s last remaining Polyandric societies. The Bhotiyas are distinctive with their Tibeto-Mongoloid features and are expert weavers.

Vision for the Future of Tourism in Kumaon Himalayas - Sustainable, Immersive & Carbon Neutral :

Chandan Koranga who hails from the bewitching hill station of Almora has been guiding visitors from affluent Western countries like USA,UK, Canada, Australia and Germany through his company – Woods Villa and Oh God! most of his guests are repeat visitors to Kumaon, which speaks volumes about the regions astonishing beauty and surreal charm.

Visitors from abroad who come in search of peace and solitude are provided high quality accommodation in Chandan’s rugged Woods Villa cottages on self-service basis. The Villas are located in the picture perfect Dhamas village and made of the finest blend of German Pine and English Wood. The village is within close proximity to Almora (32 Kms.) and the cottages are nicely tucked up at an elevation which is all of 1424m/4672 feet above sea level.

Promoting and Preserving Indegenous Heritage of Kumaon :

Chandan Koranga’s untiring efforts to showcase not just the Kumaoni Himalayas, but, also the stupendous tribal diversity of the region is beginning to have a positive rub-off effect on the village folks, particularly Sitlakhet and Balsa Gaon. These picturesque villages receive a regular stream of visitors from abroad, which has metamorphosed into a precious bond of friendship.

The stellar element of this unique friendship bond is that there is no superfluous demands imposed on the village communities. Discerning visitors appreciate the fact that the Kumaon Himalayas is earmarked for “Slow Tourism/Immersive Tourism” and they want the villages to retain their original, centuries old charm.

Although, transportation and roads remain below par, yet there are no complaints; the cultural immersion into the Kumaoni folklore, legends and traditions are far more important.