The team that brought the famed Drifters’ Inn and Café in Old Manali is now back with The Birdcage. Though we at The Organic Magazine, are not very happy about the choice of name, (because we believe birds should have the freedom to roam the forests, their home), we will give that a skip as The Birdcage offers freedom in every other way.
Tucked away on a beautiful hillside in Mukteshwar, in Nainital district of Uttarakhand, this boutique hotel offers majestic Himalayan views, endless hiking trails through thickly forested hills and tranquil surroundings interrupted only by birdsong!
The Birdcage has 7 tastefully appointed rooms with the Apricot Suite, the grandest of the lot. The other 6 rooms are similar in size, interiors and amenities offered. However, they have been distributed in 3 different tariff categories – Luxury, Deluxe and Superior – depending on the overall experience they offer as a result of the floor they are on, views offered from the room and size of their private gardens.
The restaurant which has many seating options offers picturesque views during the day and offers à la carte menu with Continental and select Indian delights for breakfast, lunch, dinner and for in between hunger pangs as well.
Environment friendly
The Birdcage is very environment conscious and encourages guests to reduce their carbon footprint.
- Save Water: Water at The Birdcage is drawn from a natural spring about 1.5 km away. It is an extremely scarce resource in the neighbourhood and the hotel encourages its optimal use.
- Rain Water Harvesting: A 40000 ltrs rain water storage system in the backyard works hard towards collecting, storing and recycling this water. This water is used judiciously for Gardening and other external application requirements around the property.
- Solar Power: The use of Solar Power too finds it way into The Birdcage, with some investments. Hot water in the bathrooms is courtesy Solar Water Heating Plants. We also have an electric backup for snowy days.
- Organic Kitchen Garden: The words farm to table rings true here at The Birdcage. The hotel has a small organic kitchen garden that is used to grow vegetables and herbs. A lot of organic produce is also sourced from nearby farms and orchards, making sure everything in the kitchen is truly, farm fresh!
- Minimum Use of Plastic: Plastic is non-biodegradable and once swallowed up by Mother Earth, it will stay there forever causing much havoc to the environment. The Birdcage tries to use as little plastic as possible and also encourage guests to do the same.
Indulge in Nature
There is lots to do in and around The Birdcage, here are a few activities that guests can indulge in:
Rise and Shine
There is something magical about watching the sun rise in the hills. The good news is that you do not have to drag yourself out of bed and drive to some far flung point to watch this utopic sight. You can devour it from your room’s balcony at The Birdcage.
Connect with Quiet
Guests can enjoy jogging through the thick oak forests that surround the hotel. Quietude that is only interrupted by the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves beneath your shoes. While in the forest, guests can engage in some birdwatching.
Gehna Village
There is also a 3 hour hike to Gehna Village and back. This hike takes guests through the thick oak forest, allowing them to explore the beautiful Kumaon countryside and also get familiar with the local culture through the people in the villages.
Bhalu Gaad Falls
A trip to the the Bhalu Gaad Falls harbours a promise of grand adventure. The trip involves a 9 km drive followed by a 1.5 km trek one way, which is both invigorating and extremely rewarding. The activity poses great opportunities for birding too.
Bikers Ahoy
For the more adventurous guests, they can hop on to a mountain bike post lunch and ride to the serene Mukteshwar Temple, located about 6 kms away. It is the perfect way to end the day, watching the most remarkable sunset at Chauli-ki-Jali.
Prefer Driving? Drive to the IVRI Forest
Guests can alternately choose to drive to IVRI forest and enjoy a peaceful picnic with a delectable picnic basket from the hotel.
