Jilling - Off The Beaten Track
Jilling does not appear in many Hotel listings or guide books. About two hours drive from the Kathgodam Railway station, Jilling is tucked away in utter anonymity deliberately till you suddenly find it! Once you discover Jilling and it's surroundings and the outstanding hospitality of Mr Steve Lal and his Family at the Jilling Estate...the memory lingers forever!
Chilling @ Jilling
Jilling is located around 300 km from Delhi and it is located in Kumaon region of the Himalayas.Jilling is 2 Km's from the Matial Village at Uttaranchal. Matial is 36 km from Kathgodam railway station. The motorable road is only upto Matial and from there one has to actually climb up (about 2 Km) till Jilling. For the slightly unfit and first time trekkers, one can take a pony ride too till the top.
See below Route map for Delhi - Jilling
Unobstructed view of the hills from Jilling Estate
One unique thing about Jilling Estate is that 'It's Available on Invitation' only. In this today's world of Cut throat competition between hotels, kudos to Mr Steve Lal for having this filter. Mr Steve Lal, an imposing and dynamic old man with a great penchant for narrating his adventures, escapades or biking trips runs things around here. The Terrainspotter team was on a shoestring budget and when Mr Lal told us about the separate bungalows on top and their rates ,we were afraid we might have to go back that night. Our entire group was short on money, so we looked gloomy.Mr Lal sensed it and surprisingly told us that we could stay at his place. He also mentioned that this only happens if the group is liked by the family. Staying at Jilling is a unique combination of Individual Exploration and Home Stay.
It is advisable to contact Mr Steve Lal or his daughter Nandini at least two weeks before your trip - http://tinyurl.com/69px7gv
Conversations with the hills @ Jilling Estate
Closure
Jilling welcomes you all the year round depending on what your personal preferences are. The months of May and June are the best to chill out at Jilling as the trees are loaded with fruits that are just ready to be picked and eaten. Fruits like plums, apricots and apples are available in plenty here. In case you want to enjoy the snow then one can also visit in winter, however March and April is the season when the forests are flaming hot with Rhododendrons that are blossoming in red blooms. If you are a trekking enthusiast then months of September and October are the best as the lush green surroundings of the place are very pleasing and the season is just right to do the trekking on higher Himalayan region.
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