A retreat in the lap of nature surrounded by verdant views and a flurry of birds is both picturesque and wholesome. Spend a summer of serenity at Kalimpong's Relimai Retreat, your home away from home with three luxurious bedrooms on a sprawling 2.5 acres of natural forest. With glistening views of Mount Kanchendzonga and the adjoining Teesta River, this boutique stay with its stone-clad exterior and plush interiors, such as a modular kitchen, a fireplace, ceiling lights, and a colour-coordinated décor makes you feel warm and at home.
Perched atop a hill, the homestay is a reflection of Himalayan tranquillity and comfort where you can seize the sunsets from your balconies or capture snow-clad Kanchendzonga in a myriad of shades from crimson to fading blue. Its thoughtfully chosen location, 5 km away from the main town, ensures that the noise of the city doesn't downplay the vibe of the place that lets its guests "feel at home" amidst expansive views.
Owned by Sujata Mukhia and Nischal Gurung, the homestay, which has been operational since 2022, can be your next holiday hop if you seek a slow-travel experience. Quitting their high-paying jobs, the couple, along with their daughter Namya (now 9), moved from Delhi to Kalimpong in 2019 to set up this beautifully designed boutique vacation home where guests can unwind by taking a nature walk, cook meals picking fresh ingredients from the farm and enjoy a snuggly night around a bonfire.
The property has three cosy bedrooms with essential amenities such as private washrooms, Wi-Fi, a room heater and a 24*7 water supply (both hot and cold). The finely contoured parquet flooring adds to the aesthetics of the place. Solid colours keep the décor minimal yet chic, primarily dominated by grey and white and a touch of blue to add zing. The open kitchen, with a glossy silver theme, is beautifully designed with essentials like a microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine for guests to use as and when required.
While there is no dearth of natural allure at the homestay, the hosts recommend coming here for the sunsets more than anything. "The sunset views are to die for, all thanks to the sublime mountain range, the third largest in the world," said the couple. Besides basking in the views, guests can enjoy various activities such as reading sessions on their balcony, meditation amidst scenic views, or capturing birds eating mulberries and other fruits at the homestay.
"Within the property, one can just sit for hours enjoying the view. Our place is a birdwatcher's paradise where over 30 species, including Mountain Hawk Eagle, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler, Square-Tailed Drongo Cuckoo, Great Barbet and Blue Throated Barbet, can be found," the couple added.
With a predominantly Asian menu, the food options at Relimai include homecooked Indian, Nepali and Chinese cuisines. These meals are prepared using organic vegetables from the owners' vegetable garden. Try their Nepali thali, comprising local rice, kalo dal (local lentils), chicken/pork options for non-vegetarians, alu dum, dale chutney (round chilli and tomato paste), homemade ghee and local sweets. For appetisers, guests can opt for thukpa, momos (vegetarian and chicken), stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and salad made of freshly plucked produce from the in-house garden.
Experience at a location as charming as this homestay is enhanced with attractions like a heritage church and hiking trails. The nearby Dr Grahams Homes school, a century-old monument, is a perfect place for those interested in delving into the region's history. If you love hiking, a quick 1 km trail will bring you to this historic church. There are also trails within the property and outside for those who enjoy longer hikes of 2 km, 5 km and more. For avian enthusiasts, the Neora Valley National Park is about an hour and a half away. And if your itinerary stretches beyond a day, haats (markets), monasteries, nurseries, and a paper factory are other options to explore. To make the experience more immersive, mixology workshops are also conducted for guests, with host Nischal, an ace mixologist by profession, teaching them the basics of cocktail making.
Owing to its pleasing views, the retreat has reserved a place in guests' hearts, with many of them staying here repeatedly, said the couple. With a focus on niche clients, the switch from corporate to hospitality has been worth every effort and penny, as the couple has now forged a second unit, where they will be shifting, keeping the lavish 3 BHK house for the patrons to have by themselves.
Tariff
Guests can opt for double occupancy or rent the entire property for themselves. Charges are as follows:
Double Occupancy : INR 7,500
Extra Adult: INR 1,500
Extra Child (6-12 years): INR 1,200
Entire House: INR 19,000
Address: Maney Dara, Saureni, near Mahakal Dara Bara Bhalukhop Road, Upper Bhalukhop, Kalimpong, West Bengal 734301
Getting There: The nearest airport is Bagdogra (3 hour drive), and the closest railway is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (3 hour drive). For those travelling from nearby cities, please note that the homestay is 70 km (2.5 hour drive) from Darjeeling, 85 km (3.5 hour drive) from Gangtok and 95 km (4 hour drive) from Pelling.
Contact number: 9818699280, 9910017751
Instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/relimai_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==