Getaway Jungle Camp Sattal | Uttrakhand

Experience a real jungle adventure in the hills of Uttarakhand, near Nainital.
Entrance to the camp

“We fell in love with the colourful Himalayan forests of Uttarakhand and created a little settlement in one of its quiet valleys. We’d love to welcome you in our humble jungle aboard for a real forest adventure!”

~Gauri & Manav, hosts at Getaway Jungle Camp.

~Hemu & Rahul, managers at the Camp.

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Overview

Camping in the middle of a Himalayan forest is not everyone’s idea of a holiday! If you are up for spending the night with a lantern, exploring the jungle at night with a torch, living in a tent amid a dense jungle, rappelling on the rock face, waking up at midnight to the call of the barking deer, or if you’re lucky, a leopard, then you are sure to love an adventure at Getaway Jungle Camp.

Sattal literally means seven lakes, and while two of those have dried up, the ones that remain are reason enough to visit this lesser known neighbour of Nainital & Bhimtal. The two lower lakes look something like a photoshopped picture; isolated turquoise blue waters nestled in a colourful forest of maple, oak & deodar. The three smaller lakes have joined to form a big one, on one side of which lie most of Sattal’s lodgings and food joints, while the other is draped by a dense forest amid which the camp is located.

Getaway Jungle Camp is true to its name, and to reach it, you must cross the big lake by boat (or a swim!), and hike a short distance through the woods. The campsite is a dried out lake of Sattal, making it a specular valley whose hillsides are dotted with colourful trees of oak, pine and deodar The two dozen tents of the camp are interspersed with tall, bright green poplar trees, planted back in the early 1990s. The surrounding forest is home to leopards, porcupines, wild boar and barking deer. Its location in this forest makes the camp a haven for bird lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, and an ideal place to spend a few days in the wild.

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Stay

The TentsAccommodation is provided in Safari tents to compliment the charm of the jungle. Each tent is equipped with twin beds and comfortable bedding for a good night’s sleep. The tent has netted windows to air it during the day. Shared western-style bathrooms & showers are located in a walled enclosure in a corner of the camp. Extra quilts and hot water bottles are provided during the colder winter months. Hot water is available through a hamam.

There is no electricity at the camp, to ensure that it does not disturb the wildlife of the jungle. At night, lanterns are provided, bonfires are lit, the stars sparkle in the sky, and a torch is a must to survive the dark.

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Food & Drinks

Delicious Food in BreakfastThe chef of the camp and his assistant Sachin, whip up delicious food in the kitchen. Breakfast typically consists of bread, cutlets, eggs or paranthas, while seasonal vegetables and lentils are served during lunch and dinner. Non-vegetarian food can be prepared on prior request; someone from Hemu’s team at the camp will trek through the mountains to Bhimtal to procure fresh stock for you.

Drinks

Hot tea, made sweet and milky, is available at the camp. You can ask Sachin, the assistant chef, to procure soft drinks from the Sattal market.

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Activities

Rappelling on the rock faceDepending on whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway, an active adventure, or a mix of both, you can choose from the following activities:

  • Bird watching
  • Day & overnight treks in the forest
  • Swimming in the Sattal lakes
  • Rappelling on the rock face
  • Rock climbing
  • Burma bridge
  • Night hike in the forest
  • Volleyball, cricket, football & other field sports
  • Boating in the lake
  • Reading, writing, drawing, painting and anything else you love to do but never get the time for.

On prior request:

  • Bird watching:
  • Obstacle course at the camp
  • Rescue course
  • Jungle survival course
  • Tent-pitching
  • Stargazing at an observatory in Nainital
  • Paragliding at Naukuchiatal
  • Kumaoni music & dance performance
  • Guitar under the stars performance by local artists
  • Horse safari
  • Treks to Bhimtal, Nainital & Naukuchiatal from the camp

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Costs

A stay at Getaway Jungle Camp is priced at: INR 5,000 per couple per night

The above is inclusive of the following:

  • Accommodation on twin/triple sharing basis for 01 night
  • All meals ( breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Morning & evening tea/coffee with cookies
  • Games like volleyball, cricket, badminton etc. in the beautiful natural field
  • Nature walk, one round
  • Complimentary indoor games like chess, carom etc.
  • Any two adventure/camp activities (rappelling, river crossing, Burma bridge, bird watching and trekking)
  • Bonfire in the evening
  • Boat transfer (once during the stay) to and from the camp over the lake

Exclusions:

  • Condiments and consumables (mineral water, soda, any drinks etc.)
  • Phone calls, laundry and expenses of personal nature
  • Anything not specifically included in the package cost

Note:

  • Children up to 5 years are welcome on complimentary basis
  • Kids between 5-12years: 50% of the package cost (sharing parents' tent)
  • Teens: 12years and above shall be charged the full package cost

 

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Location

Sattal is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, near the hill stations of Nainital and Bhimtal. The nearest railway station is at Kathgodam, from where a taxi can drop you off at Sattal, about 1 hour away.

Driving to Sattal from Delhi takes approximately 7-8 hours via the Rampur – Bilaspur – Haldwani – Kathgodam – Bhimtal – Sattal route.

Paddle or rowing boats are available along the riverside dhabas of Sattal. Getaway Jungle Camp is located on the other shore, a short 10-minute hike into the forest. A longer, alternate trekking route through the forest leads you directly to the camp without having to cross the river.

Best time to visit

Weather at the camp is pleasant throughout the year, except during the monsoon months of July & August, when it pours continuously. The camp is only partially operational during the monsoons, but if you love the outdoors in the monsoons and can handle the forest in the rain, go for it.

The valley where the camp is located receives plenty of sunshine during the day, while early mornings and nights range from chilly to cold, depending on the time of the year. Extra quilts, hot water bottles and bonfires are available to keep you warm on a winter night.

Things to note:

  • Cash and ATMs: Only cash is accepted at the camp. ATMs are located in Sattal, across the jungle and river.
  • Food: Lunches are vegetarian; non-vegetarian food is available for dinner.
  • Bathrooms: Bathrooms are located a short walk away from the tents, with bucketed hot water and western style toilets.
  • Electricity: No electricity is available at the camp to keep in tune with its wild surroundings; please be prepared by carrying torches and spare batteries as needed.
  • Phone, Internet and TV: There are no TVs or internet, but plenty of natural beauty to keep you entertained. Some phone networks catch erratic signal at the camp.
  • Pets: At your own risk; leopards are always on the prowl!
  • Alcohol: Not provided. You can carry your own.

Checklist

Getaway Jungle Camp certainly isn’t for the faint hearted! Set your heart to adventure, go with an open mind, and the jungle might just surprise you.

  • Backpack / shoulder bag. Avoid suitcases as they are difficult to wheel / carry through the forest.
  • Torch for the night
  • Sunscreen & cap
  • Good pair of walking shoes
  • Warm clothes if you’re travelling in winter
  • Binoculars for bird watching
  • Cosmetics you need
  • Prescription medicines, if any
  • Camera & batteries / charger
  • Good water bottle
  • Mosquito repellant
  • Rain gear if you travelling in the monsoonss

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Reviews

“We enjoyed our stay at the Jungle Camp at Sattal and feel that it was good value for money. The place was a great for birding. The food and lodging arrangements were good too. We enjoyed our conversations with Hemant, Nitesh and the others. We are likely to visit the camp again.”
~ Nikhil and Radhika, travelled in June 2014



To feature your review / testimonial, please write to untravel@indiauntravelled.com.

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Responsible Travel

Getaway Jungle Camp is located on private forest land, where Gauri & his team planted poplar trees in the early 90s, in what was then a barren valley made from a dried out lake of Sattal. No trees were felled to create space for the camp. No electricity is provided at the camp, in an attempt to preserve the natural environment of the region’s wildlife.

Hemu and his team of adventure enthusiasts expertly manage the farm and double as trekking guides. They hail from the surrounding village and the jungle is their second home.

Below are some tips to practice responsible travel while at Getaway Jungle Camp:

  • Pack your bags with environmentally friendly things. Carry as little plastic as possible.
  • Do not leave behind any non-biodegradable waste. Carry batteries and other toxic waste back to the cities where waste management is in place.
  • What you wear has an impact – environmentally and culturally – dress ethically and appropriately.
  • Respect the local culture and refrain from physical intimacy in public places.
  • Carry a good water bottle. Fresh water is available at the camp for re-filling your bottles. Refrain from buying numerous plastic mineral water bottles.
  • Local food is great. Try it as much as possible and avoid packaged food. Ask for modifications in the food according to your taste, instead of wasting it.
  • Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and refrain from drugs, especially in public places.
  • Seek permission before photographing people, so their privacy is respected.
  • Do not pluck any medicinal plants & flowers, and do not disturb the wildlife.
  • Pack as light as possible and carry only what you need.

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.

Please email us at untravel@indiauntravelled.com to plan and book your travels.