It had been a while since we took a real break from city life. Our last getaway was back in September 2024, and since then, work has pretty much consumed our attention. We were craving a clean break, and the Christmas weekend of 2025 had offered that perfect window. Being in NCR, the incessant pollution was also taking its toll, so a “clean break” also had a very literal meaning for us. After narrowing down a few mountain locations, we zeroed in on Bhimtal for its proximity and value. Sometimes, when you rule out the obvious names in search of a better deal, you end up with a pleasant surprise.
Perched Above the Buzz: Fredy’s Bungalow
That surprise turned out to be Fredy’s Bungalow by Itmenaan Lodges. While it’s technically in Bhimtal, you realize once you arrive that it’s perched high on a hill, far above the lake and away from the buzz of commercial tourism. It’s a quiet, beautiful spot perfect for the disconnect we strived for. The British-style bungalow has a charm of its own; it’s a place where you can actually hit pause. The icing on the cake? The incredible food prepared by their home cook, which tasted even better in the winter chill.
The Rhythm of the Mountains: 9km to SatTal
Far from the cacophony of our cities, mountains almost immediately calm you. They ask you to slow down and not be driven by blocked calendars, milestones to be delivered, and timelines which have to be met daily. Although the struggle to stay true to its rustic core is now visible, life is still in a different rhythm here. The best way to feel it is to go deep into the mountains and listen to the sounds—or the absolute lack of them. A nice trek from Fredy’s Bungalow allowed us to do just that as we walked amidst the oaks and pines down to SatTal and took a round trip of around 9 km. On the way, we listened to the loud chirping of the birds (this is also a bird-watching spot, saving that for the next trip), took a full round of SatTal to appreciate its beauty, and stopped for Bun Maska and, of course, delicious orange juice.
A Decade in a Heartbeat: Nostalgia in Nainital
Time flies they say, and my god, how it has. On one of the days, we found ourselves on Nainital’s Mall Road again, but a decade had gone by since we last had been there. Back then, our daughter was still in her stroller and we were learning the tricks of a very new but lovely phase of life. A lot has happened since then; we have managed to ride the waves, up and down, together. Being back was a little nostalgic, with flashes of memory from that visit ten years ago. We had the aloo chaat again, got some cakes from Sakley’s, and visited the candle shop from where we had taken a few souvenirs. Just like last time, we soaked in the beautiful scene of the emerald Naini Lake nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas.
The Gift of the Disconnect
The mountains have a way of putting the chaos of city life into perspective. Whether it was the silence of the trek or the nostalgia of the Mall Road, this trip was the reset we needed. We left the pollution and the deadlines behind, finding instead a rhythm that felt a lot more like home.
