The old house serves as a constant amongst the ever-changing hills, providing a perennial home amid such transformation. Our journey from Delhi to Kathgodam via the Shatabdi train was a delight. The subsequent journey from Kathgodam railway station to the Grand Oak Manor was nothing short of thrilling. Despite encountering a forest fire and a thunderstorm on the day of our arrival, which resulted in prolonged driving for five hours, our family pressed on, aided by a forest ranger and with reassurances from Mr. Rajan. On reaching our destination, we were greeted by Kailash who took us in the I Suzu for bumpy ride of 600 meters toward the Manor. We found ourselves instantly charmed by the warm welcome and generous hospitality. After receiving a warm reception, which included drinks, we were shown to our rooms. We opted for the Mountain View room, which offered a breathtaking depiction of the Nanda Devi mountain range. The Grand Oak Manor is an unforgettable destination lying within the Binsar Forest Reserve in Uttarakhand. This historical colonial residence, once the home of Sir Henry Ramsay, Commissioner of Kumaon, has been restored to embrace its original grandeur. During our three-night stay, we utilized two rooms. In total, there are four rooms on the first floor, strategically situated near the inviting restaurant and sunset lounge. Additionally, there are another seven or eight rooms on the ground floor. Interestingly, the manor operates on solar power. Consequently, hot water supply is only available from 7pm to 11am. Despite this limitation, we understood and respected the constraints associated with this remote location. Even meal requests need to be placed at least two to three hours in advance, to ensure the food is prepared fresh as per our preferences. The cuisine was simple, homely and gastronomically delightful. The daily high tea ritual was always a treat, complete with a homemade cake and delicious plum jam. Our early morning bird-watching sessions, led by an experienced and humble naturalist, Mr. Ram Singh, were informative and entertaining. We were fortunate to spot a plethora of birds and even heard a leopard's call. On the subsequent day, we embarked on an adventurous 6.5 km trek to Zero Point saw yellow-throated marten , barking deer birds, adhering to the adage, no pain, no gain. Every evening, we were provided with a hot bag and hot water in a flask. We were particularly impressed with the well-trained staff, specifically Pankaj, Ganesh, and Kailash who went above and beyond to accommodate my family. Without a doubt, we are looking forward to our next visit.
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