Kalamatia Sangam Himalayan Resort MI Evaluation - Gold Plus

Kalmatia Sangam Himalaya Resort is situated close to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary at an altitude of 2000m (6500ft.).Kalimat Estate is a 16 acre property and nestled into the hillside the resort is spread over 5 acres of sylvan surroundings amidst cedars, cypresses, pines, mimosa, rhododendron and other trees. The area has a teeming variety of flora and fauna and is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers. The crowning glory is the spectacular Himalayan range Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nanda Kot, Chaukhamba,Panch Chuli etc.

The resort is owned and supervised by Geeta Reeb and her German husband Dieter Reeb, who seek to offer their guests not just a comfortable and normal holiday but rather a memorable experience, a lifestyle and a personalised, caring and discreet service. The concept of the Reebs is to preserve the environment and give employment to the local people.

"Kalmatia" means black soil a special phenomena of this particular hill. "Sangam" a mingling of the cultures of the east and west. Kalimat Estate was bought by Geeta Reebs grandfather during the British Raj when he was the District Commissioner of the Kumaon. The original house was built in 1867 by a British Capt. Jackson.

Centuries ago Kalimat or Kalmatia was the arsenal of the Chand rajas. Legend has it that once a holy yogi Shri Ballabh Upadhaya came to Kalimat and asked the prime minister for firewood to do his puja. The minister laughed him to scorn and said if he was so holy he could have iron for his fire. The yogi lit his fire with the iron and ever since then the soil has been black.

Just a km away is the ancient temple of Kasar Devi (2nd. century B.C.). On part of this mountain the famous Buddhist scholar Lama Anagarika Govinda and his talented wife Li Gotami had their estate.

The cottages are a harmonious blend of British colonial architecture with Kumaoni elements and offer a magnificent, unhampered 400km view of the Himalaya. All the cottages are unique and individual, elegantly and tastefully furnished not forgetting comfort and modern amenities. All cottages are heated in winter.

The restaurant "Sangam" is the focal point of the resort. The attractive furniture designed by Dieter Reeb, the nostalgic open fireplace, the "art gallery" which displays paintings by local and foreign artists and the delectable, international cuisine invite the guests to linger and savour the ambience as does the terrace with its beautiful view, bird song and soft, gentle pine scented breezes.

The resort is an ideal starting point for hikes and treks to various places of interest, whether one day excursions or longer trips to higher altitudes. In the nearby vicinity one can visit the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, the famous Jageshwar temple complex built between 8th. to 12th. century A.D. and surrounded by dense cedar forests, the Katarmal Sun temple one of the few after Konarak, Chittai bell temple where devotees bring their pleas to Golu Devta god of justice, prehistoric rock art at Lakhudiar and much more.

Idyllic hikes through forests of cedar, oak and rhododendron along bubbling streams, enjoy a splash and picnic in the pool of the nearby waterfall, passing through quaint Kumaoni villages the houses with slated roofs and carved doors and windows where one can interact with the friendly villagers.

The resort also offers massage and accupressure/refexology with a French lady, collecting herbs and mushrooms during season and for those who just want to relax in beautiful surroundings a library of books and music cassettes.

The resort is an all year round place each season having its own charm.

ACCOMMODATION

All 10 cottages/rooms have Himalayan view. The rooms are all different, interiors, sizes, décor tastefully and elegantly done. Some are suites, and in some rooms the bed and living area are on different levels. All rooms and bathrooms have modern amenities. The basic differences are in architecture and interiors.

DINING

Sagam Restaurant
A confluence of traditional and international cuisine blending the best of local produce in a variety of dishes

Our kitchen is constantly creating new menus, combining refined international tastes, A wonderful “sangam” for guests from all over the world, which has resulted in warm and unusual friendships.

We offer freshly baked bread, pastries and cakes, homemade pastas, locally harvested fruit preserves, pickles, mustard and mayonnaise, as well as herbs from our own herb garden which produces a number of exotic and indigenous flavours and salads from the nearby villages.

The menus include Mexican, authentic European cuisine, Middle Eastern or Mediterranean and inspired buffet lunches where one can sample humous babaganoush, pita bread and tatziki or ratatouie, tomate a la proencale, pizza and fresh pasta. Indian veg & non –veg, tandoori. And for desert the French ”floating islands”, meringue or fresh fruit pastries and tarts, just to mention a few of the delectable dishes served.

Breakfast and lunch on the sunny terrace or a romantic dinner in front of a crackling, open fire – sangam offers all it’s visitors a welcoming and unforgettable experience.

The restaurant is at the same time and art gallery, displaying works by foreign artists, which are also for sale. 

LEISURE

The resort has a library of books on various topics (fiction and non-fiction), a library of music cassettes to suit different tastes in Indian and Western Classical Music and a variety of games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, Ludo, Cards, Backgammon etc.

SEASONS AT KALMATIA SANGAM

Spring
A gentle warmth, cerulean blue skies, tender green leaves, fruit trees in blossom, the forests flaming with rhododendron flowers and still magnificent views of the snowy peaks.

Summer
An escape from the furnace of the plains to be greeted by cool, pine scented breezes and the song of birds and a variety of butterflies. Perhaps a refreshing storm now and again, a lucky split in the cloud cover with slight glimpses of the Himalayan peaks.

Monsoon
A season of sheer loveliness, fresh and pleasant and newly washed; lush, deep green and a riot of colours with flowers and mushrooms – both edible (Chanterelle) and non-edible. Chances of sudden, wonderful, dramatic views of the Himalaya; dark, lowering clouds shot through with the rays of the sun to turn the peaks into slate grey, red and deep purple. A paradise for wild herbs. No incessant rain as in other hill stations but when it does - beautiful and mysterious with ghostly wisps of mist swirling through dripping trees and twining around bushes and flowers.

Autumn
Lazy, golden days with clear skies and usually lovely Himalayan views. Wild cherry trees loaded with gorgeous pink and white blossoms. The village houses a pretty sight with fat, yellow pumpkins and red chillies drying on the roofs. Ideal days for hikes and cosy evenings before a "bukhari" (wood/coal stove) toasting one’s feet to keep out the chill.

Winter
300km of unhampered Himalayan views. The soft silvery blue and rose pink of the morning changing to fiery orange, red and gold as the sun sets. Dark, velvety skies ablaze with stars and on a moonlit night the mighty peaks of the Himalaya pure shining silver. The cold, crisp air as intoxicating as champagne! If there happens to be snow – a silent, white world of pristine beauty. Early mornings at Kalmatia Sangam – an island surrounded by an ocean of clouds which slowly disperse with the warmth of the rising sun.

Flora & Fauna

Flora
Magnificent Cedars (some of which are 500 to 700 years old), Cypresses, Pines, Mimosa (sweetly, scented, yellow flowers in winter), Wild Cherry, Crepe Myrtle (pink/lilac flowers end June/July), Horse Chestnuts (flowers in May), Rhododendrons, Himalayan Oaks, Bottle Brush (feathery, orange flowers), Kaphal (red edible berries in May), wild, edible yellow Raspberries in May, Chinese Bamboo, exotic flowering cactii (bell shaped white flowers), Holly, Mistletoe, Ivy to mention just some varieties.

Fauna
Birds, butterflies, langurs (grey, longtailed Baboons), monkeys, jackals, foxes, hares, pine martens, wild cats, red squirrels, porcupines, flying foxes, flying squirrels and of course the most sought after and elusive, royal predator – the Leopard!