Escape to Paradise: Ekaant Cottage, Joshimath Himalayas
Escape to Paradise: Ekaant Cottage, Joshimath – A Wilderness Retreat… (Or, My Himalayan Headache… and Heartbreak?)
Okay, so let's be real. Finding the perfect Himalayan escape? It's like chasing a unicorn. But Escape to Paradise: Ekaant Cottage in Joshimath? Well, it gets damn close. Let's rip into it, good, bad, and hopefully, Instagrammable. Prepare for a LONG one.
Accessibility: (Bless its little cotton socks!)
Right off the bat, let's address the elephant in the room (or, you know, the yak on the mountainside). Joshimath is, geographically speaking, a challenge. This is not a stroll-in-the-park kind of vacation. Car Park [on-site] is a MUST. Airport transfer is a life-saver (more on that later). Seriously, the roads… well, let's just say they're an adventure in themselves. Bicycle parking? Hilarious! Though seriously, forget about the bike. It's a walker's paradise, assuming your lungs and legs are in decent shape. The cottage itself? I didn't notice any specific mention of Wheelchair accessible rooms, but honestly, the terrain outside is more the issue. You'll be relying on the staff for assistance. I didn't have any accessibility issues, but I’d suggest double-checking this if it’s a non-negotiable for you.
On-site grub & grog (or, my breakfast battle):
Food is a biggie, right? So, Restaurants? Yes, plural! And thank God for that. After a day of trekking, you need sustenance. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Buffet in restaurant (thank heavens!), A la carte in restaurant – they've got it all. Actually, I'm going to pause here and tell you a little story about breakfast. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was pretty darn good. But that first morning? Jet lag was kicking my butt. I was a zombie shuffling into the dining hall. And… disaster. I'd foolishly expected a quick coffee and a pastry. Nope. This was a full-blown buffet, a glorious spread of everything. I went for the eggs, because eggs are usually safe. They were… okayish. But honestly, the sheer volume of food… I felt overwhelmed. Seriously, it was like a breakfast food orgy. I ended up grabbing a croissant (stale), and then feeling guilty about not exploring more. I'm a simple girl, and sometimes I just want a darn croissant. But the coffee was delicious, and the servers were lovely (the language barrier was a bit of a struggle sometimes, but they were patient). Bottle of water is standard, thank the heavens. Poolside bar will come in handy later as well. My advice: pace yourself. Don't be a breakfast-gobbling beast like me.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Seems fine, nothing specifically inaccessible that I saw, but again, the mountains are the issue, not usually the cottage.
For the Health Freaks and Relaxers:
So, ways to relax? They nailed it. Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage… heaven! I indulged in the massage. It was… intense. (In a good way!). It's the kind of massage that makes you wish you could sign a waiver to permanently inhabit the massage table. Absolutely sublime. You can also opt for a Body scrub or a Body wrap, if you feeling fancy. The Fitness center, Gym/fitness? I’m not gonna lie, I peeked in once. The view from the window was way better than the equipment. I preferred the Pool with view. That outdoor Swimming pool [outdoor] is stunning. And the altitude? Makes everything feel… lighter. It's a great way to detox after that breakfast buffet. Or a long day of trekking.
Internet - The Good, the Bad, and the Patchy:
Let's face it. We’re all addicted. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – YES! Praise the tech gods! …Mostly. The Internet access – wireless was… variable. Sometimes blazing fast, other times, like my mood swings on a bad day. Internet [LAN]? I didn't bother. I was too busy gazing into the abyss (aka the mountainscape). Internet services are available, just don't expect to livestream your yoga sesh without a hitch.
Room Rundown (& My Personal Soap Opera):
My room was… lovely. Let's start with the basics. Air conditioning? Nope. Required? Nope. The mountain air is your AC. Additional toilet? No. Alarm clock? Yes. Bathrobes? Yes! Bathtub? Sadly, no. Blackout curtains? Thankfully, yes. I LOVE those. Closet? Adequate. Coffee/tea maker? YES! Complimentary tea? Bless you, Ekaant Cottage. Daily housekeeping? Absolutely. Desk? Yes. Extra long bed? YES! (Important for a lanky gal such as myself). Free bottled water? Always appreciated. Hair dryer? Yes, thank goodness. High floor? Not applicable (it's a cottage, people). In-room safe box? Yes. Internet access – LAN? See above. Internet access – wireless? Ditto. Ironing facilities? Yes, but seriously, who irons on vacation? Laptop workspace? Yes. Linens? Clean. Mini bar? Nope. Mirror? Yes! Non-smoking? Yep. Private bathroom? Obviously. Reading light? YES! I spent hours curled up with a book. Refrigerator? Nope, but who needs one? Safety/security feature? Standard stuff. Satellite/cable channels? Yes. Scale? Nope, thank God. Seating area? Yes, a lovely little nook. Separate shower/bathtub? Nope. Shower? Yes! Slippers? Yes! Smoke detector? I bloody hope so. Socket near the bed? YES! Essential for charging all your devices (see internet rant). Sofa? Nope. Soundproofing? Pretty darn good. Telephone? Yes. Toiletries? Decent. Towels? Plentiful and fluffy. Umbrella? Yes. Visual alarm? No. Wake-up service? Yes. Wi-Fi [free]? Mostly. Window that opens? YES! And the view… swoon.
Okay, confession time. My first night? I couldn't sleep. Altitude sickness, the mountain air, the sheer vastness of the place… it was all a bit overwhelming. I missed my bathtub. I missed my easy-to-understand coffee. And I felt… lost. BUT! The next day, I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window, painting the mountains in shades of gold. I drank my coffee (made perfectly this time), and I felt… calm. It’s a slow burn, this place. It gets under your skin.
Things to Do & Stuff & Nonsense:
Things to do? Trekking, trekking, trekking. Did I mention trekking? The trails are breathtaking (literally, at that altitude). The staff can help arrange guides. There's a Shrine nearby for spiritual types. And the Terrace is perfect for sunset views (bring a blanket!). They also have Audio-visual equipment for special events if you're planning a corporate takeover. This is not a place for a rowdy party, I’d imagine.
Cleanliness & Safety (The Serious Bits):
This is where Ekaant Cottage scores major points. Cleanliness and safety are clearly prioritized. The following are the things that they’ve got covered: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. I felt incredibly safe and well-cared for. Doctor/nurse on call is also a comforting thought. The Front desk [24-hour] is always a plus. Fire extinguisher? Check. Smoke alarms? Double-check. CCTV in common areas & outside property add an extra layer of security. Check-in/out [express] & [private]
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: (More Food, of Course!)
Beyond my breakfast drama, the food was generally excellent. A la carte in restaurant is the standard. Alternative meal arrangement is probably available, if you're picky. Asian cuisine in restaurant – delicious! Bar? Yes! Happy Hour? Probably! Though I was always tucked up in bed by then. Coffee shop? Coffee, coffee,
Escape to Paradise: Copacabana's Happiness House Awaits in Vendeuil, France!
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because this ain't your meticulously Instagrammed travel guide. This is me, post-Himalayan trip, still finding stray yak hairs in my gear, attempting to reconstruct the glorious, chaotic mess that was Ekaant in Joshimath. Get ready for a bumpy ride, a few tears, and a whole lotta yak butter… probably.
Ekaant & Beyond: A Haphazard Himalayan Ramble
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Anxiety, and the "Most Comfortable Bed Ever"
- Morning: Landed in Dehradun. The plane was… well, it survived. That's a win. Met the transport driver, a guy named Raj who immediately started calling me "Madam." Classy. The drive to Joshimath was a rollercoaster of hairpin turns, jaw-dropping scenery, and the increasingly urgent need for a bathroom. Note to self: always pack Immodium.
- Afternoon: Arrived at Ekaant Cottage 2. OMG. Seriously, the view from my little wooden haven was enough to make me weep. Snow-capped peaks, vibrant green valleys… I'd seen postcards, sure, but this? This was soul-altering. Altitude sickness was already starting to make itself known. Minor headache and some slight nausea, but the excitement overrode most of the unpleasantness.
- Evening: Settled into my room. The bed? They weren't lying. "Most Comfortable Bed Ever" on the menu turned out to be an understatement. Sink into that bed at the end of the day… pure bliss. Dinner was dal, rice, and a vegetable that I think was spinach. I’m pretty sure I ate more than my fair share due to the excellent cooking from the staff. They said it was a 'local delicacy,' which could mean anything in the Himalayas. Either way, it was delicious. Passed out by 8 PM like a rock, despite the faint pounding in my head, still getting used to the altitude.
Day 2: Trekking Trauma (and Triumphs), and the Mysterious Case of the Missing Socks
- Morning: Sunrise over the mountains. Speechless. Seriously, I just stood there, mouth agape, for a good half hour. Decided to do the trek to the Auli Ropeway point. Started off feeling on top of the world. (Literally.) Then, the incline hit. My lungs felt like they were filled with cotton wool, my legs screamed, and I'm pretty sure a yak laughed at me.
- Mid-Morning: Halfway up, I started seriously questioning all my life choices. Why hadn't I trained? Why did I eat that second helping of dessert last night? I was ready to turn back. Then, a small, wizened shepherd offered me some chai. Magical. It was like a tiny, spiced burst of liquid sunshine. Fueled by caffeine and a stubborn refusal to quit, I pushed on.
- Afternoon: Reached the overlook at the top. Victory! The views… again, speechless. This time, in a good way. Took about a million photos (and then promptly lost half of them). The descent was easier, but by this point, I'd somehow lost one sock (still no idea how). Decided to blame the friendly yak.
- Evening: Back at the cottage. Dinner was a roaring fire, some more delicious food, and conversations with other travelers from all walks of life. I would never have known, but I came to appreciate that they all had a story to tell of their own. Went to bed, exhausted but exhilarated, my missing sock a mystery for another day.
Day 3: The Village, the Temple, and a Deep Dive into Yak Butter (and My Feelings)
- Morning: Decided to visit the village. The pace of life here is a world apart. The air is clean, the people are friendly, and the dogs? They’re just chilling on the road, like they own the place. Which, let's be honest, they probably do. The highlight was visiting the local temple: simple, sacred, and filled with a sense of peace that seeped into my very bones.
- Mid-day: The Yak Butter Moment. I went for a hike and ran into locals enjoying their day. I was offered some Yak butter tea. I was cautious at first. It smelled… interesting. The texture was… different. But, oh my god. It was the most comforting thing I've ever tasted. Warm, salty, and somehow… nourishing. It was the quintessential moment of the trip where I finally released the grip of the modern world and gave myself over to the simple pleasures of life. I’m not kidding, I almost cried. I may have shed a tear.
- Afternoon: Back at the cottage, I attempted to write in my journal. The words just wouldn't come. I was too full of… everything. The mountains, the people, the food, the sheer beauty of it all. I ended up just staring out the window.
- Evening: Another roaring fire. This time, shared a bottle of local wine with the other travelers. The conversation drifted: life, love, loss, the meaning of it all. I laughed. I cried. I probably made a complete idiot of myself. But that's the thing about these places. They strip you bare, and in the vulnerability, you connect. Watchen the stars, a million more than you could ever see in a city.
Day 4: Departure, Daze, and a Promise to Return (in Search of My Sock)
- Morning: Woke up feeling a strange mixture of elation and sadness. The mountains were calling me, but I knew it was time to leave. I did a final wander around the cottage, savoring the last moments. Said my goodbyes to the staff, the new friends I'd made, and the memory of the "Most Comfortable Bed Ever."
- Afternoon: The drive back to Dehradun was a blur of memories. The mountain views seemed more majestic now. This time, I sat and watched the roads and mountains as I knew I was leaving a piece of myself behind.
- Evening: Landed back in the "real" world. Immediately craved dal and rice. Felt a profound sense of emptiness that I was now back to the daily grind, but also… renewed. Inspired. Changed.
- Epilogue: As I write this, months later, I am already dreaming of the return. I still haven't found my lost sock. But… I found something much more important. The Himalayas. They've got a piece of my heart, and I know I'll be back to claim it, one yak butter tea at a time.
Tips for the Clumsy Himalayan Adventurer:
- Altitude: Take it slow, drink loads of water, and listen to your body.
- Yak Butter: Embrace it. Seriously.
- Bring: A headlamp, comfy hiking boots (that won’t lose socks), and an open heart.
- Forget: Expectations. The Himalayas will rewrite them anyway.
This is just the beginning. The Himalayas are vast, wild, and utterly unpredictable. Go, wander, and let it mess with you. You won't regret it. And if you see a lost sock, please send it my way. Just in case.
Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Lathena Apartment Awaits in Vendeuil, France!
Escape to Paradise: Ekaant Cottage – Joshimath (My Brain Dump!)
Is Ekaant Cottage really a "paradise"? Sounds a bit cheesy, doesn't it?
What's the deal with the location – Joshimath? Is it easy to get to? Because I'm clumsy.
Okay, I'm sold! What's the cottage itself like? Modern? Rustic? Instagrammable?
What kind of activities are there? I get restless. Hiking? Trekking? What's the *vibe*?
The food! Tell me about the food! Is it going to be all dal and rice? Is there WiFi? (Priorities, people!)
Anything you *didn't* like? Be honest!
Okay, mosquito bites and shaky roads aside... would you recommend Ekaant Cottage? Would *you* go back?
