A Trip to the Fisherman’s Lodge at Bhimtal

The Fisherman's Lodge

A few months back I got a mail saying if I would like to visit the Fisherman’s Lodge at Bhimtal in the near future. I knew the person writing the mail but I still confirmed with them, “Was it an invitation or advertising.” When I got the answer that it was an invitation from the lodge I quite happily set the date as mid February. I actually made the trip in February and first due to minor health issues and then because of the blog shift did not manage to write about it. Bad of me, but here is a partial trip report now. I will write a bigger one for Gonomad, it was that kind of a trip.

Yellow Mountain Flowers

We started off quite early on a Friday for Bhimtal and the weather was still cold then. Difficult to believe that today with the temperature rising to the summer side. I was joined by a wonderful lady from Delhi, a guest of the resort too. When I was waiting for the car to come to pick me up at 6.00 am, I had no idea what it would be. When I walked out and I saw the car, I immediately remembered Shrinidhi and his Skoda and other self drives! Only I was not driving the Skoda but there was a driver.

The journey to Bhimtal was peaceful and comfortable. At the Dhaba at Gajraula we stopped for the tea and then I took my Avomine. Sleep was the next thing that happened and I opened my eyes only when we were entering the parking of the Lodge.

Bhimtal, Uttrakhand

We were greeted by Nimbu Pani which was very refreshing after the long drive. In fact, if you are a foodie, food is a big plus at the Lodge. Another big plus is their deck, that is practically next to the Bhimtal and nicely done. It is a good place to spend the time with a book in the winters, particularly if the sun is up. But then there is so much area to walk that I never sat with a book.

Food was the next stop on day one after a quick tour inside my beautifully done room. I was in a room that faced the lake and I felt really lucky, till I was told that all the rooms at the Lodge face the lake! You can check out the prices at the Fisherman’s Lodge here. Lunch was Continental and the soup really delicious (every time). Yet if I had to pick up the best meal of the stay it was the cuisine from the hills, the Khadi with Muli was sheer magic along with the side dishes.

There are various activities that the resort can organize for you (price inclusive) including fishing but on the first day I was so tired that I slept in the late afternoon and got up only to enjoy masala chai, and carrot cake and graduated to wine, warm fire inside their living area and then a good dinner.

Slaty Headed Parrot at Bhimtal

I had decided that the next day was going to be action packed.  I wanted to trek to the Tarkota Temple, that is 4km uphill and in the evening wanted to do cycling around the place. I must say both the activities were quite rewarding for me, there is para-gliding also available nearby but it is extra to the resort. If I had one more day I would have tried it for sure. Also if I had more time I would have walked round the lake, it is much more peaceful and walkable than Nainital. It is also minus the touts that are ever present at Nainital. The area is full of birds, and I spent quite some time clicking those birds both on the trek and whatever time I could find time otherwise.

The very next day after the breakfast (they have wonderful cheese and baked egg)  it was time to head back to the city. I wish I had an extra day at the Lodge but then leaving Chhavi behind is not so easy. She is so small that it is impossible to drag her on long road trips, she gives us a tough time even from Gurgaon to Noida, but she is growing fast and I am waiting for the day when we will take her along.

Related posts:

1. Rooms at the Taj Safari Lodge, Banjaar Tola
2. Conversations with David at Taj Safari Lodge Banjaar Tola, Madhya Pradesh
3. A Video from the Taj Safari's Banjaar Tola Lodge
4. Skywatch Friday- Sunset at Bhimtal
5. Bhimtal from the Tarkota Temple