How to reach Pahadi Nest Mukteshwar: Useful Travel Tips

Travelling to Pahadi Nest, Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand is a long journey via flight/train and then a road trip. Nevertheless, it is well worth it! It is a charming homestay in the midst of nature, in the shadow of magnificent mountains with breathtaking views all day long.

Travelling to Pahadi Nest by Train 

Train Details: 12040 Kathgodam Shatabdi Chair Car

Train Schedule and Route: Leaving New Delhi (NDLS) Station - 6:20 a.m. (IST) and arriving at Haldwani station at 11:23 a.m. (IST) 

Haldwani is one stop before the destination stop (final stop) of Kathgodam. At Kathgodam, the train's arrival time is 11:55 am.

Kathgodam Station is a two-track station. At Kathgodam, the train stops on the track, which is on the opposite side of the entrance. The option is a footbridge that is fine if you are travelling light, but sometimes the footbridges may be under repair. Secondly, there is no canopy/covered portico, so the walk around means traversing blazing heat or rain or hail etc, as the case may be. Since there were a lot of passengers, most opted to pay the porter to pile the luggage on a station barrow and cart it along to the other side with one passenger accompanying him. The heat is terrific! Kathgodam being the last stop, there is a huge crowd of cab drivers waiting to ferry passengers and it takes a bit of time to get through the crowd. It’s very safe and nobody gets pushed. Since I had already booked my cab, I didn’t have to bargain. However, the cab driver you hire may not be allowed inside and will wait on the main road. Hence, there may be a bit of walk up to where he can take your luggage and guide you to the car.

The second time, I opted to get off at Haldwani station. Haldwani station is easier to exit without a porter because the platform is right next to the station entrance and has a convenient slope to wheel down multiple luggage. Also, there's a parking lot right next to it.

However, the distance of 6km between stations may lead to extra charges from the cab driver. It is up to you to bargain.

Time to reach Mukteshwar: 2 ½ - 3 hours driving time between Kathgodam/Haldwani to Mukteshwar, with no stops enroute.

Travelling to Pahadi Nest by Cab

The cost of a cab should not be more than INR 2,500 for a small car for a one-way trip from Kathgodam to Mukteshwar. It can be negotiated to INR 2,200. Advance payment is required of INR 500. Even if you get confirmation, it is advisable to call and inform the driver that the advance has been paid and confirm at that time and some days before the actual trip. This is because it is the children who are in charge of the digital payments and the fathers who drive the cab. On my first trip my driver backed out when I was in the train! However, there is a great deal of integrity, and the advance does get adjusted with the next driver.

Duration: 6 hours driving time with one stop between Haldwani and Delhi.

Haldwani-Delhi route

If travelling from New Delhi airport, cabs are available on the to-and-fro route between Delhi and Haldwani. It will cost between INR 3,500-4,000 for a one-way trip in a small car. Note that the route to Haldwani involves at least five tolls costing INR 100 each. This is included in the fare stated above. From Haldwani to Mukteshwar, another cab will need to be hired as it is a mountain region and it's best to hire a local who is familiar with the terrain. The number plates will be 'UK' for Uttarakhand, 'UP' for Uttar Pradesh for those based in Noida, 'HR' for Haryana, and 'DL' for Delhi-based cabs. A pit stop on route from Haldwani to Delhi is the Haryana Punjab Dhaba, a spacious restaurant with good food.

Haryana Punjab Dhaba

Tips:

• Uttarakhand drivers do not necessarily travel to Delhi as well, as it requires a separate licence and involves taxes in Uttar Pradesh, which falls on route. 
• Request the cab driver to show the driving licence and take a snapshot of the car with the driver and numberplate when paying the advance.
• Share cabs are available in Delhi and Haldwani and cost INR 500 each but with limits on passengers and luggage and these share cabs are likely to operate only in evenings, which means reaching in the night.

Travelling to Pahadi Nest by Flight 

The nearest Airport to Pahadi Nest is Pantnagar airport in Uttarakhand. Check the flight timings, usually Indigo operates flights to New Delhi and onward to Pantnagar and back. However, there is no direct flight. There is a layover of a minimum of 2 hours to a maximum of more than 6 hours at Noida or Delhi airport, depending on the flight timing.

Delhi Airport Approach Road

Pantnagar is a basic airport. There is no luggage carousel and it has a booth. Cabs for pickup and drop-off must be booked in advance. Entry into the airport is allowed only closer to the scheduled boarding hour.

Cabs to Mukteshwar from Pantnagar takes INR 2500 for a small car. The duration is 3-5 hours driving time.

    Travelling to Pahadi Nest by Bus

Buses operate from Delhi to Haldwani, as well as within Uttarakhand. Look up the bus sites or the redbus app, which I found very easy to navigate and has reviews as well. Those using the State Transport buses must note that the luggage space is limited. The private buses offer more luggage space. 

Alert: Private buses and share cabs are not likely to be available during morning hours and usually operate only from noon.

Final Note

Regardless of the mode of transport, the last leg of the journey to any destination in Uttarakhand will always be by road. Hence, ensure you are travelling to Pahadi Nest in daylight hours as far as possible. Light breaks over the mountains around 5.30 - 6 a.m. Leave enough time, adding an extra hour to the travel time to reach if catching a flight or train, because the mountain road is narrow and twisting; there can be landslides during the monsoons, and traffic jams, especially over the weekend. While cab drivers do drive in the dark during early morn and night hours, it is unadvisable, because it requires concentration, as only the car headlights serve as navigation. Try to adapt to the time of the locals.

For those who wish to go to Bhimtal, Nainital, and Kainchi Dham: Ensure you keep enough time, especially for the last as there are huge bottlenecks at these tourist haunts. Nainital’s Mall Road sees increased traffic over the weekend. Also, Kainchi Dham is a major chokepoint for those travelling further up to Ranikhet. So, plan accordingly. Arrive early, by the Shatabdi time or take overnight buses from New Delhi as these are the best options.

There are places where for INR 600-800, you can freshen up, but you will need to check for places safe for solo travellers and women if you reach in the very early hours of the morning.

Best pitstop before starting on the journey from Haldwani up to Mukteshwar is the restaurant Udupiwala. It’s got a clean washroom and good, reasonably priced food.

Udupiwala restaurant

Travel Alert

Avoid Kainchi Dham – it’s a terrific rush. There’s a rope beyond which you can’t cross. The footwear collection centre itself is mayhem. Locals are pleading to please restore the silence and sanctity of the place, none of which is in evidence. During events, paper plates are strewn all over as lakhs congregate. Please desist. Mussoorie and Dehradun and Shimla have already been over-run and over-grown by mushrooming hotels and tourist surges. Spare Uttarakhand.

This travelogue has been written by Madhuri Kamat, author of Flying with Grandpa, Bringing Back Grandpa, Burial of The Dead - Mystery in a Mohalla, and Yudi Yudi Dharmasya: Mahabharat - Through the Eyes of Kunti.