THE MIRAGE RETREAT AND HOMESTAY, PALAMPUR

ABOUT THE PROPERTY

A boutique heritage homestay nestled in a lush, quiet setting offering stunning views. Set in the idyllic Andretta artist’s village, it is the perfect space to relax and rejuvenate. The Mirage offers guests a unique experience of  luxury within a time capsule. The property consists of 3 traditional Himachali mud cottages lovingly restored to an inviting retreat. A calming quintessential mountain escape, it is a veritable museum of hand picked Indian furniture & artefacts.

 

The Mirage is a perfect place to embrace calm and have a great time with friends and family. Wake up to the sound of birds, the gentle pitter-patter of rain, and soak in the smells of the lush greenery.

 

There are 3 cottages in the property, with a total of 10 double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. The gardens and orchard are dotted with quiet reading nooks and open spaces to enjoy the views. The guests can unwind in the heated swimming pool, steam room and yogashala at the property.

AMENITIES

ROOM CATEGORIES

The Main House

Built in 1948, the main house has a vintage feel. Dotted with black & white photos of a long gone era, it's the perfect space to appreciate the history of Andretta. An eclectic and cozy mud cottage with a collection of antiques and handcrafted furniture which can be found nowhere else. Consists of 3 double bedrooms and 3 bath rooms,along with a living room and common dining area.

The White House

The White House belonged to the late Malti Chandhiok, a very close friend of Norah Richards, and was built in 1956 of a mix of mud & bricks. Since it became part of The Mirage, it has had a major renovation, while all the time maintaining its original charm. It’s colourful eclectic decor is dedicated to reflect art rooted in the Andretta Artist Colony. The mud walls give the rooms a wonderfully cosy feel. Consists of 5 double bedrooms with bathrooms, a living room & a dining room plus kitchen equipped for morning tea & coffee. Meals are served in the Main House dining room.

The Garden Cottage

Our new garden cottages are traditionally built from mud bricks & bamboo from our land. They are very cosy and isolated from the rest of the property ensuring privacy. Consists of 2 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a large verandah overlooking the garden orchard.

PROPERTY RULES, ACTIVITIES, AND LOCATION

Check-in: 12PM

Check-out: 11AM


Occupancy: Standard occupancy in each room is 2 persons. For extra person, mattress can be provided at additional price. 


Parking: Available near the property.


Food: The home cooked flavorful dishes are made from locally sourced produce and fresh veggies from the gardens at the property. Meals are served family buffet style in cozy dining room. This space and the adjoining verandah are the heart of the property, where many evenings are spent chatting, laughing and connecting with friends and other guests. Lunch and Dinner have fixed menus which are shared with guests one day prior. In case there is any dietary restriction, please inform the property in advance so that they can plan menus accordingly.


Activities:

Yogashala: Nestled in a bamboo grove is the beautiful glass yogashala. A wonderful serene space to meditate, practise self or guided yoga. Yoga sessions with a local instructor can be arranged on request.

Swimming pool and Steam room: Heated swimming pool overlooking a lush hill forest.

Games: Table Tennis, Badminton, Board games

Bonfires: (In winters) with barbecue. Local musicians and bands can be organised for special occasions.

Guided nature walks and hikes: Sunrise hill walk with stunning views, Waterfall hike and natural pool swim, Village and farm walk and many more.

Movie under the stars: Enjoy your evenings with a film viewing in the patio

Pottery in Andretta: Andretta Pottery, the oldest Pottery studio in India, was set up in 1961 by the renowned potter Gurcharan Singh. It is just a two minutes’ walk from us and offers hourly classes for guests. A chance to create magic on the potter’s wheel.

Wah Tea Estate: A scenic tea estate surrounded by an ocean of manicured tea gardens. Has a tea tasting room, with a lovely garden cafe. Witness the tea growing and manufacturing process from plant to cup.

Sobha Singh Art Gallery: The art gallery and museum displays some of the finest work of Sir Sobha Singh, which include famed portraits of the Sikh Gurus, Sohni-Mahiwal and Hir-Ranjha.

Cycling tours: Can be arranged with a local company

Paragliding in Bir: A must for adrenaline junkies, we can connect you with expert instructors and pilots at the world famous Bir-Billing site.


How to Reach: The property is easily accesible via road. By private vehicle or taxi, you will need 11-12 hours from Delhi, 6 hours from Chandigarh and 5 hours from Amritsar. Overnight semi-sleeper buses run between New Delhi & Palampur, 15km from Andretta. A local taxi will finish your journey. Flight to Dharamshala (Gaggal Airport). There are direct flights from Delhi, Chandigarh and Jaipur. Distance from the airport to The Mirage is a little over 40km and takes about 1 and a half hours If you are coming via train, Amb Andaura Station is the nearest railway station.