The Tāl — a stone homestay in Sari, Chopta Valley

A surprisingly cosy four-room stone and mud home, nestled 500 metres up the scenic trail to Deoria Tal. Built the Pahadi way, the rooms stay naturally warm when it's cold and cool when it's not. At its heart is an open lounge that looks out across the mountains. A place for long conversations, quiet mornings, board games, books, and unhurried cups of chai. Step outside and you'll find village walks, forest trails, birdlife, and some of Garhwal's finest treks. Stay a little longer. The mountains reward patience.

A village that slows you down

Sari is a small Garhwali village in the Chopta valley, where stone homes, terraced fields and mountain paths come together at an unhurried pace. The walk to Deoria Tal begins here, but it’s only part of the story. Trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila, wander the cobbled village paths, share a meal with a local Pahadi family, watch the sun set behind the mountains, or simply spend an afternoon doing nothing. The longer you stay, the more Sari reveals itself.

What the stay is like

The Tal has just four cosy rooms, built from stone and mud in the traditional Pahadi way for extra comfort in the mountain weather. Naturally warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s not.

At the heart of the stay is our open lounge, with sweeping mountain views, comfortable seating, books, board games and plenty of space to simply sit with a cup of chai. Small by design, personal by nature, The Tal is less about checking into a room and more about feeling at home in the Himalayas.

Food is an important part of every stay. We serve fresh, home-cooked meals inspired by the region and the season. Some days you’ll discover local Garhwali flavours. On others, familiar favourites after a long day in the mountains. Every meal is prepared with care and enjoyed at an unhurried pace.

Things to do from Sari

• Deoria Tal An easy-to-moderate hike through rhododendron forests to one of Uttarakhand’s most-loved mountain lakes. Visit at sunrise for a spectacular reflection of Chaukhamba mastiff in the still waters of the lake, quiet mornings, or take your time and enjoy the trail at your own pace.
• Chandrashila and Tungnath Home to the world’s highest Shiva temple and one of the finest summit views in the Garhwal Himalayas. A rewarding day of walking through alpine meadows and mountain ridges.
• Chopta Spend a leisurely day exploring Chopta’s meadows and forest trails. Beautiful in every season, whether you’re trekking or simply soaking in the mountain air.
• Birding With over 200 recorded bird species in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Sari is a wonderful destination for bird lovers throughout the year. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions, while the Himalayan Monal remains one of the valley’s most sought-after sightings.
• Sacred Garhwal Visit the ancient temples of Ukhimath, Kalimath, Makkumath and Triyuginarayan, each carrying centuries of history, mythology and local tradition.
• Pahadi Dining Share a home-cooked meal with a local Pahadi family in their home. One of the simplest, and most memorable ways to experience village life.
• Drive Beyond the Village Take a scenic drive through the valley to discover quiet cafés, hidden riversides and places like Trouts Trail, Mandal, where lunch comes with birdsong and river views.

Getting here

Most guests arrive via Rishikesh, after landing at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. From there, it’s a beautiful mountain drive gaining altitude, through Devprayag and Rudraprayag before reaching Sari. If you’d like, we’ll arrange the entire journey from your arrival point, so all you have to do is enjoy the drive. Just let us know when you book.

Best time to visit

• Spring (Mar - Apr) The hills come alive with blooming burānsh (rhododendrons), clear skies and pleasant days. One of the most colourful times to be in the mountains. Excellent chance of spotting the Himalayan Monal, Koklass Pheasant, Great Barbet, Minivets, Laughingthrushes, Flycatchers and many more.
• Summer (May - Jun) Sunny to cool mountain weather, long days and perfect conditions for trekking, village walks and slow evenings in the lounge.
• Autumn (Sep - Nov) One of our favourite seasons. Crisp air, the clearest mountain views of the year, and landscapes changing from lush green to autumn gold. Pleasant temperatures for early morning bird walks.
• Winter (Dec - Feb) Quiet, cosy and occasionally snowy. Warm and bright sunny days, cold nights and, if you’re lucky, a fresh blanket of snow around Sari, Chopta and the higher trails. Fewer migratory species, but excellent for Himalayan residents. Monals often descend to lower elevations after snowfall, sometimes making sightings easier.
• Monsoon (Jul - Aug) The mountains are the most alive. Lush forests, full rivers, misty mornings and rainbows between passing showers. Expect a mix of cloudy and open mountain views. Heavy monsoon rains can make travel and trails unpredictable, so we advise caution during this season.