Good To Know
Frequently asked questions
Everything guests usually ask before booking the villa.
Do we get the entire villa to ourselves?
Yes. Haus of Shizu is booked by one group at a time, and that booking gets the entire property: both bedrooms, the private kitchen, the indoor sitting space, the private washroom and the fenced backyard. No other guests and no shared spaces.
What does it cost?
₹1,500 per person per night, with a minimum of ₹3,000. That's ₹3,000 for 2 guests, ₹4,500 for 3, ₹6,000 for 4 and ₹7,500 for 5, and the entire villa stays private to your booking at every rate. Daily cleaning is included and pets stay free. Parking is ₹150 a day. Staying a week or longer? Message us for a long-stay rate. See the rates →
How do we book and pay?
Message us on WhatsApp or call with your dates and group size. We'll confirm availability and the total, and your booking is confirmed once the full amount is paid in advance. Prices are final, with no GST added. Booking terms →
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancel 7 or more days before check-in for a full refund, or 3 to 6 days before for a 50% refund. Cancellations less than 3 days before check-in, and no-shows, are not refunded. Bookings made on Airbnb follow Airbnb's policy. Full cancellation policy →
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 1 PM and check-out is by 11 AM. Arriving early or leaving late? Ask us in advance and we'll fit it in whenever the villa is free. Every guest must show a valid government photo ID at check-in.
How many people can stay?
Up to 5 guests, across two bedrooms. It works for a solo traveller, a couple, a family or a group of friends. However many of you come, only your group stays in the villa.
Is Haus of Shizu a hotel or a homestay?
Neither, really. It's a cosy private mountain villa: no reception desk, no other guests, no shared spaces. You get two bedrooms, a private kitchen, indoor and outdoor sitting spaces, and a warm welcome from hosts who then leave you to it.
Is it pet friendly? Can I bring my dog?
Yes. The villa is named after Shizu, a Shih Tzu, and the fully fenced private backyard is ideal for dogs. Pets stay free. Please tell us in advance, keep your pet supervised and clean up after them, and bring their own towels, bedding and bowls. Guests are responsible for any pet-related damage.
Can we drive right up to the villa?
Yes. Road access comes directly to Haus of Shizu, so you can drive up and unload at the door. Parking is in a nearby paid lot at ₹150 a day. Mountain roads here are narrow and winding, so drive slowly, especially after dark.
What's in the kitchen?
A 3-burner gas stove, an LG refrigerator with a freezer, a hot water kettle and a blender, plus pots and pans, cooking oil, salt and pepper, plates, bowls, cups, cutlery and other utensils. Coffee is provided. Outside there's a dining area that seats four.
Are meals included?
No. There's no kitchen staff or set menu, which is the point: the private kitchen is yours for the whole stay. For nights off, cafés and dhabas along the Kasar Devi ridge are a few minutes away, and we're happy to recommend the good ones.
What is there to do at the villa itself?
Slow mornings outside, afternoons in the hammock, board games, books and a Tribit Bluetooth speaker indoors, and the fire pit once it gets dark. Some days you won't want to leave.
Is the washroom attached to the bedrooms?
There's one private washroom, reserved only for your group. It is not attached to the bedrooms and is located on the lower level, which is worth knowing if you're travelling with elderly parents or very young children.
Is the villa cleaned during our stay?
Yes. Cleaning is included and available every day of your stay. If you'd rather be left completely alone on a particular day, just tell us.
Who lets us in?
We'll personally welcome you, show you around and walk you through the kitchen, Wi-Fi and essentials. Hritvik usually does the handover, and if he's away, didi does. Both live 400 metres down the ridge, so share your arrival time and we'll be there, even late after a long drive or an overnight train.
What if we need help during our stay?
Hritvik and didi are a two-minute walk away, and one call or message reaches them. The villa has a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.
Is it good for remote work and long stays?
Yes. There's Wi-Fi, a private kitchen, a closet and clothing storage, an iron and daily cleaning, and stays of 28 days or longer are allowed. It's a mountain location, so occasional power or internet fluctuations can happen, and a mobile hotspot is a good backup. Message us for a long-stay rate.
What should we pack for the weather?
Warm layers, even in summer. At about 2,116 m, nights get cold quickly once the sun drops behind the ridge. Cotton bed linens and extra pillows and blankets are provided.
Are there any house rules?
Only sensible ones. Quiet hours start at 10 PM, since Kasar Devi is a quiet residential area. Smoking is outdoors only, with no candles or open flames indoors, and the fire pit should never be left unattended. Only registered guests stay overnight, and outside visitors need our approval first. Beyond that, make yourselves at home.
Is it cheaper to book direct instead of on Airbnb?
Yes. Booking directly on WhatsApp avoids platform service fees, so you get our best available rate, more flexible check-in and check-out, and you can tell us about your group or your pet directly.
Where exactly are you located?
In a peaceful part of the Kasar Devi ridge in Almora district, Uttarakhand, among old mountain homes and quiet roads, at roughly 2,116 m and about 8 km from Almora town. Kasar Devi Temple, Crank's Ridge and Sunset Point are close by. We share the exact location and arrival details before check-in. Open in Google Maps →
How do I reach Kasar Devi from Delhi?
The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, about 88 km away, reachable overnight from Delhi on trains like the Ranikhet Express. From there it's roughly a 3 hour taxi or bus ride via Almora. The nearest airport is Pantnagar, about 124 km away. By road, Kasar Devi is around 380 km from Delhi, typically a 9 to 10 hour drive.
What is the best time to visit Kasar Devi?
March to June for pleasant spring and summer weather (roughly 10°C to 25°C), and September to November for the clearest post-monsoon Himalayan views. July and August bring heavy rain. December to February is cold, sometimes below freezing, with occasional snow.
Can we see the Himalayas?
On clear days, yes, and it's one of the things guests mention in their reviews. October and November give the clearest post-monsoon views.
Is Kasar Devi good for solo travellers and women travelling alone?
Kasar Devi has hosted solo travellers, artists and writers for decades and is generally considered calm and welcoming. Because the villa goes to one booking at a time, solo guests get a private villa rather than a corridor of strangers, something solo women travellers in particular tell us they value.
What is there to do around Kasar Devi?
Kasar Devi Temple, Crank's Ridge, Sunset Point and forest trails are all close by. Within a short drive: Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary (about 16 km), Katarmal Sun Temple (about 20 km), Jageshwar Dham's ancient stone temples (about 35 km), Chitai Golu Devta Temple and Almora's historic bazaars.
