In April 2025, Birdwatching Asia had the privilege of visiting North India on a 10-day birding adventure. The last stop on this trip was the small Himalayan village of Pangot within the northern state of Uttarakhand. During our visit here, we stayed at the Jungle Lore Birding Lodge. This charming and exclusive mountain lodge proved to be one of the trip’s highlights. 

Jungle Lore Birding Lodge Review 

This article is my review of the lodge, especially for birders coming here for birdwatching or photography. This review is based on my stay from 14 to 16 April 2025, which concluded the Birdwatching Asia 10-day North India birding trip.

Overview

Owned and operated by Asian Adventures, this is one of the first (if not the first) purpose-built birding lodges in India. Jungle Lore Birding Lodge features cosy, cottage-style accommodations set amongst lush montane forest. While the lodge is primarily catered to birders and bird photographers, nature lovers seeking a retreat in the Himalayas are also welcome.

Where is Jungle Lore Birding Lodge?

Jungle Lore is situated in Pangot, a small village approximately 15 km from Nainital, located within the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. The village is situated on the slopes of the Naina Range, which is part of the Lesser Himalayas, at an altitude of approximately 2000 meters above sea level.

Rooms at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge

During our visit, we stayed in Cheer Cottage, the one closest to the entrance. This meant easy access to the car park and common areas.

• Our room has two floors, with two beds on the ground floor and two more on the second. Narrow wooden stairs connect the floors with no guardrail.
• The beds on the upper level were simply two comfortable mattresses placed on the floor.
• The room was spotlessly clean and tastefully decorated with Himalayan and bird-themed decor. 
• Our room was generously furnished with rugs, cushions, thick mattresses, and fluffy duvets, perfect for snuggling in during the chilly nights. Cozy!
• Finally, there’s also a large balcony with a beautiful view of the mountains.

  

  

Other room facilities

• Ensuite bathrooms with hot water and a powerful ventilation fan.
• Tea/coffee making facilities.
• Heatersare  available (for when it gets chilly)

  

Other Cottages

Jungle Lore has a total of four cottages, which are: Cheer, Marten, Koklaas (sic) and Kalij cottages (The OCD in me is screaming: why three birds and one mammal? 😂)

• 2 x 4-5 person lodges 
• 2 x 2-person lodges

As a result, the maximum occupancy is somewhat limited, but this is by design. This ensures that even in peak season, guests at Jungle Lore can feel as if they’re alone.

One final thing to note: Two of the cottages require guests to climb up and down several flights of stairs. While the stairs aren’t steep by any means, certain individuals may have trouble using them, such as the elderly or those with mobility impairments or special needs.

Common Area

There is a common dining hall where meals are served. This is also the area for guests to mingle and share birding stories at the end of the day. Features at this common area include:

• Bird-themed decor, including a Lammergeier picture painted by celebrity Thai birder Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok.
• A fireplace! Perfect for those chilly winter nights.
• Attached toilet
• Two friendly dogs (one fluffier than the other)

The food here was simply excellent. The home-cooked meals were prepared fresh, using local ingredients whenever possible. The meals were simple, traditional Indian cuisine, which I enjoyed immensely. Most meals here are vegetarian, with a chicken dish available only during dinner. For Muslim travellers, fear not, for the chicken here is Halal.

The lodge will also pack breakfast for guests who leave early to go birding.

Other Facilities

• Small library 
• Free WiFi in common areas (as well as Cheer cottage, which is above the library)
• BBQ area with benches, located in the central garden (extra charges apply for the BBQ)
• Well-landscaped garden with flowering plants that attract a variety of insects

  

Bird Hide

Jungle Lore has built a proper bird hide within the hotel grounds. This is a properly enclosed concrete structure that accommodates up to 4 people. During our visit, there were two large office swivel chairs inside – talk about luxury birding! There was also an additional bench inside, with plenty of space for personal items. Of course, you can request a cup of chai while waiting for the birds!

The hide faces a purpose-built bird bath. During our visit, this area was still under construction, so it didn’t look very photogenic. Rest assured, once the birdbath is complete, guests will be able to take excellent photos of birds here.

It was interesting to note that Jungle Lore primarily attracts birds by simply using bird baths. There’s a bit of feeding for the Kalij, but nothing excessive as often seen in Malaysian bird hides. I think this is a very commendable practice.

Birdwatching at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge

For birders, the best part about Jungle Lore is undoubtedly the birds. Since the surroundings are kept as natural as possible, a variety of birds are present around the lodge at all times. Take a walk around the lodge to look for birds or visit the bird hide and bird baths to observe the avian visitors. Alternatively, relax on the balcony of the dining hall while watching the birds, with a cup of hot chai in hand, of course!

Some of the birds that we saw within the lodge area include:

1. Streaked Laughingthrush. These birds scurry around the bushes like rodents, totally unafraid of people.
2. Blue Whistling-Thrush 
3. Ultramarine Flycatcher
4. A pair of Verditer Flycatchers was nesting in a nestbox near the dining hall.
5. The Black-headed Jay usually stops by for a bath around midday
6. At night, the Grey Nightjar was singing almost constantly, a rapid-fire ‘chup-chup-chup…’

   

We also used the bird hide on one of the afternoons. There, we saw:

1. A pair of Red-billed Blue-Magpies.
2. A male Kalij Pheasant made an appearance in late afternoon, after 6 pm.
3. Tickell’s Thrush. The only one we saw during our trip.
4. Grey-winged Blackbird

   

   

   

Activities around Jungle Lore

The lodge offers a variety of activities to keep guests entertained, all of which involve nature, of course.

1. Go birdwatching! The main reason most visitors come to stay at Jungle Lore is to go birding around Pangot. A variety of colourful Himalayan birds await the visiting birder.
2. Wildlife spotting. Some of the wildlife around the area includes the Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Goral, and, if you’re lucky, Leopard!
3. Landscape and nature photography. The stunning Himalayan landscape is an ideal subject for photography.
4. Exploring the nature trails. There are several trails around the area for the more adventurous guests.

Final thoughts

Pros:

1. Spotlessly clean
2. Our room was quite spacious, with a large balcony
3. Cosy, well-furnished rooms, with heaters, thick mattresses and warm, fluffy duvets.
4. Excellent, home-cooked meals
5. Lush surroundings, a well-maintained garden with flowers
6. Perfect for bird lovers (birders and photographers), as there is a bird hide, bird baths, & feeding station
7. Nature lovers will also  love this lodge

Cons:

1. The hot water shower in our room requires some adjustment to get the temperature just right.
2. Some of the rooms/lodges require climbing stairs, so they may not be suitable for everyone (for example:the  elderly or those with special needs)
3. A low maximum occupancy means that getting a room during peak season may be difficult.

Conclusion

Jungle Lore Birding Lodge is the perfect Himalayan getaway for birders and bird photographers. A variety of birds may be seen around the lodge, and they are often easily photographed. Guests will also appreciate the clean, cosy rooms and excellent food. The pleasant climate and stunning landscape around Pangot don’t hurt, either.