The Lodge at Wah, Palampur

Himachal Pradesh, India

Mountains

A retreat set along a Kangra Himalayan Tea Plantation.

The Lodge sits at the very heart of this 526-acre tea estate, framed by snow-capped Kangra peaks and gently rolling tea gardens. Designed as a distinctive, comfort-led retreat, it was created with close attention to detail and aligned with the principles of upcycling. Recycled wood, slate, and furniture salvaged from old homes and local courthouses have been leveraged in the making of this charming lodge.

Overseen by Surya and Upasana, the Lodge was shaped by hands-on care, from oiling furniture with linseed oil to arranging garden stones to cleaning slate for reuse and polishing wooden floors. Today, The Lodge at Wah, Palampur blends effortlessly into its surroundings, blending rustic character with quiet elegance, a pioneering plantation stay inspired by the vineyards of New Zealand.

Operational Period

Open throughout the Year

Contact RARE Team for Rates

Transfers

Boutique

Credit Cards

Local Culture

Heating

Laundry

Parking

Restaurant

What you would love

The Lodge suits travellers drawn to tea culture, plantation life, and quiet immersion in the landscape. It's small scale, working estate setting, and slow rhythm appeal to those seeking time in nature rather than structured itineraries.

The Gallery

Your Stay at The Lodge at Wah, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

The Lodge comprises three cottages, each housing rooms, constructed in the traditional Kangra style using local materials and reclaimed architectural elements.

The main cottage, which also serves as the family residence, contains two standard rooms and shared living and dining spaces. A second cottage offers two larger deluxe rooms, while the third houses two additional standard rooms.

Rooms are named after teas; Camellia, Oolong, and Pekoe. Some include Juliet balconies, reading corners, and shared parlours.

CHECK IN

CHECK OUT

ROOMS & GUESTS

Standard Room

Contact RARE Team for Rates

Deluxe Room

Contact RARE Team for Rates

Perfectly RARE

Walk the Wah Tea Estate with a member if the family, the Prakash family, who have tended this land for decades. Learn the rhythm of Kangra tea — two leaves and a bud — and end at the Tea Room overlooking miles of tea bushes with the Dhauladhar rising beyond.

Destination

Kangra Valley is shaped by water descending from the Dhauladhar range and the fertile slopes it nourishes. These conditions have supported tea cultivation since the mid-19th century, giving rise to Kangra tea, known for its light character and aromatic clarity.

Wah Tea Estate began in 1857 under British ownership and continued through the devastation of the 1905 Kangra earthquake. It was later acquired by Sir Sikander Hayat-Khan, son of the Nawab of Wah in present-day Pakistan, from whom the estate takes its name. Since 1953, the Prakash family has maintained cultivation across its 526 acres.

Tea bushes extend across terraced slopes beneath the Dhauladhar, where pruning, plucking, and processing continue in seasonal cycles that shape both landscape and life around the estate.

Design and Concept

The Lodge is situated on one and a half acres within the expansive 526 acres of the tea estate. In establishing The Lodge at the heart of the estate, surrounded by Kangra's snow-capped mountains and gently sloping tea bushes, considerable attention to detail was invested to ensure it stood out as a unique retreat tailored to guest comfort.

The construction of The Lodge involved sourcing recycled wood, slate, and furniture from old homes and local courthouses. Surya and Upasana, the dedicated young couple who oversee the Lodge, personally treated the furniture with linseed oil, arranged rocks and pebbles in the garden, meticulously cleaned the slates, and polished the wooden floors to a shine.

Today, The Lodge at Wah, Palampur seamlessly integrates with its natural environment, embodying a perfect blend of rustic charm and elegance.

Know Your Host

Originally built as a private residence in the hills by Deepak Prakash, a member of the Chaiwala family from Kolkata, The Lodge at Wah, Palampur now welcomes travellers seeking a quiet escape from urban life and introduces them to the pleasures of Kangra Chai.

Inspired by a memorable homestay experience during their travels in New Zealand, young hosts Surya and Upasana set out to recreate a similar sense of warmth and intimacy in Palampur. A family member is always on-site to ensure a personal and attentive hosting experience.

Facilities

Rooms combine simple interiors with practical comfort, including king-size beds, all-weather air conditioning, and electric bed warmers suited to cooler months.

Bathrooms provide hot and cold water, eco-friendly toiletries, and hair dryers. Televisions are intentionally absent to encourage outdoor activities and engagement with the surrounding natural landscape.

Dining

Food reflects the estate's agricultural setting. Much of the produce comes from the plantation, kitchen garden, and nearby farms. Estate-grown wheat is milled for breads, rotis, and wood-fired pizzas.

Kangra Dham remains a highlight, alongside simple Indian and international dishes. Cooking often takes place outdoors over a traditional wood stove, and ingredients are largely organic and locally sourced.

Meals follow a slower rhythm, shaped by the season and the produce rather than by fixed menus.

Experiences

Life at the Lodge follows the rhythm of the tea estate. Guests may take part in tea plucking — two leaves and a bud — followed by guided walks across the plantation, concluding with tea tasting.

The Tea Room, set within the estate, offers a quiet space overlooking the tea gardens. Walking trails extend across the plantation and surrounding slopes, with guides available on request.

A yoga shala set against the mountain landscape supports practice by arrangement. The estate’s orchards and gardens attract birdlife, and evenings often gather around a simple bonfire. Indoor and outdoor games remain available for unstructured time.

COOKING CLASS

INDIAN POTTERY

PARAGLIDING

VILLAGE WALK

TREKKING

PICNIC

CYCLING

TEA EXPERIENCE

Explore Around

Trekking and Hiking

Explore scenic trails around Kandbari and Palampur, including the Pine Trail, Ridge Walk, and Valley Walk, each offering fabulous views and a close connection to nature.

Bird Watching

Kandbari is ideal for birding, home to Himalayan and regional species such as the Himalayan Thrush, Indian Grey Hornbill, and Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. Guests are encouraged to maintain a birding logbook during their stay.

Visit Local Attractions

Discover nearby cultural landmarks such as Baijnath Temple, Norbulingka Institute, and Kangra Fort, which showcase the region’s rich history and architecture.