Haatiban Himalayan Height Resort
A Beautiful Hilltop Hideaway in Pharping, Nepal
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Nestled on the hilltop in the midst of the Haatiban woods is a magnificent resort. Perched at an elevation of 1,842 meters (6,043 feet), Haatiban resort overlooks the Kathmandu valley providing exquisite views of Lalitpur and Kirtipur. Located adjacent to the approach path for runway 02 at Tribhuvan International Airport, I could watch airplanes fly past (at a comfortable, and quiet distance) at about the same height as my own seat! The hill upon which the resort sits lies within the Dakshinkali municipality. Dakshinkali is only about 10 km from Maitighar Mandala, which is arguably within the center of Kathmandu. Unlike the chaos of the city, however, Dakshinkali is far more relaxed, dotted with surrounding farm lands, ponds, and a lake. Traffic does not litter every inch of pavement, and many shops and delightful looking restaurants and resorts adorn the roadside. The trip up the hill itself comes with some fantastic views, but drivers with low-clearance vehicles or low-powered scooters may want to consider alternative transportation—it’s rather bumpy and sometimes steep.
View from my room’s veranda.
Haatiban Resort has operated for several decades, and that history reflected in the greeting given to me at the gate by the guard and staff. Without hesitation, they grabbed my bags and hustled them to the reception desk where yet another warm welcome commenced. General Manager Ram Krishna Chhetri quickly introduced himself, inquired about the trip up the hill, and offered refreshments. Happy to answer any questions, Ram sir and I spoke of the history and design, the various staff members, and some of the peculiarities of the place.
Haatiban Resort main entrance and reception; Note: all photos by author
Although one feels tucked away from civilization on a remote and wild hill, a sensation enhanced by the exuberant songs of birds and crickets, the resort offers all the amenities of modern society. The entire complex provides high-speed internet and phone service, each public building is beautifully designed and furnished with plush seating and decorated with wonderful artwork, and a television in the common room regularly played cricket and football matches. Soft lighting throughout the facilities and along the walking paths staved off the dark of the surrounding forest at night. And the landscaping of the place is second to none! A very large grassy area, used by some for yoga or meditation, looked no less amazing than a professional golf green. Gardens graced every curve and structure, bursting with flowers and other plants of all colors and designs.
Guests can choose from three different room types (among 28 rooms in total). I selected the Kirtipur Executive Suite, a sizeable room (53 sq. m. / 570 sq. ft.). Extremely clean and comfortable, the room contained a single queen or king size bed, a soft couch, and a sitting area with a desk (and mirror for those who prefer to do a little self-prep before starting the day). Large sliding glass doors led to a balcony that overlooked the edge of the forest and the vast expanse of the valley below. Power outlets graced every wall, and contained several configurations accommodating various types of plugs. In addition, though in October it wasn’t needed, the room was fully air conditioned. Another feature of the room I really enjoyed was the many different lighting options. Along the bedside, as indicated in the picture below, little lamps offered soft but adequate light. A main lamp above the entryway provided very bright lighting (for when you misplace your phone), and over the sliding doors a strip of LEDs offered a gentle illumination, sufficient just to finding your way around and adding to the ambience.
The rooms of Haatiban resort sit two-by-two within standalone villas of various arrangements.
Night time view from my veranda capturing part of the resort.
My favorite feature of the resort—many who know me will not find surprise—was the breakfast. Offered buffet style, the metal warmers contained bacon, sausage, naan, veggies, potatoes, boiled eggs and many other choices. A sous chef stood nearby, ready to cook an omelet or over-easy eggs (my favorite). For those who needed to top off breakfast, a small selection of sweet breads and cakes sat ready for desert. Make no mistake, I loved the dinner as well. It contained a mix of Nepali, Indian, and generic dishes able to satisfy any taste. Moreover, one can order from a menu in the event something more specific is required or desired.
If evening imbibement is more your speed, the outside patio was a fantastic place to feast on a snack or sip a coffee or tea while absorbing the gorgeous view. For those with a penchant for the stiffer beverage, the bar contained shelf upon shelf of whiskeys, wines, and beers. Moreover, the bar itself was a pretty nice place to sit if the outside air felt a bit too chill for one’s liking. Adjacent to the patio area, guests could play various table games under a separate little shelter. This space enjoyed quite a bit of popularity both nights I stayed (seen on the left side of the picture below).
I took this photo before the evening crowd came. Staff kept the chairs tilted to protect them from the evening dew until such time as guests wanted a seat.
The Haatiban Tavern
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed my experience. All staff regularly said hello and immediately responded to any request I made. To find such a place in close proximity to the city made it easy to enjoy a quiet weekend getaway. Additionally, Haatiban Resort’s pricing fits well within many budgets. In closing, I want to thank General Manager Ram Krishna Chhetri who frequently checked with me to ensure all my needs were met. If you visit, feel free to mention me or this article. I also want to thank the staff, all of whom always cordially extended greetings whenever I passed by. Finally, I wish to thank my friend Mr. Amrit Thapa who introduced me to this hidden jewel. If my readers are looking for a weekend rest in a place of fabulous accommodation with a meditative atmosphere, I give Haatiban Resort my full endorsement.
To book a room, visit Haatiban Resort’s website here, or call or email via any of the following contact points:
Your author with General Manager Ram Krishna Chhetri on a chilly morning.
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I am a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner, Certified Crime Analyst, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified Financial Crimes Investigator with a Juris Doctor and a Master’s degree in history. I spent 10 years working in the New York State Division of Criminal Justice as Senior Analyst and Investigator. Today, I teach Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking, and Digital Forensics at Softwarica College of IT and E-Commerce in Nepal. In addition, I offer training on Financial Crime Prevention and Investigation. I am also Vice President of Digi Technology in Nepal, for which I have also created its sister company in the USA, Digi Technology America, LLC. We provide technology solutions for businesses or individuals, including cybersecurity, all across the globe. I was a firefighter before I joined law enforcement and now I currently run a non-profit that uses mobile applications and other technologies to create Early Alert Systems for natural disasters for people living in remote or poor areas.
Find more about me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Mastodon. Or visit my EALS Global Foundation’s webpage page here.
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