Plan your
visit.
The Aipan Retreat
Getting here is part of the journey. Here's what to expect, and how to be ready for it.
Message us on WhatsAppThe way in
Getting here
Most guests fly into Delhi and continue by road — it's roughly 440–450 km and takes about 10–12 hours, so most people break the drive rather than doing it in one push. A common approach: stop overnight in Rishikesh or around Srinagar/Rudraprayag, then finish the last stretch fresh the next morning.
Flying into Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport) instead puts you closer — roughly 200–250 km, about 7–8 hours by road, joining the same route from Rishikesh onward.
By train, Haridwar and Rishikesh are the nearest well-connected stations to major Indian cities.
The route, end to end
Delhi
440–450 km, 10–12 hours by road. Where most journeys start.
Haridwar → Rishikesh
The nearest well-connected railway stations, and the first common overnight stop.
Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag
The river road. The other place people break the drive for the night.
Ukhimath → Chopta
The last mountain stretch, and where the road finally runs out.
The last 450 metres, on foot
About 15 minutes, uphill, from where you park roadside.
However you arrive, the final stretch — Ukhimath to Chopta, then the last 450 metres on foot to us — is where the mountains really start to feel close.
What to bring, and when
Packing & weather, by season.
Spring into summer
April – June
Clear skies, warm days, cold mornings and nights (roughly 2–22°C). Pack light layers you can add and remove through the day, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
Monsoon — we're closed
July – mid-September
We close for the monsoon during this window. Please don't plan a visit for these dates.
Autumn
mid-September – November
Some of the clearest, most pleasant weather of the year — around 15°C by day, dropping toward freezing at night. Pack warm layers and something for chilly evenings.
Winter
December – March
Genuinely cold, often snow-covered — around 9°C by day, well below freezing at night. If you want snow, this is when to come — but pack proper winter gear: insulated jacket, thermals, warm layers, gloves, and sturdy, grippy footwear.
0m
Above sea level
Altitude
We're at 2,680 metres. Most guests feel completely fine, but it's real altitude, so a few sensible habits help: go easy on your first day rather than heading straight out on a long walk, drink more water than feels necessary, and go light on alcohol on arrival. A mild headache or feeling more tired than usual on day one is common and normally settles with rest — let us know if anything feels like more than that.
Before you set off
Getting your money right.
Payment is simple: cash (INR) or UPI, on arrival. We don't currently accept international cards or transfers. Most guests exchange currency or withdraw cash in Rishikesh or Dehradun before heading up — message us if you'd like help planning that. If you're travelling from a country with UPI access, it may work directly for you too — worth checking current eligibility for your country before you rely on it.
Still working out
the details?
Tell us roughly when you're thinking of coming and how you're travelling, and we'll tell you honestly what the journey looks like from where you are.
We reply within 24 hours. WhatsApp is checked more often than anything else.