Nestled in the Doon Valley on the banks of the Tons River is Shaheen Bagh, the country home of an avid ornithologist and a graphic designer. This private estate in the hills is now open to select visitors who desire a getaway in the midst of nature.

The house, with an adjoining cottage, is located on a 7-acre estate verdant with fruit orchards, many species of exotic and rare plants and trees. The landscaped gardens, spread across five levels, are a visual delight with their watercourses, lily pools and picturesque pathways.

Situated just below the British hill station of Mussoorie, the elegant house, with an adjoining cottage, is located on a 7-acre estate verdant with fruit orchards, many species of exotic and rare plants and trees. The landscaped gardens, spread across five levels, are a visual delight with their watercourses, lily pools and picturesque pathways.

The house and the adjacent cottage are designed in the style of a colonial country bungalow with sloping roofs, decorative 'monkey tops' and wide verandahs from where one can enjoy spectacular vistas of Mussoorie and the surrounding hills. Each room is individually designed, elegantly furnished with beautifully restored period furniture, and decorated with antique fittings and rare prints of flora and fauna. All rooms offer air-conditioning in summer and heating in winter.

The house has appeared in several national and international magazines, periodicals and books. All the seven bedrooms have attached baths, running hot and cold water, and are equipped with modern amenities. A formal sitting and dining room is available to the visitors. A separate private sitting room completes the setting.

Location

Shaheen Bagh is 20 minutes from Dehradun town, located on a hilly ridge on the town's outskirts. The hill station of Mussoorie is 45 minutes away.

By Train: A 5½ hour train journey from New Delhi on the morning Shatabdi as well as the afternoon Jan Shatabdi. The overnight Mussoorie Express leaves Delhi at night and arrives in Dehradun the next morning. An overnight train from the Nizamuddin Station in Delhi departs late evening and arrives at dawn in Dehradun. There are also direct trains from Mumbai, Kolkata and Allahabad.

By Road: A 5-hour car ride from Delhi via Roorkee or a 6-hour drive by the scenic Poanta Sahib route from Delhi.

Dehradun is also connected by daily flights from the Capital.

Pick-ups from the train station or the airport can be arranged on prior notice.

Garden

Considered one of the best private gardens in India, it is laid out over several terraces and boasts of many rare trees and plants from all over the world. It has close to half-a-million plants and is lovingly tended by five gardeners. Benches and sitting areas are dotted over the gardens on each level and make for perfect relaxation. Seasonal flowers are planted in the thousands, both during the winter and the summer months. Over 60 varieties of fruits grow on the premises and visitors are welcome to pluck them off the trees.

The Verandah

The weather in this area is conducive to ‘verandah living”. The main house has a large, covered verandah with both a sitting and dining area. Breakfast, tea and lunch are served here on most days. An antique swing lulls you to a gentle sleep. Another verandah, open to the skies, with old planter’s chairs, invites you to sunbathe.

The cottage, too, has a covered verandah as well as an open- air one overlooking a private garden.

Cusine

A full English breakfast is served on the main verandah. Lunch is usually Indian and continental food is an option for the evening meal. Guests are free to ask, within reason, any preferences they might have. Tea and coffee is available throughout the day.

Excursions

From Shaheen Bagh, you can take a day trip to Mussoorie (45 minutes by road) or to the Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary (an hour’s drive).

Picnics at Landour, Cloud’s End and Dhanaulti in the Mussoorie area are part of the attractions here.

The Asan Barrage (one hour away) near to the holy Sikh town of Poanta Sahib offers water sports and is a birding hotspot.

Dehradun has many restaurants. The best are Kwality and President’s. Ellora and Standard Bakery are known for their biscuits and confectionery. The adventurous should try the ‘stick-jaws’, a candy popular with the students.

Easy day trips can be made to the holy towns of Haridwar and Rishikesh. The evening aarti (prayer) on the banks of the Ganges is spectacular sight.

There are several white-water rafting options within two hours of Shaheen Bagh.
Packed lunches can be arranged on prior notice.

Swimming pool on the grounds.

• Shaheen Bagh and its surroundings are a haven for birdwatchers, visited by over 370 listed species. These include the Brown Dipper, three different forktails and the five species of sunbirds. Many of these can be seen in the walks around the house and at the river -- a 5-minute walk from the grounds. The recently discovered Nepal Wren-babbler breeds in the gardens. For the checklist see the birding section. A detailed account of birding hot spots in the area is also given.
• A vast library above the drawing room offers many opportunities for reading during your stay.
• DTH Television (in the cottage and the private sitting room) and Internet connection are available as are telephones with national and International calling facilities.

Accommodation

The Master Suite

• This largest bedroom in the house is unique in many ways: it holds an exquisite traditional bed from South India, some rare ‘kilims’ from Afghanistan and a large wooden chest from Sri Lanka. The adjoining bathroom (voted ‘the best bathroom in India’ by a magazine) has a sunken bath that overlooks a private lily-pool and garden. Alfresco bathing is encouraged. The bathroom has a botanical theme with rare and original botanical prints and wall paper.

The Green Room

• This well-lit room on the ground level overlooks the gardens and the pool. An old canopied double bed compliments the botanical theme of the room. The en suite bathroom has both a bath tub as well as shower facilities.

The Blue Room

• This room on the ground floor of the main house has a magnificent double bed adorned with glass paintings. The matching furniture makes this perhaps the most interesting room in the complex.

The Cottage Suite

• The upper suite in the cottages is a self-contained unit, consisting of a private verandah, a sitting room, a bedroom, a bathroom and a kitchen. It sleeps four and is ideal for a family. It has cable television and DVD facilities.

The Lower Cottage Suite

• The suite overlooks a private garden and has a large, airy room with a personal verandah. An adjacent room has a sofa that can be converted into a bed for two. Ideal for a family with children. The bathroom is done in antique Chinese and British tiles.

The Lower Cottage Room

• This charming room has a double bed and an en suite bathroom with an old-fashioned washstand. It overlooks a verandah and a private garden. Afternoon tea is served on this verandah. An adjoining pantry allows for quick service.

The Poolside Room

• This wonderful room is on the lower garden terrace, overlooking the pool. The interior style is done in red. It has several windows which look out on the gardens and allows the first rays of the sun to light up the room. A granite stairway leads you to the pool.