About SamathaStay
A family-run Himalayan home, not a hotel
Tucked into Shankh Dhura in the village of Sarmoli, on the edge of Munsiyari at about 2,290 metres, SamathaStay looks straight out at the Panchachuli range — five snow peaks that catch the first and last light of the day. The name "Samatha" comes from the Buddhist idea of calm, equanimous abiding: meeting each moment as it is, without grasping at it or pushing it away. That's the pace the stay is built around — slow mornings, long views, and honest hospitality instead of hotel-style service.
Meals come out of the family kitchen: organic, home-cooked, and built around what the season and the local farms give — Kumaoni staples like Bhatt ki Churkani and Mandua Roti alongside familiar comfort food, mostly vegetarian. Guests are looked after by the family itself, with guided walks through the village on offer for anyone who wants a local's route into the hills around Sarmoli.
Where you can stay
Three private rooms, plus shared dorm beds for the budget trail
Sunset Suite
Warm amber walls, a private balcony, and a work desk — the room to watch the Panchachuli range catch the evening light.
Sky View Room
Cool blue tones, valley-facing windows, and a reading nook for slow mornings with a view.
Cedar Room
A quiet grey sanctuary with high ceilings — well suited to solo travellers.
Backpacker Dorms
Shared bunk beds for anyone travelling light and looking to keep costs down without giving up the views.
Every room comes with hot water, Wi-Fi, and a Panchachuli or valley view — SamathaStay is on Airbnb, Booking.com and Tripadvisor if you'd like to see reviews or book directly.
Munsiyari, and why people come here
A small Himalayan town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, at about 2,298m
The Panchachuli peaks
Five peaks, from 6,334m to 6,904m, visible right from town without any hiking at all. Sunrise on the range — the snow turning gold, then pink — is the reason most people set an early alarm here.
Nanda Devi temple
A short, popular walk of about 3km from town, and one of the best viewpoints over the Panchachuli range anywhere in Munsiyari.
Milam Glacier trek
Munsiyari is the starting point for the trek to Milam Glacier, about 30km away — one of the more serious treks in this part of the Himalayas, for anyone with the time and the legs for it.
Birthi Falls
A waterfall about 8km out, framed by forest — an easy half-day trip and a good spot for photos.
Johari Bhotia culture
Munsiyari is home to the Johari Bhotia community, historically traders across the old routes into Tibet, known today for their woollen handicrafts and distinct local food and architecture.
Best time to visit
March to June, and again September to November. Autumn is the standout: the monsoon has cleared, the air is dry and crisp, and the Panchachuli views are at their sharpest.