Pudina Khet is a privately owned nature reserve in Saskhet, just above Hathipaon in Mussoorie. Abhay Nautiyal runs it. Inside the gate: an organic herb farm, a patch of old oak and rhododendron forest, and one clear opening that looks out over the Doon Valley.
The reserve sits at around 2,000 metres. Pace is slow, trails are gentle. The focus is herbs, medicinal plants, Himalayan birds, and the kind of forest view you don’t get on the standard Mussoorie circuit.
You can do this either way. Add the walk to a Pahadi House stay and we handle pick-up from the property. Or come just for the day if you’re staying elsewhere in Mussoorie or coming up from Dehradun. Groups stay small (2-10), so book ahead.
Four things this small reserve packs in:
Pudina, lemongrass, tulsi, artemisia and more, grown organically across terraced plots.
FloraTraditional Himalayan healing plants, cultivated and labelled, with a note on what each one is used for.
HeritageWhistling thrushes, barbets, sunbirds and raptors. Quiet corners are good for patient birdwatchers.
BirdsA clear opening in the forest looking out over the valley. Best at sunrise, sunset, or after a monsoon cloud-break.
ViewsA rough half-day timing. Pace and route shift to suit what you want to see, your fitness, and the season.
Pick-up from your Pahadi House stay or your Mussoorie hotel. Short drive up to Hathipaon and on to Saskhet, with a brief on the reserve.
Meet Abhay or one of the local naturalists. Cup of herbal tea grown on the property before you head in.
Walk the aromatic and medicinal plant terraces. Your guide explains how each crop is grown, used and protected.
Into the oak and rhododendron forest above the terraces. This is when birdsong is loudest, and you might catch a glimpse of something shy.
A stop at the ridge with the valley stretched out below. Time to sit, breathe and take photos.
Return via a gentler path, with notes on the reserve’s conservation work and village partnerships.
Simple home-style refreshments at the reserve if you wish, then drop back to your stay or hotel.
Six things you’ll get out of a typical visit.
A half-day inside a private nature reserve, with a real host.
Extras you can arrange on request.
From recent walks at the reserve.
These help keep the reserve quiet and the wildlife unbothered.
Send us your dates and group size. We’ll either fold the walk into a Pahadi House stay, or set it up on its own from Mussoorie or Dehradun.
Mountain Stays
Stargazing Nights
Pahadi Cuisine
Sunrise Treks
Eco Camping
Forest Walks
Riverside Retreats
Slow Travel
Mountain Stays
Stargazing Nights
Pahadi Cuisine
Sunrise Treks
Eco Camping
Forest Walks
Riverside Retreats
Slow Travel
Mountain Stays
Stargazing Nights
Pahadi Cuisine
Sunrise Treks
Eco Camping
Forest Walks
Riverside Retreats
Slow Travel
Mountain Stays
Stargazing Nights
Pahadi Cuisine
Sunrise Treks
Eco Camping
Forest Walks
Riverside Retreats
Slow Travel