Sitting prettily in the lap of scenic luxury surrounded by lakes, mountains and exotic flora, lies Rupakot Resort. Lilisha Shrestha slips a weekend getaway into her busy schedule and relishes the experience.

I was looking forward to a break at Rupakot Resort after a hectic week at work. I didn’t know the exact location of the resort at the start of my journey but when I finally reached my destination, I was very pleasantly surprised. Away from the crowd and city lights, on a high ridge, lies Rupakot resort displaying all its finery in one glorious sweep of the eyes. From the vantage point I could see the spectacular Annapurna Himalayan range and far below, reflecting sunlight, rests Rupa and Begnas lakes.

Stay in luxury

The cottages are styled after the village homes and are constructed of local hand- carved stones. There are 10 of these spacious cottage-style buildings, prettily sitting on top of a hill. These cottages have four to five rooms each adding to a grand total of 42 comfortable and modern deluxe rooms which open out to their own private veranda.

The rooms proudly display original Nepali artwork lending a touch of authentic Nepali experience in regards to people, lifestyle, culture and history. A set of bamboo chairs and table are placed out on the balcony for you to enjoy the morning sunlight at breakfast, if you please.

You can start your day basking in the sun and taking in the the Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri ranges with the Fishtail Mountain demanding special mention. Inside the rooms, you’ll find wooden window frames carved in traditional Nepali style. Every room has a luxury en-suite bathroom with a bathtub and rain shower with running hot and cold water, LED flat screen TV, well- stocked mini bar and tea and coffee facilities.

Indulge in local cuisine and delicacies

The resort has one restaurant, a bakery and a bar which indulge in multi- cuisine, freshly baked confectionaries and a wide array of alcoholic and non- alcoholic beverages.

Panorama, the restaurant, impresses you with its Nepali thali, widely popular among the guests. The bakery doles out delicious cakes, muffins and a variety of breads throughout the day. The bar comes alive in the evenings.

The management also arranges a special candlelight dinner for two easing some romance into your stay, hence, creating a perfect romantic weekend getaway. The food, the view, the ambience and the experience all beckons the romantic in us.

Explore and experience

Staying at the resort does not in any way mean you stay holed up in your room. You can sign up for activities such as a village tour, hiking, mountain biking and yoga and meditation provided by the resort. Give yourself time to learn more about the village by exploring and experiencing local culture, people and their lifestyle with the help of an in-house guide.

Go out on hikes into the rural mountain village and get lost in the surrounding natural beauty and cultural diversity. For a thrilling experience join the mountain biking crew or take your bike and cycle through the exciting terrain around Rupakot. And, after you tire of the outdoor activities, step in for a session of yoga and meditation back at the resort.

Overview

Just about a year old, what surprises me the most about this resort is how much they’ve achieved and how far they’ve come in such a short time. Though the resort is still under construction it is already one of the most sought- after weekend getaway destinations among locals and tourists.

From the time you step into the vicinity of the resort to the time you leave, each moment lives up to its promise of a good time. I had a wonderful stay and I can hardly wait for my next mini vacation at the facility. A weekend at the resort is highly recommended to rejuvenate and to prepare yourself for an important and busy week ahead.