The house journal
November 2026 Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh
Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh
The Cedar House
A restored colonial cottage above Mashobra, let to one party at a time.
The hosts
The house was built in 1906 for a forestry officer and had been empty for a decade when I found it. Restoring it took three years and a great deal of arguing with carpenters about what to keep — the deodar floors and the shutters stayed, the partition walls did not. There is one party in the house at a time, so the drawing room, the veranda and the garden are yours. I live in the cottage at the gate and appear when you want me to and not otherwise.
Guest love
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We had the whole house. Ira is present exactly as much as you want and no more.
Nandita K. · Kolkata -
The restoration is genuinely careful — nothing has been prettified. Rare.
James W. · London -
Worth every rupee for the quiet alone. The veranda in the morning is the reason to come.
Aditi B. · Mumbai -
Beautiful and very private. Bring warm clothes, the old house is cold in December.
Henrik A. · Copenhagen
Where you will be
Mashobra
Himachal Pradesh
Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh
About Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh
Mashobra is thirteen kilometres from Shimla on the Naldehra road, at around 2,200 m, and is mostly deodar reserve forest — the reason the British built here and the reason it is still quiet. Craignano's hilltop garden is six kilometres away, Naldehra's old nine-hole course twelve. Shimla is close enough to visit for an afternoon and far enough that you cannot hear it. May and June are busy; the monsoon and the cold months are when the forest is at its best.
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Getting here 3 ways in
- Nearest airport
- Shimla (Jubbarhatti, 35 km) or Chandigarh (130 km).
- Nearest rail
- Shimla on the toy train from Kalka.
- By road
- thirteen kilometres from Shimla on the Naldehra road, under half an hour, tarmac the whole way.
There is parking inside the gate.
When to come
Apr–Jun
Oct–Nov
- Apr–Jun
- Long days and the garden at its best.
- Oct–Nov
- Clear and cold.
Nearby
Mashobra Forest
2 km
Trek
Deodar on every side; the reserve gate is a short walk.
Craignano
6 km
Sightseeing
A hilltop garden the Italians laid out, with a view to match.
Naldehra
12 km
Sightseeing
The old nine-hole course under the cedars.
Shimla Mall Road
13 km
Heritage
Close enough to visit, far enough not to hear.
Facilities
What you can use while you are here
- Hot water
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Garden
- Bonfire
- Power backup
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2 ways to spend your days
Packages & experiences
-
3 nights / 4 days
The House to Yourselves
₹21,000
Three nights, whole house, one party. Ira cooks and then leaves you alone.
- All meals
- Whole house
- Complete privacy
-
14 nights
A Fortnight of Work
₹78,000
Long-stay rate, the desk in the drawing room, and the wifi to use it.
- All meals
- Laundry
- Desk and fast wifi
Food & drink
From our kitchen
Cooked in our own kitchen, from what the market and the garden have.
Restaurant
-
Breakfast, whenever you come down
Included
Eggs how you want them, toast, fruit, coffee that is actually good.
-
Roast of the day
Whatever the butcher in Sanjauli had. Vegetables from the garden.
Two people ₹900 Whole table ₹1,600 -
Himachali dham
₹480
Ordered a day ahead. The full valley meal, properly done.
-
Trout, pan-fried
₹520
From the Pabbar farms, lemon and butter, nothing else.
-
Afternoon tea
₹280
On the veranda at four, unless you would rather not be disturbed.
-
Coffee, properly made
₹150
A grinder, a scale, and an argument about water temperature.
-
Whisky by the fire
₹450
A short list. The Indian single malts are the interesting ones.
Dishes change with the season and what the market has. Tell us about allergies or preferences when you book.
Arranged by us, run by people we know
Things to do
Run by local operators we work with. Ask us and we will arrange it for you — nothing is charged here.
-
The Mall, the Ridge and Christ Church, on foot
Shimla Heritage Walks
Two hours from the Gaiety to the church and down the old bazaar lanes with someone who grew up above them. The walk ends at Scandal Point.
If you cancel: Nothing owed if the guest cancels
-
The toy train to Shoghi
Shimla Heritage Walks
The Kalka line through the tunnels to Shoghi and back, the tickets booked, a guide on the train who knows which bridge is which.
If you cancel: The tickets are bought in your name the day before.
-
Ski lesson on the Narkanda slope
Narkanda Snow & Hatu Walks
Half a day on the nursery slope below Hatu, January and February when the snow is down. Skis, boots and an instructor for up to four.
If you cancel: The instructor keeps the morning for you; called off at no charge when there is no snow.
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Forest walk to the Hatu temple
Narkanda Snow & Hatu Walks
Through fir and deodar from Narkanda to the wooden temple at the top, with the Shrikhand range across the valley. A guide, a flask of tea, back by lunch.
If you cancel: Nothing owed if the guest cancels
Good to know
What time is check-in?
From 12 noon; early check-in on request.
Do you serve meals?
Yes — Ira cooks, and eats with you only if you ask.
Is it family friendly?
Yes, though the house is let to one party at a time.
How do we reach you?
13 km from Shimla on the Mashobra road; we'll share directions on WhatsApp.
House rules
- Quiet hours after 10 pm
- Carry a valid photo ID
- Pets welcome on request
- The house is let to one party at a time — no visitors overnight
The Cedar House
Book your stay
Request your dates and we will share payment details to confirm your booking.