does not have many accommodation
options. Luxurious and quality budget
properties are completely missing. The
lake islands hardly provide rooms for
the visitors.
Nagrota Surian
The sanctuary was building a few
rooms near the gate in February 2019.
Accommodation in such a convenient
location would draw visitors but impact
birds’ world. Only washroom behind
the ticket counter, mainly for the staff,
was shabby. I used it on request.
Basunti Retreat, Katrah
The retreat, owned by a British,
sells all-inclusive packages priced in
foreign currencies. The hotel operates
from April and prefers groups to
solo travelers wishing to stay at least
seven nights or more. The clientele is
probably foreign travelers interested in
yoga. The preferred contact method is
email and / or online contact form.Campong, Katrah
Campong, a neighbor of Basunti, offers
spacious basic rooms with en-suite
bathrooms at ground and first floors.
The establishment seeks 50% of the
tariff in advance. The hotel remains
closed from May to September. Singles:
₹1,000 (EP).
Forest Rest HousesIt’s difficult to get a room in any of the
houses in the vicinity of Pong Dam
although these are the cheapest and the
most spacious.
H.P.T.D.C. Tents at Pong Dam
Himachal Pradesh Tourism
Development Corporation (H.P.T.D.C.)
provides minimally furnished tents
with attached bathroom at Pong Dam.
Doubles: ₹900 (EP).
Pathania Guesthouse, Nagrota
Surian
I did not stay there. I just checked it
for the next visit for its proximity to
the wetland. The guest house on the
main road has a bar and restaurant.
Spacious rooms reeked of dampness
and seepage during my brief survey
visit in February, 2019. The owner had
an instant solution for the problems: a
spray of room freshener. The stubborn
smell ascribed to engineering defects
will never go away with the spray.
The boy who showed the room sang
songs like a roadside Romeo. A caution
notice in the guesthouse (“Drugs not
allowed”) raised many questions about
the reputation of the property and
nature of the clientele. The room tariff
is reasonable. However, hygiene and
safety are my major concerns. I did
not find it reliable, especially for solo
woman and family travelers. Singles:
₹800 (EP)Pong Eco Village, Mathiyal
Spacious rooms with en-suite
bathrooms and balconies are far from
the madding crowd. The hotel seeks
40% tariff in advance. It arranges
birdwatching guide (₹1,500-2,000 per
day) and boats for the islands (₹400-
550 per day for island visits). Singles:
₹2,000 (EP)
New Hotel under Construction,
Katrah
A new hotel was being built at the other
end of Katrah village in February, 2019.
It is within an easy walking distance
from Basunti and Campong. The hotel
overlooks the Pong waters and the
islands.Neither of the accommodations in
Katrah and Mathiyal is on the main
road. A short distance, say 3-4km,
requires driving off-road. Both provide
complimentary pick-up and drop from
the main road.
Entry
Pong Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary
welcomes public between 09:00 am
and 05:00 pm every day.
Camera Fee: None
Entry Ticket: ₹10 per Indian visitor
Entry Ticket: ₹50 per foreign visitortheoff.info
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