Himalayan Havens
Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, these homestays offer serene escapes and deep dives into local culture. Imagine waking up to crisp mountain air
and panoramic vistas. In Uttarakhand, The Himalayan Homestead near Nainital provides a unique stay surrounded by oak trees, with levels to explore and a focus on organic, pesticide-free produce for their Kumaoni and North Indian meals. Guests can even participate in pottery and vegan baking workshops. Slowness Himalayas, also in the Nainital district, embodies traditional Kumaoni architecture with its mud and bamboo structures, offering stunning views of mountain peaks and a Moon Cafe for dining. They also offer wild clay pottery and natural dye workshops. For a different mountain perspective, Nanda Stone Cottage in Uttarakhand boasts a design using mud, bricks, and cow dung for natural insulation, with rooms painted in earthy tones and furniture made by local artisans. It's a haven for birdwatchers and offers foraging, fishing, and cooking experiences. The Fern Cottage in Landour, Uttarakhand, is an exquisite outhouse of the Fern Oaks Estate, surrounded by over 260 trees and attracting diverse bird species. This Victorian-style home offers a peaceful retreat with easy access to Mussoorie's charm. Bir Terraces, located near Nainital, is an eco-conscious homestay built without felling trees, offering serene views of the Kumaon Himalayas and farm-fresh Kumaoni cuisine. Kot Kailash, a century-old Kumaoni home near Jageshwar Dham, provides a boutique experience with traditional architecture and locally sourced meals, including a unique forest cottage. Lastly, ValleyView Villa in Ranikhet offers rooms with stunning Himalayan and valley views, surrounded by orchards and attracting various bird species, with Kumaoni dishes and local handicrafts available.
Western Ghats & Southern Charm
Venture south to experience the lush landscapes and distinct cultures of the Western Ghats and Kerala. These homestays offer a blend of nature, local flavours, and relaxation. Baan Nimbus in Sakleshpur, Karnataka, is a beautifully designed retreat blending Malnad and Thai influences, offering themed rooms overlooking coffee plantations and serving a fusion of local and Thai cuisine. Bungalow 1934 in Coorg, Karnataka, is a heritage home that serves as a chronicle of Kodava culture, featuring mud walls and pillars, traditional meals like Pandhi Curry, and set amidst a sprawling coffee estate. Coffee and Pepper Homestay in Thekkady, Kerala, is set within a thriving plantation, offering rooms with plantation views and a chance to pick coffee cherries and harvest pepper. Meals here highlight estate-brewed coffee and Kerala staples. Mountain Villa in Vagamon, Kerala, offers minimalist cottages built with natural materials, overlooking mist-covered slopes and serving homestyle Kerala cuisine with ingredients from their organic garden. Pannadikadu Homestay, a heritage granary in Kerala's Palghat Gap, offers a unique Tamil-Kerala cultural blend with meals featuring both regional specialities, and proximity to tiger reserves. Baan Nimbus, a Thai-inspired home in Sakleshpur, Karnataka, combines local Malnad architecture with Thai aesthetics, offering themed rooms and a fusion of cuisines. Bungalow 1934 in Coorg, Karnataka, immerses guests in Kodava culture with its ancestral home setting and traditional pork dishes. Coffee and Pepper Homestay in Thekkady, Kerala, is a plantation retreat where guests can participate in spice harvesting and enjoy local Keralan cuisine. Mountain Villa in Vagamon, Kerala, provides tranquil, earth-conscious cottages with panoramic views and locally sourced meals. Pannadikadu Homestay in Palghat Gap, Kerala, offers a taste of both Tamil and Kerala culinary traditions, alongside wildlife experiences in nearby reserves. Finally, The Forest Edge provides an immersive natural experience.
Northern Escapes & Eastern Delights
Explore the unique charm of the North and the vibrant culture of the East with homestays that offer distinct experiences, from the high-altitude desert to the lush mountains. In Ladakh, Slow Garden is a historic property revitalized into a tranquil homestay, featuring a library, yoga space, and offering Ladakhi delicacies. It's ideal for heritage walks and monastery visits. Shel, near Leh, is a contemporary homestay designed with traditional methods, offering rooms with stunning views of the Himalayas and the Indus River, and opportunities for birdwatching and visiting nearby monasteries. Hoongla Inn in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, provides an immersive cultural experience, showcasing Monpa traditions with thoughtfully designed rooms and cuisine that highlights local ingredients like red rice and churpa, serving as a base to explore Tawang Monastery and Bum La Pass. In Himachal Pradesh, Hygge House is a charming cottage on a fruit farm near Kullu, offering well-appointed bedrooms and Himachali dishes like Rainbow Trout. NORTH, a collective based in Himachal Pradesh, offers stays in traditionally built cabins preserving vernacular architecture, focusing on slow living, sustainable food, and nature walks. Seeking Slow Farmstay in Naggar, Himachal Pradesh, is a women-centric haven surrounded by orchards, offering local Himachali dishes and proximity to the Roerich Estate. Kudrat Boutique Homestay in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh, is built in traditional Kathi Kuni style amidst deodar forests, offering Himachali Dham and outdoor activities like trekking and river walks. Raison D’etre, by the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, provides rooms named after seasons, serving regional and Southeast Asian dishes, with opportunities for river rafting and exploring nearby attractions. Kashi Villa in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, is a lovingly transformed 180-year-old ancestral home offering private villas, a pool, and curated experiences like brewery tours and hikes. Jungle House in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, is a historic cottage from the British Raj era, offering luxurious suites, a library, and guided heritage walks. Yangsum Heritage Farm in Rinchenpong, Sikkim, is a rambling working farm built in traditional Tibetan style, offering organic produce, Sikkimese cuisine, and activities like birdwatching and monastery visits. The Cheese Cottage in Tangmarg, Kashmir, is an eclectic space on a royal estate, offering local Kashmiri meals and proximity to waterfalls and meadows. Tanhau Homestay, set high above Corbett's forests in Uttarakhand, offers rustic cottages with stunning forest views and unique experiences like camera trapping. Southgate Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, is a private home offering multi-level lodging options with home-style meals and curated picnics. Lal Kothi homestay near Dehradun offers minimalist rooms with a focus on Awadhi cuisine and a rooftop bonfire experience. Lastly, Fagunia farmstay in Uttarakhand offers rooms named after birds and a menu blending North Indian, Pahadi, and South Indian cuisines, with opportunities for local hikes.
