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When a friend mentioned he was going to Chennai on a work trip and would have a few free days at the end of it, I had to chime in, "You should definitely go and stay at the Jacob and Klooster farms, spend time by the Siruseri Lake which they have revived, and say hi to Shammy and Charlotte on my behalf." And when my Aunt complimented me on my handmade earrings, I shared, "Oh! They are a gift from Renu ji, the host at H20 House in Chamba. Maybe that can be your next summer outing. You will love the sound of the gharaat (watermill) and the freshly cooked meals there."
How often do we get to carry and share a story about our hosts and their lives from our travels? With rising disposable incomes, India's middle class has put travel pretty high up on its priority list. Every 1 in 3 travels for leisure, and it is expected to grow to every 2 in 3 within the next two decades. More and more travellers are choosing to stay in homestays as they travel, not only because they offer more value for money but also because of the luxury of larger spaces, access to local home kitchens, and a chance to bring their furry family along. Let us add one more 'pro' to the list: forming lifelong friendships.
Before you embark on your journey to find your favourite homestays, discover a few gems we've handpicked from across the country warm—wonderful homestays celebrated by Outlook's Indian Responsible Tourism Awards.
Self-sustaining in the traditional way, the H20 House is built on a gharaat (watermill). The over 150-year-old Chambyali building has been painstakingly maintained by the hosts, Renu and Manuj. If you ask them their secret of running a successful homestay in a remote corner of Himachal, they would say it's only possible because of the community's support, which is not a one-way street. The Sharmas involve their neighbours in multiple ways—from hosting two community kitchens to promoting local guide-led nature walks, preserving Himachali handicrafts, and selling local produce to boost the local economy. In other words, it takes a village to make your holiday special.
Address: Chaminoo Village, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
How to reach: Take an overnight bus from Delhi or fly in/take a train to Pathankot, followed by a 120 km drive
For tariff details, click here
Contact number: 9816220009
Set amidst apple and plum orchards, even the most jaded travellers feel at home when entering this over 100-year-old, naturally insulated, wood-and-stone building. So much so that they often extend their stay at Kundan Homestay, thanks to the warm hospitality of the hosts, Kundan and Kala, and their lovely dog, Mishti. Access to mineral-rich spring water next door, organic vegetables are grown at the farm, delicious local treats like bari and siddu, or just the tranquillity of this Himalayan hamlet makes it much harder to leave.
Address: Kais Village, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
How to reach: Take an overnight bus from Delhi or fly into the Bhuntar airport
For tariff details, click here
Contact number: 9816540168
Built atop a hill at a height of 4,300 feet, Tanhau has some of the best views of the Jim Corbett National Park and the Kosi River. Yet, it has much more to offer than just a bird's-eye view. Think immersive, dew-drenched walking safaris led by the host, a wildlife photographer and conservationist, village walks to experience local Kumaoni culture, and a picnic in the woods of Manila, a bird haven nearby. As the host at Tanhau, Sunando Sen sees it, "It is not just a place or property, but more a way of life."
Address: Ghweri Village, Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
How to reach: The 300 km drive from Delhi takes approximately 5 hours, or you can take a train to Ramnagar
For tariff details, click here
Contact number: 9650479996
An ode to the traditional Garo architecture and the house swifts that nest in its roof, Do Patchi Homestay seamlessly blends in with its natural surroundings. Located within the Daribokgre Nokrek National Biosphere Reserve, in the western reaches of Meghalaya, you can try your hand at everything from birdwatching to beekeeping here, under the guidance of the host, Dharmen. Away from the cacophony of the city, Do Patchi is a quiet perch for birds and travellers.
Address: Sasatgre Village, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya
How to reach: Take a train or fly into Guwahati, followed by a 5-hour drive
For tariff details, click here
Contact number: 9615872637
Made entirely with local materials, using local architectural techniques, this mud-plastered farmstay allows you to experience a true farm-to-table holiday, where tables are laden with the finest Newari delicacies on a bright winter's day. The hospitality and personalised attention by the hosts Kabir and Ahana only add to its many charms. Whether going on a hike to the Relli River or trying your hands at the family recipes, your holiday at PaliGhar will be not be dull.
Address: Kafley Village, Kalimpong, West Bengal
How to reach: Fly into Bagdogra, followed by a 3.5-hour drive or take a train to New Jalpaiguri, followed by a 3-hour drive.
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Contact number: 9999377484
Perched at 4,200 feet, Biksthang Farmhouse has been offering unparalleled views of the Khanchendzonga in this quiet corner of Sikkim since the 18th century! Deyki Gyatso, who belongs to the 14th generation of the family that has lived here for centuries, welcomes guests at her ancestral home to restore this remote region's built heritage and cultural glory. Once you've admired the beautiful architecture of Biksthang, though, you can also de-stress with a traditional hot stone bath known as menchu or dip in the fresh spring water infinity pool or oonko.
Address: Biksthang Village, Kamling, Sikkim
How to reach: Fly into Bagdogra, followed by a 4.5-hour drive or take a train to New Jalpaiguri, followed by a 5-hour drive.
For tariff details, click here
Contact number: 8170015329
This 17th-century haveli is the perfect place to experience Rajputana heritage and hospitality but with modern creature comforts. From water harvesting to making soaps with camel milk sourced from the local Rabari community, the hosts, Veer Vinod, Paramveer and Bhagyawanti, ensure that sustainability is at the heart of their operations at the homestay, where they co-exist peacefully with the wildlife that surrounds them at the Jawai Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, you can spot over 200 bird species on the Twitchers' trail, go on village walks, try out some of the family's 200+year-old-recipes like Bisalpur Rajwada Smoked Daal or Godwad Lamb, or just watch the sun go down behind the Aravalis.
Address: Bisalpur, Pali, Rajasthan
How to reach: Take a train to Jawai Bandh or fly into Jodhpur or Udaipur, followed by a 3-hour drive.
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Contact number: 8118866955
You don't have to go as far as Serengeti or Masai Mara searching for the savannahs. Discover the Indian savannahs right here, near Raptor's Inn. Located on the edge of Rajasthan's best-known grasslands, this family-run inn is the perfect pitstop for birders and enthusiasts. The hosts, Atul and Sunita, are actively involved in wildlife conservation and work closely with the local forest and tourist departments to raise awareness. When not identifying the wide variety of birds here, you can spend time at the well-curated library at the homestay.
Address: Tal Chhapar, Churu, Rajasthan
How to reach: Take a train to Ratangarh or fly into Bikaner, followed by a 2.5-hour drive.
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Contact number: 8826907085
The Farm of Happiness or Aanandache Shet is housed in a traditional Konkani home, which has been lovingly built by the hosts, Sampada and Rahul, on a piece of ancestral land, now replete with Alphonso and cashew trees, and a host of other wild plant species. You can follow birdsongs, sleep in a machaan under a star-studded sky, or participate actively in agricultural activities at this 20-acre farm. Living on the farm also has the advantage of having meals cooked with ingredients grown right here in a traditional wood-fired chulha.
Address: Phungus, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
How to reach: Take a train to Ratnagiri or fly into North Goa, followed by a 4.5-hour drive.
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Contact number: 9820002863
Built entirely on land rewilded painstakingly over 20+ years, Jacob and Klooster Farms is now home to 500+ trees and 30+ varieties of fruits and vegetables. Truly innovative in their approach, the hosts, Shammy and Charlotte, have repurposed shipping containers into comfortable stays completely run on solar power. But that's not all. From bringing the 100-acre Siruseri Lake back to life to helping local schools treat their waste correctly, sustainability is a way of life here.
Address: Thazhambur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
How to reach: Take a train to Thalambur or fly into Chennai
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Contact number: 8754140164
Built by a first-generation Burmese settler, Saw Ang Thong, the Koh Hee Homestay is one of the last traditional Karen homes in the Andaman archipelago. The hosts, Saw John and Naw Doris, are passionate about the unique Karen culture and handicrafts and have dedicated their lives to preserving them. Besides, as an environmentalist and researcher, Saw John's knowledge of the sea, coasts and forests is vast. Spending a few days at Koh Hee is like diving into the deep seas of time and reliving history again.
Address: Webi Village, Mayabunder, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
How to reach: The only way to reach Mayabunder is by taking a bus or driving down from Port Blair.
For tariff details, click here
Contact number: 9474215682
Named after the local water lily, Poothali Homestay offers verdant views of the adjoining paddy fields in Neeleshwar. The host, Manoj, works with the local Kudumbashree Unit to empower local women and invites them to share the traditional Malabari recipes with the guests. You will have the option of taking a cruise along the Valiyaparamba Backwaters, watching toddy being freshly tapped, walking through acres of rubber and spice plantations, experiencing otherworldly Theyyam performances, kayaking through the mangroves, or doing nothing at all.
Address: Neeleshwar, Kasargod, Kerala
How to reach: Take a train to Kasargod or fly into Mangalore airport, followed by a 2-hour drive.
For tariff details, click here
Contact number: 9449663870
