To have a truly authentic and wonderful experience of the lifestyle and culture of this South Asian country, homestay is the most ideal form of tourism. Below are 5 of the 15 best places to experience homestay in India, nominated by India Today Travel Plus.
1. Samthar Farm House, Kalimpong City, West Bengal State
Nestled in the midst of nature, in the remote mountains and 80km from Kalimpong city, Samthar Farm House is an exclusive homestay, offering peace and the most spectacular views of the world’s third highest peak – Khangchendzonga. It is an ideal place for nature lovers, honeymooners and those looking for off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Samthar Farm House is a renovated Lepcha tribe farmhouse into a comfortable rural retreat, yet retains its original stone and wood construction. The house is surrounded by pine trees and natural terraced fields that reach up to the hilltop.
>>> Activities: Stroll around Samthar valley, cross Teesta river by cable car, learn cooking, learn local skills...
>>> Cost: From 8,550 rupees or more/person/2 nights, including all expenses such as accommodation, meals, tour guide, and transportation.
>>> Getting there: West Bengal is located in the northeast of India, 1,416km from the capital New Delhi. From Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri railway station (there are direct flights from New Delhi), take a jeep via Bagrakot to Samthar in 4-5 hours. Note that the roads in this area are quite bad.
>>> Contact:
Samthar Farm House
Basti and Post Office Samthar, Kalimpong, 734301,
Dist Darjeeling, Kalimpong, West Bengal, India – 734301.
Tel: 0091 94340 47372 or 0091 90026 92611
Email: awakeandshine@gmail.com
Website: www.awakeandshine.org
2. Nelpura Heritage Homestay, Kerala state
Nelpura is a restored 150-year-old house located in the Allapuzha district of Kerala on a canal overlooking the Pampa River. Nelpura means granary in the local language, a place where rice and crops are stored for the next season. Nelpura is located next to the ancestral house left to Mr. Chacko (owner of Nelpura) and his family. This structure showcases the characteristics of traditional Kerala architecture and wood carving. The rooms of Nelpura are made mostly from sawn timber and still retain their 150-year-old splendor. Nelpura Heritage Homestay is ideal for those who love peace and quiet and are looking for a long-term stay, such as writers and artists.
>>> Activities: Walking, boating, fishing, visiting local churches and temples, cycling tours.
>>> Cost: 7,000 rupees (including all meals)/day, children over 5 years old surcharge 1,500 rupees.
>>> Travel: Kerala state is located in Southwest India, more than 2,500 km from the capital New Delhi; the state capital is Thiruvanathapuram city.
• By Road: From Cochin International Airport, travel about 100km to Alappuzha district or you can fly to Thiruvanathapuram International Airport. Alappuzha is 175km from the capital Thiruvanathapuram (about 3 hours 30 minutes by car).
• By Train: From Cochin, board the Southern Border Train on the Alappuzha route. Get off at Alappuzha Railway Station. Nelpura Heritage Homestay is 12 km from the town and is accessible by both road and rail. Guests can make prior arrangements to be picked up from the Alappuzha railway station or bus stand.
>>> Contact:
Nelpura Heritage Homestay
Edayady House, Monkompu. PO
Alappuzha 688 502, Kerala, India.
Tel: 0091 477 2702336 or 0091 94474 73432
Email: info@nelpura.com
Website: www.nelpura.com
3. Pabu Ki Dhani Eco Farm, Rajasthan state
Surrounded by the golden sands of the Thar Desert, Pabu Ki Dhani offers a memorable glimpse into the traditional Rajasthani desert lifestyle of mud huts with thatched roofs. There is no electricity, so people use solar panels for lighting and charging phones and other small devices. The huts are simple and furnished with rustic charpoy beds – a traditional bed made from a wooden frame and knotted ropes.
Built in December 2010, Pabu Ki Dhani offers visitors the opportunity to explore the desert in its most authentic form, while also promoting the NGO Malenbai by helping communities living in the desert.
>>> Activities: Explore the desert by jeep, ride a camel, visit a handicraft village, learn to cook.
>>> Cost: 2,300 rupees/person/day (including all meals and drinks)
>>> Travel: Rajasthan is a state located in Northwest India, 435km from the capital New Delhi, the state capital is Jaipur city. From New Delhi, take a train directly to Jaisalmer, then take a jeep to Pabu Ki Dhani (28km from Jaisalmer), one jeep ride costs 700 rupees.
>>> Contact:
Pabu Ki Dhani Village
Pohra, Baramsar Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001, India
Tel: 0091 96025 34344
Email: contact@pabu-ki-dhani.com
Website: www.pabu-ki-dhani.com
4. The Green Paradise Houseboat, Jammu & Kashmir state
The perfect place to enjoy the stunning views of Dal Lake and the “heaven on earth” - Kashmir. Located right on the vast lake, adjacent to floating gardens and towering hills in the distance, this houseboat is an extremely comfortable place to stay. Green Paradise Houseboat offers visitors breathtaking views as well as the experience of life on a boat. The rooms are individually designed, comfortably equipped with elaborately carved furniture that evokes a bygone era. In addition, the boat also has open spaces for visitors to enjoy cuisine and watch the beautiful sunset.
>>> Activities: Sightseeing, visiting Old City, Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
>>> Cost: 4,200 rupees/2 people/night.
>>> Getting there: Jammu-Kashmir is a state in Northern India, 1,166km from the capital New Delhi; the state capital is Srinagar city. Fly to Srinagar airport, then to Green Paradise Houseboat (15km from Srinagar).
>>> Contact:
The Green Paradise Houseboat
Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu-Kashmir, India
Website: www.homestay360.com
5. Nina Kochhar's Homestay, Union Territory of Delhi
If you want to experience homestay right in the capital New Delhi, Nina Kochhar's Homestay is the ideal place. Here you can easily explore a capital that is a harmonious blend of modernity and antiquity, between Old Delhi and New Delhi.
Nina Kochhar's Homestay is decorated with many bright colors, has many spaces with airy, green views. On the rooftop there is also a garden with arches with many kinds of flowers and vines, very suitable for tea drinking in the early morning and evening. The owner of this homestay is Ms. Nina Kochhar, who has worked in a large hotel group for over 20 years and has traveled to many places around the world. She knows Delhi and other cities in India very well, can guide guests to the best places to eat, stay as well as cultural and artistic activities to participate in.
Delhi is not a state but a federal territory of India (India has 28 states and 7 union territories), consisting of 9 districts, including New Delhi. Dehli is the ancient part (Old Delhi) and New Delhi is the modern part, there is no clear boundary between the two parts but you can feel the interweaving and interweaving between the two parts of this territory.
>>> Activities: Visit famous monuments of Delhi such as Red Port, Jama Masjid, visit and shop at Chandni Chowk, enjoy Old Delhi cuisine...
>>> Cost: 3,000 rupees/person/night, including breakfast.
>>> Transportation: You can take any means of transport to get to Nina Kochhar's Homestay because this place is very close to the train and bus stations. 24km from the International Airport, 7km from New Delhi Railway Station, 3km from Old Delhi Railway Station, from here you can take the metro to Nina Kochhar's homestay.
>>> Contact:
Ms. Nina Kochhar
43A, Oberoi Apartments, 2, Shamnath Marg, Civil Lines
Delhi – 110054, India
Tel: 0091 98110 22326
Email: nina.kochhar18@gmail.com
Website: www.delhibedbreakfast.com
More information:
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