Summer in India has kicked off and if you’re looking for the best places in North India to take a break from the heat and hustle-bustle of Mumbai, then the cool, serene hills of Himachal Pradesh are calling your name! Explore the beautiful landscapes, culture, food, and tourist attractions while also staying at some of the most unique stays to discover the best of Himachal Pradesh with your family or friends.
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Fly down to Chandigarh to start your northern adventure in Kasauli, Chail, and Shimla which are waiting to be explored.
Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Kasauli, a 2-hour drive from the Chandigarh airport, is a quaint little town known for its stunning views, serene atmosphere, and refreshing climate.
One of the must-visit attractions is the Kasauli Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to a variety of animals and birds, including leopards, barking deer, and Himalayan black bears. You can also go trekking in the nearby hills, explore the local markets, or simply relax and soak in the beauty of the place at authentic Himachal homestays like SaffronStays’ homes like SaffronStays Chalet Vie.
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Located just a short distance from Kasauli is Chail, nestled amidst the serene pine and deodar forests,a charming town known for its scenic beauty, colonial architecture, and adventure activities. The best time to visit Chail is April to June. Among the things to do in Chail, you can discover the rich history of Chail with a visit to the Chail Palace, a must-visit attraction in the town. Built-in the 19th century, this palace was once the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Patiala. The Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh also established the Chail Cricket Ground in 1893, which is the world’s highest cricket ground located 2,444 meters above sea level. Additionally, with adventure activities like trekking, hiking, rope walking, and rock climbing, Chail is the perfect destination for thrill-seekers. Looking to spoil your loved ones, then head over to SaffronStays Ekam.
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No trip to Himachal Pradesh is complete without a visit to Shimla, which is a 2-hour drive from Chail. Known as the “Queen of Hill Stations,” Shimla is known for its colonial architecture, picturesque views and pleasant climate. One of the most popular places to visit in Shimla is Mall Road which is a bustling street with shops, restaurants, and cafes and hence the perfect place to soak in the local culture. You can also visit the Christ Church, the Chadwick Falls, the Jakhu Temple, and the Shimla State Museum. After spending the day taking in the vibrant culture in Shimla, you can wind down and relax at SaffronStays’villas with home-cooked meals and plentiful board games at Jujurana House.
Picture Source: Pexels
So, pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to explore the beauty of Himachal Pradesh with SaffronStays!
2014 has been a remarkable journey for us. We launched our website and travelled to different parts of the country to bring some beautiful properties to you. As the year draws to an end, we want to leave you with plenty more reasons to travel in 2015 through our curated platform – great adventures, friendly locals, delicious food, beautiful landscapes, and warm experiences irrespective of where you decide to go. Out of the 800, we’ve painstakingly chosen these 12 beautiful stay options across India that we think you should add to your bucket list – one destination for every month of 2015!
1. Surround yourself by luxury, nature and tens of spotted deer – Udaipur, Rajasthan
You’ll always be surrounded by nature in this luxury homestay.
Amidst verdant and scenic hills of the Aravali mountain range in Udaipur is Shikarbadi. Once the chosen big game hunting area of the royalty of Mewar, Shikarbadi today is home to this beautiful, luxury property that allows you to experience an untouched side of the White City. The six themed suites of the homestay have been set around a manicured garden on a floor above the host’s rooms. Here, you can listen to the songs of the birds and often spot deer, porcupines and foxes trotting outside the fences of the house. Rest assured you can experience true Rajasthani hospitality here through the friendly service and delicious local food, recipes of some of which have come straight from the royal kitchen.
2. Getaway from Mumbai to a hilltop farm overlooking the valley – Chiplun, Coastal Maharashtra
Plunge into this inviting pool and enjoy the view of the mountains and the valley.
If you’re looking for an offbeat getaway from Mumbai, this farm house in Chiplun, built on an 18 acre land, on a hilltop overlooking the valley, is just the place for you. The rooms are very simple, but you’ll have peacocks and friendly dogs here for company, an inviting open pool that you can plunge into, and home-cooked Maharashtrian fares, prepared on the traditional wood-fired stoves under a mango tree, to relish. During your stay, you can spend your day floating on a boat in the Vashisth estuary and your nights either watching a star studded sky from the terrace or driving through the jungle in a jeep. Not a dull moment here! (Also read: A Surprise Anniversary Getaway )
3. Escape to a royal Villa overlooking the Dal Lake – Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
This beautiful Villa in Srinagar is owned by the descendants of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Overlooking the Dal Lake and facing the Zabarwan range, this beautiful Villa is home to the descendants of the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Nestled amongst apple, cherry and plum orchards, it is a part of their larger private estate, one where they organise fortnightly farmers market and the annual Darah Shikoh Festival. With a 36 feet high central atrium, tastefully done rooms and a lounge that comes with a view, it makes for a perfect retreat when in Srinagar. During their stay, guests can enjoy strolls in the walking trail around the estate and the nearby pond that attracts a large number of migratory birds. If you are lucky you may even come across a Himalayan Black Bear!
4. Stay with one of India’s best birding guides – Kewzing, Sikkim
Enjoy the unspoilt beauty of Sikkim while you stay in this Log House.
If you’re a birding enthusiast, this is just the place for you. Mr. Bon, your host, and one of India’s most renowned Ornithologists, has been leading birding tours around Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan and Nagaland since 2001. During your stay, you can take guided birding tours to Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Borong and on trails that lie close to Doling Monastery in Ravangla and Mambru Monastery that is perched on top of a hill. The homestay itself is located next to a monastery. You can choose to stay in the log houses, suites or the family rooms, and eat delicious organic meals with a view of the Kanchenjunga during your stay.
5. Stay in a charming cottage surrounded by apple orchards – Manali, Himachal
The homestay lies surrounded by apple orchards and green mountains
Located in Bipasha Valley near Manali, this charming cottage lies nestled by apple trees and offers a scenic escape from the chaos of city life. The bedroom comes with a number of windows and a small personal balcony overlooking the hill station of Manali. There is a small garden outside where you can spend time enjoying the view, writing or sipping a cup of hot tea. The friendly hosts also whip up a delicious meal using fresh organic produce from their garden. During your stay, you can go for short treks around the cottage, on a trail leading to the Some River and another to a beautiful waterfall.
6. Explore an exotic village while staying in the midst of a community forest – Mawlongbna, Meghalaya
Your cottage lies a walk away from this breathtakingly beautiful spot.
The beautiful village of Mawlongbna in Meghalaya, tucked away from local tourists, houses two cottages for the adventurous travellers. Reaching the village involves a walk through the community forest, with little streams, brooks and a waterfall en route. During your stay, you can set off with the locals to discover fossils of sea-creatures (remnants of an era when the entire area was covered by the expanse of the seas), go fishing or kayaking in a water reserve nearby, and visit the local markets. The best part? Dining on local Khasi cuisine with a view of the plains of Bangladesh! (Also read: The Bridges that Grow )
7. Experience a lesser-known Ladakh by the cliff bank of River Indus – Uleytokpo, Ladakh
Set on the banks of the Indus river, these cottages let in a stunning view of Ladakh’s landscape.
Set at the cliff bank of river Indus, 70 Kilometers into Sham valley is the village of Uleytokpo. Here, set amidst apple and apricot orchards is a beautiful eco property that allows you to experience luxury, serenity as well as a lesser-known side of Ladakh. The rooms are large and spacious with a large number of windows where you can wake up to a view of the vast mountains. During your stay, you can pick from one of the many books in the cosy library, indulge yourself with a refloxolgy session in the in-house spa, or venture out for river rafting and hiking.
8. Spend the night star gazing from an attic room – Chimney, Darjeeling
The stunning bird’s eye view from the village of Chimney
Located in a charming little village called Chimney that lies at an altitude of 6800 feet, this homestay is your window into a side of Darjeeling that not many know or talk about. The best part about the location is the bird’s eye view of Teesta River, Siliguri and neighbouring regions from its roads. On the other side is a beautiful misty juniper forest, and there are a few waterfalls and viewpoints that lie a short hike away. Stay in this cosy attic room, taste some delicious Nepalese food, and spend your night star gazing or watching lights flicker in the valley below. (Also read: Memories of a Dreamy Village )
9. Experience the lavish plantation life in a Colonial Bungalow – Coorg, Karnataka
Experience the lavish plantation life in this Heritage Bungalow in Coorg
Surrounded by sweeping vistas of the ever picturesque Kodagu Hills, this Heritage Bungalow is fit for royalty. With large, spacious rooms, fireplaces, Victorian furniture and manicured lawn, the Bungalow takes you back to a bygone era with its old world charm. During your stay, you can eat scrumptious meals of Coorg delicacies like Pandhi (pork) or Koli (Chicken) Curry, Akki Roti (Rice Roti), Kadumbuttu (Rice Dumplings), Wild Mushroom and Mango Curry. While there, other than strolling through the coffee plantations, you can take a trip to Abbey Falls, Nagarhole National Park and the Namdroling Tibetan Monastery.
10. Stay in a rustic cottage in the heart of a forest – Corbett, Uttarakhand
These rustic cottages allow you to be one with the forest.
These cottages make for a very special wilderness destination where you can be in, and one with the forest. Situated on the banks of the Ramganga River in Corbett National Park, and accessible on foot, it’s for true forest lovers and those that seek the wild in its original, pristine form, away from the crowds, the vehicles and heightened human activity. The cottages here are beautiful and have been constructed with locally sourced clay, savannah thatch and wood inspired by traditional Vangujjar tribal style. While here, soak up the wilderness from your verandas, enjoy some delicious meals, explore the forest on foot, enjoy birdwatching, butterfly spotting, or look for signs of the big ones.
11. Watch the sun set over lush fields from a hill top Bungalow – Kottayam, Kerala
Enjoy a gorgeous sunset from your balcony in the hill top Bungalow.
Set in the hills of the beautiful town of Kottayam, this bungalow lets you soak up the rich natural surroundings of Kerala away from the tourists trails. The charming rooms open up to a view of lush green fields and backwaters, which can be enjoyed with multiple cups of tea from the veranda. Other than enjoying delicious Malayali meals, you can enjoy cycling by the hilly countryside, take long leisurely walks through the fields and go for backwater rides through sleepy villages.
12. Stay in a Wooden Chalet on the banks of a river – Ribandar, Goa
The beautiful wooden chalet by the Mandovi river in Goa.
Situated on the banks of Goa’s largest River, Mandovi, is this beautiful wooden chalet that looks straight out of a Hollywood movie. Built in 1730, the property comes with three bedrooms, one of which opens up to a paved patio by the edge of the river, living rooms, dining hall, kitchen, sun decks and even a convenience store. The house is designed perfectly to allow the view of the river, the Salem Ali Bird Sanctuary and adjacent islands from every location in the house. During your stay, you can enjoy fishing or rent a bike to explore the town of Ribandar.
Which one of these homestays would you add to your 2015 Bucket list? Tell us in the comments section.
About the Author: Born and raised in Assam, Sarita Santoshini has been travelling around India and penning down her experiences over the past year. She currently works as the Content Editor for SaffronStays. You can read more of her travelogues on her blog-http://crumbsfromyourtale.wordpress.com.
What if, after a ten hour intense journey through the ‘world’s worst road’, your driver turns around and tells you, “We may be a little lost as it is my first time here. I suggest we halt. We’re very close to running out of fuel too. So we may as well try to call someone and arrange for both fuel and accurate directions”
That’s exactly what thirteen of us co-travellers heard on Day 1 whilst en route to Spiti.
The back story:
We’d departed from Manali earlier that morning in a Tempo Traveller with destination Kaza (in Spiti) on our mind. For anyone who’s familiar with the route, the road from Manali via the Rohtang and Kunzum Pass is not called the ‘worst road’ without reason; especially if you have the privilege of being seated right above the rear two wheels of the vehicle; and definitely more so if you have a driver who’s driving skills demand more than a fleeting mention.
Rock, Stone, Gravel – all along the world’s worst road. Photo by Elita
Now what?
Visualize the look on our faces moments after he (our driver i.e.) revealed to us the situation we were in.
It was close to 5 PM with no human life (or any life for that matter) in sight. The sky was blue with tufts of white clouds adorning it. The road was nothing but a dusty pathway. On the one side of the road there was a river. And on the other side of the river seemed a relatively populous village (read: human settlement that seemed to be comprised of about 50 houses from afar).
Stepping out of the vehicle tired, weary and hungry from the arduous journey we found that our driver seemed to have disappeared momentarily after his solemn announcement. Probably to locate some help is this barren deserted place, we reasoned amongst ourselves. With no mobile connectivity on our phones some of us decided to be brave and venture around in the hope of finding someone who could be of some help.
After a couple of minutes the driver did return letting us know that he had managed to establish contact with someone he knew and that fuel had been arranged for. We used his phone, as it was the only one that had connectivity, to reach out to our contact in Kaza (who also then assured us that she was on her way).
Lost – Kaza’s on the other side. Photo by Elita
Light ‘before’ the end of the tunnel…
While we were assured of both, fuel and directions, we were still a bunch of hungry travellers. Amongst the brave who’d ventured out knocking every padlocked door, someone struck gold. In a seemingly deserted village there happened to be a home that welcomed a bunch of thirteen strangers. It seemed unlike anything I’d personally experienced before but there we were being warmly ushered in by this man who could only be heard saying, “Aap toh humare mehmaan ho. Aur mehmaan to devta sammaan hote hain.
“Guests are godlike and so I have the honour of welcoming god into my abode…”
Little did he realize that he was our godsend.
The house was quaint and warm; a sharp contrast to the crisp wind that blew outside. Besides our host who had busied himself into preparing some chai (also known as ‘tea’) for us was a little kid – probably his grandson who kept stealing glances at us from the hinges along the door.
Before we knew it there was hot piping tea for all of us along with a lot of ‘sattu’ for us to eat (that we would soon learn was more than just an acquired taste). We’d spent a good half an hour to forty-five minutes inside sipping our chai and uncramping our bones from the journey before we received a call that both fuel and our directions to Kaza had arrived and we could finally begin to make our way for the destination we’d set out for earlier that day.
To open your home to a group of completely unknown people so wholeheartedly and unassumingly, to provide them with whatever you have no matter how little and to wish them well as they departed without the slightest hint of any expectation but goodwill is reminiscent of a part of India I miss experiencing in the cities.
Spiti is home to some of the kindest, most hospitable locals. Photo by Kartik Mahajan
About the author: Elita is Nondescript. Nonchalant. Observer. Witty. Sarcastic. Skinny. Nomadic Thunker. Square Peg. Sporadic Blogger. Solo Traveller. Blogs at nomadicthunker.blogspot.in; skinnygenus.blogspot.com. Tweets @ellelogical.
In my last blog post (Read: 11 Reasons I choose a Homestay over a Hotel, everytime! ), I shared my insight about homestays and gave you reasons to choose one for your next vacation. Now, hoping I have tempted you enough, I arm you with 10 essentials for choosing the right homestay through our website.
Read on, get booking and keep your travel gears ready.
Tip # 1. Ask yourself what you want from your vacation
Stay in this quaint cottage nesting in the Himalayas for a quiet vacation
Kewzing village in Sikkim is inhabited by the Bhutia community and offers a unique cultural experience to travellers
The first and foremost step is to decide the kind of experience you are seeking from your vacation. You could be looking for a quick weekend getaway to one of Coastal Maharashtra‘s unexplored beaches from Mumbai or to a hill station in Uttarakhand from Delhi. Some of you might want to experience what staying in a Haveli in Rajasthan or a Colonial Bungalow in the coffee plantation feels like, while others might prefer to stay with the Bhutia community in Sikkim or a weavers’ village in Meghalaya. Options are plenty and you can choose your stay in heritage homes, colonial Bungalows, tree houses, boat houses and tents.
Most hosts add great value to your vacation by going that extra mile. Some of our hosts are professionals in the fields of bird-watching, wildlife and trekking, and can conduct some great trips for you. There are others who are great cooks and conduct live cooking sessions for guests on request. Some hosts would be happy to include you in their daily activities like a puja in the family temple or Diwali and Onam celebrations. At the very least, hosts are a treasure trove of the history and culture of the location and take immense pride in sharing stories of their home state and culture. So make the most of this.
Tip # 3. Who are you travelling with?
Homestays are the best option when travelling with family.
The people that you are travelling with largely determine where you should stay and what facilities you should look for. If you’re travelling with your family and have kids or elders along with you, you might want to look at the finer details. Not all homestays have lifts, air conditioners or western-style bathrooms. A few homestays, especially in remote regions, require a small trek that elders may find difficult to undertake. Many homestays allow you access to kitchen, so you can cook special meals for your parents and a simple suji kheer for your child. Do you have a pet and it breaks your heart to leave him/her in a kennel when you travel? Most hotels don’t allow dogs, but a lot of homestays do, so it’s advisable to check in advance. And if you’re travelling as an unmarried couple, check with the homestay if it’s okay with it.
Tip # 4. Make note of the amenities that your preferred homestay provides
Click on the Filters tab to modify your search as per your exact requirements.
Depending on who you’re travelling with and when you’re travelling, check the amenities provided by the homestay. You might want to check for provision of air conditioners in a homestay in Rajasthan and for heaters in Srinagar. If you’re looking for city comforts, check the availability of laundry facilities, Cable TV, Wi-Fi and power backup.
Tip # 5. Check whether meals are available
Pandi curry is a must try during your stay in a Coorg homestay.
Like we always say, the best part about staying in a homestay is undoubtedly the delicious home-cooked food. Most homestays have breakfast included in their tariff while others, especially the ones located in remote locations, with fewer eateries around, include all meals in their tariff. You might also want to check for the cuisines provided by the homestay and see if they’ll be happy to serve you local food. If you’re a strict vegetarian, you could specifically look for the many homestays that serve only veg food.
Tip # 6. Look for places of interest, landmark and transport facilities around the homestay
Use our extraordinary map search to look for a homestay in the right location
We’ve curated few select places with top things to do. All you have to do is click on the “Map View” tab to enable the feature and watch the screen light up like a Christmas tree. It gives you a good idea of the distance from the nearest airport or train station and a perspective of whether you are in a shopping district or a party hub or some far flung suburb of Mumbai. If you know precisely what you want to do during your vacation, you might want to specifically search for homestays around the area. For example, Goa Sunburn is held in Vagator beach and if you want to stay close by, all you have to do is zoom into the beach on the map and you can view homestays in that particular area. It makes your search simpler, faster and easier!
Tip # 7. Have a look at reviews and ratings
Look for these icons on our website
“Reputation is the currency of the online world“. We realize that you’re looking for reviews and ratings that you expect the homestays to have painstakingly acquired over the years. Given that we have recently come to the party, we decided to personally verify every homestay and even gather the homestay experience ourselves. How did we do that? We selected some top photographers and travel writers and offered them a once-in-a-lifetime sabbatical opportunity, our TravelNinja program. We gave them a circuit to follow, they researched for homestays and spoke to a hundred odd hosts there. In most cases, the homestay owners were warm enough to extend their hospitality to us and referred us to other hosts. A bit of luck and serendipity did the rest. We have taken the effort of curating content for the homestays and marked out a few as ‘Featured’ – these are homestays we believe are special, either in terms of the location, the host or the hospitality and facilities provided. We’d recommend you to rely on us, search within the featured homestays and enjoy your stay! Do not forget to come back and give us a review on our site. It will help the next traveller to make an informed decision.
Our chat feature “Talk to Host” allows guests to communicate directly with the host.
“I like your homestay and want to spend a weekend there with my partner. Could you arrange a special dinner for us?” “Do you have a caretaker who can cook special meals for my parents? Does my 6 year old kid need an extra bedding?” Have a number of such questions while booking and find yourself going in circles?
Through our new chat feature “Talk to Host” we now allow our guests to communicate with our hosts directly to have their queries answered. Likewise, the Host may ask you a few questions too. After all, you are going to be sharing the space in his/her personal home. It is important to be comfortable, accept each other and then make the booking.
Tip # 9. Use the Dreamstays feature to save and share your preferred homestays
Use the “DreamStays” tab to share your favourite homestays with loved ones
If you still aren’t sure about your choice and want a second opinion of your family (always helps to get the wife’s nod, right?), add your selections to the DreamStays tab and inbox them to your spouse/travel partner. It’s far easier than directing them with names, rows and columns on the site.
Tip # 10. Make easy payment and enjoy your stay.
Once you’ve made your decision, all you have to do is send a booking request and wait for the host to accept it. That done, you can easily make payment using your credit card, debit card, internet banking or Paypal.
About the author: Tejas Parulekar is a first generation entrepreneur who has (ad)ventured into a domain that is traditionally dominated by large hospitality chains and other travel portals. A Banker by experience and Chartered Accountant by training, she is aspiring to leave an imprint in the hospitality sector by bringing together the little fish (Homestays) to take on the mighty shark. Encourage her and her homestay hosts by booking your next stay on www.saffronstays.com.
I stayed here for 2 days. This is perfect place to halt on a 1st day when you are entering Spiti from Manali side. Lovely homestay managed by a rider from Delhi. Although it is located in a village, you will get all the luxurious facilities, much better than any other homestay or guesthouse or hotel in whole Spiti valley. Rooms are spacious and have all the amenities you need here. Perfect place for riders as well as tourists to stay. The property has a beautiful dining area with a typical Spitian sit-out. Food is prepared in local style & trust me you wont get such an amazing homemade food anywhere in Spiti valley. Property owner, Sahil, also organises treks to the beautiful ChandraTal lake and can help you plan your Spiti itinerary well.
