If Himachal has been one great love of your life, I will give you more reasons to fall for it. A state so blessed by nature that our romance with it continues even in the face of growing commercialisation. All of us craving for a home in its hills one day. While that is a distant possibility for most, impossibles can come true if you choose one of these homestays. Each of these has a home-like feel, each interesting in their own way with lush surroundings being the only common.
The next time you are in Himachal, a stay at one of these places might just make your dream come true, a home in the mountains.
The Blue Sheep, Tirthan Valley
The Blue Sheep in Himachal’s Tirthan Valley is as much loved for its hosts as it is for the stay experience it promises. Passionate souls, the hosts here will take you in with the infectious warmth that people in the mountains are loved for. Comfortable stay, great food, wonderful hosts and, of course, the settings of this place would woo you. Plus, The Blue Sheep has two residential pets to make your stay more homely.
Bhandari Homestay, Sangla
More than a homestay, this place is a nature retreat. It sits pretty by the side of River Baspa in Himachal’s Sangla Valley in the middle of the famous apple orchards of Kinnaur. A charming family is your host here; each one of them ensuring that you have the experience to remember. A no-frills place, Bhandari Homestay does not boast of luxuries in the ordinary sense of the world; but those, who know the terrain know that a comfortable, clean bed, hot water and organic, home-grown food is no less than a luxury here. Away from all the humdrum of city life, a stay here is perhaps the most perfect mountain home experience that you can have in the Himalayas.
The Sonaugi Homestead, Kullu
This one is located in one of the quaintest, yet-untouched hamlets around Kullu. It is a 20-minute trek from Janna, one of the oldest villages in the valley. Once in, you can hear the sound of the roaring River Beas. A place made for the lovers of silence and all things calm, The Sonaugi Homestead is a perfect break if you find yourself shackled in city life. Book yourself a stay here if a quaint stay, bonfire nights, traditional Himachali architecture, and organically-sourced food make a perfect vacation for you.