Home Stay: The term home stay may create a range of different images in various people’s minds. Some may imagine a comfortable living room with lively conversation and happy interactions; others may conjure images of flooded bathrooms and massive electricity bills; still others might just look blankly and comment, “Home stay? What’s that?” Whether the respondent is international guest or a home stay host their responses would reflect their individual experiences not only with regard to home stay, but also their understanding of cultural diversity. Although home stay is relatively new as an industry, the term home stay is merely a new word used to describe the age-old concept of travelers residing with a family other than their own.
One can see the world differently. One can also discover rustic, authentic and unspoiled gems. We connect travelers to local hosts in over 60 destinations over the Himalayan region. Guests can do what the locals do, eat where they eat and experience the realness of the place one is visiting.
There’s a saying in India, “Athithi Devo Bhava”, which means “the guest is God”. From prehistoric time Indians consider it a huge honor to have guests in their home, and go out of their way to please them. We feel that there is nothing like Indian hospitality. Sadly, most visitors who come to India, stays in hotels but for as change kindly visit a home for lunch and get to experience true Indian food & hospitality. The good thing is that the growing popularity of home stays in India and they are coming up in various places. Sit by the river angling or doing nothing at all !! Relax and enjoy the pure air, eat the food they grow in their garden, and understand the way of life they live. Try to enjoy and understand how the nature all around the home stay is a part of life. Trek these almost untouched mountains, visit tea estate, meditate in the monasteries or simply enjoy the views.
A home stay is similar in concept to that of a bed and breakfast but here all food is included. Guests can opt out of the food or can order food of their own choice. The stay and food is made optional so that we offer better options for the guests. Guests are either accommodated in the family home, or in separate cottage / quarters nearby. Nowadays, most home stays provide their guests with just as much comfort as a reputable hotel.
Benefits of Home stays in India i.e. there are a number of reasons why staying at a home stay can be preferable to staying in a hotel. The benefits of home stays in India include:
Typical, distinctive and characterful accommodations: If one is tired of sterile hotels or mass tourism destinations try the alternate i.e. Offbeat destinations with home stay facilities. There’s no better way to experience the incredibly diversity and charm of India than at a home stay. The options are almost endless and include plantation bungalows, historic havelis (mansions), forts, and remote rural cottages.
Very Personalized Service: In contrast to a hotel, a home stay usually only has a few rooms. The family who resides there runs it, and acts as host. Hence guarantees that guests receive plenty of individual attention. You can spend as little or as much time with the host family as you like. Some guests choose only to dine with them, while others spend hours chatting to them. Regardless, staying with an Indian family is the easiest way of finding out about Indian culture and way of life. Many guests and hosts find that they bond with each other so much, that they keep in touch long after the vacation is over.
Concept Of Local Knowledge: The wealth of information that the hosts have about their local area makes deciding what to see and do a breeze. In this Himalayan region there are over 250 tribes with their own distinctive style and culture. Local knowledge, stories and the history involved is extremely helpful in getting the most from the stay. Many hosts are delighted to show their guests around their local area, providing them with invaluable insights that simply aren’t available from a guide books. Guests can offer their own expertise and knowledge.
Home Cooked Food: There’s a huge difference between the Indian food served in restaurants and hotels, and the food that’s cooked in home. By staying at a home stay, Guest will be able to taste authentic Indian home cooked food, made to order. It’s a lot localized & lighter, and has more variation and flavor than restaurant food. Some home stays even welcome their guests into their kitchen, and let them watch and participate in the cooking process. Guest have the choice.
Activities: As a guest at a home stay, the focus is on guests, and their likes and preferences. Hosts are very accommodating and will put a great deal of effort into arranging activities that are of interest to guests. These activities will vary depending on location. Exploring a Tea plantation in Darjeeling or Dooars, watching a archery Competition in Bhutan, herding animals in remote northern India, village visits, picnics, and temple tours are just some of the options. Guests are often invited to attend weddings, or other festivals that are happening, as well.
Staying at a home stay in India is all about immersing yourself in India, rather skimming over it on the tourist trail. While the idea of a home stay might sound quaint and alluring, it’s important to choose your home stay wisely. As with most accommodations in India, the quality is very variable. Those who prefer their privacy may feel more relaxed at a home stay that has separate accommodations for guests, rather than rooms in the family home. Also be aware of the type of food that’s served. Some home stays only prepare vegetarian cuisine, which may be an issue for hardcore meat eaters!