Sustainable Homestay

Watching unchecked construction strain Himachal’s hills, an NIT Hamirpur graduate chose a different path. His homes draw from time-tested Himalayan techniques to build structures that suit the land, climate, and communities they stand on.

When Sudhir and Bhawana were travelling around the world, they realised the mountains were where they belonged. So, they built a sustainable home in the forests of Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh.

From jungle hideouts to misty mountain retreats, these treehouse stays let you trade Wi-Fi for birdsong and glass walls for green canopies — without giving up comfort.

Filmmakers Raman Siddhartha and Manju Narayan returned to Himachal to build Kosen Rufu Village Recluse — a sustainable homestay made of local mud, bamboo, and slate, guided by the late eco-architect Delia Kinzinger. Here’s how they created an off-grid haven rooted in tradition and community.

Prithviraj Singh Rana has opened his 500-year-old ancestral Garhwal home in Raithal village as a homestay, showcasing the earthquake-resistant Koti Banal architecture. Guests experience not just heritage design, but also local culture through farm-fresh meals, hands-on farming, and scenic Himalayan treks led by Prithviraj himself.

Vivek and Sadhna wanted a life closer to nature, so they left the city and built Idika, a 98% natural eco farmstay near Hyderabad. Made from mud-filled cement bags and furnished with reclaimed wood, the space shows how sustainable living can feel beautiful and modern.

Ajit Mishra transformed a denuded 20-acre plot in Malshej Ghat into Nehamrit Farms — a thriving agrotourism destination featuring over 1,500 fruit-bearing and indigenous trees. Supported by his family, the farm offers eco-friendly accommodations, organic farm-to-table dining, and interactive experiences, blending sustainability with rural charm.

What happens when a journalist and a rafting pioneer fall in love with a forest? They built Off The Grid — a homestay with no electricity, no fences, and no shortcuts. Nestled 60 km from Dandeli, this solar-powered retreat is a quiet rebellion against everything fast, noisy, and artificial.

In Himachal’s Keylong, Tanzin Bodh (32) restored an 80-year-old mud home into ‘Zomsa’, a sustainable homestay managed by locals. Along with reviving mud architecture, he is empowering women artisans through handlooms and preserving Himachal’s cultural heritage.

Cocooned by oak and rhododendron forests, Jilling Terraces in Uttarakhand offers a mountain escape rooted in sustainability. From locally sourced food to mindful architecture that features wood, mud and stone cottages, Jilling Terraces reflects a deep respect for nature and community.