Snapshots
Across India’s mountains, coasts, and quiet forests, a quiet revolution in sustainable tourism is unfolding. Many former corporate high-flyers are swapping their lives in corporate glass towers for mud walls, long traffic jams for village trails, and KPIs for fresh produce. They’ve left behind urban comforts and stable salaries to create eco-friendly homestays India is now blooming with. That too, in the country’s remotest corners, spaces where slow travel meets conscious living.
And these are more than mere guesthouses. Powered by solar panels, installed with rainwater harvesting, and soaked in the warmth of a community, these homestays in India are shining bright with their sustainability measures. They not only support local livelihoods and help preserve fragile landscapes, but also prove that success can be measured in so many ways apart from the corporate rat chases.
Why are young people moving out of metros?
After the pandemic, many urban professionals started to doubt the glitzy promise of working and growing in the corporate sector. Once a sign of ambition, the grind today feels empty, characterised by burnout, dwindling personal time, and a persistent alienation from community and environment.
The new generation is now looking for alternatives as a result of rising living expenses in metropolitan areas and a desire for fulfilling employment. For them, fresh air over cubicle lights, hands in soil over keyboards, and the silent fulfilment of creating something concrete that supports people and the planet, is what makes these countryside homestays stand out.
La Villa Bethany, Landour
Nestled within an acre of pine and oak woodland in Landour, La Villa Bethany is a meticulously restored English cottage that evokes a colonial fantasy. If you intend to visit, it's an ideal spot to spend time reading by a roaring fireplace or strolling along ridge walkways. With more than 30 years of experience in hospitality giants like Oberoi, ITDC, ITC, and many foreign training programs, founders Sunita and Amarjeet Kudle provide exceptional warmth to every visit.
Their deep commitment to the place shines through: solar cooking and hot water, 80,000 L rainwater harvesting, local sourcing of crafts and food, and more. If you’re looking for the best eco-friendly homestays India has, this is a perfect place to start.
PaliGhar, Kalimpong
PaliGhar is a mud-and-bamboo homestay in Kalimpong, surrounded by 3.5 acres of rice and maize fields. Painstakingly constructed by childhood friends-turned-partners Ahana Gurung and Kabir Pradhan, it is a sustainable refuge that celebrates heritage, keeps naturally cool, and immerses you in mountain farm life. Using the traditional ikra technique, with mud, straw, dung over bamboo frames, this is a great place to experience eco-tourism in India.
Their two guest cottages, built on land that has been in Kabir's family for many generations, also offer composting lessons, bird-watching walks, Nepali-style cuisine made with farm-fresh ingredients, and a peaceful invitation to take it easy, disconnect, and breathe.
Fernandeswadi, Uran
Rohan Fernandes’s grandfather had a dream; his place - a slice of Goa. And tucked away in Uran’s coconut grove, Fernandeswadi is just that. Oozing with warmth and whimsy, this seaside sanctuary is a perfect retreat. The house brims with upcycled vintage treasures, a breezy balcão wrapping around a screened dip pool, and bedrooms overlooking South Mumbai’s skyline and distant Dronagiri mountain.
If you’re a foodie, this is one of the eco-friendly homestays in India that’ll delight you. Head chef Jharna whips up seasonal, multicultural feasts blending Kutchhi, Goan, and Maharashtrian flavours. Meanwhile, Rohan leads organic tours, birdwatching, and dive-bar explorations, making sure you get a sample of the slow, sustainable life in as many ways as possible. There are many workshops we see on their social media as well, making the stay here perfect for families that want kids to be engaged.
Oh and in case you're looking for quick escapes from Mumbai for an upcoiming long weekend, add this to your list!
The Wild Sakura, Mukteshwar
While other homestays in India generally offer local cuisine, or at least an inspired menu, The Wild Sakura is a bit different. In the long list of stunning homestays in the Himalayas, it stood out to us with a Japanese restaurant serving Ebi Tempura Sushi and Yakitori.
Perched in the quiet hills of Mukteshwar, it’s the Japanese-inspired dream artist Chanpreet Kaur and her pilot partner built together, brick by brick. At this gorgeous homestay, warmth is intentional; woven into sunlit rooms, offering pristine mountain views, and in the scrumptious meals shared. Oh, and did we tell you there are cats and a koi pond? Win-win!
Kudrat, Tirthan Valley
Nestled at 6,200 ft in Tirthan Valley, Kudrat, named for the founders’ daughter, is a fairytale amidst the cedar-scented forests with views of the snow-kissed peaks and in close proximity to the Great Himalayan National Park.
Founders Sudhir and Bhawana poured their souls into the handcrafted sanctuary. The homestay has two offerings, the traditional Wood House in warming Kath-Kuni style and the light-drenched Stone House with its glass skylight. Keeping sustainability in mind, both structures are composed of local stone, deodar wood, and mud plaster to stay cosy year-round. Home-cooked Himachali meals, riverside hikes, and starry bonfires, crafted with warmth and love, are sometimes just what you need. Oh, and did we tell you this is a pet-friendly homestay in Himachal? Make sure you bring your pooch along!
Himalayan Writing Retreat, Satkhol
If you’re a writer, this is going to be the most interesting of the homestays in India for you, we promise! Cradled within Satkhol’s pear orchards and pine-scented hills, Himalayan Writing Retreat is a sanctuary to let your creativity bloom, and if need be, rekindle.
Born from a desire to give creative souls space to breathe, it’s a stunning property where both silence and community inspire your next sentence.
Founded by Dr. Vandita Dubey and her writer husband Chetan Mahajan, this homestay was built for one purpose: to help you tell your story. Apart from Mahajan’s own writing programs, there are many guest lectures, which fill up quite quickly. Keep checking their social media handles for new courses every now and then!
Special mention: North, Naggar
In the deodar-draped hills of Naggar, North is a living experiment in sustainable design, community, and creativity. Founded by architect Rahul Bhushan, it has been welcoming creative commoners and curious celebrities for a while now. This beautiful homestay in Himachal blends the kathkuni architecture, local materials, and indigenous practices into a sustainable setting that respects the land it stands on.
Cabins designed by leading architects sit beside a permaculture farm, and there’s a gorgeous sunlit community kitchen, and oh, the artist residency. The campus is alive with regular workshops, craft training for karigars, and collaborative projects that fuse art, music, and design. Perfect for city folks who need time, space, and energy to find themselves again.