Homestays in Darjeeling: What to expect – A homestay in Darjeeling is typically an extension of the house of a local. The landlord and his family would stay in one part of the property while there will be separate rooms for guests. Most time the dining room and even the living room would be common so that you can interact with the owner’s family when you stay there. In several such homestays, you can also join a family member in the kitchen and lend your hand in cooking if you so want. Or learn from the family how to prepare local Nepali food which is often delicious. In the evening when you are back after sightseeing or shopping, you can sit with the family members in the living room, chat and watch TV. Dreamway Destinations can identify locations as per guests choice.
So a homestay in Darjeeling is all about staying in a local home, experiencing and enjoying Darjeeling using the ways and eyes of the locals. You can dine with the local family, even participate in their day to day life to get insight into their lives and culture, and of course have delicious homemade food in a homely environment. This is an experience which is completely different from a hotel. Do not expect professional service like of a hotel, instead you will get lots of love and caring from the family. By allowing tourists in their houses, such local families have decided on a different way of living life where they need to spend a lot of time with outsiders as part of their day-to-day life. Here are some of the nice home stays within Darjeeling town.
Tathagata Home Stay: Located 45 minutes away from Darjeeling town, The Tathagata Farmhouse is nestled among the dazzling views of the Himalayas and with the idyllic serenity of a tea farm estate of Darjeeling. The place is best to explore the nature trails leading to sparkling waterfalls or simply relax with a book on your cabin’s porch as you soak-up the fresh mountain air and quietude of rural India. The Tathagata farm is a homestay property which is working on the initiative to support and sustain economic growth of the popularly known Mineral Spring, which began about 4 years ago.
Hidden Gem Residency (Mirik): This picturesque little home-stay, overlooking an exotic tea-estate, surrounded by hills and snow-covered mountain peaks is the perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of routine-bound urban life and breath in the pure air to rejuvenate oneself. Situated near Mirik, Darjeeling, one of the best hill-stations of India, the property offers homely comfort as well as luxurious vacation time.
Happy Valley Homestay: Located 15-minute walk from the lower town market area, this home stay takes you to a quiet and tranquil residential area where you will stay in a family home. The owner’s family stays in the same house at the top floor and will welcome you like members of the family. You will get a great opportunity of staying in a local home, spend few days of your life the way the real natives do here in Darjeeling and eating delicious local homemade food. And all this while you stay within walking distance to several great tourist attractions of Darjeeling giving your a great location advantage.
Palmajua: Is a hidden Himalayan village located at an altitude of 7300 feet. This is a halting place for trekkers and for those, who seek for a place in Himalaya which offers peace and calm beautiful forested land and breathtaking views of the snowcapped peaks. From Manebhanjan, Palmajua is another 25 kilometers and takes about 01 hour by car. Actually Palmajua lies in the fringe of the well known Singalila National Park which is the home to amazing animals like Red Panda, Pangolins and lot more, and close to 50 species of birds like Grey headed Canary Flycatcher, Blue capped Rock Thrush (female) Blue Whistling Thrush, yellow napped woodpecker. Someone may visit Lepchajagat, Darjeeling, Rangeet Majua, Srikhola from here.
Himalayan Inn: A small cozy home stay run by a local Nepali couple. There are only two rooms which are well furnished yet simple having attached bath with western style toilet, geyser and shower. Views of the mountains is great. If you are looking for a cozy budget homestay which is close to the town center (Chowrasta Mall) yet far enough from the crowd, then this can be a great choice.
Pahari Soul Homestay: Located 3 kilometers from the main town of Darjeeling and on the Hill Cart Road, this homestay is run by a lady out of her passion, and offers a wonderful view of Kanchenjunga snow peaks from all its rooms and the private balconies. At the same time you enjoy a quiet stay while being close to the town center which is easily accessible in 15 minutes by shared jeeps that ply all the time. The homestay offers simple homemade food and a nice peaceful environment on a hillside.
Latpanchar Home Stay: Now Latpanchar is very popular for Bird Watching. Its called Bird watcher’s paradise. If you want to come for bird watching or and want to enjoy the silent beauty of nature then you must visit latpanchar. This homestay run by Mr. M.S.Subba and Mr. Sabir Subba & his family. Here you will get a very warm and friendly reception. The rooms of latpanchar homestay is not so luxurious but very clean. Food will give a local flavour to you. Attractions here include treks through Mahananda Wildlife Sancuary, visit to sunrise point just 3 kilometers away and discovering the natural habitat of the endangered Himalayan Salamander and three types of hornbills.
Samir’s Homestay: Samir, a young man and his family have built a 2-room cottage on the roof of their house to offer a great homestay to tourists. The view of Kanchenjunga from the open terrace right in front of the rooms as well as from the windows of the rooms is simply awesome. The homestay has the advantage of facing the east and is located below the Mall road which is one of the best view locations in Darjeeling. Both rooms are nicely appointed with wood paneling, modern furnishing including wi-fi and attached western toilets giving them a very cozy feel. There is also a fully equipped kitchen in case you want to cook your own meals. The family however makes excellent homemade breakfast.
Nestle Homestay: This small homestay with only three rooms is located in a quiet locality below the lower town area, although within walking distance from the main market as well as several great tourist attractions. The native retired couple that runs the homestay are exceedingly hospitable, warm and caring and will make you feel perfectly at home. The view of the adjoining hills and the township from the terrace is wonderful, and the homemade food is delicious.
Lamahatta Home Stay: Lamahatta has been developed as an eco-tourism place in late 2012. This roadside mountain village, its vast stretching forests of dhupi & pines, and the magnificent views of the peaks and rivers around. Soon with support from the state government, the villagers and forest protection teams worked together to create a lovely tourist place. Lama in Lamahatta stands for Buddhist monk and Hatta for hut – a monk’s hermitage.
Snowlion Homestay: It’s located on Gandhi road and only few minutes walk from the Mall (or Chowrasta). The local Tibetan family stays in the property at the top floor. The rooms are simple and nice. You will be invited to the family dining room to take your breakfast. This is from where you get nice view of the snow mountains on a clear day. View from the roof-top terrace is also great. The rooms have been renovated with Italian floor tiles, pine wood paneling on the walls etc. There is 24-hours hot water in the bathrooms having geysers. There is no restaurant in the Snowlion Homestay, neither they serve any meals other than breakfast. But being located centrally, there are plenty of restaurants within easy walk.
Bunkulung Home Stay: Nestled in the lap of nature, just 15 kms from Mirik lies a picturesque Himalayan hamlet surrounded by rivers and hills. You need nothing more to pacify your tired soul rather than the miles of paddy fields and green millet spread over the slopes of the mountains, the Murmah Khola and Balasun River crisscrossing the village, scores of ponds and water tanks for trout farming. You enjoy a dip in the rivers and sit, take long walks in the nearby tea gardens, and watch the clouds and sun playing hide and seek over the verdant green mountains all around this village.
Singell Home Stay (Location: Kurseong): This tiny home stay is located at the Singell Tea Estate in Kurseong, on a cliff with wonderful views of the tea gardens, surrounding mountains and the valleys. The Moktan family will take care of all your needs with a smile. They are very friendly. The rooms are basic, but nice & clean and bathrooms are of western style. Food is prepared by the family members Lathika and Aruna, and served in their dining room where you can chat with the family and know about their lifestyle. You can enjoy tea garden and tea factory tours, local sightseeing etc. They will organize all that.
Riverside Dwelling: Riverside Dwelling is an eco-friendly offbeat homestay in Darjeeling hill station located on the bank of River Rangbang. We are situated in the midst of world famous Darjeeling tea bushes and the lush green landscape which makes it one of the best off beat destinations in the hills of Darjeeling.The camping in the river side is the best way to take rest from the daily routine. Yoga and meditation for your tired mind, body and soul. Yoga and meditation by the riverside has charm of its own. Bird watching also can be as relaxing as a sitting in your yard or as vigorous as a hike in the bushes
Makaibari Tea Estate Homestays (Location: Kurseong): The garden workers and villagers in the tea estate have extended their own homes and have made nice clean rooms with western style attached toilets to accommodate guests. They have done so with active support of the Tea Estate management. You will be able to mix with the family, have nice homemade food and at the same time experience & enjoy the tea garden life, nature and village culture.
Manebhanjan Homestay (Location: Manebhanjan): Keshav Gurung and his wife run this home stay – two rooms upstairs. The family stays in the ground floor. The rooms are nice and clean with attached western style toilets. The views from the roof top terrace are wonderful. You will enjoy home made food and cordiality of the family. Keshav also runs tours and treks, so that’s an added opportunity. He will arrange for all your transports and other needs.
Latpanchar Homestays (Location: Latpanchar): Padam Gurung runs his 2-storied homestay (Hornbill Nest) at Latpanchar with three rooms upstairs with attached bath. Rooms are spacious, have 3 beds but quite basic. The dining room and kitchen are located downstairs. Padam Gurung’s family prepares simple yet tasty Nepali food (both veg and non-veg). About half a kilometer from here and on a hilltop, there is another property at Ahaldara – three nice cottages with balconies offering lovely views of mountain landscapes. Food is prepared by the local villagers (there is no room service though, neither TV or geysers in any of these).
Kettle Valley (Dilaram): Situated close to Kurseong in Dilaram in Darjeeling district is best for nature lover. The nearest post office is Tung and its in a place called Chowkidara just by the side of Hill Cart Road. Nearby Tea Estate is Dayal Thong Tea Garden in West Bengal. It is the family home of the Chhettri’s. Located nearly 10 kilometers from Kuseong on the way to Darjeeling away from the crowd. It’s a 2 minutes’ walk from the motorable Hill Cart Road. The family has converted two rooms into comfortable guest rooms with western style toilets in a rural ambiance. Rooms have private balcony facing the Kurseong town and the far pristine hills of Sandhaphu & Mirik. During winter one can have a view of snow covered Himalaya from this stay.
Sittong: The Orange Village situated in deep valley beside Riyang River. One of the most untouched parts of the Darjeeling Himalayan foothills, Sittong is a treasure trove yet to be discovered. This little picturesque Lepcha village lies is a valley crisscrossed by a rivulet (Khola) and guarded by lush green hills. Every house in Sittong has a garden and every garden has orange trees. The whole village turns onto yellow during the winter. Visiting Sittong is like time travelling – there’s a bamboo bridge, a church, some winding village paths skirting through orange orchards and few meandering streams and a rivulet, which the locals love to call Riyang River.
Takdah (Humro Home): This is a Homestay about a Kilometer away from the Takdah market on the way towards Tinchuley. The Takdah and Tinchuley are two villages just about 3 km apart. This Homestay is located almost midway between the two villages. So you can take a walk to visit either Takdah or Tinchuley from here. Takdah is the headquarters of the Rangli Rangliot development block. Takdah Cantonment has an orchid center where a variety of rare Himalayan orchids are cultivated. This center has been the favourite of tourists visiting Takdah. The nearest tea gardens are Rungli, Giele and Teesta Valley tea gardens. The main junction of Takdah is called Dara Dokan
In between one can visit places in North Bengal like Baggura, Chimney, Chatakpur, Mamring, Bara Mangwa, Bees Gaon, Bhalukhop, Bunkulung, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Chapramari, Charkol, Chatakpur, Chibo, Chilapata, Chimeni, Chota Mangwa, Dara Eco Village, Darjeeling, Delo, Dhupjhora, Dilaram, Doban, Fagu Tea Bungalow, Gahunbari, Galeythar, Garuchira, Gour, Gumti Gaon, Hanspokhri, Holumba Haven, Icchey Gaon, Jaldapara, Jayanti, Jhandi, Jorepokhri, Kaagey, Kalimpong, Kalipur, Kolakham, Kulik Bird Sanctuary, Kurbia, Kurseong, Lamahatta, Latpanchar, Lava, Lepchajagat, Lolegaon, Runglee Rungliot, Kurseong town, Makaibari, Malbazar, Mangerjang, Mekhliganj Tea Resort, Mirik, Mongpong, Murti, Mulkarkha Lake Trek, Munsong, Pabong, Paren, Pedong, Rajabhatkhawa, Ramdhura, Rangaroon, Rangbang, Rasikbill, Reshikhola, Rikisum, Rishop, Rongbull, Samsing, Sangsey, Selim Hill, Serrani Tea Bungalow, Sherpa Gaon, Sillery Gaon, Singell, Sitong, Tabakoshi, Takdah, Terjum, Thurrup, Tinchuley, Tiya Bon, Tumling, Tuttidara, Zurrantee, etc
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