The Homestay Culture

The Culture of Homestays as an alternative accommodation has been prevalent in India, mainly in the mountainous regions. An interest that was mainly found among the inbound travellers mostly look for stays that are pocket friendly and reliable where they get to experience the culture of the region and stay with local people in their homes that possess a rich ancestral history of its own.

These homestays are mostly community operated and family-run. Located in the Himalayan belt, our partner Mountain Homestays have actually collaborated with artisans and families and setup a few of these homestays in Ladakh and other parts of India.

The Potter’s Homestay

Who knew the only ceramist family of Ladakh would welcome guests in their house and give them an entire pottery experience besides serving them local delicacies. Rinchen and his family are humble people who have dedicated their life to pottery and art. The Homestay of Rinchen connects his family to the outside world, who not only gets to stay with them but also understand the art in its true form.

The Monastery Homestay

Run by Joint family, the monastery homestay is a bliss and perfect testimony on how even in 21st century, joint families still thrive together. The monastery Homestay is a perfect house to witness 3 generations of a family residing together under one roof. What fun it will be to stay with such hosts and gather as much stories of their day-to-day activities in fields and Phyang Village in Ladakh.

The Astrostays of Ladakh

Famous as Astrostays, this Homestay is a unique and special attempt to try and establish a self-sustaining model where the family operates a 10 inches telescope and conducts Astronomy session in their village at 14000ft in one of the remotest parts of Changthang Valley. The curiosity to learn astronomy and science and share the mystery of space and dark sky with the travellers and the local villagers, is the one main reason that motivates the family to run the Astrostay.

Excuse me, but how is all this transformational?

Empowering the roots

Setting up community or family run homestays, empowers the local’s residents of the destination with additional income, who initially would have never thought of an income activity beyond agriculture and farming. Enabling them with digital support of market linkage and a face-to-face interaction with global travellers, helps them sustain the character of destination and share its story in the truest form with the outside world.

Culture Preservation

Would you ever come to know what a destination has to offer until and unless you witness it in its most authentic form? For instance, a traveller can learn and experience the Ladakhi traditions and culture only if it has been presented to you by locals themselves. The rich heritage of communities is what we are keen on preserving for our future generations to come. Have a cup of Solja (tea) with a Ladakhi family in a Ladakhi khampa (house) is the best possible way once can witness the culture these communities have been safeguarding for years.

Holistic Development

There has always been an imbalance between the tourism industry and the destination it promotes. This has led to excessive consumption of natural resources and irreplaceable damage to the culture and the environment. Tourism revenues should support the destination’s environmental and socio-cultural programs led by equal participation of the locals and stakeholders. To balance that out, homestays creation has proven to be the most reliable and sustainable recurring form of revenue model for local communities.

Homestays are still a new concept for the industry and there is a still a section of travellers that are afraid to try homestays for the comfort and the privacy it may provide unlike a hotel. Keeping aside the luxury and the comfort a hotel can provide, a homestay can be one of the amazing experience you may have had till now. It’s the best to experience culture and at the same time give back to the communities where you visit. Well-managed tourism can enrich communities, help sustain natural habitats, and revitalize elements of cultural heritage.