Best Weekend Getaway from Delhi
With temperatures still reaching 42°C, many areas of Delhi are still suffering from the heatwave. These homestays are excellent options if you’re searching for a weekend away from Delhi to get away from the heat and enjoy the mountain air. These six homestays are ideal for weekend getaways from Delhi, offering stunning views of rivers, waterfalls, and the Kumaon highlands, as well as an array of exciting activities from strenuous treks to wildlife observation.
1. Forest Side Farm, Kotabagh, Uttarakhand
You can avoid the steadily accumulating line of vehicles traveling to Nainital by turning left before the Kosi bridge on the Nainital Road, around five hours’ journey from Delhi. You can reach Kotabagh, a charming village in Uttarakhand, over a beautiful road lined with sal and sagwan trees. Here, there are less cars and people and lots more greenery. The remote homestay Forest Side Farm is located in this peaceful village and is only 40 minutes away by car from Jim Corbett National Park. It is bordered by agriculture. The ground level of the main house, where host Hemanshu Joshi resides, has a two-bedroom suite.
With an additional bed available in the living room for a fee, the roomy apartment can accommodate four adults and two children. Additionally, a separate cottage is ideal for a couple or lone traveler seeking seclusion. Chilli and Blackie, Joshi’s two dogs, who adore mingling with people, reside on the property. He can drive you around Kotabagh to show you the different farms in the area as well as the Dabka and Baur rivers. He can also lead you on leisurely hikes in the forest or take you on a river walk deep into the forest to the Guruni River. You shouldn’t be shocked if you see a leopard, elephant, or spotted deer in the distance given the thick jungle surrounding you.
- Address: Kusha Nawad, Village Patalia, Kotabagh, Nainital. Uttarakhand
- Contact Number: 7310690604, 7247878000
- Booking Now
2. The Himalayan Homestead, Nainital, Uttarakhand
Namita and Yogesh dreamed big and made every effort to fulfill their ambition of returning to their roots in the Kumaon hills. The pair resigned from their city professions in Delhi, packed up their successful school in the foothills, and purchased land 50 kilometers outside of Nainital, close to the Sasbani village on the outskirts of Mukteshwar. The Himalayan Homestead, a lovely homestay for people seeking a leisurely pace amidst the abundance of nature, was constructed here, amidst an oak thicket. Himalayan Homestead, around an eight-hour journey from Delhi, has two cottages and five rooms arranged throughout the main building.
The meal is created with fresh, pesticide-free produce that comes from what they raise and the nearby communities, and it is vegetarian (but eggs are available). For both individuals and groups, Yogesh offers ceramic retreats. Namita teaches baking classes where you may discover the science of vegan baking, make sourdough breads, and bake your own loaf (and bring it home) using a substitute, healthful grains. She will lead you on an uneventful 1.5 km stroll through the Saliyakote forest, up to a peaceful viewpoint where you may also treat yourself to a forest picnic that has been reserved in advance. She is also a skilled birdwatcher.
- Address: Kalapatal, Sasbani (Near Mukteshwar) Uttarakhand, Nainital
- Contact Us: +91 8445439374, +91 8395091234
- Book Now
Also Read: 11 luxurious Indian monsoon resorts worth saving for a long weekend
3. Fagunia, Uttarakhand
Situated in the secluded village of Faguniakhet, Fagunia is a three-bedroom homestay that follows the organic curves of a hill. The hosts, Anil Cherukupalli and Aditi Pokhriyal moved here and rebuilt the house after quitting their corporate positions in Delhi. The homestay is six hour’s drive from Delhi, and getting there can be challenging as well. After automobiles can only go so far, visitors must walk for approximately ten minutes down a tiny cement road, but once you arrive, you’re at the edge of a hill with breathtaking 180-degree views. There is a private pathway from the guesthouse that leads directly to the Fagunia waterfall, which is located at the edge of the property.
There are ceiling fans and heaters in every room; air conditioning is usually not needed in these areas. The lower level has a shared kitchen, the vast garden has an eating area, and Cherukupalli and Pokhriyal have a small farm where they practice permaculture farming. Take a seat with a book in the garden, unwind in a tiny nook behind a kafal tree, or help out on the farm. You may also lounge on the balcony and take in the view of the valley. If you feel like venturing outside, hike for three hours to the nearby local deity’s temple situated atop a mountain.
- Address: Fagunia, 40 Faguniakhet, Bajoon, Uttarakhand
- Book Now
4. Aashraya, Rishikesh
With only the trees and breeze for company, Aashraya is nestled deep among the hills of Uttarakhand in Mahadev Chatti, a riverside hamlet situated north of the bustling streets of Rishikesh and five hours’ journey from Delhi. There are four cottages on the site; Lover’s Pond is one that is a little apart from the others and has a lovely lily pond directly outside. In the Art House, a two-room villa on the property with two double beds that they occasionally rent out for longer periods, host Depi Chaudhry resides with his co-host and daughter Aditi.
Every room has an ensuite bathroom, a shower, comfortable beds with duvets, electric blankets, air conditioning, and heaters. Due to the property’s remote location, WiFi is not available, but 4G internet is reliable here. Take a plunge in the river and have a picnic lunch at a river beach approximately 4km away, catered by the hosts and staff. Savor intimate candlelit dinners beneath a tree near the property or enjoy bonfires. There are a number of leisurely treks and excursions available here, such as a short journey of ten minutes to a stunning waterfall that follows the traditional Badrinath walking route.
5. Southgate Kasauli
For those who prefer to travel slowly, Kasauli is a great weekend getaway from Delhi (about a six-hour drive away), with its old bazaar, colonial churches, gabled homes, and numerous hiking trails. Southgate Kasauli, a private home nestled in the Kasauli hills, is the perfect place to experience the town the old-fashioned way. The three-story house has several different ways to stay: you can reserve a room, a floor, or the full property, which has two floors, four bedrooms, two living rooms, and numerous balconies. The top story is occupied by Gautam Dhawan, the owner.
In 2013, Dhawan turned his family’s house into a homestay for those who share his values. Originating from Himachal and Uttarakhand, the chefs at Southgate have received training from Dhawan and are proficient in preparing a wide range of dishes, including puddings, pavlovas, parathas, and puris, in addition to their signature regional thalis that are highly appreciated by the patrons. With the exception of the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands, the Dagshai Heritage Museum in the nearby Cantonment town is the only jail museum in mainland India and provides insight into the colonial history of the area. Not far away lies the old Mohan Meakin brewery, the source of the Old Monk Rum, for those with an interest in another kind of history.
You can spend hours observing exotic species like the Verditer flycatcher, Yellow-billed magpie, Wood Rocker, and Himalayan bulbuls in and around the villa. The Southgate region is well-known for its birdwatching opportunities. The ideal approach to take use of the beautiful setting and the friendly personnel is to have picnics in the grounds or other areas designated by the host nearby.
- Address: Southgate Kasauli, Kasauli main road
- Book Now
