3 of the best homestay hotspots in India

For centuries, Indians have been taught to treat guests like gods. the homestay is an extension of this belief, like an open-book lesson about local sights and sounds. here are the trip's vote on the best homestay destinations across India

Swedish actress Melinda Kinnaman (L) is served breakfast by her
homestay host Padma Dolma in Rumbak village, some 30 kms south
east of Leh in Ladakh. Pic/AFP

Coorg
Wake up to the smell of freshly-ground coffee, enjoy a lazy breakfast in bed and treat the house in the middle of a spice plantation in Coorg (or Kodagu) as your own. Dubbed the 'Scotland of India', this hill station in South India boasts of many locals who have thrown open their exquisite homes or farmhouses for you. Located in areas removed from civilisation, these houses give you the cosy atmosphere of own home, without having to deal with pesky hotel staff.

These houses and their residents have their own stories to tell. Help out in the family's plantations and be served a local meal that is spiced up with cardamom and pepper from the surrounding plantations. Be prepared to experience the culture, local lifestyle and history of the place in a way that a hotel rarely provide.

Ladakh
How do people in one of the most isolated, volatile terrains live their lives? Get a warm welcome into a Ladakhi home where the residents are only too glad to share their steaming cup of tea and stories passed on by their ancestors. The locals here rely heavily on tourism for their income, and the homestays are much cheaper than staying in a hotel.

The Himalayan Homestays (www.himalayan-homestays.com) is an endeavour to help locals become self-sufficient and conserve wildlife, especially the endangered Snow Leopard. Check out villages along the Markha and Sham trekking routes that have been trained to make sure that you have one of the most hospitable experiences. A warning, though: these houses might not be fitted with the most modern equipment or even running water. So if your idea of a vacation equates luxury, look elsewhere.

Nagaland
At Shiyong, in the Mon district of Nagaland, you will find a paradox of the 21st century. Members of the Konyak Tribe, the last tattooed, head hunting tribe in the world, have thrown open their doors to welcome outsiders.

Be part of their simple lifestyleu00a0-- milk the cows, pick oranges and lemons, learn the process of plucking tea leaves, dig into a meal made from organically grown farm veggies and experience the intricacies of a tribal lifestyle and culture. Rest assured, the head hunting practice was given up in the mid 1930s, and you will return home in one piece. Visitu00a0 www.shiyongvillage.com foru00a0 details.