Distinctive and Characterful Accommodations -- Tired of sterile hotels? Homestays offer an unparalleled opportunity to experience the incredibly diversity and delights of India. The options are almost endless and include plantation bungalows, historic havelis (mansions), forts, and remote rural cottages. One on hand, it's possible to stay with a royal family. On the other, a tribal family. There's no better way to interact with Indians from all walks of life!
There's a saying in India, "Athithi Devo Bhava", which means "The Guest is God". Indians consider it a huge honor to have guests in their home, and go out of their way to please them. There's nothing like Indian hospitality. Sadly, most visitors who come to India and stay in hotels never get to experience true Indian hospitality. The good thing is that all this is changing as a result of the growing popularity of homestays in India.
Safety -- If you're a solo female traveler who is visiting India for the first time or are simply concerned about staying safe, you'll have a family who looks after you at a homestay. They'll provide you with advice, and may even pick you up from the airport or provide a car and driver.
Personalized Service -- In contrast to a hotel, a homestay usually only has a few rooms. The family who resides there runs it, and acts as host. This guarantees that guests receive plenty of individual attention. You can spend as little or as much time with the host family as you like. Some guests choose only to dine with them, while others spend hours chatting to them. Regardless, staying with an Indian family is the easiest way of finding out about Indian culture. Many guests and hosts find that they bond with each other so much, they keep in touch long after the vacation is over.
Local Knowledge -- The wealth of information that the hosts have about their local area makes deciding what to see and do a breeze. Such local knowledge is extremely helpful in getting the most from your visit. Many hosts are delighted to show their guests around their local area, providing them with invaluable insights that simply aren't available from a guide book. Hosts usually have reputable contacts and can assist in making travel bookings too.
Home Cooked Food -- There's a huge difference between the Indian food served in restaurants and hotels, and the food that's cooked in an Indian home. By staying at a homestay, you'll be able to taste authentic Indian home cooked food, made to order. It's a lot lighter, and has more variation and flavor than restaurant food. Some homestays even welcome their guests into their kitchen, and let them watch and participate in the cooking process.
Unique Activities -- As a guest at a homestay, the focus is on you, and your likes and preferences. The hosts are typically very accommodating and will put a great deal of effort into arranging activities that are of interest to you. These activities will vary depending on location. Exploring a coffee plantation in Coorg, watching a polo match in Rajasthan, herding animals in remote northern India, village visits, picnics, and temple tours are just some of the options. Guests are often invited to attend weddings as well.
Celebrating Festivals -- The ideal way to celebrate India's many festivals is with an Indian family. You'll gain a deep appreciation and understanding of what the festival is about, as well as get to participate in the rituals associated with it.
Staying at a homestay in India is all about immersing yourself in India, rather skimming over it.
Choosing Your Homestay in India
While the idea of a homestay might sound quaint and alluring, it's important to choose your homestay wisely. As with most accommodations in India, the quality is very variable. Those who prefer their privacy may feel more relaxed at a homestay that has separate accommodations for guests, rather than rooms in the family home. Also be aware of the type of food that's served. Some homestays only prepare vegetarian cuisine, which may be an issue for hardcore meat eaters!
Getting Off the Tourist Trail -- Homestays are commonly located in residential neighborhoods, rather than tourist areas. This means you'll be away from all the tourist traps, touts, scams and other hassles.
Staying at a homestay in India is all about immersing yourself in India, rather skimming over it.
Darjeeling is a town in India's West Bengal state, in the Himalayan foothills. Once a summer resort for the British Raj elite, it remains the terminus of the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy Train,” completed in 1881. It's famed for the distinctive black tea grown on plantations that dot its surrounding slopes. Its backdrop is Mt. Kanchenjunga, among the world’s highest peaks.
This is the only specialized Zoo in the country and is internationally recognized for its conservation breeding programmes of Red Panda, Snow Leopards, Tibetan Wolf and other highly endangered animal species of Eastern Himalaya.
It was formerly known as Himalayan Zoological Park and was established on 14th August, 1958 in Darjeeling (West Bengal) as a joint venture of Govt. of India (Department of Science and Technology) and Govt. of West Bengal (Department of Education). In January, 1972, the Park was converted into a registered Society under West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961 with an understanding that the maintenance cost of the zoo will be shared by the Center and State Government. The Society in May, 1993 was transferred to Department of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal. At the Govt. of India level the Zoological Park is under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The Zoological Park is striving for the maintenance of ecological balance in the Eastern region.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (also called the Darjeeling Zoo) is a 67.56 acres zoo in the town of Darjeeling. An average elevation of 7,000 ft (2,134 mtrs), is the largest high altitude zoo in India. It specialises in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions, and has successful captive breeding programmes for the snow leopard, the critically endangered Himalayan wolf and the red panda. The zoo attracts about 300,000 Visitors every year. The park is named after Padmaja Naidu (1900 to 1975), daughter of Sarojini Naidu. The zoo serves as the central hub for Central Zoo Authority of India's red panda programme and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Open daily (except Thursday) from 8:30am to 4:30pm in summer season, 8:30am to 4pm in winter season. There is an admission fee which is usually combined with that of the HMI located in the same complex.
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was set up following the successful ascent of the Mount Everest-the highest peak in the world by the local hero Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edumund Hillary on 28 May 1953. The oldest mountaineering institute in the country carries out various mountaineering courses every year. Apart from Tenzing, legendary mountaineers like Nawang Gombu (the first man to climb Everest twice) and Lattoo Dorjee Sherpa have helped build the reputation of this pioneering institute. The institute is presently under the purview of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and its museum is worth a visit.
Ghoom is about 7km from Darjeeling town and located at an altitude of about 7,407ft. (or 2,226 meters). Trains from major cities of country to Darjeeling are available. State and private buses and jeeps from Siliguri which ply to Darjeeling.
Toy-Train in Siliguri and get off either at the Ghoom Railway Station or the Darjeeling Railway Station and take a jeep from there. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the monastery by car from Darjeeling town center. Before Ghoom railway station and on the Hill Cart Road (the main road that goes all the way to Siliguri), you will need to take a right turn into a narrow road.
The Chowrasta or the Mall is the heart of Darjeeling town. Located on top of Nehru Road, this is a nice flat land where tourists and locals come to lounge in the sun, take a seat on one of the many benches along the periphery, and watch the wonderful views of the mountain peaks and valleys all around and take the pony ride around the Mall. The Brabourne Park is attached to the Chowrasta and now features a musical fountain. This place is an open space and free from vehicular movements.