Why you should stay at a Homestay in Northeast India

North-East India comprises of eight states - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim - each with its own distinct cultures, languages, and traditions. North- East India is a captivating region that offers a unique blend of cultural richness, stunning landscapes, and diverse experiences.  Since as recent as 2017, there has been a tourism boom in many of the North-Eastern states including Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland. We have witnessed a trend of many domestic tourists visiting and promoting the area.

North-East India is renowned for its stunning landscapes, including the majestic Himalayas, lush valleys, and serene lakes. Every state in the North-East is unique in  its own way and  has a lot to offer; from the cleanest village in Asia to the world’s third highest mountain peak, the first sunrise of India to the rainiest place on the planet, from the only floating national park in the world to the lush tea gardens with a prestigious GI tag.  Each state offers visitors a different experience unlike any they have had anywhere else.

Apart from the natural beauty of the North-East region, travellers should also experience the unique cultures in every state in the North-East with their own cuisines, festivals, traditions, etc.  One of the best ways to do so is by staying in a homestay while visiting Northeast India. The advantage of  choosing a homestay in  the Northeast is that the Northeast people, by and large, are very good hosts and good hospitality comes very naturally to them. This may be the reason, you see so many people from the North-East in the hospitality sector in the cities including restaurants, spas, hotels and even in Nursing. Apart from the hospitality, guests also get to experience first hand the day to day lives of the host family they are staying with, eat the food they are having and on many occasions drink the local drink too !!. Every state of the Northeast has its own distinct language, script, literature, traditions and culture which makes staying at a homestay a great way to explore different cultures and truly live like a local .

Here are a few good reasons why you should opt for a homestay experience over a hotel when visiting North-East India:

1. Integration of Culture:

When you choose to stay at a homestay it brings you into direct contact with the locals from the region and helps foster integration between communities. This provides guests and travellers with a deep insight into the host’s cultural background, native traditions, regional language and their day to day way of  life. This  experience enables them to have a one on one interaction where both sides get a glimpse of their respective worlds.  It helps bridge the gap between cultures that has been largely misunderstood by the larger Indian diaspora as a whole. The experience brings you in close contact with your host family and helps assimilate the differences we face geographically and culturally.

2. Non-commercial but rather intimate and personalised:

As opposed to a hotel stay, which can often feel quite aloof and impersonal; a homestay experience will always make you feel more comfortable and at home as many hosts tend to go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Hosts can also make suggestions based on their local know-how about regional attractions and places of interest. With knowledge of the region, they can offer valuable insights on hidden gems and help interpret the local norms and nuances that may not always be in generic travel guides.
A homestay being a less commercial establishment than a hotel or lodge, will oftentimes be a more value for money option for many adventure seekers. It is also an excellent way to explore a particular region, especially if there is high demand and the hotel tariffs in that area are expensive. The experience of staying at  a homestay will be tailored more to your personal preference, rather than a generic one.

3. Must try local cuisine and sometimes even learn how to make them !!

Eating the same restaurant food can oftentimes be the most repetitive thing during a holiday and can also lead to stomach problems. During a long holiday, many travellers yearn for simple, less oily home food. When you are staying at a homestay, you get to eat the local homemade food, which is generally less oily than the hotel food. You can also make special requests like less oily, less spicy, etc. You will also most likely get to taste different vegetables, dishes if you stay for a longer time.In some cases, many hosts are happy to teach guests how to make fresh indigenous home-cooked meals like momos, etc.  Most homestays will include meals with your stay, giving you a taste of the local gastronomy without having to visit restaurants. As a guest, you can also get access to witness the traditional methods of food preservation like smoking (pork, beef, chicken and fish) and fermentation (of bamboo shoots, fish and wines) in many parts of North-East India

4. Helps the local economy thrive:

When you stay at a homestay you are directly  supporting  local families and providing them meaningful employment. The homestay sector contributes to community-based tourism which in turn helps the local economy thrive. Homestays most often provide a source of  income (secondary if not the primary source) for local hosts. This can be especially important in rural or less economically viable areas where traditional 9 to 5 job opportunities are unavailable. Guests that opt to stay at a homestay are more likely to spend money within the local community. This could mean eating meals in house at the property or at nearby restaurants within the locality, purchasing goods from local shops, or participating in the community activities and tours. This additional spending prompts economic activity for the area, creating  a pool of new job roles  within that community. These can include roles in hospitality, transportation, food services, supply chain and related sectors.

5. Support Sustainable Tourism:

Homestays are set up to promote sustainable tourism and at the same time preserve the culture and traditions of a region. They provide an incentive for locals to conserve their traditional ways of life and keep it going. Homestays also play an  important role in improving the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of an area. Not only do they help create a middle path - a balance between nature conservation and economic development they also foray a direct approach that builds a  personal connection between visitors and local families. This creates a more equitable division of the economic benefits of the Tourism sector for everyone involved.

Select Homestays in North-East India:

Although each homestay is beautiful and  unique in its own way; here are a few shortlisted ones that stand out and are worth mentioning. However, it is a good idea to always research on your own based on your particular requirements and the region you intend to explore.

Hewly Homestay, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh:

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Namsai, Hewley homestay is a serene haven hosted by Mrs Sinawati Mungyak, a teacher and President of the Namsai Women's Welfare Society. She started her homestay in 2014 after the suggestion of her friends and colleagues who were frequent visitors to her home. It is one of the first homestays to be registered by the Tourism Department of Arunachal Pradesh and it served as a pioneer for others to follow in its path. 
Mrs Sinawati has been a champion for the upliftment of women and has been a crusader of change for women in her community. She believes that  homestays are a great way for women to empower themselves and  financially support their families

Her love for hosting and meeting new people is evident from her beautifully decorated home and garden and the delectable meals she rustles up for her visitors. Belonging to the Tai Khamti tribe, the food she serves her guests is a reflection of her cultural heritage like pha mon or steamed fish,  numu phon or steamed pork and bamboo rice with smoked meat.

Siro Homestay, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh:

Home to the Apatani tribe, an ethnic group of people who live in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh, lies Siro Homestay - a humble and modest abode. The place embodies the very essence of a homestay with its lovely host Mr Chadda who is a very warm and amicable person. He is a treasure trove of knowledge about his tribe and their culture and traditions. The homestay has small individual huts made of bamboo and natural material which serve as guest rooms. In the evenings one can convene in the spacious traditional kitchen besides the warm glow of the fire on the hearth; to interact with the family members and other guests over a cup of hot tea.The rooms are clean and well maintained with provision for heaters as it tends to get quite cold in the evenings.
The property lies among picturesque rolling hills and forested areas and has its own vegetable garden. One also gets to learn a lot about the Apatani tribe, their food habits and ways of life when staying at Siro Homestay.

Boscobel Homestay, Shillong, Meghalaya:

Boscobel Homestay in Shillong is an old colonial house that was built by the British tea planters in 1942 and was eventually bought by a Khasi family in 1961. The homestay is located in the bustling Laithumkhra neighbourhood and is run by a fantastic mother daughter team. The property being a heritage building which is over a hundred years old, maintains its old world charm with its antique decor and furniture. 
The hosts do a wonderful job of keeping it well maintained at the same time serving lip smacking home cooked meals made by the host Ms Mayborn herself.

Lunchok Farms, Kewzing, South Sikkim:

Lungchok Farms is a cosy and rustic homestay with a beautiful view of the Himalayas.  It is an amazing place for bird watchers and writers who want to get away from city life and stay in the midst of nature. Being a farm it's natural that the place grows its own produce from fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits like kiwi, cashew, oranges and avocados. 
The host Mrs Mingma is an erudite lady with many years of experience, having worked in the Tourism Department of Sikkim. 
What sets Lungchok Farms apart is the fact that you get to try many local vegetables that are native to the region like stinging nettle, fiddlehead ferns, yams, chayote squash etc straight from the farm to your plate. All these vegetables and fruits are grown organically  with no pesticides used as Sikkim is a 100% organic state.  

Palighar Homestay, Kalimpong, West Bengal:

PaliGhar farmstay is located on the outskirts of Kalimpong town at Lower Echhey.  It is a place where travellers can get an opportunity to experience authentic  Nepali culture, heritage and cuisine.
Guests get to indulge in a slow way of life in the mountains that have their own pace; by getting hands-on experiences in the fields, visiting neighbouring villages, interacting with the local community members, nature therapy and learning more about the rural lifestyle. The name PaliGhar was coined combining two words  - Pali & Ghar. 'Pali' has been derived from the word 'Nepali' which is one of the oldest languages and  'Ghar' in Nepali means  'home.' The golden-brown shades of the farmstay logo represents the earthy colour of the mud- plastered cottages of PaliGhar. The property is hosted by Mr Kabir Pradhan and his family who are the sixth generation residing there since the early 1900s. Through PaliGhar he and his family aim to showcase their love for education, art,  wildlife, conservation, horticulture & floriculture, travel & hospitality and work tirelessly to protect their roots  of Nepali heritage.

In Conclusion:

The demand for homestay tourism has been steadily growing over the years. With better connectivity, transport and infrastructure development in North-East India, it is expected that the tourism trend will continue to rise. These unique homestays in North-East India will hopefully still be able to maintain their charm and hospitality even with the multi-fold rise in demand.

If  you are looking for a list of such unique properties across North-East India, we have curated a list of the best properties in different locations in North-East India:

1.    Top 5 homestays in Shillong for best local experience
2.    5 beautiful homestays in offbeat Sikkim
3.    10 Best Resorts in Cherrapunjee
4.    12 best homestays in Tawang
5.    7 affordable homestays in Meghalaya for an authentic local experience
6.    Top 7 homestays in Lachung, North Sikkim

Written by Prerna. S:

Prerna, a seasoned travel & hospitality expert, isn't just a writer – she's a curator of experiences. Leading OurGuest's operations at The Barfung Retreat, she leverages her extensive background at Taj, Hyatt, ITC, and more. A Master's graduate in English Literature, Prerna's passion for storytelling is fueled by her childhood spent traversing India with her police officer father. Fluent in Bengali, Hindi, English, and Nepali, she fosters genuine connections across cultures. Join Prerna as she unveils the hidden gems and vibrant soul of Northeast India, one captivating story at a time.

For a customized North-East India tour experience you can contact us at +91-7669503993 or email to contact@ourguest.in