Mahindra Homestays have prepared this special seven day itinerary, which can be tailored to suit your requirements. Instead of sharing your experience with a large group of tourists you will be able to enjoy your own private tour using local drivers and staying with Indian families in their beautiful homestays. Enjoy their warm hospitality and delicious home cooked cuisine as they share local highlights that you won’t find in any guidebook.  This itinerary combines fantastic value with responsible tourism.

Special offer
This itinerary is currently on special offer with a 50% discount on the featured homestay accommodation valid until 15th October 2010. The package offer price is from £515 / 36200 INR / $795 USD and can be customised to suit your needs.

Accommodation only
Indian guests who don’t require ground transport may wish to to take this tour as an accommodation only package . The cost for 9 days starts at an astonishing Rs 16400. Accommodation only package rates are available on other routes as well.

Day One: Delhi
On your arrival in Delhi you will be transferred to the Darshan Homestay where you will enjoy the warm hospitality of your hosts Col. Mohinder Walia and his wife, Sonia Walia in their sun-lit home. Suggested activities for the day include discovering the Indian art of Henna application, participating in an Indian cooking class or shopping in the local art and craft shops.

Day Two: Delhi
Spend your second day in Delhi exploring and discovering some of its most famous sites. Visit the Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, Ladhi Garden and the Red Fort. Your own private driver will be available all day to take you to the sites you choose to visit.

Day Three: Agra
Travel from Delhi to Agra, home to India’s most iconic landmark the Taj Mahal. Make sure you also visit the Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daula’s Tomb. Once again your own personal driver will accompany you around the city. Spend the night at the delightful Garden Villa, where you can enjoy tea in their lovingly maintained garden.

Day Four: Corbett
Arriving in Corbett you will be welcomed by Bunny and Amu in their sprawling farm bordering the Corbett National Park. Wheat, sugarcane, litchis, mangoes and a variety of other fruits and plants flourish around The Homestead and you can enjoy the day relaxing by the pool, enjoying the spa or getting involved with the activities on the farm.

Day Five: Corbett
Take a trip to the Jim Corbett National Park, a favourite getaway for explorers and wildlife lovers. The park houses many endangered species such as tigers, chital and sambar. Explore the landscape on a jeep or elephant safari and keep your camera ready with stunning panoramic views of the Shivalik and the Himalayas.

Day Six: Corbett
Spend the day exploring, take a bullock cart ride or cycle around the 150 acres farm. Fishing enthusiasts can take a short trip to a nearby river. A popular sport with the family, you will have plenty of records to try and break.

Day Seven: Delhi
Return you back to Delhi for your flight back home.

Your north India tour includes:
Six nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, with your choice of a delicious home cooked Indian meal at either lunch or dinner time daily. A private driver will be available for all ground transfers which includes airport pick up and drop off, inner city travel and sight seeing throughout the day. You will also be able to enjoy complimentary internet access, laundry services and tea or coffee anytime during the day as part of the package.

Special offer
This itinerary is currently on special offer with a 50% discount on the featured homestay accommodation valid until 15th October 2010. The package offer price is from £515 / 36200 INR / $795 USD and can be customised to suit your needs. The normal price for this itinerary is £680 / 47,770 INR / $1,040 USD so book now to grab a bargain! If you would like to create your own bespoke itinerary contact our travel experts who will be happy to assist you.

India Sojourn – North India Tour Telephone Reservation Assistance:
Open from Monday through Saturday from 09.00 – 17.00 (GMT).

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The monsoon season has arrived in India and with that in mind we’re offering a monsoon magic discount on Mahindra Homestays bookings.

This huge discount applies to bookings between 1st July and 15th October, you’ll get a massive 50% off the usual price! This offer applies to the majority of our homestay properties.

It’s the perfect excuse for a bargain break to experience the diversity of India. While you can expect some rain the monsoon doesn’t mean it will be raining all day and there are plenty of activities you can enjoy even while it is wet. You will find nature at it’s best with waterfalls and lakes at their most spectacular.

Just go over to our main site, choose a homestay that’s taking part in the offer, pick your preferred travel dates and see the discount price appear. Click and reserve your accommodation.

We also have three special India tours that are on special offer as part of the monsoon magic promotion:

Explore beautiful southern India with our South India Tour: The Kerala Spice Trail.

Enjoy the mesmerizing beaches of Goa with our Goa Holiday Tour: Go Goa!

Visit Delhi, Agra and Corbett and experience some of India’s most beautiful highlights with our Indian Sojourn: A North Indian Tour.

There has never been a better time to book a homestay experience.
So book now – this is a limited time offer and conditions apply.

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Indian guests booking a Mahindra Homestay this summer will receive a fabulous free gift with our great summer bonanza.

This promotion rewards guests staying in a homestay in April, May and June.

When you make a booking for INR 7,500 you will receive a free spa voucher worth INR 4,000. You can return from your trip to a relaxing spa experience. Your free spa voucher enables you to experience various spa treatments including Aromatherapy Massage, an Indian Head Massage, a relaxing foot massage and a Facial. The entire spa experience voucher is worth up to INR 4000 and is valid at select Spas across the country.

When you make a homestay booking for INR 10,000 you will be eligible to receive a designer watch. Flaunt a sleek Giordano Men’s watch with a dual timer and soft leather strap or choose the  ladies  option of a sophisticated Foce watch with a Mother of Pearl dial and an ornamental strap. These watches are worth INR 7,500 each.

If you spend INR 14,000 you will receive a branded dinner set from Art d’inox of the famous Jindal Stainless Ltd. The dinner set is a 31 piece collection with 6 full plates and 6 quarter plates, side bowls, serving bowls, serving spoons and napkin holder Made of superior steel and ceramic, this dinner set looks very classy and is worth INR 19,999.

To find out more about these special summer offers and to read the terms and conditions visit our Summer Bonanza page

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Explore beautiful southern India with our Wonders of Kerala tour. From relaxing on golden beaches to trekking through the National Parks you will be able to sample some of the best of southern India.

Mahindra Homestays have prepared this special nine day itinerary, which can be tailored to suit your interests. Instead of sharing your experience with a large tour group you will be able to enjoy your own private tour using local drivers and staying with Indian families in their beautiful homestays. They will  be happy to share with you the local highlights and will welcome you with warm hospitality and delicious home cooked cuisine. This itinerary combines fantastic value with responsible tourism.

Day One: Cochin
On your arrival in Cochin you will be picked up and taken to Noah’s Ark homestay where your hosts Jerry and Diana Kocherry will welcome you into their bright and cheerful home. Spend the afternoon sightseeing, the Chinese Fishing Nets and beach are just five minutes away, or take a tour to Vasco De Gama’s burial ground. St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica or the Dutch cemetery which are also popular local sites to visit.

Day Two: Cochin
Spend the day relaxing on the beach and exploring the local area. Enjoy a local cultural show with a music and dance recital and perhaps enjoy some shopping in Ernakulam.

Day Three: Munnar
After an early start visit an Elephant Training Camp travel along winding hilltop roads to Munnar where you will check into the Royal Mist Homestay where you will find a warm welcome and spectacular views waiting for you. The combination of Munnar’s refreshing climate, its High Range hilltops and luxuriant spice and tea gardens makes it an exceptional holiday destination.

Day Four: Munnar
Spend the day shopping for spices and visit the beautiful Kodagu Valley.

Day Five: Munnar
Enjoy a visit to the Rajamalai National Park, Tea Museum and Athukadu Waterfalls. There are many activities offered around Munnar and your homestay hosts will be happy to make arrangements for you.

Day Six: Alleppey
Travel back to the coast and check in at Vembanad House which enjoys beautiful views of the backwaters. With its interconnecting canals and wealthy trading history, Alleppey is often known as “The Venice of the East”. Visit a 16th century Church and spend the evening at the beach.

Day Seven: Alleppey
Enjoy some of the wide activities on offer such as a cooking class, temple visit, exploring the backwaters with a canoe, visiting the local bird sanctuary or trying your luck with some fishing.

Day Eight: Alleppey
A day to relax, why not try an Ayurvedic Massage or go shopping in Alleppey Town?

Day Nine: Alleppey
Travel back to Cochin for your journey home having enjoyed some of the wonders of Kerala.

Your Wonders of Kerala tour includes:
Nine nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, with your choice of a delicious home cooked Indian meal at either lunch or dinner time daily. A private driver will be available for all ground transfers which includes airport pick up and drop off, inner city travel and sight seeing throughout the day. You will also be able to enjoy complimentary internet access, laundry services and tea or coffee anytime during the day as part of the package.

The total package price for this itinerary is from £670 / 47,625 INR / $1040 USD and can be customised to suit your needs and any specific accommodation requirements you have. If you would like to create your own bespoke itinerary contact our travel experts who will be happy to assist you.

Wonders of Kerala Tour Telephone Reservation Assistance:
Open from Monday through Saturday from 09.00 – 17.00 (GMT).

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1. *SPECIAL OFFER* South India Tour: The Kerala Spice Trail
2. Golden Triangle India – your own private tour
3. *SPECIAL OFFER* Indian Sojourn – A North India Tour

At Mahindra Homestays we are always looking for ways to improve the visitor experience on our website and we could use your help!

Please spare a few moments of your time to take part in our website survey to tell us about what you currently like and don’t like about our site. It will only take a few minutes of your time and as a thank you we are offering a 25% discount off your next booking to everyone who completes the survey.

Take part in the Mahindra Homestays website survey

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Jaipur awaits travellers

Half price deals on bookings at select Mahindra Homestays in Jaipur
The Pink City of Jaipur offers warm hospitality, regal celebrations, grand forts and palaces, colourful dresses and rich Indian delicacies. With Makar Shakranti and the kite-flying festival in January, Jaipur is a great place to be right now. Activities, festivals and sights to see all through the year make Jaipur the cultural hub of India, with a seemingly endless array of things to see, do and buy.

Experience the Indian hospitality of warm home owners who have great tales of Jaipur and its royalty to share with you. Taste delectable family recipes specially prepared by your host and learn the secrets of Indian cuisine. Visit the sights of Jaipur with your homeowner guiding you and sharing the rich history of the Pink City. Learn the intricate art of wearing an Indian Sari or let our hosts invite you to fascinating session of Mehendi tattoo.

Jaipur homestay

There is a world of new experience in Jaipur and Mahindra Homestays will add to the hospitality and home-like comfort and warmth that can make your experience richer.

Now there’s all the more reason to take a break to wonderful Jaipur with Mahindra Homestays.

With a HALF PRICE OFFER on select Mahindra Homestays, the choice has never been easier.

Visit www.mahindrahomestays.com or call 1800 425 2737 (India) for booking assistance. Other local numbers are shown below.

Telephone Reservation Assistance

Open from Monday through Saturday from 09.00 – 17.00 (GMT).

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Kerala honeymoon accommodation

Share a hot cup of coffee with your beloved on a private terrace overlooking the endless tea plantations or wake up in the serene atmosphere with the first view of the sunlight spreading over the Kerala backwaters.  Your honeymoon can become more memorable with Mahindra Homestays.

This is the perfect time to visit Kerala and our gift to newlyweds is an irresistible 30% discount on our normal tariff, available on two select Mahindra Homestays properties that make for an ideal honeymoon accommodation and a romantic getaway.

You can now experience the privacy and peace as well as a home-like stay on your special holiday. The Kerala honeymoon package is a room for two guests, for four nights, including breakfast and dinner during the entire length of stay. It’s INR 14,000 and applicable to stays before 31^st March 2010.

Ranger Woods

In Munnar, we have Ranger Woods Homestay. Surrounded by spice trees, this private homestay gives over its first floor to guests who’ll enjoy a comfortable and relaxing space with en-suite bathroom and terrace balcony. There is a lot the two of you can do. You can take a tranquil walk or go fishing, enjoy a refreshing swim in fresh waters or cycle through the tea plantations.  If you need more action, treks, paragliding, visits to tribal colonies can be arranged on request. If you are a foodie, you can come back to an authentic home-cooked Kerala meal.

Vembanad House

In Alleppey, we have Vembanad House. This idyllic homestay is set in 10 acres of beautiful surrounds and features four beautiful guest rooms, which are serene, spacious and each come with their own open air seating area. You can go on cruises on boats and canoes and go fishing with the locals. You can then come back to the home’s divine meals prepared with Ayurvedic touches by Sandhya, a former yoga trainer. Spend the evenings visiting temples and watching the Mohiniattam (the traditional Kerala dance). This homestay has featured in publications like Vogue and Brunch.

Bookings for the Kerala honeymoon package can only be made through our call centre.

Our telephone number in India is 18004252737. Our UK number is (020) 31408422.

Conditions apply.

Front page image used under Creative Commons with credit to JOVIKA

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Kerala honeymoon - Photo: mckaysavage

Wedding season is coming in India, and to mark the start of it we’re offering an attractive new Kerala honeymoon package.

Our gift to newlyweds is an irresistible 30% discount on our normal tariff, available on two fine Mahindra Homestays properties that make ideal honeymoon accommodation.

The Kerala honeymoon package is a room for two guests, for four nights, including breakfast and dinner during the entire length of stay. It’s INR 14,000 and applicable to stays before 31 March 2010.

Guests can enjoy the plantations and exhilarating mountain lands of Munnar and the lazy backwaters and paddy fields of Alleppey.

Ranger Woods

In Munnar, we have Ranger Woods Homestay. Surrounded by spice trees, this private homestay gives over its first floor to guests who’ll enjoy a comfortable and relaxing space with en-suite bathroom and terrace balcony. Trekking, tribe visits and the incredible Attukadu waterfalls are among the things-to-do here – and there’s plenty more on offer if that’s not enough.

Vembanad House

In Alleppey, we have Vembanad House. This idyllic homestay is set in 10 acres of beautiful surrounds and features four beautiful guest rooms, which are serene, spacious and each come with their own open air seating area. Lie back under the gazebo and listen to India’s most diverse birds. The home’s divine meals are prepared with Ayurvedic touches by Sandhya, a former yoga trainer, who has years of experience in the field of spirituality. This homestay has featured in publications like Vogue and Brunch.

Bookings for the Kerala honeymoon package can only be made through our call centre.

Our telephone number in India 18004252737. Our UK number is (020) 31408422.

Conditions apply.

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Deewali rooms (Image CC: sowri)

Deewali is coming (16, 17, 18 October) and we still have some homestays available if you are planning to travel to celebrate the festival.

The following locations all currently have room space: Delhi, Goa, Coorg, Mysore, Alleppey, Bangalore, Thekkady, Kottayam, Munnar, Wayanad, Cochin and Kumarkom.

Many of these are running our new discount offer, recently announced.

There’s still time to secure yourself a room and enjoy Deewali along with the warm hospitality and comforts that Mahindra Homestays delivers.

Happy Deewali!

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3. Monsoon Madness! 50% Off Bookings For Limited Period

Today we announce our new special offer for the winter season.

When you book three nights or more with us, you’ll get an attractive 25% discount from the price.

Book two nights and we’ll give you 15% off.

This offer applies to a wide selection of our comfortable and friendly India homestays.

We’ll be running this significant price reduction from 1 October 2009 until 31 March 2010. This offer will not be valid for stays between the 20th December 2009 and the 1st of January 2010.

Take a look at all our homestays across India and choose your favourite.

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