Mahindra Homestays » India

Eureka! Wanderlust Awards Mahindra Homestays For Innovation

luke — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:54:34 +0000

Mahindra Homestays has been announced winner of Wanderlust magazine’s Eureka – Travel Innovation award.

The news was revealed at London’s prestigious Destinations Holiday & Travel Show this morning.

Wanderlust, a highly regarded global travel publication, created the award specially to recognise the groundbreaking development of Mahindra Homestays’ offering.

A spokesperson for Mahindra Homestays said: “This is very significant for Mahindra Homestays in the UK market and another excellent media endorsement for the Mahindra Homestays brand. We are extremely proud and delighted to be acknowledged.”

To find out more about Mahindra Homestays, visit our main site.

Follow our ‘real India’ travel blog and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

[Update 08.02.10]

UK Representative Alison Cryer accepting the prize at the awards ceremony from Editor in Chief Lyn Hughes

UK Representative Alison Cryer, who collected the award on behalf of Mahindra Homestays commented:

“It was clear when preparing to launch Mahindra Homestays in the UK that this was a new and unique concept that provided both a credible and more sustainable alternative to hotel accomodation, as well as local knowledge and a truly Indian experience for guests directly benefitting local communities. There has been huge interest since then and we are delighted that the unique qualities that each Mahindra Homestay brings to travelling to India have been recognised by Wanderlust.”

Tweets Of The Week: Week 6

luke — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:05:59 +0000

Our photo shows two lovers at sunset on Karde beach, Konkan, India. This month’s Photo of the Month competition has the theme of ‘romance’. We’ve extended the deadline for entries until 25 January. Got an interesting India romance image? Enter now!

It’s been a while since we rounded up our favourite tweets from fellow Twitter users and interesting posts we’ve seen elsewhere. So here’s a look at some that have stuck out recently…

Waterfalls of India
A look at the numerous magnificent waterfalls of India, making you realise what a rich country India is when it comes to natural wonders. An awesome collection.

Bird-lovers paradise
Vijay Ramanathan has produced a fascinating guide to the bird-life that visitors to Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary can enjoy. The piece includes images of storks, egrets and pelicans snapped by Vijay and a great capture of a tern laying eggs on a rock.

Top Taj tips
If you’re planning a trip to see the Taj Mahal, you’d be wise to take a look at these useful tips from the GotSaga site. Find out the best entrance point, why you shouldn’t take an mp3 player, and how to grab the best photos of the iconic attraction.

The children of India
Foreign orphanage volunteer Shelley Seale has written a warm account of her experiences working with children in India. “They are what bring me back to India over and over,” she writes on the BreatheDreamGo blog.

Incidentally you may have missed our own video featuring India voluntary worker Liam talking about his homestay.

Unmissable spots for adventure tourists
Finally TravelVista took a look at five destinations that adventure enthusiasts should consider when planning their India trip. Including Jim Corbett National Park.

Top 10 Manali Things To Do – Himachal Hill Station Tips

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:50:37 +0000

Manali has long been the preferred holiday spot of North India’s privileged crowd.

Here are ten reasons why it’s much loved by them, as well as the numerous ex-pats, adrenaline junkies and families that climb up to its cool altitude.

These are our Manali Things To Do.

1. Enjoy the rapid action
Manali isn’t all about languid rest and replenishment. Plenty of adventure sports are available here for thrill-seekers. One such activity is white water rafting. During summers, you can arrange a ride down the rocky rapids of River Beas for the thrill of a lifetime.

2. Sledge and ski Rohtang Pass
This is the most popular day tour from Manali. It’s a snow-clad region where hundreds of people can be seen having snowball fights, making snowmen, sledding and more. It’s also a lot of fun to watch the tourists trying to ski for the first time and falling on their faces. A little mean but fun nonetheless.

3. Feel the wind beneath wings
On your way to Rohtang Pass, you’ll come across lots of people enjoying paragliding. You can be one of them by arranging a paragliding experience with the professionals who work there. The ride doesn’t often last long, but is fun and gives you a beautiful bird’s eye view of Manali’s lush landscape.

4. Rest and relax
Manali’s hot water springs are essentially made of hot sulphur water, which helps relax your muscles and are believed to cure many skin diseases. A dip in your personal chamber isn’t going to cost a lot. So bring your bathing suits.

5. Bow your head
The Hidimba temple is one of the most revered religious spots in Manali for Hindus. It is dedicated to Hidimba Mata, one of the most influential female characters in the Mahabharata. Other than this important temple, plenty of beautiful monasteries are speckled all over Manali. If you plan your trip to coincide with the festival of Dussehra, you might catch the famous Kullu Dusshera – a great parade of deities – at its best.

6. Play dress up
At most tourist spots you will have the chance to dress up in traditional folk attire and get a photo. The clothes can be rented for a small amount and the photograph is often handed to you within minutes.

7. Go rock climbing
The temptation of taking on the mighty Himalayas attracts a lot of rock climbing enthusiasts to the area. But for those who want to enjoy a light-hearted version of the adventure sport, there are plenty of companies who will take good care of you with something for beginners.

8. See the glaciers of Solang Valley
The famed Solang Valley is a great place near Manali from where you can see beautiful glaciers and snow-clad mountains. You can reach its ski point using the ski lift. Even if you don’t ski, the journey will afford you unforgettable vistas of the region.

9. Soak up the Old Town atmosphere
If you’re looking to hang out with the elite crowd of Manali and not the usual tourists, then Old Manali is where you should head to. Other than the very best cafes, bars and restaurants in Manali, you might even notice a celebrity or two. The eating and drinking places are filled mostly with ex-pats and retired or semi-retired actors, who call this area of Manali home.

10. Finish with a toast
The state of Himachal Pradesh is most famous for its red, juicy apples. And naturally, the apple juice and cider produced here is unmatched by any other brand or place. But for those who prefer their drinks with a bit of a kick, Lugdi and Chhang are the perfect options. These are locally produced alcoholic drinks and have a pretty robust flavor.

We offer a truly amazing homestay experience in Himachal Pradesh – find out more about our Spiti rural homestays.

Front page image credit: Virdi

Accommodation Review: Homestay Guest Reveals Trip Pleasure

luke — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:34:49 +0000

A walk in the woods near Eden Garden homestay

We love it when a homestay guest sends us feedback. Which is why, after every booking is over and our guests are back at home, we ask for an honest appraisal of their stay and experiences.

Their comments then feature on our main site, so you can see what kind of accommodation review each homestay gets.

Sometimes guests go further.

We were delighted to receive this from Mr A M Sundar of Bangalore:

“Hi, just wanted to give feedback on our recent stay at Eden Garden – Coonoor. We had a three night stay there. A great place for any family who wish to have a real holiday and not just want to tick a list of places to see.”

Eden Garden is a spacious, well designed cottage surrounded by a verandah, so guests can enjoy the outdoors even if it rains! A deep green lawn surrounds the property and leads to a collection of tea plants. The house is only four years old and is constructed factoring in the ‘vastu’ style of architecture, with its entrance greeting the rising sun.

Mr Sundar sent us some lovely photos from his holiday there and shared a short travelogue:

“Our initial plan was to have a camp at Coonoor and then drive down to Ooty and other places of interest everyday.

“But the amazing location of Eden Garden, the interesting places within trekking distance from our house and the great food served by the hosts ensured that we never had to take out our car till the day of departure.

“Our day started everyday with a breathtaking sunrise, followed by a short trek to locate the home returning bisons – we managed to locate a group of nine of them.

“A trip to the nearby dam is a must and try locating the giant Malabar squirrels. We did a two hour trek to a nearby Toda settlements located deep in the forests- the hosts Jose & family volunteering to be our guides. Luckily it was a festive day and we were treated to some rituals by the tribals. The girls got their hair plaited Toda style and also managed to buy some exclusive shawls.

“The three families staying as guests managed to bond well and the nights were spend by playing board games or chatting by the fire place. “

The Rayalla Dam near Eden

Sunrise at Eden

Have you stayed in a Mahindra Homestay and are you willing to share your holiday experiences? Write an accommodation review and travelogue and we’d love to feature it here. Please include some photos if you can. Get in touch via the comments below.

If Mr Sundar’s recommendation has inspired you, take a closer look at Eden Garden and our other Coonoor homestays. If you’re interested in hearing more from our guests, download the latest podcast and hear how a UK visitor got on when she and her husband enjoyed Rajasthan homestays.

9 Things That Make Jim Corbett National Park An Indian Treasure

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:50:32 +0000

You can stay in Nainital, in the former property of Jim Corbett’s father with Mahindra Homestays. Book on the main site.

Jim Corbett National Park has long been the favored getaway for explorers and wildlife lovers in India. Here are nine things that attract people to the wild adventure that is Corbett.

1. Jeep safari
Jim Corbett National Park is most famous for its flora and fauna. The park houses many endangered species such as tigers, chital, sambar and even the humble deer. A great way to explore the landscape and see these animals going about their daily life is on a jeep safari. Ask your driver to go off the fixed route and you’ll get some rare insights into the animals’ lives.

2. On the shoulders of giants
An elephant safari lets you have an adventure within an adventure. The size of the creature deters predators from coming too close for comfort. They maneuver the grasslands with ease and in silence, with only the occasional sound of their trumpet aimed at a bully trying to intimidate the gentle giants.

3. Camping in Corbett
There are plenty of resorts in Corbett, but camping is a great experience for those who like to rough it out – though they do have basic amenities.

4. Click away
Corbett is a favourite of wildlife photographers, who spend days looking for the illusive tiger, often in vain. But the region’s majestic terrain offers great landscape shots as well, like panoramic views of the Shivalik and the Himalayas. The lesser discovered Terai region is a great place to capture views that go beyond the frequently seen compositions.

5. Far away festivals
The resorts and campsites usually offer fantastic packages on festivals. Particularly around New Year and Christmas they offer plenty of holiday packages, complete with champagne, feasts and safaris. The music here isn’t played from giant speakers. Rather, the chirping birds and rustling leaves take on that role. For some, this is a luxurious and intimate way to enjoy the festivities, far from the hustle and bustle of the big, bad, cities.

6. Take the wheel
The rivers in and around Corbett are spectacular places to drive or walk by. If you can get the permission, you can have a cozy little picnic set to the sound of serene water flowing by. The rivers are rich in many forms of minerals and sand. The result of this is a vibrant location with countless hues of gold, brown, and rust.

7. See creatures
To spot Corbett’s exotic marine life you should dedicate a few hours to The Ramganga. This is home to the exotic mahseer fish, the endangered gharials, mugger crocodiles, otters and turtles amongst others.

8. Bird watching
Many species of rare birds call the Corbett their home. And owing to the Ramganga’s rich marine life, you can spot many birds feasting here. Kingfishers, fish-eagles, storks and many other birds are seen here in large numbers swooping down to grab a bite. In winters, this reservoir is visited by many migratory birds and the bird lovers that follow them. The birds come from as far away as Europe and Central Asia.

9. Star gazing
The best part about places away from the big cities and their bright lights is gazing at a sky full of stars. For those who spend all their days in the urban world, this is a rare and welcome sight. You can spend hours spotting the different constellations. Some are visible with remarkable ease and unexpectedly bring out the child in you as you gaze in wonder.

Read our other things to do in India articles.

Jaipur Invites You With All Its Culture And Colours

luke — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:15:12 +0000

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).

Local call from UK

02031408422

Local call from Germany

030590024818

Local call from USA

2136735320

Local call from within India

1800 425 2737

Rest

1800 425 2737

Tweets Of The Week: India Travel On The Web Round-Up 2

luke — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:16:20 +0000

Tiffin Wallah - Photo babasteve

This photo shows Mumbai tiffin wallahs (lunch carriers) delivering meals to workers across the city. Read about this history of tiffin on babasteve’s Flickr, and check out his excellent folder of India images.

These are our favourite India travel links this week…

Great rickshaw photos
A small but interesting collection of images here, featuring Indian schoolchildren commuting to school in rickshaws. We count 11 children on one three-wheeled bicycle. Only in India.

Best of Mumbai
We haven’t covered Mumbai yet in our popular India things to do series. But we may not need to after reading this decent list of itinerary options from the indiamarks website.

Flowerman of Kolkata
Nice capture of a flower merchant in West Bengal. Click on the image to see it enlarged and stare into those eyes.

“What I’m learning about India”
Canadian backpacker Isabella Formiga is journaling her first trip to India, with lots of revelations about what she’d learning along the way.

Pushkar Camel Fair
We could look at these for hours. Ten photographers descend on Pushkar and capture an intense, vibrant and characterful series of images that tell the story of this fascinating little desert town.

These were the links that caught our eye. What did me miss? Share your favourite recent India travel features in the comments below.

India Best Value For Money Says World Country Survey

luke — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:09:04 +0000

India Best Value For Travellers - Photo: Pictiurfear

An important annual study of what the world thinks about its different countries has just been published – and India scores highly in several categories.

The Country Brand Index brings together a broad range of data, from expert opinion to statistics and economic information. It then organises the findings into ‘brand league tables’ under different subjects, such as brand awareness, history and culture, safety and ease of travel.

India ranks number one for ‘best country brand for value for money’, as reported in the Economic Times.

It also scores highly in ‘Most authentic’ (2nd), ‘History’ (2nd) and ‘Arts and culture’ (3rd).

These rankings are out of 102 countries across the globe.

The survey classes India as one of the world’s ‘rising stars’ and says its status as a popular traveller destination is likely to soar in the next five years.

These findings make happy reading for Mahindra Homestays since they support our core mission: to provide travellers with a genuine feel for the real India – a more enriching experience with the highest levels of comfort and local knowledge, all at an affordable cost. See our post on why homestays beat hotels for more.

India Business Travel: Why Homestays Make Sense

luke — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:44:59 +0000

India Business Travel - Homestays Make Sense

Photo: Hyougushi

Our new India business travel podcast

India homestays are proving to be a popular choice over hotels for travelling business people.

With facilities and extras like wi-fi and highly attentive staff, they more than match the offering from hotels. Yet with expert local knowledge, homecooked cuisine and friendly family hosts, there’s so much added value to enjoy in a homestay.

And of course they are often more economical, which keeps finance chiefs happy in these prudent times.

We got the chance to speak to one of our recent UK guests. Company director Alison has just returned from meetings across India. She is an enthusiastic user of homestays and she told us why. Listen to our first podcast in the player below and hear the voice of a real homestay guest and her experiences as a lone businesswoman travelling the real India.

“Overall the homestays completely exceeded my expectations,” says Alison. “They would certainly match probably a four or five star hotel. The food was superb. The help from hosts was fantastic. All in all it was very good value and I would recommend them.”

Listen to Alison’s interview and let us know your thoughts.

We have homestays in many India cities as well as popular tourist areas, and our network is growing rapidly..

Credits
Podcast music under CC license with thanks to pingnews

If you want to download this India business travel podcast and listen later, right click on this link and save.

Food Of Kerala: India Cuisine Series

luke — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:52:13 +0000

Eat off the banana leaf

The food of Kerala is yet another attraction to this wonderful part of India.

In God’s Own Country the simple way of life, undisturbed by the passage of time, is still a reality – and that extends to the food of Kerala which is prepared in homes according to traditional family recipes, often handed down from generation to generation.

People still grow their own vegetables, catch their own fish, prepare coconut oil from dried coconut, and grind masala from sun-dried spices.

Stay in a Kerala homestay and you’ll, quite literally, get a flavour.

You’ll be able to experience night fishing and can even receive Kerala cookery lessons from your host.

Different tastes and specialties

Homestay food of Kerala

The cuisine of Kerala is distinctive and delicious. Tamarind heightens its pungency, while coconut adds richness and absorbs some of the spice.

Each region of Kerala has its own specialty. Along the backwaters of the Alleppey region, it’s karimeen, a type of fish which is fried lightly. The whole region is renowned for its fresh seafood, caught daily in time-honoured style by fishermen with nets in rickety narrow wooden canoes, called vallams.

Night fishing – catch your dinner

Night fishing in Kerala

Choose an Alleppey homestay and you’ll get the opportunity to join the fishermen in their forays for seafood, and later take part in the cooking process and learn how it’s done. If you love Indian food, it’s an authentic experience that you and your taste buds will relish.

Night fishing brings the chance to catch lobster, prawns and green clams. From the banks of Vembanad Lake, fishermen can be seen gliding by in their boats, ghost-like in the moonlight. The eager chattering of crickets, the warm glow of the men’s kerosene lamps, and the gentle swish of the boat’s oars set the scene for adventure.

Setting off fishing in Kerala

Fishing nets, Kerala

Out on the lake, the peacefulness is pervading. The fishermen’s muscles ripple as bait and nets are cast into the lake. If you’re patient, and willing to stay out late into the night, you just might be successful in catching an elusive lobster. It could take until after midnight though. Green clams are a much more prevalent bounty. Fishermen pass by with canoes piled full with small shells.

The climax of night fishing is seeing what’s inside the net when it’s hauled in. However, even if it’s empty, an evening spent out on the lake is memorable enough. Such absolute stillness and serenity are hard to come by. When shared with a loved one, it’s even more special. You’ll find yourself forgetting that a chaotic, hectic world full of people exists.

Learn to cook the food of Kerala

Table of food, Kerala style

A cooking class the day after your night fishing experience will round off an enjoyable culinary exploration.

Half an hour is all it takes to whip up one vegetarian and one non-vegetarian dish, guided by your friendly host. Fresh curry leaves, chillies, spices, chopped onion and coconut oil will create a tantalising aroma. Fish curry is a popular choice to learn how to prepare. Many people also enjoy cooking green clams around a fire, under palm trees by the lake.

Sitting down to dine on these delicacies, complemented with wide variety of other homemade Kerala dishes that your host will tell you all about, is a delight.

Why not get a taste? Take a look at our Kerala Homestays and make your booking easily, online or by telephone.