Free parking

Kotwal Homestay, Raunlekh

Where every guest is treated like family

Welcome to Kotwal Homestay, a peaceful, family-run stay nestled in the quiet village of
Raunlekh, Uttarakhand. Surrounded by lush green hills, kitchen gardens, and fresh mountain
air, this homestay is the perfect spot for those looking to slow down and enjoy simple village life.
The homestay is managed by Parmila Devi and Ranjeet Singh, a warm and friendly
husband-wife duo from Raunlekh. The idea to start this homestay came just before the Covid-19
pandemic, when a local NGO and a few research scholars from the UK and USA visited their
village. Impressed by the natural beauty and the warm hospitality of the family, they encouraged
them to open their doors to travelers.
Today, Kotwal Homestay has become a welcoming space for guests from different places.
Parmila Devi takes care of the cooking and home management, while Ranjeet Singh, who
works as a local contractor and runs a small village shop, ensures that the guests have
everything they need during their stay.

Stay and Facilities

The homestay offers 5 clean, comfortable rooms with simple yet cozy interiors. Each room
comes with a double bed, attached washroom, geyser for hot water, room heater, hot kettle, and
yoga mat for those peaceful morning stretches. Starting from ₹1000 per day, it’s a stay that feels
like home without burning a hole in your pocket.

Homemade Organic Food

One of the best parts of staying at Kotwal Homestay is the food. Parmila Devi prepares fresh,
homemade meals using vegetables straight from their organic kitchen garden and polyhouse.
They also grow mushrooms at home, adding to their farm-to-plate meals. You can enjoy local
Pahadi dishes, dals made from pure organic grains, and fresh seasonal vegetables. A
wholesome thali is available at just ₹180, offering you a real taste of village life.

Nearby Treks & Trails

Perfect for nature lovers and spiritual wanderers, several notable trails are close by:
Madhyamaheshwar Temple Trek – A 16 km round-trip trek starting at Ransi, climbing to 3,497 m
through forests, alpine meadows, and riversides. The temple—one of the five sacred Panch
Kedar—was reportedly built by the Pandavas and offers sweeping views of peaks like
Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Neelkanth, and Trishul.
Kalishila Temple Trail – A moderate but steady trek from Kalimath (near
Rudraprayag/Ukhimath), about 3 km one way. The route winds through rhododendron-and-pine
forests up to a sacred Goddess Kali shrine, revered for its spiritual energy .
Madhuganga Valley (Kedar Ganga / Budha Madhyamaheshwar valley) – Just past
Madhyamaheshwar lies Budha Madhyamaheshwar, with a small serene lake and stunning
Himalayan views .
For more adventurous trekkers, longer routes like the Kedartal circuit (to a high-altitude glacial
lake) and Panch Kedar pilgrimage trails are accessible from nearby trailheads

Things to Do

Your visit to Kotwal Homestay isn’t just about staying in a room — it’s about becoming a part of
their everyday life.
● Visit their kitchen garden and farm: Learn how they grow organic vegetables, pick fresh
produce, and lend a hand if you wish.
● Mushroom cultivation: See how mushrooms are grown at home and understand the
simple techniques they use.
● Polyhouse farming: Get a close look at their polyhouse where seasonal vegetables are
grown naturally.
● Outdoor cooking & Bonfire: In the evening, sit by a bonfire and help cook simple meals in
the open.
● Yoga and morning walks: Use the provided yoga mats or stroll through the peaceful
village paths.
● Interact with the hosts: Hear stories about the village, the homestay’s journey, and the
guests who’ve stayed with them from across the world.

Best Time to Visit

The homestay is peaceful throughout the year, but winters (December–February) bring snowfall,
quiet surroundings, and bonfire evenings, making it an ideal time to visit for snow lovers.
Why Stay Here?
● Family-run, safe, and homely atmosphere
● Fresh, organic, and homemade meals
● Beautiful natural surroundings
● Affordable stay and food packages
● Engage in village farming and outdoor cooking
● Friendly hosts who treat you like their own

Sundar Homestay, Gaid-Bashti Village

Where every sunrise comes with the scent of apples and fresh mountain air
Tucked away in the scenic Gaid-Bashti village, Sundar Homestay is a peaceful, locally-run
homestay perfect for travelers heading to Tungnath, Chandrashila, Deoria Taal, and Bisudi Taal.
This warm and welcoming stay is managed by Bichhna Devi and Balbeer Singh Rana, a
husband-and-wife duo deeply rooted in their land and traditions.
Balbeer Singh, a skilled carpenter and one of the first to start a trout fishery in the region,
decided to turn his ancestral cowshed into a charming homestay in 2023. Alongside his fishery,
apple orchard, dairy, and poultry farm, he built this simple yet soulful space with the vision of
offering travelers a clean, calm, and authentic stay in the heart of nature.

Rooms & Facilities

Sundar Homestay blends the warmth of Himalayan hospitality with simple comforts, offering:
● 2 well-kept rooms with double beds, fresh linens, and attached bathrooms
● Geysers, heaters, and kettles in each room
● Yoga mats for stretching or meditation sessions
● Working stations for those who want a peaceful mountain desk
● Surrounded by apple orchards and mountain views
● Room rates: ₹1,000 per day

Fresh, Homemade Pahadi Meals

Meals here are prepared by Bichhna Devi herself, using pure, organic vegetables from their
kitchen garden and farms. Expect traditional Pahadi cuisine, dairy from their cattle, and freshly
caught trout fish from their own ponds — a true local delicacy.
A thali is priced at ₹150 per person and offers simple, clean, and satisfying home-style food.

Activities to Do at Sundar Homestay

More than a stay, Sundar Homestay gives you a slice of village life. Guests can:
● Visit their trout fish ponds and learn how fisheries work
● Stroll through their apple orchard with 1200+ trees (and pluck apples in season)
● Pick vegetables in the kitchen garden
● Enjoy bonfire evenings under the stars
● Go for birdwatching and nature walks in nearby forests
● Try riverside outdoor cooking with the hosts
● Hear stories of local culture, trek trails, and history from Balbeer Singh

Nearby Treks & Trails

Gaid-Bashti is an ideal base to explore some of Uttarakhand’s famous treks:
Tungnath & Chandrashila Trek
A beautiful uphill route through dense forests and meadows to the highest Shiva temple in the
world.
Deoria Taal Trek
A calm, scenic 2.5 km trek to a high-altitude lake known for its clear reflection of Chaukhamba
peaks.
Bisudi Taal Trek
A serene, lesser-known trail for those who love peaceful, offbeat routes.
You can also check detailed trek trail info online or ask Balbeer Singh for local tips — he knows
these hills like the back of his hand.

Why Choose Sundar Homestay?

● Genuine, heartfelt hospitality from a local family
● Clean, simple rooms with beautiful views
● Homegrown, organic food with fresh trout fish options
● Unique activities like apple orchard visits and fish farming demos
● Bonfires, outdoor cooking, birdwatching, and village walks
● Easy access to major treks like Tungnath, Chandrashila, and Deoria Taal

River View Homestay, Gondar Village

A calm riverside retreat by Priti Devi & Yashodhar Singh
Located at the midpoint of the Madhyamaheshwar trek in peaceful Gondar village, River View
Homestay is run by husband-and-wife duo Priti Devi and Yashodhar Singh. Noticing a growing
number of trekkers and pilgrims passing through their area, they opened their home in 2022 to
offer clean, cozy, and culturally rich stays. Yashodhar, a tour guide with 5–6 years of local hiking
experience, brings his guiding knowledge to the homestay, while Priti welcomes guests with
traditional warmth and homemade meals, showcasing the region’s heritage.

Rooms & Facilities

The homestay offers 4 comfortable rooms designed for a peaceful stay:
● Double beds with fresh linens
● Attached bathrooms with geysers
● Room heaters, kettles, and yoga mats
● A working desk in each room
● River views from the rooms
● Room rates: ₹1,000–₹1,500 per night

Homemade Local & Organic Meals

Priti Devi cooks fresh meals using organic vegetables from their kitchen garden and small farm.
You’ll taste traditional Pahadi dishes, wholesome curries, and local cuisine with a variety—for
instance, chowmein, momos, and more—offered with a local twist. Every thali costs ₹150,
featuring organic produce and dairy from their own cattle.

Activities at the Homestay

You won’t just stay—you’ll feel part of the place:
● Assist with harvesting vegetables from their garden
● Join riverside cooking and bonfire evenings
● Birdwatching along the riverbanks
● Outdoor cooking sessions under the open sky
● Quiet yoga sessions with provided mats
● Village walks led by your hosts

Nearby Trails & Trek Highlights

A perfect stop along the trek routes:
Madhyamaheshwar Temple Trek
Your trek begins from Ransi or Gondar, leading up around 16 km through lush forests, alpine
meadows, and village pathways to the revered Madhyamaheshwar Temple, seated at 3,497 m
and offering stunning Himalayan views.
Kalishila Temple Trail
Accessible from nearby Kalimath, this moderate 6–8 km trail winds through pine and
rhododendron forests to a sacred shrine built atop a black rock, a spiritual site known for its
serene energy .
Madhuganga Valley
This quiet valley, below Madhyamaheshwar, follows the river to Budha Madhyamaheshwar. It’s
perfect for nature walks, framed by clear streams and towering peaks .

Why Stay at River View Homestay?

● A family-run space with warm cultural touches
● Clean, well-equipped rooms with lovely river views
● Homemade, organic meals and a variety of food options
● Living local: farm visits, bonfires, village walks, birdwatching
● Guided trek insights and advice from a local guide
● A perfect midway point for Himalayan treks and spiritual trails