Northeast Odyssey
Northeast India is synonymous with pristine beauty and greenery - with most travellers heading this direction to soak in the goodness of such rare and untouched beauty. This upscale property in Seujpur- the greenest neighbourhood of Dibrugarh - intermingles creative aesthetics and retains its authentic Assamese appeal. Location, location, location - that alone makes this property worth your consideration. In terms of connectivity, it is the first upscale in-town place of stay as you come from the Airport towards Dibrugarh town; and it’s just 10-15 minutes away from Assam Medical College and Main Bazaar. The host, Nishiraj Baruah, is a well-travelled lifestyle journalist for whom this homestay is a labour of love - every item in the house being crafted out of a fertile imagination. Striking decor - individualistic and unseen in other parts of the region - adorn the spacious and airy rooms that have more glass than bricks to afford you an eyeful of the sprawling Jalan tea garden right in front of the house. You can enjoy the view from your bed itself as you wake up to song birds.
The host’s mother stays in the lower floors of the house, and is a fantastic cook who rustles up ethnic Assamese and herbal cuisine. Her North Indian cooking is equally good. Any visitor to the property is welcomed like a member of the family, and surely fed like one. The ground floor was built by the host’s father; so, it may not be far-fetched to say the homestay, that carries so much of the family’s soul, allows a pukka Assamese local experience. Like most Assamese, the host is friendly and loves to meet different people from around the world; someone who would like you to enjoy his personal brand of hospitality. But should you rather be alone and be one with nature, well, you shall get all the privacy. Mr Baruah will know just when to buzz off!
The first house along the tea garden with red tin roof, Homestay by the Tea Garden, is a brand-new property specially made for homestays. The ground floor, is reserved for the family’s private use, while all the three large bedrooms upstairs are for guests. Each room has its own colour scheme and are called The White Room, The Green Room and The Black and White room. A luxury designer home, every item has been chosen carefully to give it a very unique character. Every room opens up to the lush green tea garden with large balconies, log wood furniture and swings, and floor to ceiling glass windows for unhindered views. You can access the designer lounge/living area, the open stainless-steel kitchen, the dining area etc.
Two more very cozy and cool rooms on the loft are being made ready too. You can book the entire house: with extra beds and it can easily accommodate 15 people. Yes, there are work tables for your laptop and all rooms are airy and full of natural light.
This particular room has a black and white theme with large window panes, a private bathroom and a large balcony that looks out to tall betel nut trees. The low floor double bed is designed like a keyboard. One of the walls has a large yin and yang symbol for balance and harmony. A black and white Bob Marley adorns the bedspread. Very airy and full of natural light, you will rarely need to use the AC. Enjoy the fresh air as you slide the large windows and let the outdoor breeze flow into your bedroom. The private bathroom is also squeaky clean and big with creative décor ideas.
Green is surely the dominant colour scheme of this room. It has floor to ceiling glass doors to offer you unhindered view of the tea garden. The balcony, very spacious, is just ideal to sit alone or, in company with a glass of wine! There is a cool laptop table which you will actually have to discover. A secret door (which doesn't look like a door) works as the entrance to your room. The bathroom is a white and yellow colour story where an old oil drum becomes the wash basin and a cabinet. With a large yellow window, there is ample natural light coming in. There are magazines and good old toilet humour scattered all around. Enough storage and wardrobes, enough privacy, the green room is just the right place to relax after your day's work.
This particular room has an all-white theme with large window panes, a private bathroom and a large balcony that looks out to the sprawling tea garden. A large, luxurious circular double bed, ideal for couples in romance, occupies centre space. Very airy and full of natural light, you will rarely need to use the AC. Enjoy the fresh air as you slide the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and let the outdoor breeze into your bedroom. The private bathroom is white and quirky with an interesting basin counter: It's made of wood sourced from underneath the Brahmaputra sandbanks, buried since the 1950 great Assam Earthquake! There are more surprises in store in this room straight out of fairy-tales!
While in Assam, you got to have pork! Which can be cooked by the host family themselves. The host’s mother also dishes fabulous ethnic Assamese herbal curries (sour or sour) with leaves and roots and wild flowers picked up from within the property’s kitchen garden. Outside, there are cool motels along the highways for drinks and dinner – all 20 minutes away. Prices here are pretty cheap and you can buy booze by the bottle.
There are cycle rickshaws available 100 metres from the house. Autos and share autos are available from Gabhoru Pothar police station (5 minutes away) to take you anywhere in town. All kinds of minivans and luxury busses are also available from there to take you out of town. The Assam Medical College bus stand and Paltan Bazaar bus stand are also just a walk or a rickshaw ride away. One can also book a cab to pick you up from the doorsteps. Your host can pick or drop you in his car for a nominal fee. If you know how to ride, the host will loan you his 30-year-old Bajaj Scooter for a fee, giving you the freedom to go anywhere and explore the town and beyond on it.
INR 1500/-onward, per night, exclusive of taxes
Lane 6, Seujpur, First House Opposite Tea Garden
P.O Dibrugarh Dibrugarh India 786005
Dibrugarh is well connected to other major cities via air, train and bus.
The nearest airport is Mohanbari Airport (DIB)
The nearest railway station is Dibrugarh Town (DBRT), Dibrugarh (DBRG)
The warmth of Prabhakar instantly makes one feel at home. The owners Sheila and Mahesh Bora, who converted their ancestral family home into a homestay, have played hosts to many travellers from across the globe. What makes it so special at Prabhakar is the unwavering commitment of Sheila, a retired professor who dishes out delicious homely Assamese meals and Mahesh, a retired mining engineer who never tires of gardening. No wonder, the property is awashed in natural beauty. There are more than 250 varieties of orchids that Mahesh has lovingly nurtured. The compound is dotted with seasonal flowers. Whether you sit out in the balcony or in the garden, you will always have birds and birdsongs for company.
The four rooms in the property are well-furnished and tastefully decorated in bright colours. Perched on a hill above the busy town of Guwahati, Prabhakar is where you can look forward to wholesome meals and a good night's sleep.
It’s a family home lovingly transformed into a guesthouse retaining all the warmth of a home. A Jaguar perpetually parked in the front driveway only adds to the charm of the place. Guests who come from all over the world love it for the sheer ambience that’s coupled with hospitable and efficient service. Set in the heart of Shillong, the cottage is surrounded by plants, fruit trees, orchids and many blooming seasonal flowers all through the year.
Personalized service under the supervision of owner Sharlene who leaves nothing to chance is perhaps the defining character of the place. Minute little details are important to ensure comfort and aesthetic appeal. The handcrafted beds in all the five well-appointed rooms that come with crisp yet soft cotton linen are inviting. Whether it is the home cooked meals complete with wholesome breakfast, freshly-baked cookies with tea that’s served either in the garden or the spacious balcony if not in the dining room only heightens the experience. The in-house library, wireless Internet on demand and a wellness studio ensure guests have plenty of options.
Conveniently located in the prime area of town, guests can ramble around the local market and go shopping. Those looking to explore the hidden sights of Shillong and beyond can rely on Sharlene who specializes in customizing programmes and activities to the unknown spots of Meghalaya.
Located in the heart of West Sikkim, in Darap, Daragaon Retreat is a home away from home. Allowing visitors to appreciate the local culture, this charming home retreat is just a 10 minute drive away from Pelling on the Yuksam-Khechepari road, and is run by Shiva and his wife Radha. The retreat is ideally suited for couples and families who want to enjoy a cozy environment along with some mouth-watering local delicacies. Visitors here can choose from two deluxe rooms, two cozy cottage rooms and tented facilities that ensure that ensure that one is taken away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Early risers can enjoy a brisk walk up to the limbo village (about 800 metres uphill) to see the Kanchendzonga – the world’s third highest peak – at sunrise.
For sightseeing, Pelling is only 5 kilometres away from Darap, from where most visitors start their tour of Sikkim. It is easy to get shared jeeps from Darap to Pelling (Rs 20) though the walk is beautiful. Most places of interest are within walking distance from Pelling, and it will takes about 6-7 hours to cover all of them. Furthermore for those interested, the hosts organize a trip to the local village to give visitors an insight into the local culture and a chance to interact with the locals. For further trips and treks and throughout the state through the Northeast, Shiv is a mine of information. Often sitting with guests at dinner, his stories about Sikkim are an ideal way to pass the evenings.
The place is comfortable but do bear in mind that it is a home retreat and those expecting hotel style amenities such as room service, mini-bar should look elsewhere. Indeed for dinner, it is Radha who does the cooking herself and hence it is courtesy to tell her the hours at which you will dine beforehand, and also to eat dinner as early as possible. Also, bear in mind that this retreat, considered one of the best in Sikkim is in a mountainous region and located atop a steep path, for which elderly guests in particular may take getting used to. However, bearing in mind that this is the Himalayas, it is unlikely that you will receive this authentic experience of the mountains anywhere else.
Darap is easily accessible by road by any part of Sikkim. It is a four to five hour drive from the nearest stations like Siliguri, Gangtok, Bagdogra, Kalimpong. You can take a jeep or reserve a taxi from Siliguri. If asked, the hosts can provide a pick up and drop to the airport or to the nearest railway station.
