Mahindra Holidays introduces Mahindra Homestays for foreign tourists

Indian tourism company Mahindra Holidays has launched a new concept in tourism accommodation, which allows tourists to stay in real Indian homes in lieu of hotels, thereby allowing them to experience a little more of the 'real' India.

The company aims to let tourists stay with real people in their homes in select locations across India, where they can get a peek into the cultural traditions, history and everyday life of their host Indian family. As an added bonus, guests would be able to enjoy genuine Indian home cooked cuisine, and an option to learn their favourite dishes with the host offering to teach the recipe.

Mahindra Homestays is launching with a modest collection of around 50 unique family properties at stunning locations across India including Delhi, Rajasthan, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh. The company has launched a separate website for Mahindra Homestays, which supports live online booking.

For now, the company offers five unique homes in remote Spiti the world's highest village that borders Tibet, to stays at private tea plantations in Kerala. Tourists to the Kerela destination can also pick activities like yoga, ayurvedic treatments, massages, backwater rafting in Kerala, or following Tiger trails at the Periyar Tiger Reserve, with each activity providing an opportunity to experience the local culture and natural geographic beauty.