Written by Sarah Philip
Psychology student, NCC Cadet, and a writer fueled by a love for raw, curious travel.
Freedom is one word to describe what traveling offers. Do what you want and don’t worry about other people’s schedules. But this isn’t always the case when your hotel is way over budget, your dad calls you every hour along the way, and your friends keep telling you they’ll plan something soon, but it never actually happens.
This guide covers seven such villages across six states, each one home-stayed, not hotel-chained, and worth building a 2026 trip around. Each village here is reachable by vehicle, has a homestay culture, and offers something you won't find on a standard tour circuit - some rare flowers, some border crossing, a pottery tradition passed down for generations.
