The short answer
Himalayan Ark homestays, Sarmoli: what visitors should know first
A good choice if you want a stay that is rooted in the village. Rooms are simple. Expect good food and local company, not hotel service. Book ahead through the organisation.
History and context
The story behind Himalayan Ark homestays, Sarmoli
The village's women's collective, Maati Sangathan, formed in 1994, and the homestay programme launched in 2004, per a Mongabay report on Sarmoli's ecotourism.
Useful facts
Himalayan Ark homestays, Sarmoli facts at a glance
- Location
- Sarmoli village, Munsiyari
- Stay style
- Village homestay, simple rooms, meals included
- Operator
- Himalayan Ark, a women-led social enterprise (2004)
- Rate signal
- From about Rs 1,800 per person with meals (reported)
- Best suited to
- Slow travellers who want village life
Why it matters
Why Himalayan Ark homestays, Sarmoli is worth your time
Himalayan Ark began in 2004 through the Sarmoli-Jainti Van Panchayat as a non-extractive livelihood option for villagers. It is a social enterprise led by women of the region, and sources report that most earnings go to the host families, with a share for conservation.
Staying here puts visitors in contact with village life and the forest around it, which is hard to get at a standard hotel. It is also one of the better-documented examples in Uttarakhand of tourism income staying with villagers, which many travellers look for.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Village hosts
You stay in a local family's home.
- 02
Local food
Meals feature Kumaoni dishes.
- 03
Guided walks
Birding and forest hikes with local guides.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The Himalayan Ark places visitors in the homes of local families in Sarmoli, a village on the hillside facing Panchachuli. Rooms are simple, as sources describe them, and meals are included and use local ingredients such as bhang ki chutney.
Activities include village walks, forest hikes with local guides, bird walks and visits to sacred ponds. Hosts can also arrange treks. The programme is run by women, and a large share of the income stays in the village.
Book ahead through their website, arrive in daylight and tell hosts about mobility needs so they can give a suitable room. Pack a torch and warm layers, as evenings are cold.
Plan with confidence
Before you book the room.
- Book ahead through the official site
- Request a ground-floor room if needed
- Carry a torch and warm layers
- Confirm current rates
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Sarmoli village, Munsiyari
- Time needed
- Stay of one or more nights
- Best time
- March to June and September to November
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Rooms are in village houses on hill paths, often with steps and uneven lanes. Ask about ground-floor rooms and the walk from the road before booking.
- Tickets and access
- Homestays are open to guests who book through Himalayan Ark. Rates reported at about Rs 1,800 per person per night with meals; confirm current terms.
Best for
Plan it with
Book with confidence
Check rates at Himalayan Ark homestays, Sarmoli
Compare room types, cancellation terms and breakfast before you book. Ask for a ground-floor or lift-access room if anyone finds stairs hard.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
Rooms are in village houses on hill paths, often with steps and uneven lanes. Ask about ground-floor rooms and the walk from the road before booking.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Himalayan Ark a hotel?
No, it is a network of homestays in village houses.
What does it cost?
A reported starting rate is about Rs 1,800 per person per night with meals; confirm current terms.
Who runs it?
A social enterprise led by women of Sarmoli and nearby villages.
Sources and further reading
- Responsible Tourism India: Himalayan Ark
- Mongabay India: How Sarmoli became a poster child of ecotourism
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
