Responsible tourism is when the whole community including the environment is benefitted by the tourist activities. It came into being when the locals of certain tourism dominated places and certain environmentalists questioned the tremendous effect of wastes left behind and its direct effect on the surrounding villages.
A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THESE HANDPICKED 12 RESORTS/HOTELS/LODGES/HOMESTAYS OF NORTH INDIA that took this initiative in hand in different yet effective ways, giving employment, staying organic, preserving natural resources, going solar, diminishing plastic usage, keeping the deep-rooted traditions and celebrate the diverse culture of the place and basically, uplifting the local community where they stand.
Mary budden estate in Binsar, Uttarakhand
This place is very special to me, as this where my daughter saw her 1st snowfall on 1st of January 2020. When we arrived here, we met with the sweetest estate manager I have ever had the privilege of meeting and one of the first things she requested me was that if I decided to take a bath I should inform her so that to avoid wasting water her people can fill up the cold water in a bucket until the hot water comes out of the taps. At that moment, I just knew I was at the right place.


Jim’s Jungle Retreat, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
When I walked through those pebbled narrow lanes of this jungled resort, I did not realize that the indigenous trees and plants that I could see everywhere were planted about 20 years ago and then the owners just let nature take its course. So much so, that they don’t pick up the fallen branch and leaves and chimpanzees have made those trees their home.




Taj Resort & Spa, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand



Nimmu House, Leh, Ladakh



Nubra Eco Lodge, Nubra Valley, Ladakh


Punjabiyat Itmenaan Lodge, Amritsar, Punjab
Itmenaan has a couple of more homestays and lodges spread across North India. And all of them are on my bucket list, especially this one as it showcases the essence of Punjab, just looking at the pictures I can smell the wet soil and picture the yellow mustard smiling and waving as the wind passes through. It automatically takes you back to simpler times. With close proximity to Amritsar a trip to the Golden Temple is a bonus


House of Rohet, Mihirgarh, Rajasthan
The love and passion with which this place has been created by Rashmi and Sidharth Rohet is admirable. From every colour to the last door knob, everything has been personally selected by the founders, which you can see when you visit this beautiful property.

Hara House, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Hara House is an epitome of experiential travel. Making friends, talking to other guests is so easy here and combine that with the idea that its India’s first zero-waste guesthouse started by Jazzmine Lawton Raine (from Canada) and Manoj Gour. This is the place where change actually happens

Khem Villas, Ranthambore, Rajasthan
I am personally in awe of the founders of this place. Khem villas is the kind of intensive change we all want to see in the actions towards protecting India’s National Animal, the Royal Bengal Tiger

SUJAN JAWAI, Jawai Bandh, Rajasthan
Sujan is an epitome of the phrase “luxury in simplicity”. It is all about the service here, which you may notice when you see people smilingly going about their daily chores. Even in the middle of no where you feel absolutely pampered.


Prakriti AaLay, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Dharamshala is the land of his Holi highness, the Dalai Lama. Thanks to the gorgeous views, the clouds passing through and easy approachability, this place is a popular tourist spot. This resort as that getaway in Dharamshala where you get that peace and quiet along with the cultural dose of this little Tibet in India