If you have decided to take a trip to the beautiful hills of Kolakham, which is undoubtedly one of the most scenic places in North Bengal, the type of accommodation you choose will be an important part of your experience. There is, after all, something quite lovely in the peaceful villager lifestyle that exists amidst the greenery and the breathtaking Kanchenjunga that calls for a peaceful and welcoming lodging that allows you to be thoughtful and to have a real “home away from home” experience. It is not as simple as finding a budget homestay, as it is more about a home that you feel like you belong to. Above all of this, in Kolakham, you will discover a home on a budget.
Why Choose a Homestay in Kolakham
Kolakham is the antithesis of a typical tourist attraction. It is a peaceful, small village located in Neora Valley National Park. The village is surrounded by nature, and the air is clean. The rhythm and cadence here are slow and relaxed.
When you stay at a homestay, you will experience life up close. Here is a sample of what you will be able to do:
- Awake to the sound of birds and a gentle wind coming off the mountains.
- Eat food that is simply prepared with care and, mostly, by a local resident.
- Talk to local families and hear about their lives in the hills.
- Participate in ecotourism and keep Kolakham a special place.
When you stay at a quality homestay, you experience being part of Kolakham, not just someone passing through as a tourist.
1. Know Your Budget and What Matters Most
First, figure out how much you can afford to spend per night. Many travellers are surprised to find it doesn’t have to be expensive to stay in Kolakham.
There are beautiful low-budget homestays in Kolakham with prices ranging from ₹1000 to ₹1800 a head. Jojo Samsuhang Homestay starts at ₹1200 a head and includes delicious home-cooked meals and all the reasonable comforts one should require.
Before booking anywhere, check to see:
- Are meals included in the tariff?
- Is there hot water/room heating for winter?
- What time is check-in/check-out?
These questions help prepare for any surprises and let you know you are getting value for your money.
Read More: A Complete Guide to Experiencing Kolakham Through Its Homestays
2. Choose the Right Location
The scenery around Kolakham is lovely, but be aware that it is a hilly location, and access to your homestay is relevant if coming by vehicle. You will want to choose a homestay in Kolakham with easy access and views. Below are some considerations:
- Choose a location close to a scenic viewpoint or the Neora Valley gate itself.
- Check road access to the location and if you can get there.
- Be sure there is easy access for treks or locations for birding nearby or planning hikes.
The Jojo Samsuhang Homestay is nicely located – easy access, but you will still feel nature around you by views of mountains and forests. You can also sit on the terrace and enjoy the sun painting gold and crimson in the sky at sunrise, over to Kanchenjunga.
3. Don’t Compromise on Comfort
Searching for a budget homestay in Kolakham shouldn’t mean sacrificing comfort. Cleanliness and adequate facilities are very important when it comes to a good experience.
Look out for:
- Clean, well-looked after rooms with attached bathrooms,
- Running/potholed water and uninterrupted electricity,
- Wooly blankets, together with either thin or thick blankets, or just quilts to keep you warm during the winter,
- Fresh local food or food from local ingredients, made in a homestyle.
Guests staying at Jojo Samsuhang Homestay, for example, frequently share how safe & cared for the entire experience is, from the bathrooms and rooms being spotless and inviting to meals being well-cooked and comforting to the hosts never hesitating to help much. It is not luxury accommodation; it is honestly comfortable accommodation that you’re thankful for after long explorations in the hills.
4. Feel the Local Connection
One of the most delightful aspects of doing a homestay is being surrounded by family – you aren’t a guest but rather a part of the family.
- Before you book a homestay, you could ask yourself the following:
- Will there be time to share moments with your host?
- Do they facilitate meals with local food or provide small cultural experiences?
- Will they show you secret places to view or take a more obscure forest path?
Typically eating together is just storytelling at the Jojo Samsuhang Homestay. The family like to have conversations about village life, traditions and the many birds and animals that roam the place. In the evenings, and to escape from bugs, you’ll either be drying by the wood stove or in a bowl with a cup of tea, laughing and looking out to the landscape while the mountains fade into evening darkness. Experiences like these stay with you long after you return home.
5. Read Reviews, Not Just Ratings
Before you make a final decision, take a few minutes and read guest reviews online. Look beyond the star ratings, and read how guests say they felt the most.
Positive reviews often say something about:
- Clean rooms and wonderful hospitality.
- Warm, home-cooked food.
- Relaxing atmosphere and nice views.
- Hosts who go above and beyond to help guest feel comfortable
Travellers who have stayed at Jojo Samsuhang Homestay often say that the hosts are genuine and caring. Some even say that they felt part of the family by the end of their stay.
6. Look for a Place That Feels Like Home
In Kolakham, a charming, budget-friendly homestay is more than just a stop for restorative slumber: it is a home of emotional warmth. At the end of the day, be it a day of trekking or scenic explorations and reflections (local conversations) or simply relaxing and watching the clouds drift overhead, you want to come back to a space that feels like a welcoming, homey space.
7. Don’t Miss the View
Kolakham is famous for its beautiful views of Kanchenjunga and the surrounding valley. In order to enjoy the views, you will want to book a homestay.
- Make sure to ask for a room with a balcony or windows facing the mountains.
- Be sure to ask for a sunrise or sunset view.
- If they have a terrace or porch or anywhere for some seating to watch the view.
The view from Jojo Samsuhang Homestay is breathtaking. Every morning the sun peeks just above the snowcaps of Kanchenjunga; every morning and every evening the valley has a thin haze above its stillness. It’s a special place where time does not hurry, and every look is truly a beautiful painting.
Read More: Plan Your Romantic Holiday: Couple-Friendly Homestay in Kolakham 2025 Picks
Why Jojo Samsuhang Homestay Stands Out
Among all the homestays in Kolakham, Jojo Samsuhang Homestay strikes as being the most genuine. Nothing is contrived here at all. It is simply a real, authentic family that genuinely tries to make you feel welcomed and secure.
Here is an experience of:
- clean, comfortable, and warm rooms with a distinctly local feel
- good food provided by ingredients grown in their own homestay
- very reasonably charged, starting at ₹1200 per person
- great trekking/off-the-beaten path routes and spectacular viewpoints nearby
- a warmth and hospitality you can’t regret having had from a family for all the service of a bigger hotel
It is not simply homestay accommodation; it is a homestay experience to reach deep into the nucleus of Kolakham.
Final Thoughts
When you think about a budget homestay in Kolakham, it is not always about the cost but also about the location where you can find comfort, welcome, and experience the flavour of the destination you desire. Kolakham, where nature speaks through the pine trees and clouds pass through the tops of mountains; a good homestay would elevate your experience to emotions greater than a reasonable price; it would be dreamy!
FAQs
Jojo Samsuhang Homestay offers a unique combination of quality and price, making it one of the best and cheapest places to stay in the area. This price is about ₹1200 per person, and I believe it includes a clean room, a comfortable bed, acceptable homestyle food, and a great view of Kanchenjunga. However, the best part of the stay was the hosts – we felt more like family than guests, which is something we appreciated so much.
Kolakham is approximately 38 kilometres from Kalimpong and 8 kilometres from Lava. You can access Kolakham by shared jeep or private cab. This is a nice drive, taking you past pine forests and valley land. Jojo Samsuhang Homestay is extremely close to the lookout post accessible by road.
Certainly. The tariff includes home-cooked meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—prepared with local ingredients and care. Guests often say the meals were a highlight of their stay; they were able to experience the authentic flavours of the village, along with warmth after a day of exploring Kolakham.
Kolakham is perfect for nature lovers and seekers of tranquillity; you can hike in the Neora Valley National Park, birdwatch, glimpse waterfalls, or simply sit and gaze at Kanchenjunga. You can also ask the hosts of Jojo Samsuhang Homestay to arrange for day outings to Lava, Lolegaon, and Rishop.
It was about the full experience you have during your stay, not just a place to sleep. The guests really appreciated the food, which was homemade, and also the quietness of the place. The hosts of Jojo Samsuhang Homestay welcomed their guests into belonging as part of the mountains, belonging to the people, and belonging to the spirit of Kolakham.