What we offer
Alongside farming activities, there is good quality farm-stay facility to accommodate visitors who are sensitive to and appreciate the peace of this traditional hill community and the beauty of the surrounding natural area. The farm is located in an area peculiarly rich in flora and fauna, at the limit of the orchard belt stretching up from the river below, with protected deodar forests stretching above it to rocky mountain peaks beyond, and beyond that lie more or less virgin protected open forests stretching to the glaciers in the far distance.
Among the visitors we hope to attract are wildlife experts and enthusiasts, who may be able to add to the knowledge and ultimate preservation of the local flora and fauna. The area is known to include Himalayan black bear, barking deer, musk deer, langur, leopards and monal. Himalayan Griffon Vultures are also regularly seen locally.
Our aim is to ensure that visitors contribute positively to the local economy and environment, rather than have any negative impact. Taking care of the visitors will create more direct employment on the farm, as well as off-farm in terms of guides, both local and more long-distance for more intrepid trekkers, and other work.
Off the beaten track
The farm is in a small village called Rukhla (2100m) in eastern Himachal Pradesh (HP) in the Indian Himalayas.
Our bit of HP in the east, heading up towards Kinnaur and the Tibetan border, remains fairly untouched – at least by tourists. It is mountainous terrain – some of the highest in the world, up to 6,815 metres – and the lower slopes, such as our farm at around 2100 metres, are steeply terraced for agriculture, with wooded peaks at the top of the valley, and fast-flowing mountain streams at the bottom. Due to the steep slopes and the general lack of modern infrastructure and development, plus the fact that most farms are relatively small, there is very little mechanisation – almost all the work is done by hand, using simple tools. Only quite recently, in the 1970s, was a motorable road built up to Rukhla – before that, everything was carried up and down to the main road below – an all-day round trip. There are many farms and villages further up which still do not have road access. Surprisingly though, given the width, gradient and state of the road, there is a daily bus service to the farm from Shimla.
The Farm Stay
There are five main buildings, two of which are for the workers and their families. There is the upper main cottage which has two en suite bedrooms on the first floor, one of which can easily accommodate four. Another double ensuite bedroom, an independent unit, was a traditional 'pahari' kitchen with a slate roof & 'chullah', separate from the main building. There are a further two bedrooms available in the lower main house, both of which are independent, one with en-suite bathroom & the other with an external one. 10 to 12 people can therefore be easily and comfortably accommodated on site. The upper cottage has a fully fitted kitchen/dining room and a large living room, both with wood-burners. The lower main house also has a games room (billiards/snooker) and a covered verandah with views of the valley below, for use by the guests.
There is also a yoga studio which can accommodate a dozen, and be used as an art studio or other types of performance / creative pursuits. There is also a table tennis table.
Food is home-made, vegetarian, and mostly home-grown.
There are also two separate rooms for maids/drivers, and a separate basic kitchen/dining room as another self-catering unit.
Power & Water Sources
* Hydroelectric mains electricity, with our own back-up system.
* Solar water heating
* Wood-burning stoves for winters. All the firewood is from sustainable resources - i.e from pruning the orchards.
* Spring Water: Drinking and cooking water is mountain spring water from our own spring.
* Rain Water harvesting: Water for the apple trees, vegetables, garden is rainwater, while bath water is a blend of spring
water and rainwater.
Climate is mild and pleasant most of the year.
* December to March: Mostly sunny, clear and crisp. Snow in January - February. Average daytime temperature 5 - 15
Celcius / Night 0 to 5 Celcius.
* April to June: Average daytime 15 to 27 Celcius / Night 10 to 18 Celcius. Spring showers in April and thunder storms in May
are common.
* July - August: Monsoon, warm and cloudy. Ave daytime temp. 22 Celcius / Night 18 Celcius.
* Sept to November: Ave daytime 15 - 20 Celcius / Night 10 celcius
Farming
The agriculture throughout HP is largely based on apples, introduced by an American would-be missionary-turned Hindu called Satyananda Stokes, at the beginning of the 20th century.
The farm grows apples and pearsmainly, also peaches, plums, apricots and cherries, as well as supplying most of the vegetables for the three families, including seven children, who live there all year round. There is also a small, but growing, herd of milk cows, which provide all our milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt, and manure. The surplus is sold locally.
We make some cheese, as well as jams, pickles, juices, wines and cider. We also have a small flock of chickens and a few goats. A small olive grove is in the pipeline.
Surrounding area
The farm borders protected forest, which grows up to the nearest peak above Reoghati, a three-hour hike up, from where you have 360 degree views, including the Great Himalayas stretching into Tibet. After Reoghati, the forested peaks stretch away through wild, uninhabited country, as far as the glaciers in the far distance. On clear days you can see numerous peaks of around 6,500 metres / 21,000 feet.
Flora and Fauna
The orchards and forests immediately around the farm attract a wide range of bird and animal life – increasingly rare Himalayan griffons, eagles, owls and vultures, and many colourful smaller birds, some of which migrate up from the plains in the summer. As there are also bears, leopards and mountain lions active in the area (not to mention monkeys), visitors are strongly advised not to walk in the woods after sunset, and to be sensibly wary at other times. The grey langur monkeys cause damage to the fruit trees but are generally shy of humans, whereas the red-brown rhesus macaques can attack humans, usually to steal food or other objects of interest, such as sunglasses or cameras. The acknowledged way to deal with monkeys is to avoid eye contact and ignore them. With larger, potentially more dangerous predators, it is best to stay still and wait for as long as it takes for them to go away – most animals (apart from humans, it seems) prefer to avoid confrontation – do not throw things at them, and do not run away – the former will provoke them to attack back, the latter will encourage them. If they do move towards you, spread your arms as wide and high as possible, shout as loud as possible and move towards them – they’ll think better of it and go.
There is a well-defined old bridle path through the forest above the farm, which links up with the ancient Hindustan-Tibet road, an offshoot of the Silk Road, which crosses the top of the valley at Narkanda, a day hike, one way.
A traditional rural life
Our extended family has been living in this valley and the surrounding area for many generations. Many still live there and carry on the traditional rural way of life. The caste system is still very strong, as are religious beliefs, particularly in local deities (gods). The people are welcoming, hardworking and simple.
There are therefore opportunities to study traditional rural hill society.
Nearest city
The nearest large town is Shimla, a two and a half hour drive away. Shimla (Simla) was the ‘summer capital’ of the British Raj and retains many culturally significant buildings from that time, including the Gaiety Theatre, Christ Church, and the Advanced Studies Institute (once the Vice-Regal Lodge), scene of summit meetings around Independence. Shimla is also home to Asia's only natural ice skating rink, as well as one of the oldest golf courses in Asia, nearby. The ‘toy train’ as far as Shimla was completed in 1906 and is a pleasant alternative (at least five hours) to driving up from the plains (three hours), from Kalka. Kalka is three hours by train from Delhi, so it is possible to leave Delhi on the (air-conditioned) morning train at 7.30 and be at the farm in the evening.
Shimla is popular with tourists escaping the summer heat, and western HP also attracts large numbers of tourists to Dharamshala, home to the Dalai Lama and a large Tibetan community in exile. Central and northern HP also attract a certain amount of trekkers, mountaineers and general tourists – the central valley, centred around Kullu and Manali, has attracted Westerners since the 1960s, at least.
Alongside farming activities, there is good quality farm-stay facility to accommodate visitors who are sensitive to and appreciate the peace of this traditional hill community and the beauty of the surrounding natural area. The farm is located in an area peculiarly rich in flora and fauna, at the limit of the orchard belt stretching up from the river below, with protected deodar forests stretching above it to rocky mountain peaks beyond, and beyond that lie more or less virgin protected open forests stretching to the glaciers in the far distance.
Among the visitors we hope to attract are wildlife experts and enthusiasts, who may be able to add to the knowledge and ultimate preservation of the local flora and fauna. The area is known to include Himalayan black bear, barking deer, musk deer, langur, leopards and monal. Himalayan Griffon Vultures are also regularly seen locally.
Our aim is to ensure that visitors contribute positively to the local economy and environment, rather than have any negative impact. Taking care of the visitors will create more direct employment on the farm, as well as off-farm in terms of guides, both local and more long-distance for more intrepid trekkers, and other work.
Off the beaten track
The farm is in a small village called Rukhla (2100m) in eastern Himachal Pradesh (HP) in the Indian Himalayas.
Our bit of HP in the east, heading up towards Kinnaur and the Tibetan border, remains fairly untouched – at least by tourists. It is mountainous terrain – some of the highest in the world, up to 6,815 metres – and the lower slopes, such as our farm at around 2100 metres, are steeply terraced for agriculture, with wooded peaks at the top of the valley, and fast-flowing mountain streams at the bottom. Due to the steep slopes and the general lack of modern infrastructure and development, plus the fact that most farms are relatively small, there is very little mechanisation – almost all the work is done by hand, using simple tools. Only quite recently, in the 1970s, was a motorable road built up to Rukhla – before that, everything was carried up and down to the main road below – an all-day round trip. There are many farms and villages further up which still do not have road access. Surprisingly though, given the width, gradient and state of the road, there is a daily bus service to the farm from Shimla.
The Farm Stay
There are five main buildings, two of which are for the workers and their families. There is the upper main cottage which has two en suite bedrooms on the first floor, one of which can easily accommodate four. Another double ensuite bedroom, an independent unit, was a traditional 'pahari' kitchen with a slate roof & 'chullah', separate from the main building. There are a further two bedrooms available in the lower main house, both of which are independent, one with en-suite bathroom & the other with an external one. 10 to 12 people can therefore be easily and comfortably accommodated on site. The upper cottage has a fully fitted kitchen/dining room and a large living room, both with wood-burners. The lower main house also has a games room (billiards/snooker) and a covered verandah with views of the valley below, for use by the guests.
There is also a yoga studio which can accommodate a dozen, and be used as an art studio or other types of performance / creative pursuits. There is also a table tennis table.
Food is home-made, vegetarian, and mostly home-grown.
There are also two separate rooms for maids/drivers, and a separate basic kitchen/dining room as another self-catering unit.
Power & Water Sources
* Hydroelectric mains electricity, with our own back-up system.
* Solar water heating
* Wood-burning stoves for winters. All the firewood is from sustainable resources - i.e from pruning the orchards.
* Spring Water: Drinking and cooking water is mountain spring water from our own spring.
* Rain Water harvesting: Water for the apple trees, vegetables, garden is rainwater, while bath water is a blend of spring
water and rainwater.
Climate is mild and pleasant most of the year.
* December to March: Mostly sunny, clear and crisp. Snow in January - February. Average daytime temperature 5 - 15
Celcius / Night 0 to 5 Celcius.
* April to June: Average daytime 15 to 27 Celcius / Night 10 to 18 Celcius. Spring showers in April and thunder storms in May
are common.
* July - August: Monsoon, warm and cloudy. Ave daytime temp. 22 Celcius / Night 18 Celcius.
* Sept to November: Ave daytime 15 - 20 Celcius / Night 10 celcius
Farming
The agriculture throughout HP is largely based on apples, introduced by an American would-be missionary-turned Hindu called Satyananda Stokes, at the beginning of the 20th century.
The farm grows apples and pearsmainly, also peaches, plums, apricots and cherries, as well as supplying most of the vegetables for the three families, including seven children, who live there all year round. There is also a small, but growing, herd of milk cows, which provide all our milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt, and manure. The surplus is sold locally.
We make some cheese, as well as jams, pickles, juices, wines and cider. We also have a small flock of chickens and a few goats. A small olive grove is in the pipeline.
Surrounding area
The farm borders protected forest, which grows up to the nearest peak above Reoghati, a three-hour hike up, from where you have 360 degree views, including the Great Himalayas stretching into Tibet. After Reoghati, the forested peaks stretch away through wild, uninhabited country, as far as the glaciers in the far distance. On clear days you can see numerous peaks of around 6,500 metres / 21,000 feet.
Flora and Fauna
The orchards and forests immediately around the farm attract a wide range of bird and animal life – increasingly rare Himalayan griffons, eagles, owls and vultures, and many colourful smaller birds, some of which migrate up from the plains in the summer. As there are also bears, leopards and mountain lions active in the area (not to mention monkeys), visitors are strongly advised not to walk in the woods after sunset, and to be sensibly wary at other times. The grey langur monkeys cause damage to the fruit trees but are generally shy of humans, whereas the red-brown rhesus macaques can attack humans, usually to steal food or other objects of interest, such as sunglasses or cameras. The acknowledged way to deal with monkeys is to avoid eye contact and ignore them. With larger, potentially more dangerous predators, it is best to stay still and wait for as long as it takes for them to go away – most animals (apart from humans, it seems) prefer to avoid confrontation – do not throw things at them, and do not run away – the former will provoke them to attack back, the latter will encourage them. If they do move towards you, spread your arms as wide and high as possible, shout as loud as possible and move towards them – they’ll think better of it and go.
There is a well-defined old bridle path through the forest above the farm, which links up with the ancient Hindustan-Tibet road, an offshoot of the Silk Road, which crosses the top of the valley at Narkanda, a day hike, one way.
A traditional rural life
Our extended family has been living in this valley and the surrounding area for many generations. Many still live there and carry on the traditional rural way of life. The caste system is still very strong, as are religious beliefs, particularly in local deities (gods). The people are welcoming, hardworking and simple.
There are therefore opportunities to study traditional rural hill society.
Nearest city
The nearest large town is Shimla, a two and a half hour drive away. Shimla (Simla) was the ‘summer capital’ of the British Raj and retains many culturally significant buildings from that time, including the Gaiety Theatre, Christ Church, and the Advanced Studies Institute (once the Vice-Regal Lodge), scene of summit meetings around Independence. Shimla is also home to Asia's only natural ice skating rink, as well as one of the oldest golf courses in Asia, nearby. The ‘toy train’ as far as Shimla was completed in 1906 and is a pleasant alternative (at least five hours) to driving up from the plains (three hours), from Kalka. Kalka is three hours by train from Delhi, so it is possible to leave Delhi on the (air-conditioned) morning train at 7.30 and be at the farm in the evening.
Shimla is popular with tourists escaping the summer heat, and western HP also attracts large numbers of tourists to Dharamshala, home to the Dalai Lama and a large Tibetan community in exile. Central and northern HP also attract a certain amount of trekkers, mountaineers and general tourists – the central valley, centred around Kullu and Manali, has attracted Westerners since the 1960s, at least.