Rural tourism is a showcase of rural life, art, culture and heritage-on location benefiting the local community and enabling interaction between the tourists and the locals for an enriching experience.
- Mandawa Village in semi-desert Rajasthan is an “Open-Air Gallery of Rajasthan”. In Udaipur tribal villages like Devhat, Kol, Timla and Kharakwada are nice destinations.
- In Himachal Pradesh Kinnaur, Spiti & Lahaul were till recently inaccessible. Now you can discover the riotous green of the Sangla Valley and the magnificent desolation of the Hangrang Valley.
- In Hodka, in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat is Sham e Sarhad resort owned and operated by the villagers. Accommodations are in tents or traditional huts – bhungas. You can attend workshops in embroidery or leather work, interact with communities, go out and see flamingos, pelicans, foxes and leopards. In Gujarat, you can visit Vaso known for its wooden buildings. With special permit you can also visit some of the restricted villages of Zainabad in Bhuj. Rabari, Tunda Vanda and the Banny tribal village.
- Amraee resort Pranpur is in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh. Villagers will look after tourists and mud huts in mango grove is refreshing.
- In Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong a community effort has made it the poster boy of rural tourism in India. Similarly tours in Chattisgarh with villages of the Gond, Bhil, Bhilala, Kol, Patelia, Kanwar, etc are unique. The Santhals of Jharkhand are one of the oldest tribes of India, known for their music, dance and colorful attire.
Dongira Kondhs
- One of the most famous tribal villages in Orissa is the Kutia tribal village located at the Baliguda area. The Dongariya Kondh Haat also attracts tourists. Other tribal villages of Orissa include Bonda, Didayee and Gadhaba. All the tribes of Orissa excel in producing wonderful fabric and textile work. Do not forget to watch the graceful dance of the Gadaba Tribe while on tribal tour of Orissa. Bissam Cuttack is home to the Desia Kondh tribes and their weekly market, Chatikona is home to Dunguria Kondh tribe – they follow the barter system exchanging papaya, jackfruit, pineapple with kerosene, salt chicken etc. In Balliguda you will meet the Kutia Kondhs and in Belghar the Malia Kondhs.
Orissa – Jeypore Bonda Women
- In Orissa, Onkdeli is home to the backward but colorful Bonda tribe and their village Gadaba. In Kundli visit the biggest tribal market to meet the Paraja & Rana tribes and Baligaon to meet the Dhuruva tribes. You can plan a day’s hike with porters in villages of Gadaba and Malli. Jeypore or Rayagada can be your base. As these places are fairly close to Taptapani and the world famous Chilka lake a visit would be convenient.
- In Northeastern India also known as the Seven Sisters states, some of the notable places include Pasighat where the Adi village is located. The Nishi village, village of the Apatani tribe and the Hillmiri village and the Tagin village in Daporijo.
Paraja Tribes
These are, but a tiny proportion of interesting rural tourist sites in India, just a beginning…..
Toshali Resorts International continuous effort and pursuit in promoting Rural and Tribal tourism has been a driven success on its own for Incredible India. To know more and book an exclusive India Rural and Tribal Tourism package, contact me – your own travel consultant “Metu”. Its simple just post a message at the blog or send a mail with details at metu@toshali.in. I will get back to you……