A resort that’s almost entirely with mud and clay to bungalows that are equipped with a solar system — whatever your choice may be, eco resorts in India are making eco-tourism easier. As the need for sustainable travel increases, anytime I go on vacation, I try to ensure that my travel choices are green. In the bid to travel sustainably, I am constantly on the lookout for resorts that blend nature with mindful design and help lower my carbon footprint. In the long-run, I am hoping that with each trip I take, I reduce the impact in the regions I visit. Whether that’s a safari or visiting a remote city in the country. That’s why I thought I’ll curate a list of the best eco resorts in India. Here’s hoping they help you travel greener too.
Eco resorts in India that will help you travel sustainably
Hara House, Bikaner
Photo: Hara House
India’s first zero-waste guest house that’s steps away from Bikaner’s city centre and Junagarh Fort, Hara House contributes 20% of its profits to environmental action. The pet-friendly guesthouse offers free breakfast, has an in-house restaurant, and friendly hosts who will help you plan your holiday around Bikaner. Some ways in which they are zero-waste include their no plastic policy, their water consumption practice which ensures timed showers and grey water to flush toilets. The guesthouse also offers natural soap made from soap berries. And, they compost on site to help their urban herb garden grow.
You can book a stay at Hara House for your next holiday.
Kanha Earth Lodge, Kanha National Park
Photo: Kanha Earth Lodge
Inspired by Gond tribal architecture, the resort has 12 bungalows designed to have low impact. Sitting inside the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, this eco resort offers a wilderness experience. The bungalows serve as environmentally sensitive, low-impact accommodation thanks to their design which uses local stone and waste wood. As it’s one of the only lodges around, there are ample nature walks you can take during your stay here. The resort will also offer assistance on which paths to take if you are interested in bird watching or cycling trips.
You can book a stay at the Kanha Earth Lodge for your next safari trip.
Bandipur Jungle Lodges, Bandipur
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India’s earliest eco resort, the lodge was set up in 1980 as a public-private partnership (PPP) of the Karnataka government and Tiger Tops. Located near the jungles of Bandipur, the lodge organises ethical safari tours and has no television or air conditioners for low impact. You can stay inside independent cottages, each named after an animal found in Bandipur. The green cover around you offers ample cooling, the lodge offers all three meals, and your cottage is complete with artwork and a hammock on the porch to relax. What more could you hope for from a holiday in midst of green?
Book a stay at the Bandipur Jungle Lodges for your next trip to Karnataka.
Dune Eco Village, Puducherry
Photo: Dune Eco Village
Fifty bungalows, each designed uniquely make up this resort that rests on a beachfront. The resort is fully equipped with solar water systems and organic linen, and an outdoor shower. The restaurants at the resort offer healthy gourmet food and uses organic vegetables. For those interested in Ayurvedic treatments, this might be the ideal stay for you as the resort offers those including yoga and meditation sessions.
Book a stay at the Dune Eco Village for your next trip to Puducherry.
Wildlife Luxuries – Tipai, Tipeshwar
Photo: Wildlife Luxuries – Tipai
The resort has used vernacular building techniques and planted thousand samplings to become an eco-conscious resort. But the beauty of it is that it sits close to Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal, Maharashtra. Offering private pool villas and forest villas that celebrate sustainability and craftsmanship. Complete with a common pool, organic garden and restaurants, this is a resort you wouldn’t mind unwinding at.
Book a stay at Wildlife Luxuries – Tipai the next time you want to go on a safari.
Evolve Back, Coorg
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This luxury resort is built using natural materials. You’ll find terracotta floors, to hand-cut laterite bricks, mud walls and thatched roofs. But a vacation here is made better thanks to their Ayurvedic spa and numerous activities that you can tackle. The eco-resort is designed to offer an authentic coffee and spice plantation experience. The pool villas offer a comfortable stay and the experience of holidaying here is enhanced thanks to the machan where you can dine, the gazebo in the middle of a lily pond, and the numerous plantation walks and bird watching trails you can go on, and the coffee museum you can visit.
Book a stay at Evolve Back any time you want to holiday in the midst of a plantation.
The Tamara Kodai, Kodaikanal
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A historic property once used as rest house by priests of Nagapattinam, The Tamara Kodai has been restored as an eco-resort. Its sustainable practices are aligned with the 17 UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. The luxury resort has proper water management and waste disposal, and has reserved 1.5 acres for flora. And, for you to have a comfortable stay, they have a pool, a spa, and a host of experiences that you can participate in.
Book a stay at The Tamara Kodai for your next trip to the south.
