Maachli

Maharashtra, India

Rural
Coast
Wellness
Culture
Wildlife

Remote farm homestay in rural India near to peaceful Maharashtra beaches

Maachli is an eco-friendly farmstay of raised cottages on the Konkan coast, in Parule village, on Maharashtra's Konkan coast, a region better known for Goa just south of it, but quieter, greener, and largely untouched by tourism. Ten acres of working farmland make up Maachli. The name comes from the traditional Malvani term for a raised hut farmers build to watch over their crops. Today nutmeg, cinnamon and tea are growing alongside coconut and betel-nut palms.

Join the farming itself, take a boat ride along the backwaters, or cook a meal on the family's traditional chulha stove. Every meal on the property is a home-cooked Malvani Saraswat menu, made daily by the family. Sindhudurg Fort, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji on the coast near Malvan in the 1660s, is a short drive away, along with the village's Friday bazaar.

Sustainability

Climate & conservation

Cottages built from local materials with no trees cut
Natural spring water used for all drinking and cooking
Meals prepared on a traditional mud stove
Reforestation or restoration, The owners are developing a new forest on the property based on agroforestry principles and have planted native species.
Ecosystem preservation / wildlife protection, The conservation of an on-site stream, including a temporary dam, has created habitat for birds, river otters and fish.

Community & culture

90% of the team are women from the local village
Supports the village's last potter through guest classes
Community conservation, A temporary dam built on the farm's stream helps raise the water level in the wells of the surrounding village.
Promotes local businesses, The business has helped grow the village micro-economy by sourcing all its vegetables, fruit and fish from local producers.
Connecting two parts of the village with a betel plant trunk bridge

Commercial

Was a finalist in the MakeMyTrip India's Favourite Homestays Awards (IFHA)
A seasonal dam built on the stream benefits local farmers
Building materials and groceries sourced from the village

In brief

Price bracket: £
Type of property: Homestay
No. of rooms: 10 cottages
Max guests per room: Cottages sleep up to four guests
Facilities: Restaurant, Garden
Activities: Hiking, Cultural visit, Meditation, Art, Birdwatching
Setting: Rural · Beach / Coast

Best time to visit

Visit during the cool, dry season from November to February.

Kids

Families are welcome, but parents are requested to supervise children at all times.

Accessibility

The 200m walk from the car park involves crossing a bridge made of tree trunks.

Maharashtra, India

£pp / night Visit website

Guide price · £ <£100 · ££ £100–300 · £££ £300–800 · ££££ £800+ pp / night