Homestays in the Lamahatta–Takdah–Tinchuley area typically run ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per person per night, including all meals. That's the important difference from a hotel: the rate isn't just a bed, it's breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner as well. At Kepchaki Stay the rate is ₹1,500 per person per night with all three organic home-cooked meals and evening snacks included, and lower rates for longer stays.
What's included at that rate
| Included | Detail |
|---|---|
| Room | Private room with attached bathroom and balcony or window views |
| Breakfast | Local or continental |
| Lunch | Home-cooked, organic produce |
| Evening snacks + tea | Every day |
| Dinner | Served in the wood-panelled dining room |
| Hot water | Geyser in every bathroom |
| Wi-Fi | Throughout the house |
| Power backup | So an outage doesn't spoil an evening or a workday |
| Kepchaki Cafe | Our own cafe on the property |
| Farm experience | Join the family in the fields, seasonal |
| Guided walks | To viewpoints, waterfalls and trails around the village that aren't on any map |
No service charge. No booking-site commission. No separate food bill.
What costs extra
Being upfront, because surprise costs are the fastest way to sour a good trip:
| Extra | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| NJP / Bagdogra transfer | ₹3,500–5,000 each way for a reserved car |
| Local sightseeing cab | Charged per day depending on the route — Tinchuley, Takdah, Peshok, Glenburn Tea Estate, Lamahatta Eco Park and Darjeeling town |
| Eco park entry | Around ₹20 per person |
| Darjeeling town day trip | Higher, as it's a longer round trip |
Everything above is arranged for you — you don't need to find a driver yourself.
Longer stays and groups are quoted on request — see the workation guide if you're planning a week or more.
Why booking direct is cheaper
Booking platforms charge homestays 15–25% commission on every reservation. That cost doesn't vanish — it's built into the price you see, or it comes out of what the family earns, usually both.
Booking directly on WhatsApp means the price you're quoted is the price, and the household keeps what you pay. It also means you're talking to the people who'll actually cook your dinner, so requests about dietary needs, arrival times or room preferences get handled by someone who can act on them.
What a three-night trip actually costs
A realistic total for two people, three nights, so you can plan:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay + all meals (2 people × 3 nights × ₹1,500) | ₹9,000 |
| NJP pickup and drop | ₹7,000–10,000 |
| One full sightseeing day (Tinchuley, Takdah, Peshok or Glenburn) | Charged per day, ask when booking |
| Eco park entry | ₹40 |
| Approximate total | ₹17,000–21,000 for two, all in |
Transport is the biggest variable. If you're already in Darjeeling or arriving by shared jeep, it drops substantially — see the NJP guide for the cheaper routes up.
Is it cheaper than a hotel in Darjeeling town?
Usually yes, once meals are counted. A Darjeeling hotel room might list lower, but you'll then pay for three meals a day per person, plus higher local transport costs, plus the general premium on a tourist town. Homestay rates in the villages are all-inclusive and the food is better.
What you trade away: room service, a reception desk, and a menu to order from. What you get: home cooking, hosts who plan your sightseeing, and quiet.