Culture & Heritage
Duration: 5 hrs
Sattal, Sattal, Uttarakhand, India
A Day in the life of Surya Gaon
Go beyond the touristy trail and step into a day shaped by people, not tourists. This guided hike leads you through quiet forest trails to Surya Gaon, where village life unfolds at its own gentle pace. Be welcomed into a local home, share a traditional Kumaoni lunch cooked on chullah with local produce. Spend the afternoon connecting with families through conversations, nature hikes, farming, a hands-on art workshop using natural, locally sourced materials, village games and simple moments of togetherness. Observe the mountain life up close and experience slow living the way locals do — warm, grounded and deeply human.
Your Host - Santosh Kumar
Local Expert, Naturalist, Conservationist
15 years of experience
Santosh aka Santy is a local resident of Sattal and a seasoned naturalist with deep, lived knowledge of its forests, birds, butterflies and ecosystems. A quiet conservationist, he reads nature like a language and shares it with rare authenticity.
What's planned for you
Welcome to Suryagaon
Duration: 1 hr
A warm welcome by the local family to the village life, homes and mountain rhythms of Suryagaon.
Kumaoni Lunch
Duration: 1 hr
Take part in the traditional cooking on Chullah, share and savour a traditional Kumaoni lunch prepared together with a local family using seasonal, homegrown ingredients.
Create and Express
Duration: 1 hr
Paint, craft and experiment with natural materials in an informal art session rooted in local expression.
Live like a Local
Duration: 1 hr
Unwind with traditional village games, dance, play volleyball and enjoy slow conversations that reveal everyday mountain life beyond tourism.
Chai & Goodbyes
Duration: 1 hr
Gather for evening tea, click pictures with the new friends and depart with stories, connections and a deeper sense of belonging.
Starting from
₹2,250/guest
Sat
14 Feb
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
10 spots available
Sun
15 Feb
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
10 spots available
Mon
16 Feb
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
10 spots available
Tue
17 Feb
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
10 spots available
Wed
18 Feb
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
10 spots available
Thu
19 Feb
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
10 spots available
Our meeting point
Things to know
Minimum age
Guests aged 8 and up can attend.
Activity level
Light
Cancellation policy
Full refund if cancelled 24 hours before.
Prerequisites
- This is a deeply immersive village experience
- so we request guests to be respectful of local culture
- customs and attire.
Sustainable Stewardship
Cultural Respect
This experience demonstrates cultural accuracy and respect, avoiding imitation or exploitation of local traditions.
Local Economy
This host is local, with revenue directly benefiting local families, workers, or community groups.
Ethical Sourcing
All materials (e.g., ingredients, craft supplies) are ethically and responsibly sourced, such as through local procurement or natural methods like dyeing.
Location Alignment
The activity is hosted at an MLD Home, a natural space (e.g., farm, forest, village, lakeside), or an independent studio explicitly committed to sustainable practices.
