Ekam, Shimla

This home accepts credit card payment only. “Cash & Points Payment” or “Points Payment” is not applicable. About the Homestay:  Enveloped in Pine & Deodar Forests, Ekam is a 4-bedroom pet-friendly luxurious homestay in Chail, a lovely town near Shimla, that was a former summer retreat for the Maharaja of Patiala. This home overlooking the Greater Himalayas is located 57 km from Shimla Airport (take a Pawan Hans helicopter to get here from Chandigarh) & 10 km from Chail Palace (belonging to the erstwhile Maharaja) and world’s highest cricket ground. Aptly and fondly referred to as the ‘King of the North’, you will find luxury in every nook and corner of this stately escape in the Himalayan forests.  While Shimla is for the bucket-listers, Chail is for the nature-lovers. Ekam is the place to stay, if you seek luxury and the desire to be pampered. It is a sustainable estate that offers eco-conscious guests a great stay without leaving a carbon footprint. From the solar water heating system to the underground rain water harvesting system, this estate is a self-sufficient one. The eco-friendly estate also offers you a farm-to-table experience with a chance to pick your own veggies from the home-grown veggie patch or taste a herb from the herb garden. There are 250+ organic fruit trees on the estate, all of which are pesticide-free thanks to the 4 resident cows - Lakshmi, Shyama, Bhagirathi and Radha! Do try the nectarines and peaches, in season. What can you do at Ekam:  A bird-watching experience at Chail’s Wildlife Sanctuary, strolling by the world’s highest cricket ground (Chail Cricket Ground), and listening to the chirping of birds in the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary – there are a lot of lovely experiences you can enjoy at the popular places to visit in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Relish home-fresh, local cuisines from our carefully curated menu, that pamper your taste buds and soothe your soul: adding glamour to your experience is the al-fresco setup in the gazebo, or a warm, inviting setup indoors. Don’t miss out on the chef’s special wood-fired pizzas! Start your mornings with a session of yoga with our onsite instructor (available at an additional rate). Challenge your group to a game of cricket or badminton in the outdoor game space near the lawn or cosy up inside over a few board games and karaoke sessions with a fresh cup of chai. Guests can indulge in guided treks through the forest to the nearby villages and pilgrimage sites with picnics, available at an additional cost.  Celebrate milestone occasions on the lush lawns of the estate. Guests can also take a walk to nearby rivers and lakes. Check with the caretaker for more details. And, if you fancy scenic road trips, take the road to Shimla for a picturesque, memorable drive and soak in the vibrancy and energy in the markets and streets of Shimla.If you’re looking for a home to truly disconnect from the hustle-bustle of city life, this is it. Layout of the homestay: Made of wood and equipped with snug furnishings, every part of the home has a rhythm of its own. The floor-to-ceiling windows, verandah and sit-outs on every floor of the home offer stunning vistas of the snow-capped Himalayas and the surrounding flora, making for an almost-poetic, indoor-outdoor living experience. Show us a home more gram-worthy than this, we bet you won’t find one. Guests can also book Ekam (Walnut Suite), a deluxe 1-bedroom suite situated in the same premises. The second floor of the private cottage was originally the home owner’s study and meditation room which was converted into an attic room that harbours & sustains the calming aura. The library on the first floor is the perfect place to curl up with a book, sip on a warm beverage and find yourself being one with the harmony of your surroundings. To know more about the layout of the home, please read the ’Things you need to know’ section on this page.