在 · here

a small house
in the quiet hills.

coffee  ·  stay  ·  stillness
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

reserve a night

— our story

Built for the slow morning.

dera began as a thought on a foggy walk through deodar trees. Somewhere between the slate roofs of Khaniyara and the breath of the Dhauladhars, we wanted a place that felt less like a listing and more like a friend's old home.

A pot of pour-over on the stove. A window framing the mountains. A reading nook that smells faintly of pine. That is dera.

This home belongs to Bimla Devi — a soft-spoken aunty who has lived on this hillside her whole life. She'll meet you at the gate with chai, and the kind of welcome that turns a house into a home.

Bimla Devi, host of dera
Bimla Devi — your host —

— the homestay way

A home you share. A privacy you keep.

01

Aunty's kitchen

Use the kitchen as your own — make chai whenever, cook a full meal if you feel like it. Or ask Bimla aunty; she'll happily cook anything you want, the way home tastes. On request, she'll put together a slow Himachali dham — a proper feast, the local way.

02

Local, but private

It's a homestay in the truest sense — you live alongside aunty's family, share warm conversations and easy evenings with them, and learn the everyday rhythms of Himachali life. All of it with your own room, your own door, your own pace.

03

Cabs & a scooty

We arrange cabs at far gentler rates than the city apps charge. And one scooty is on rent for guests who like to wander on their own — more on the way as we grow.

04

Things worth doing

If you want, we'll point you toward quiet walks, hidden cafés, monasteries off the trail, and small adventures the guidebooks miss. If you don't, the verandah and the mountains are enough.

— dera kitchen

Food the way home tastes.

Everything that leaves this kitchen is cooked by Bimla aunty, fresh and to order, on the same stove that has fed her family for years. There's no menu by the clock — breakfast when you wake, lunch when you're hungry, chai whenever the mountains ask for it.

Mornings begin with aloo or paneer parathas, thick curd, pickle and whatever fruit is in season. Lunch and dinner is a thali you can keep refilling — dal, two sabjis, rice, roti, salad. And with a day's notice she'll lay out a slow Himachali dham, the feast served at village weddings, course by course on a leaf.

  • Aloo paratha breakfast₹150
  • Veg thali — lunch or dinner eat till you're full₹279
  • Non-veg thali chicken curry · eat till you're full₹399
  • Traditional Himachali dham per person · minimum 3 guests · 12 hours' notice₹579
  • Masala chai₹15

All prices per person. Meals are made fresh on order — please allow 30–45 minutes, and tell us a day ahead for the dham.

ask what's cooking

— what waits for you

01

Coffee

Single-origin beans from Coorg, hand-ground, brewed slow. A small bar with a window onto the valley.

02

Stay

Two rooms, warm wood floors, hand-loomed linens. Hot showers, fast Wi-Fi, and a fireplace for the cold nights.

03

Stillness

A meditation deck above the pines. Morning yoga on request. Long walks that don't ask for a destination.

— what's inside

Everything you'd hope for.
Nothing you wouldn't.

Built for slow mornings and longer stays — a working kitchen, warm water on tap, fast internet for those who must work, and a window in almost every wall.

  • Fast Wi-Fi 100+ Mbps fibre. Strong in every room — built for remote work.
  • Hot Water · 24×7 Geyser-warmed showers — even on the coldest December mornings.
  • Full Kitchen Gas stove, fridge, filter water, utensils. Cook a meal or just brew chai.
  • Dhauladhar Views The mountains framed by every window — and a balcony to watch them from.
  • Two Private Bedrooms Sleeps four comfortably. Crisp linens, blackout curtains, ceiling fans.
  • Workspace A proper desk by the window. Power outlets where you'd want them.
  • Free Parking Park the car or the scooter at the gate. We'll show you the way.
  • A Whole House It's yours for the stay — living room, terrace, garden, all of it.

— find us

Tucked into the hills of Khaniyara.

A short, winding road past the cedars brings you to our gate. We'll send detailed directions and a warm welcome the moment you book.

— from the guestbook

Letters from the verandah.

Real reviews from our Airbnb guests — straight from their stay 🤍

Five-star Airbnb review by Rohit: cozy, beautiful and comfortable; the owner was humble and the food was superb; we could see the mountains and it was peaceful.
Five-star Airbnb review by Himanshu: felt more like staying with a kind aunt than at a homestay; we cooked one night, she cooked the next two; came back recharged.
Five-star Airbnb review by Manya: the hospitality was truly wonderful and you'll love the food; the place felt like a home away from home.
Five-star Airbnb review by Karni Pratap: great place to reside in Dharamshala; host was responsive; place was clean with all amenities; food was great.
Five-star Airbnb review by Pranky: it was a great stay; we will definitely book again.
Five-star Airbnb review by Ashish: cozy, comfortable and very well maintained with a Dhauladhar view; the home kitchen was one of the best parts, the Himachali bhaturu and aloo paratha were amazing; hospitality was warm and the stay felt homely rather than like a hotel.
Five-star Airbnb review by Apoorv: a very pleasant stay at Bimla Aunty's place and Deepak is a great host; a peaceful, beautiful village away from crowded touristy places; would definitely recommend and come again.
Five-star Airbnb review by Emma: Deepak and his family were so welcoming and we had a great view.

— moments from the house

Guests sharing a meal in the dera living room
A family with Bimla aunty in the dera living room
Guests and their two dogs with Bimla aunty on the dera front steps
Two travellers with Bimla aunty at the dera front door before checkout
Two friends with Bimla aunty on the dera front steps
A family of three with Bimla aunty at the dera entrance
A visiting family with Bimla aunty in the dera living room

More moments on Instagram — @dera.homess

Read every review on our Airbnb listing.

— reserve

Come stay a while.

We host a small number of guests each month so every visit feels unhurried. Check dates, see the place, and book in a few taps — or message us first and we'll hold the kettle warm.

— follow along

@dera.homess

Slow mornings, mountain weather, and the occasional resident dog.

— contact us

Tell us how it felt.

Stayed with us, planning to, or just curious? We read every note. Your feedback helps dera stay warm and kind.