ROSE Kanda

ROSE Kanda (Rural Organization for Social Elevation) is a homestay located in Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills. Guests are hosted by a family and can help with activities that need doing such as teaching school children, organic farming and learning about biodiversity and cottage industries, including construction and protection of the local environment. This is a farming community, so rural and fairly isolated, but beautiful and a truly authentic opportunity to immerse into Indian life and enjoy the tranquility and beautiful scenery of an organic agricultural village in the foothills of the Himalayas. Visitors can take time out to explore the Himalayas on one of the many treks in the Kanda area, learn Hindi or Kumaoni and enjoy the unique Kumaoni cuisine. Funding from guests directly helps community projects such as running a school, building homes and composting toilets.

ROSE Kanda is an organisation that offers a genuine immersion experience for adventurous travellers who want to indulge in another culture without eroding traditional, local values. It is located in Uttarakhand, India, in the Himalayan foothills¹. ROSE stands for Rural Organisation for Social Elevation, and was founded in 1988 by Jeevan Verma, who became interested in social work to help his community¹.

ROSE Kanda runs various projects that aim to improve the quality of life in the valley, such as a public school for poorer families, houses and composting toilets construction, organic farming and cultural preservation¹. ROSE Kanda also hosts international visitors who can stay with the Verma family and take part in various voluntary activities, such as teaching, gardening, building or computer work¹. The visitors can also enjoy the natural beauty and the rural lifestyle of the area, as well as learn about the local art and craft, spiritualism and history¹.

ROSE Kanda is not only a place to have fun, but also a place to make a difference. The organisation operates as a non-profit organisation that supports various social and environmental projects in Uttarakhand and India. The organisation uses solar power and rainwater harvesting systems, recycles waste and composts organic materials, grows its own fruits and vegetables, and sources most of its products locally. The organisation also employs local staff and provides them with training and education opportunities. The organisation supports several initiatives that benefit the local community, such as building schools and health centres, providing scholarships and micro-loans, promoting women’s empowerment and cultural preservation, and protecting wildlife and biodiversity¹.

ROSE Kanda is located in Sunargaon village, in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. This region is known for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. You can find stunning landscapes of mountains, forests, rivers and waterfalls, as well as rich wildlife such as leopards, monkeys, deer and birds. You can also experience the vibrant culture of Uttarakhand by visiting local villages and markets, attending festivals and ceremonies, or watching dances and music performances¹.

To get to ROSE Kanda, you need to fly to Delhi from your international destination (such as UK or USA), then take a train or bus to Kathgodam (about 6 hours), then take another bus or taxi to Bageshwar (about 4 hours), then take another taxi or walk to Sunargaon village (about 30 minutes)¹.

The room rate at ROSE Kanda starts from $10 USD per night for camping (tent hire included), $15 USD per night for a single room (breakfast included), $20 USD per night for a double room (breakfast included), depending on the season. The room capacity ranges from 1 to 4 people per room. The organisation welcomes children of all ages (with special rates for kids under 12) but does not offer babysitting services. The organisation is accessible by road only (no air or water access)¹.