As if this wasnβt mouth-watering enough, they also said electricity was sporadic (and only available in the common areas), the internet almost non-existent, and we would have to walk the last few hundred meters. βThereβs no road that reaches The Goat Villageβ
Yum, yum, yum!
Hard to reach roads and a prospect of a βdigital detox holidayβ! We knew this getaway to The Goat Village, deep in the Garhwal mountains of Uttarakhand, was going to be a special time.
Itβs a long, and dare we say, arduous drive
We smiled. This was a definite βWelcome to the Himalayasβ sign. It was us – visitors, and them – the mountain people. What to us was something extraordinary was βjust another day in lifeβ for them. We were now in the land of the people who called these mountains, home. Our favourite kind of people, our favourite kind of home.
A change of jeeps happened at Uttarkashi. We were now driving next to the river Bhagirathi, more through villages than mountains. By the time we got into the final jeep for Raithal, where this centre of The Goat Village is located, everyone knew everyone else. We were introduced to a magic jeep here. One thatβs filled to capacity. Thereβs no place to budge. Yet, when a hand is waved at it, space is βcreatedβ. It didnβt take us too long to break this magic code – the jeep had an open-air berth! Yup, the youngsters just moved on to the top to make space for the elderly of their village – or the βoutsidersβ – people like us!
The Goat Village in Raithal
If we say that the 5-hour long drive, as beautiful as it had been, wasnβt tiring, we would be lying. We were, in fact, exhausted by the time we opened the gates of The Goat Village. And – now that you know we donβt lie – what stood before our eyes took our breath away. We forgot we were tired. We wanted to run with joy. Jump with excitement. Shout with delight. It was the kind of beauty that fills your heart and then pours some more. It feels like floating in what can only be called a slice of heaven.
It was probably all of it. We were travelling to the Himalayas after 4 long years. Obviously, we were excited. This was our first time in the Garhwal part of the Himalayas. There was excitement, anticipation and that now familiar feeling of not knowing what, how, where next. And then be where we were! I felt like a little girl waiting to be gifted a doll but receiving a whole dollhouse instead!
βDoing nothingβ at The Goat Village
A big part of our βdoing nothingβ involved eating lots of fresh, organic, indigenous food. Agriculture is the focus of the Raithal centre of The Goat Village. Encourage the farmer to grow the indigenous mountain crop instead of shifting to the commercial crops and provide a marketplace for their produce. This not only preserves the βmicro-cultureβ of the region but also makes the youth consider the option of staying back in the mountains instead of migrating to the cities. Itβs a self-sustainable and eco-friendly model to generate local employment. And in the process, instil a sense of pride in the locals to continue living their traditional, and healthy, lifestyle.
It was a life well lived and βdoing nothingβ done right!
Top tips for visiting The Goat Village
- Getting there
- The Goat Village is located in the Garhwal mountains. You need to first get to Uttarkashi via Dehradun (like we did) or Rishikesh. Public transport in shared jeeps is available. The state transport bus also runs once a day. Visit the green people website for all the details.
- If you think youβll be unable to walk the last mile, let the people of The Goat Village know. They can make arrangements for a horse accordingly.
- Be prepared for all kinds of weather – these are the Himalayas, after all. We went in the monsoon when the weather was pleasant. A light sweater in the night was enough. Rain jackets are a must. It can rain anytime.
- The Goat Village is operational in winter as well, when the place is covered in snow. While they can arrange for thick warm blankets, they donβt have the facility of heaters in the room. Carry enough layers and warm wear if travelling in winter.
- You can visit The Goat Village all year round.
- Be realistic in your expectations. Remember, you are in the deep Himalayas.
- The cottages are built to make you feel comfortable. They are warm and the bathrooms have running water.
- But be prepared to rough it out. Something as natural as a fallen tree branch can disrupt the water supply. Donβt let being exposed to the raw elements of nature spoil your holiday.
- Explore the local delicacies that the chefs at The Goat Village prepare with great love. You can even get some raw material back, just let them know.
- ATMs are available, but they might not work. Keep cash handy.
- A few mobile phone networks work at The Goat Village. While the intention is to βdigitally detoxβ, maybe you need to inform someone of your whereabouts. Tell the staff at The Goat Village, theyβll be happy to help you about.
- Nothing!, farming, reading, talking. Go for walks in the village or in the forest. Talk to the locals – they are a chatty lot!
- You can explore the villages further ahead – like Barso, even Harshil, or go all the way to Gangotri (we will write about this soon!).
- A trek to the high altitude meadow of Dayara Bugyal can easily be arranged (coming soon!).
When to travel to The Goat Village
What to expect?
What to do at The Goat Village?
26 thoughts on “A slice of heaven at The Goat Village, an introduction”
Very Chilling and thrilling blog post.
And also very informative and interesting blog post about Mata Durga Puja..Enjoyed and loved reading it.
Thank You so much for the research and hardwork done for this post.
Keep posting,keep educating.
Thanks for sharing such a rare information
Thanks a lot for posting this informative blog and giving people amazing choices
Doing nothing and just rejuvenating is like when its calm before a storm. Though you never know where your rejuvenated energy will lead to. So harnessing it in the right direction could create something beautiful. Hi liked reading your article. Good place to visit and explore.
Even though i live in Uttarakhand and have travelled most of these places, but you somehow made me want to experience all of these things again. Amazing photographs and thoughtfully written blog. Thanks for this amazing reade.
WOW, I must say you really had an adventurous Digital Detox. A perfect place to get lost in the arms of nature.
By the way is the actual name of this village is “The Goat Village” or also known as something else.
The Goat Village is the name of the centre run by the Green People in the village of Raithal. It’s a tiny village tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Its really a digital detox.Amazing pics and your words adding more beauty.would love to visit here soon.
We can bet you’ll love this digital detox holiday at the Goat Village. Raithal is not on the commercial tourist map of Uttarakhand, yet. Enough scope to be close to nature, undisturbed.
The term “Digital Detox” sounds so peaceful. Wonderful pics, the place looks heavenly! Seems like a perfect vacation for someone like me who loves curling up with a good book and relax.
That sounds like a perfect ‘green’ break.
Awesome images from the mountains, guys. π
Green break, indeed!
Wow ! This looks like heaven !
Doesn’t it?!
Wow! I totally love this digital detox! π π will come back to this post several times, and that rainbow is incredible…
Fantstic stuff!
Digital detox is what we need, every once in a while.
The Goat Village seems just the kind of place I would love to spend few days, doing nothing and learning from nature.
The fact that Dayara Bugyal is nearby is fantastic, it’s beautiful.
Cheers,
Rajiv
Rajiv, quite certain you will love The Goat Village! It’s got everything to “do nothing” π
I hope to be there, let’s see when and how π
Amazing pics.. Loved the post. Thank you so much.
Thanks, Rupam! Glad you enjoyed it π
Thanks to you for sharing your experience.Such a beautiful place with your wonderful pictures, India has so many incredible places for visit, Beautiful India.
Can anyone ask for a better digital detox than this? This is just so perfect on all counts. Organic food, simple living, the Himalayas for company, long nature walks and perfect hosts! π Prefer a holiday like this over any luxury! π Rural tourism at its best π Thank you for sharing this guys, the pictures are stunning and I can imagine how flavoursome the parsley Maggi would be:)
Yup! This was probably our best rural tourism experience so far – perfect in every way! The simplicity was the luxury there π I think you will fall in love with The Goat Village too!
Sandeep and Chetan, this is absolutely a slice of heaven, at least I felt like it viewing all your most beautiful images. I haven’t seen such an incredible post for a long time. I feel like drawn to go back to India for another visit. Thank you for sharing your happiness. Blessings to you.
Thank you so much for making our day! Read this first thing in the morning and can’t wipe the smile off our faces – reading your comment as well as thinking back of the time we were at The Goat Village. On your next visit to India, do make time for a visit to one of The Goat Villages!
Much love to you both!