Serenity in Wilderness
Our Story
A Different Vision of the Mountains
It began with a simple thought: What if a stay in the mountains could be about experiencing nature, rather than simply looking at it?
The idea first took shape in 2014.
At the time, I was working in banking and insurance, building my career in the corporate world. But I had always wanted to create something of my own, something different from the hotels and resorts we have come to know.
I imagined a place away from busy roads, crowded lobbies and the constant movement of city life. Somewhere surrounded by forests and mountains, where you could slow down, breathe deeply and experience nature in its purest form.
I wanted guests to feel connected to their surroundings, not separated from them by the walls of a conventional hotel.
But there was another part of this vision that mattered just as much.
I wanted to build something meaningful for the people who called these mountains home.
Rather than simply choosing a popular tourist destination, I wanted to create something in a quieter village, where a hospitality business could also create employment opportunities for the local community. The idea was to build a place that would bring visitors to the area while allowing local people to become part of its journey.
Finding Our Place
When I began looking for land in the Dharamshala region, I was searching for a particular feeling. A place that was removed from the usual tourist circuit, surrounded by nature and offering a different way to experience the mountains.
That search eventually led me to Nauhali.
The location felt right, but turning an idea into a real hospitality business in a remote mountain setting was not straightforward. Building the necessary infrastructure, creating comfortable accommodation and bringing the vision to life required patience, persistence and a willingness to work through challenges along the way.
My original concept involved geodesic domes. As the vision evolved, I found myself drawn towards Safari-style accommodation, bringing together the spirit of the outdoors and the comforts of a thoughtfully designed stay.
Gradually, what had once existed only as an idea began to take shape.
And Saraaya was born.
More Than a Stay
Today, Saraaya Glamps is home to four private Safari suites in Nauhali, surrounded by the forests and mountain landscapes of Himachal Pradesh.
Here, the experience extends beyond the accommodation. It might mean exploring a forest trail, taking a village walk, enjoying a picnic beside a mountain stream, gathering around a bonfire or simply sitting quietly and absorbing the surroundings.
We wanted to create a place where guests could discover a quieter side of Dharamshala, away from the crowds and the familiar tourist experience, without giving up the comfort of a good stay.
Equally important is the connection to the place we call home. Creating opportunities for local people and being part of the surrounding community remain integral to why Saraaya exists.
The journey continues, and like any dream built from the ground up, there is always more to learn, improve and create.
But the original thought remains unchanged.
To create something different. To bring people closer to nature. And to build a business that offers something meaningful to both the people who visit and the community that welcomes them.
Because we believe that nature should never be just the backdrop to a stay. It should be the experience itself.
Saraaya Glamps
Serenity in Wilderness.