Friends of Orchha
A stay with the warm and friendly hosts of Friends of Orchha helps them earn a sustainable income to support their families.
The revenue from providing accommodation is shared between Friends of Orchha and the families, while the families keep everything earned from providing meals and other services.
Orchha is easily accessible by train and road from Delhi, Agra, Bhopal and Khajuraho. The fastest train ride from Delhi to Jhansi (the nearest railway station to Orchha) takes about four hours and 45 minutes, and the slower trains take about six hours. A taxi ride from Jhansi (about 18km away) will take about 30 minutes.
The nearest airport is in Gwalior, about 130km away, or about three hours by road. Friends of Orchha can help with travel arrangements from both Gwalior and Jhansi.
Your hosts will be families like Kiran and Surendra, who were among the first two families to become part of Friends of Orchha's network of host families. Like many households in the region, Kiran and Surendra depended on farming for survival, which is a risky in a area that suffers from droughts. As host families, they now have an additional source income, and also get to meet people from all over the world.
Meet Kiran and Surendra, and Kusum and Havi, hosts of Friends of Orchha.
Orchha has typically been a stopover either to or from Khajuraho and Agra. But plan to spend at least two nights there if you want to fully appreciate what the town has to offer.
The weather in Orchha is hot and dry for most of the year. The afternoons during summer are preferably spent indoors. Consider this when planning your time in Orchha.
Although Orchha has become familiar with tourists from different parts of India and the world, guests are advised to dress appropriately i.e. wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
Be respectful about your host family’s daily schedule and communicate any change in plans at the earliest you can with them.
Accommodation is simple, clean and comfortable. Rooms have fans and mosquito nets and newly-built bathrooms that are shared with the host family.
Some houses have composting bathrooms, and others have flush toilets. If you have a preference, make a request when booking.
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