We're Not a Travel Company.
We're Your Local Friends in Himachal.
Born in the Mountains
GoStayLocal was born in 2016 when Rahul Thakur, a trek guide from Dharamkot, got tired of watching tourists miss the real Himachal. They'd arrive, stay in a generic hotel, do the Triund trek with a crowd, eat at a tourist restaurant, and leave thinking they'd "done" Dharamshala. They hadn't even scratched the surface.
So Rahul started small — connecting a few travelers with his mother's homestay, taking them to the viewpoints only locals know, introducing them to the Tibetan families who'd been his neighbours his whole life. Word spread. More locals joined. GoStayLocal grew into what it is today: a platform built by Himachali people, for travelers who want to go deeper.
Every rupee you spend with us goes directly to local families, guides, and communities. We don't have a head office in Delhi. Our office is the mountains.
Our Values
Local First
Every decision we make prioritises the local community. Our guides, hosts, and partners are all from Himachal. Tourism should benefit the people who live here.
Responsible Travel
We promote low-impact travel — smaller groups, longer stays, less waste. We partner only with eco-conscious stays and encourage travelers to leave places better than they found them.
Authentic Experiences
No manufactured "cultural shows" or tourist traps. We connect you with real people, real food, and real stories. If it feels staged, it doesn't make our list.
Meet the Team
Rahul Thakur
Trek Guide & Co-founder
Born in Dharamkot
12 years guiding treks across the Dhauladhar range. Rahul knows every trail, every wildflower, and every family-run dhaba worth stopping at.
Priya Sharma
Cultural Experience Lead
McLeod Ganj local
Grew up in McLeod Ganj and has been connecting travelers with the real Tibetan-Himachali culture for over 8 years.
Vikram Singh
Adventure Activities Head
Bir Billing native
Certified paragliding instructor and river rafting guide. Vikram has logged over 2,000 tandem flights over the Kangra Valley.
Anita Devi
Homestay Curator
Kangra Valley roots
Anita personally visits and vets every homestay on our platform. If she wouldn't stay there herself, it doesn't make the list.
0+
Curated Stays
0+
Happy Travelers
0
Years in Business
0+
Local Partners
Ready to Experience the Real Himachal?
Let our local team plan your perfect mountain escape.
Get in Touch