mumbai twentysix years ago hemant chhabra left his city job and life behind to get back to his roots it took him 22 years to attract birds to his farm stay hideout and 12 years for a tree to grow to provide shade but in the end he believes it was all worth the effort located in vikramgad taluka in palghar district a twohour drive from navi mumbai hideout is the perfect way to experience organic life at its best the sevenacre plot has five units comprising seven rooms we have waterfalls in the area that guests can enjoy all year round but more importantly we have adopted a vegan way of living said hemant from delicious organic food to satvik meals to herbal beverages this place has it all for a healthy holiday guests can also buy some of the organic food rice millet flour and seasonal fruits and vegetables there is a plethora of activities on this farm indulge in organic farming warli art walk around and explore the waterfalls in the area other activities include rappelling kayaking and healthy cooking sessions added hemant rates start at rs 5800 for four people per night it is a sea change a concept that took years to develop but is popular now said k g natraj the owner of omkar holiday homes in dapoli on his 10000 sq feet land he has developed two residences one for himself and the other for visitors seeking a rural experience the cottage has two bedrooms plus a living room that can accommodate eight people he said his guests are varied families nature lovers bird watchers and trekkers there is an abundance of cashew nut jack fruit coconut and beetle nut plantations that guests enjoy they can try their hand at farming explore the birds or take a nature trail said natraj the rates here are rs 4000 upwards for eight people per night for an experience of life as it was visit the farm of happiness in sangameshwar barely two years old and owner rahul kulkarni couldnt be happier with the interest it has generated his 20acre property has a sprawling farm house with three individual bedrooms plus a common seating area we are surrounded by alphonso and cashew nut trees plus we grow rice ragi turmeric yam and seasonal fruit and vegetables it is a great experience for people and often guests cant wait to try their hand at farming said rahul we charge rs 2000 upwards per day per person but the price also depends on their food preference considering we are one of the few places to serve nonvegetarian food he added