We shut down our glamping site in Manali ‘FootlooseCamps Resort Hamta’ in August 2024. 9 months later, in May 2024, we shut down our second site Footloose Camps 2.0 The Homestay. Neither of the decisions were done in haste.
The decision to shut down both our properties in Manali was calculative. Manali was shifting toward a crowded, fast-paced, and party-centric environment—a direction starkly misaligned with our founding vision of fostering mindful wellness, immersive adventures, and meaningful connections with nature.
And so we exited Manali and shifted our base to the quieter suburbs of Shimla District.
Why We Chose Wellness And Eco Tourism As The Core Theme For Operating Our Stay In Himachal Pradesh?
Since we both were born in Himachal Pradesh (Shimla for Dev and Kinnaur for Ringzin), Himalayas was more than a hill-station destination. For us, it represents a living ecosystem of forests, rivers, villages, monasteries, and slow mountain life.
We believe, Wellness tourism in Himachal is not about luxury spas or curated packages alone — it is about silence, clean air, organic food, and reconnecting with nature without distractions. And that was our focus in Manali too, before we shut down there!
At Footloose Camps in Manali, we started hosting people in a traditional Kathkuni Mudhouse. As we all know, living in a mud house instead of a concrete structure can be healthier in several ways — not just physically, but also mentally and environmentally. While concrete buildings are durable and modern, mud houses (also called earthen homes or adobe structures) offer a more natural living environment that aligns closely with human biology and climate responsiveness.
On top of that, we always grew our own vegetables and served organic food. Check out our cover story in the Logical Indian that spoke of our mission with Wellness Tourism focused on Organic Farming and sustainable practices.
Eco tourism in Himachal, on the other hand, is about responsibility. It is about traveling in a way that leaves the mountains better, not burdened. As a hospitality brand, we realised early that sustainable travel and mindful living were not trends; they were necessities. Our mission gradually evolved from “offering stays” to “offering conscious experiences.”
What Wellness Tourism Means To Us
Wellness travel in the Himalayas is deeply personal. It can mean yoga at sunrise, meditation in pine forests, digital detox weekends, or simply waking up to birds instead of notifications. Many travellers come to the mountains seeking healing from burnout, anxiety, or urban chaos.
At Footloose Camps, wellness is not sold as a package — it is embedded into the environment we create. Minimal noise, open landscapes, slower itineraries, and intentional design all play a role. Whether it is a solo traveller journaling by a riverside or a couple seeking a mindful retreat, the aim is the same: restoration of mental clarity and emotional balance.
Wellness tourism in Himachal Pradesh is powerful because the geography itself supports it. The altitude, forests, clean water, and spiritual history of the region naturally encourage introspection and calm.
What Eco Tourism Means To Us
Eco tourism is often misunderstood as merely “staying in a cottage” or “visiting villages.” In reality, sustainable tourism in Himachal Pradesh involves conscious decisions at every level — construction materials, waste management, food sourcing, and community engagement.
For us, eco-friendly travel means:
- Supporting local farmers and artisans
- Reducing plastic and non-biodegradable waste
- Designing low-impact accommodations
- Promoting slow travel instead of rushed sightseeing
- Encouraging guests to respect local culture and ecosystems
We believe that true eco tourism is invisible. When done right, the traveller experiences comfort while the environment experiences minimal disturbance.
Our current site in Shimla is under construction at the moment but we will be back very soon!!
Join us on Instagram and follow along as we try to redefine the future of tourism in Himachal and beyond.
Why Himachal Pradesh Is Ideal For Conscious Travel
The diversity of Himachal Pradesh makes it one of India’s strongest destinations for wellness and sustainable tourism. From cedar forests in Shimla hills to the spiritual calm of Dharamshala, from riverside villages in Tirthan Valley to high-altitude monasteries of Spiti — each region offers a different dimension of mindful travel.
Unlike conventional tourism hubs driven by nightlife and crowds, many pockets of Himachal still preserve a rhythm of life rooted in agriculture, spirituality, and nature. These regions are naturally aligned with eco stays, yoga retreats, digital detox holidays, and organic farm experiences.
For travellers searching for “peaceful places in Himachal,” “eco friendly stays in Himachal Pradesh,” or “wellness retreats in the Himalayas,” the answer often lies in its lesser-known villages rather than its commercial towns.
The Shift From Hospitality To Responsibility
Our transition from Manali to the quieter parts of Shimla District was not a retreat — it was a realignment. We realised that building a hospitality business in the mountains comes with an obligation toward the mountains themselves.
Instead of scaling rapidly, we chose to scale responsibly. Instead of chasing occupancy numbers, we chose to prioritise guest experience, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability. This meant slower growth, more thoughtful design, and stronger integration with local communities.
Wellness and eco tourism in Himachal Pradesh is not about doing less; it is about doing things better.
The Experiences We Aim To Offer
Our mission is not limited to accommodation. We aspire to facilitate experiences that naturally blend adventure with awareness. Forest walks that double as mindfulness exercises. Village interactions that foster cultural appreciation. Organic meals that reconnect travellers with real food.
Whether it is mindful trekking, journaling retreats, nature photography, or simply spending a weekend without screens, these experiences form the backbone of conscious mountain travel. The Himalayas do not demand activity; they invite presence.
Responsible Travel As A Shared Mission
Sustainable tourism cannot be achieved by businesses alone. It requires travellers who are equally conscious. Small habits — carrying reusable bottles, respecting silence in villages, avoiding litter, choosing local homestays, and supporting small businesses — collectively create large impact.
Our role is to provide an environment that encourages such behaviour naturally rather than enforcing it through rules. When travellers experience the benefits of slow and mindful living, responsibility becomes instinctive.
Looking Ahead…
Wellness and eco tourism in Himachal Pradesh is not a temporary shift for us; it is the foundation of our future. The mountains have always offered healing — our intention is simply to ensure that in seeking healing, we do not harm the very landscapes that provide it.
Footloose Camps exists to bridge hospitality with harmony. Our mission is to create spaces where travellers do not just visit the Himalayas, but truly experience them — gently, responsibly, and with purpose.