About Us

Welcome to Ragini Cottages, Naggar! Relax, unwind, and immerse yourself in the spectacular views of the Kullu Valley in the lap of comfort and luxury. Surrounded by Deodar pine forest, you can enjoy the fresh air in our peaceful garden, lush with flowers, fruit trees and an organic vegetable and herbs kitchen garden. Centrally located (just 200 meter walk away from Naggar Castle), but at the same time nicely secluded, our private property offers cozy rooms with beautiful views, warm and attentive hospitality, and activities to nourish your body and soul.

At Ragini Cottages, your experience is the centre of all our efforts. Combining with modern comforts and an authentic Himachali experience, our home stay offers the perfect environment for your home away from home.

Our Story

Nadia has worked as a consultant in an employment agency in Brussels for 10 years. She first came to India in 1992, fell in love with the country and has been travelling for 6 months a year to explore this vast subcontinent. It’s in the Indian Himalayas where she feels most at home, so meeting her husband there in 1999 and marrying him in 2000 was only a natural thing to do. Dividing their time between India and Belgium has taught them a great deal about making someone feeling at home in a new surrounding and they love sharing their experiences with other people.

In her own words:

"When I met Vinod in 1999, I knew I had found someone special. Love blossomed quickly and we got married. The next few years we divided our time between India and Belgium and thus gained an invaluable insight in how best to combine our two different cultures.

In 2003 our son Surya was born and brought an extra ray of sunlight into our lives and when our daughter Asha was born two years later, our little family was complete. We decided to settle down in Naggar to provide the children with a stable upbringing. Soon the idea of our Home Stay came to mind.

We have also been running a Beach Bar and Restaurant in Goa in winter. Maybe one of the reasons why it has become so popular and successful since 2003 is that we enjoy it so much!

While I am fully committed to the smooth running of the special addition to our home, Vinod takes care of the guided tours, the treks and the fieldwork that complement our guests' special stay. We are very proud of our Home Stay in Naggar and are more than happy to share the unique experience we gained in combining our different cultures with you."

Vinod was born in Naggar in a family where traditions have been kept strong for hundreds of years. He is a practicing proponent of “Athithi Devo Bhava” - guests are God. With his warm and welcoming demeanor, he is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the local culture and trekking, drawn from his experience of over 30 years. He has personally organized and led trekking and camping trips across Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. He is also a biking enthusiast who runs Discover Himalayas and was one of the first guides in the Kullu valley to conduct expeditions with foreign tourists.

Vinod has been managing his own travel tour company and running the family hotel with his brother since 1993. He met his Belgian wife, Nadia, while doing what he likes most: guiding a trek across his native valley.

In his own words:

"I have witnessed this Valley change from being cut off from the rest of India back in 1993 to becoming a favorite escape from hectic life for many domestic and international visitors. It has always been my passion to share my knowledge and love for the region with them. So advising and organizing any activities in order to provide a complete holiday and a comfortable stay comes natural to me."

The Ragini Team

Poonam
Energetic and perpetually smiling, Poonam is a superhero as she takes care not only of the housekeeping, but also of the welcoming of our guests and the general management of Ragini Cottages. She has been with us for over 5 years and is extremely conscientious about taking care of your laundry, cleaning, and general maintenance of the garden and other common areas. In case you ever plan a camping trip with us, you would probably enjoy her thoughtfully packed food items and preparations.

Anu
Mountain goat, trekking hero and camping maestro - these are some of the few labels you can use for Anu.  He is your friend and helper during your camping and trekking expeditions. Gentle, warm and friendly, Anu is representative of a true pahadi. When he is not guiding people, he sometimes moonlights as a cocktail mixer and bar manager during bonfire parties and gatherings.

Raju
Attentive and demure, Raju is our resident chef. If you choose to opt for the dine-in option, you will get to enjoy the simple, wholesome and tasty food. He is also an expert in cooking Italian, Continental and Pahadi cuisine. The lip smacking food he prepares is what you will enjoy with a spectacular view if you ever go camping.

Uttam
Dynamic and multi-talented, this local boy is a newly added enthusiastic resident member to our team. He takes care of our general maintenance and is always at your service. Passionate about the region, he is happy to share his local knowledge with you. As motivated all-rounder, we anticipate a bright future with him.