Top 6 Eco-friendly Destinations Every Conscious Traveller Should Add To Their Bucket List

(By: Sunith Reddy)

In an age where travel is as much about introspection as exploration, eco-conscious wanderers are increasingly seeking destinations that tread lightly on the planet. India, with its tapestry of landscapes and ancient wisdom, offers plenty of green getaways that harmonise sustainability with soul-stirring experiences. Whether it’s sleeping under the stars in a mud hut or sipping organic tea on a cloud-kissed hill, here are six eco-friendly havens where nature doesn’t just surround you, it speaks to you.

1. Sikkim — India’s First Organic State

Sikkim isn’t just a state, it’s a quiet revolution in green governance. Crowned as India’s first 100% organic state, every leaf you chew and grain you taste here is grown without synthetic fertilisers. Tucked in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is a paradise for eco-travellers. Stay in bamboo-built homestays in villages like Yuksom and Dzongu, where locals share stories over millet beer. Trek through Kanchenjunga National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and watch how this tiny state balances tourism with preservation like a seasoned yogi in tree pose.

2. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya — The Cleanest Village in Asia

Mawlynnong, where the roads are spotless, plastic is avoided, and living sustainably is a way of life. This Meghalayan Khasi village made headlines around the globe for its cleanliness, but the real magic here is that the people are unflinching in their commitment to nature. Bamboo trash cans line every street, rubbish is composted religiously, and the village is run on a shared philosophy of eco-awareness. Stay in locally owned bamboo homestays and wake up to the sound of birdsong instead of honking horns. While you are there, don't miss the living root bridges organic engineering at its finest.

3. Khonoma, Nagaland — India’s First Green Village

In the misty folds of Nagaland, Khonoma is a tale of redemption. Once infamous for hunting, this warrior village transformed into India’s first “green village” by banning logging and wildlife hunting. The result? A thriving sanctuary of rare orchids, butterflies, and hornbills. Explore the terraced fields, interact with fierce-yet-warm Angami tribes, and stay in eco-huts that offer unfiltered mountain views. In Khonoma, sustainability isn’t a fad, it’s folklore.

4. Coorg, Karnataka — Coffee with a Conscience

Coorg is more than just coffee — it’s a slow travel dream where every sip tells a sustainable story. Dotted with organic coffee estates and forest-friendly lodges, this Kodagu gem is leading the way in low-impact luxury. One standout initiative is Beforest Coorg, a regenerative living community nestled in the heart of the Western Ghats, where sustainable farming, wildlife corridors, and conscious hospitality come together in harmony. Sign up for permaculture workshops, hike through sacred groves, and bunk down in homestays powered by solar energy and spring water. For every tree you hug in Coorg, a cicada sings back.

5. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh — Where Solitude Meets Sustainability

Spiti’s stark, high-altitude beauty is not for the faint-hearted, but for the conscious traveller, it’s a pilgrimage. In the remote villages of Komic, Langza, and Demul, you’ll find solar-powered homes, composting toilets, and warm-blooded hospitality. Local NGOs are promoting sustainable tourism to protect Spiti’s fragile ecosystem while providing income to its resilient communities. Come for the monasteries, stay for the stars. And remember, what you pack in, you pack out.

6. Thenmala, Kerala — India’s First Planned Ecotourism Destination

Tucked in the foothills of the Western Ghats, Thenmala is a mosaic of forests, waterfalls, and curated eco-experiences. As India’s first planned ecotourism site, it offers responsibly designed adventures — from treetop walks and nature trails to butterfly safaris. The boardwalks are bamboo, the ethos is green, and even the food is local. Thenmala is proof that when done right, tourism can nourish both the traveller and the terrain.

Sunith Reddy is Co-Founder of Beforest Lifestyle Solutions

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