Every place begins with a dream.

A few decades ago, Hemant and Sangeeta Chhabra dreamed of a life in the countryside, closer to the earth and away from the noise and pace of the city. What began as a personal choice slowly became Hideout, a home, a farm and a way of life.

Established in 1987, Hideout began with Hemant's desire to embrace fresh air, grow his own food and live closer to nature. Inspired by Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka, he embraced natural, non-violent farming, allowing the land to flourish with minimal intervention.

The family lived off-grid in the early years, learning to live with the rhythms of the land. The first adobe accommodation was built in 1998, and what began as a family home gradually opened its doors to others. After hosting children's camps, Hideout became a homestay in 2010.

Over the years, the farm grew into a thriving tropical food forest, with fruit trees and varieties of bananas sourced from across India. Mud, karvi and other locally available materials became part of the accommodations, reflecting a desire to build in harmony with the surroundings.

Perhaps that is the real story of Hideout.

It was never about creating a retreat with a set formula. It grew organically from a family choosing to live differently, and their children growing up with the freedom to learn, explore and find their own paths.

Today, Hideout is more than a homestay. It is a family home surrounded by a living food forest, where the cat may wander through your day, seasonal ingredients from the farm and forest may find their way onto your plate, and conversations often continue long after the meal is over.

A place shaped by nature, nurtured by a family and shared with others — a family dream that continues to grow.