This gorgeous rural four-room lodge, made of local materials and decorated by tribal artists, is run by Heritage Tours. Activities on offer include half- and full-day walks to nearby villages, cooking, cycling through the countryside, craftwork, cooking and local market trips. Desia is 70km southwest of Koraput, near the village of Machkund. It’s best to call for pick-up from Koraput.
This place is seriously remote: no wi-fi, little phone signal, total silence after dark and the most beautiful starry sky on a clear night. You can come here independently or with an all-inclusive 'tribal tour' package, starting at ₹24,000 for a four-day trip for two people. Since the lodge is along the rural road to Onkadelli Market, visitors to the market are welcome to drop by for a delicious lunch (book in advance). If you're seriously interested in cultural immersion, an overnight stay in a nearby village can be arranged; evening visits are also possible and you might get sucked into a local full-moon dance. Desia also runs a nursery and primary school for children from surrounding villages, teaching them English.