Art and spirituality in the Himalayas

Known to be the abode of sages in ancient days, the Himalayas continue to evoke romanticism and inspiration to all to this day. Home to legendary artists and artisans, the valleys surrounding it are a haven for art aficionados. McLeodganj in Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh is the seat of Dalai Lama and a spiritual retreat for tourists around the world. With the mighty Dhauladhar range standing tall around it, the place reverberates with Tibetan art and culture in its monasteries, heritage properties or private resorts. For tourists interested in art, the Norbulingka Institute, committed to preserving Tibetan art, offers workshops in the same. Barely 13 km away is Andretta Artist Village established in the 1920s by an Irish lady. Famous for its Andretta pottery, Norah’s Mud House and Sir Sobha Singh Art Gallery, the legacy of art, pottery and performing arts continues here among connoisseurs. Guests can also give play to their freewheeling spirit by indulging in adventure sports such as paragliding, safari jeep and hikes besides soaking in the luxury of palace hotels. Palampur offers guests an intoxicating tea estate experience with eco-friendly cottages made out of mud, slate and wood. The décor of each of the cottages bears the characteristics of the tea it is named after. Besides being famous for its 4000m high Rohtang Pass, Manali is a gateway for skiing, paragliding, rafting and mountaineering. The wooden Hidimba Devi temple provides the spiritual touch while luxury resorts command a spectacular view of the verdant valley full of apple orchards. As for art lovers, they head straight to the famous Russian painter Nicholas Roerich’s art gallery. Roerich was interested in hypnosis and this is immortalised in his paintings.

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India: A Food Journey

India is the land of spices and its gastronomical delights fascinate people all over the world. Indian food is a nod to its millennials old history and rich culture. A first hand culinary experience is incomplete without a visit to the old parts of historical cities such as Jaipur in Rajasthan and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Guests can savour the best of food and tradition with a carefully designed tour of these cities. Courtesy and hospitality are ingrained in the people of both Jaipur and Lucknow. Both cities have a royal past and many palaces and havelis have been turned into heritage hotels and resorts. Dining with the descendants of royalty transports guests back to the days of the rajas and maharajas. Indulging in authentic food from the Northwest Frontier Province in the evening is a must. Guests can mingle with the chef and know more about the province as well as the signature dishes. Lunch is a good time to try the Rajasthani thali or platter and gorge on Lal Maans (red meat).

Lucknow is famous for its chikan and zardozi work (delicate embroidery), and its signature Tundey kebabs, nihari and pasanda kebab.  A curated lunch at a royal house whose culinary legacy dates back to 400 years is a must. Guests can also take a culinary walk in the evening down the lane adjacent to Akbari Gate to taste the best of meat dishes from the Awadhi menu. Alternately, they can opt for the Rastogi meal (primarily vegetarian dishes, Rastogis are Hindu trading community, who sell the embroidered craft). The capital city Delhi also has its share of the old world charm and old world flavours. Guests can wind their way through the narrow bylanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi around Jama Masjid and feast their eyes and senses on the multitude of spices available in the Khari Baoli spice market. In the more urban Connaught Place, a celebrity chef can give guests a live demo of the famous Mughlai food woven with interesting stories of the past.

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Homestays in the hills

Whether it is down south in Kerala or at the snowy hill stations in the northern parts of the country, Indians have a way of spoiling their guests, and what better way to do it than in the warmth of their homes. There is nothing like opting for a homestay while travelling in India. In Binsar, guests are transported to an authentic village experience, which is completed with a trek to the village and interaction with the villagers. Guests can sit around the fire in the evening and listen to a flute recital or an old village bard belting out a folk song of the Kumaoni hills. They can also choose to spend time at an old English cottage in the Himalayan hill station, Landor, Uttarakhand. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the place gives guests a chance to enjoy solitude. Visitors can enjoy doing nothing or take a leisurely walk among tall Deodar and Pine trees, listen to the whistling woods, admire the breathtaking views, talk to a local, stop by at a quaint tea shop or just sit anywhere with a book.

A homestay in beautiful Kerala is incomplete without the local preparations and consumption of seafood. Not to be missed are the engaging and informative cooking classes and dinner at the host’s house and get a taste of Malabar fish curry, meenpollichathu, Alleppey prawn curry and mixed grill seafood platter. The host is happy to take guests to the local fish market where they can actually select the fish they want to eat and glimpse into the lives of the local people - an enriching experience indeed!

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Experience village life in Kumarakom

Kumarakom is a cluster of small pictureseque islands and is well acclaimed for its backwaters, delicious cuisine and greenery. The soothing surroundings and verdant lushness bestow Kumarakom with a physically and spiritually uplifting ambience. Guests can begin their journey in a country boat and proceed to a lake flanked by greens, to Manjira village. The villagers like to give their guests a grand reception with cheers and flower garlands. They revel in showing their guests two ways of climbing a coconut tree - the laborious traditional way using a thalappu and the modern way using latest instruments. Guests are encouraged to climb a coconut tree in the method of their choice. The locals here love to take their guests for a walk in the lush green paddy, show them coconut groves and make them taste sweet coconut water and tender coconut. Toddy is Kerala’s home-grown spirit. It is interesting to see how sap is collected drop by drop in an earthen pot tied atop the coconut tree. During this visit, guests can also watch the fascinating process of coir-making and even try their hand at coir spinning. Alternately, they can learn how screw pine products are made. It is also fascinating to watch how skilled fishermen cast a net and trap their catch with ease. Aymanam is the village in Arundhathi Roy’s novel ‘The God of Small Things’ (30 minutes’ drive from Kumarakom). Guests can begin their brush with the local tradition and culture by visiting a Kathakali master. There’s nothing more exciting than taking a ride in a traditional canoe cruise. Later, they can indulge in a nature walk amidst herb gardens, temples and coconut trees and have lunch with a native family.

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Snow Leopards in Ulley, Ladakh

On their visit to Ladakh, probably one of the harshest terrains of the world, guests will stay in a house like lodge and begin their exhilarating journey of adventure. Embarking on a snow leopard (also called the grey ghost of the mountains) tracking trip, they can catch glimpses of ibex, urial, wolf, Himalayan fox, bearded and Himalayan griffon vultures and golden eagles. They will soak in the breathtaking view of the mighty mountains and carry back tales of adventure to be told to city dwellers. The snow leopard trekking trip is indeed a test of endurance and physical fitness. Guests have to brave the chill and high altitude in search of the elusive snow leopards, which descend from the highest reaches in search of its prey as the temperatures plummet way below freezing levels. The local guides are committed and dedicated to make every effort to give the guests an experience of a lifetime. They have a close network with the locals who help them narrow down the likely sites where the snow leopards will be lurking. He also helps keen photographers for whom it may be a challenge to capture this magnificent beast on the lens, given the rugged terrain. In the process, the guides give guests an interesting insight into the local customs and traditions.

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Adventure in Mustang, Nepal

Mustang, the Last Lost Kingdom, is famed for its diversity and is one of the last bastions of traditional Tibetan life left on the planet. The place is home to some of the highest and youngest mountains in the world. Our guests may hike and trek on the rugged terrains and soak in the beautiful mountainous landscapes. They can embark on a mystical journey and see timeless stone villages, terraced fields and discover Mani walls, chortens, gompas, monasteries and caves some of which are almost 3,000 years old. Traditional healers and monks add to the mystical touch. Walking along the banks of Kaligandaki River is truly a wondrous experience. Travellers can camp in comfortable tents complete with dining facility and showers. Luxury might also mean not walking for long hours, hence the experience can be merged with four-wheel drives for some trekking segments or actually keep them as a backup.

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