Himalayas & Foothills

Spend a night or two in one of those historic houseboats gliding through backwaters or walk around the city center exploring colonial era architecture, and chances are you won’t feel like returning home.

Unexplored, sparsely populated, remote. These words feel so alien in the Indian subcontinent, and yet, completely at home at Ladakh, the roof of the world. Away from the crowds, the quiet and secluded hills of Leh and Ladakh are the perfect places to enjoy soul-stirring walks and rediscover your love for nature.

For something more ‘here’ and ‘now,’ visit Shimla, a former British summer retreat, the star attraction of Kim, a Rudyard Kipling classic. Its elaborate architecture, colonial heritage, and chaotic bazaars remind you of how beautiful and how intricate India is. Holidays in Shimla MUST include the Kalka-Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sure to leave you speechless with its scintillating beauty and astounding views.

Himalayan tours can never be complete without mentioning Haridwar and Rishikesh, places that make you want to believe in a higher being. Haridwar’s Ganga Aarti, a ritual where the locals worship the sacred river, involves the floating of tiny lamps off the steps of ancient ghats, and this ceremony feels weird, beautiful, soul-stirring and inspiring at the same time. Rishikesh is all about temples and ashrams, yoga and meditation, spiritual healing and mental cleansing.

You may know the India for its chaotic lifestyle and crowded cities, but the Himalayas present India in an entirely new light, as a place where peace and serenity roam free, untouched by man, reminding you of just how stunning India can be.

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