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Mystic, Myths and Music in Inspiring India
There are few experiences more rewarding than gaining a deep understanding of a new country by connecting with their people, history and culture. We recognise that more and more travellers are looking for holistic travel experiences and through this month’s newsletter we offer our guests a range of experiences that are not mere itineraries but a unique perspective on an incredible country. Whether our patrons want to discover the wonders of Ladakh from the exclusivity of luxurious tents, learn the art of south Indian cooking through personalised sessions, get in-depth knowledge of the world-famous Darjeeling tea by staying in a tea garden or traverse the quaint hill station of Shimla and the ghats of sacred Varanasi on foot, we can make it happen. The Jodhpur RIFF is a musical extravaganza that takes visitors to the heart of Rajasthani folk traditions and a carefully curated trip to Gujarat gives guests a chance to explore its rich history.
As always, we promise exclusive, customised and meticulously planned vacations to ensure an enriching, once-in-lifetime experience for our patrons.
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Summer in Ladakh
While summer (May-July) in most of India can get uncomfortably hot, Ladakh in summer (June—September) feels like paradise. The weather is beautiful, with sunny skies and temperatures ranging between a moderate 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Most famously known for its astounding Himalayan vistas and thrilling adventure activities, Ladakh should also be considered for its vibrant cultural life and luxury travel. Three of the most popular local festivals are celebrated at this time of year, namely Hemis (June), Sindhu Darshan (June) and the Ladakh Festival (September). Held in monasteries and other public venues, each of them is an opportunity to witness amazing traditional music and dance performances, religious practices and the sports of polo and archery. Another excellent way for guests to immerse themselves in the local culture is on walking tours through villages in the region. Personalised trips can take visitors on visits to village homes, schools, markets and monasteries for an authentic feel of the rural life of Ladakh. One is spoilt for choice for adventure activities here with an incredible range of options that include white water rafting, trekking, camping, mountain biking, jeep and yak safaris. Trips to accommodate all levels of fitness and interests can be organised. Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the stupendous natural beauty of Ladakh and the options are by no means confined to lean and hardy experiences but now include luxurious affairs that offer splendidly appointed tents, bespoke itineraries and top-notch service that deliver an unforgettable holiday. Arrangements can also be made for visitors at five-star hotels in the city. To discover Ladakh in all its glory and design a customised trip, guests can contact us .
Chai, coffee and discerning experiences
India is the second largest tea producer in the world, but Indians drink most of the chai (tea) they produce themselves! Two of the world’s most renowned teas, Assam and Darjeeling, are grown exclusively in India. The picturesque hill station of Darjeeling in West Bengal, a major tourist destination in itself, is also home to some of the best tea estates in India. Visitors can now opt to stay at these tea estates, most of them featuring lovingly restored atmospheric colonial mansions and avail excellent guided tours of the surrounding tea fields. The carefully curated tours tailored to suit guests’ preferences, undoubtedly the star attraction of the trip, include walking trails through the tea gardens, a visit to the tea factory to learn about the entire tea-making process and a delicious tasting session of the varieties of tea grown on the estate. What tea gardens are to north India, coffee and spice plantations are to the south. South India produces most of the coffee in India and also has abundant spice plantations and those tucked away in the Nilgiri Hills, Munnar and Chikmagalur are particularly beautiful. Immersive experiences similar to the ones on the tea estates offered on many of the finest plantations promise to delight even the most discerning tastes. Stays in pretty bungalows with luxurious amenities, walks on winding pathways through fields of aromatic coffee, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, and nutmeg, and exquisite meals prepared with these freshly picked spices rounded off with a cup of heady homegrown coffee promise to make for an incredible experience. Those looking for a memorable vacation on India’s superb plantations can get in touch with us.
Gujarat for history buffs
The western Indian state of Gujarat has an incredibly rich history as the seat of many great ancient civilizations and dynasties and a centre of skilled craftsmen and merchants. We offer guests a fascinating journey into its past with organized trips that cover some of its major historical sites. Gujarat was one of the main areas of the Indus Valley Civilization and contains two UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites with the remains of Harappan cities: Lothal and Dholavira. Another UNESCO World Heritage site is the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, awarded in recognition of a landscape studded with monuments of historic and archaeological significance including exquisitely carved early Islamic mosques and tombs, Jain temples, palaces, step wells and as a living centre of Hindu pilgrimage. Rounding off the trip is the ancient, fortified city of Patan, a former capital of Gujarat. Located in the heart of this city, Rani ki Vav or the Queen’s Step Well is the oldest and perhaps grandest of the more than 120 step wells in the state. The city is also famous for Patola weaving-a technique of silk weaving called ikkat using tie-dyed threads to create designs. For further details, guests can get in touch with us.
Shimla & Varanasi on foot
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the erstwhile British summer capital, is one of the most visited hill resorts in India. Vestiges of the colonial past dot the city, revealed in the magnificent architecture of the Viceregal Lodge, government offices and the neo-Gothic Christ Church, temples and heritage hotels. Each of these buildings have many stories to tell of their historic past, and a walking tour through Shimla can be a fascinating trip of discovery. These architectural marvels together with the famous Mall Road, a long winding street lined with shops and many of the sights mentioned above and the Ridge, the spine of the hill that Shimla is set on, form the centre of the city, and since traffic is banned here, walking is pleasant, even in the uphill sections. Another city that reveals its true magic on an intimate walk through its incredible space is Varanasi, the holiest city of the Hindus. Its sights, smells and sounds assail you from every direction as you wind through its hidden alleys, along the famous ghats - the rows of steps lining the Ganges which is the site of many rituals, and upto the colourful temples. Well informed guides ensure that guests take in every aspect of this spectacular city. Varanasi’s street food is also legendary, and guest can also choose to participate in street food walks, as well as a walking tour of the esteemed Banaras Hindu University. Bookings for all these tours can be made at: rkhanna@akorndmc.com.
Cook Like a Local in South India
Each of India’s five South Indian states, namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, have distinct taste and flavours to offer gourmands. Tamil Nadu’s Chettinad cuisine is perhaps the fieriest of all, while the Malabari menu of Kerala includes spectacular seafood dishes. Rice is a common staple and coconut, coconut milk, mustard seeds, chillies and curry leaves are the most important spices. Guests who are eager to learn the nuances of the flavours of south India can design a special culinary vacation. A trip like this would include a one or two-day stay with a local family, perhaps in gorgeous tea garden in the Nilgiris, selecting organic ingredients from the local farmers’ market and then heading to a cooking class to be coached by an expert chef. Cooking demos are followed by a traditional meal, revealing further insights into the customs and habits of Indian food culture. To book a cooking session, please contact us.
Jodhpur Riff @ Mehrangarh Fort
Rajasthan International Folk Festival or RIFF is a five-day festival of music and dance held at the spectacular Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Artists from India and around the world perform at this festival, to showcase Indian, international and fusion music. While Rajasthani folk music is at the heart of the festival, this thrilling musical event also celebrates diverse genres and traditions including pop, rock, qawwali, Sufi and Indian classical. Performances take place from dawn till dusk at different breathtaking settings in and around the fort voted as ‘Asia’s Best Fortress’ by Time magazine. Organised by two of India’s leading heritage trusts, the Mehrangarh Museum Trust and the Jaipur Virasat Foundation, this not-for-profit project has been endorsed by UNESCO as a ‘People’s Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development’ and has the Maharaja of Jodhpur as its chief patron and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones as its international patron. The 11th edition of this festival will take place from 24-28 October 2018. For passes and further information on the festival, contact us.
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