IMMERSIVE UNSEEN INDIA

HAVE YOU EVER GONE FORAGING IN THE DESERT? OR LEARNT POTTERY WITHOUT A POTTER'S WHEEL? ON YOUR NEXT TRIP, TRY SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER TRIED BEFORE

- NABIHA TASNIM

INDIA OFFERS A RANGE OF INCREDIBLE experiences, which also happen to be gentle on the planet, thus proving that travel can be more than just an escape; it can be a means to connect, learn, and contribute to preserving cultural and natural heritage. The true essence of travel lies not just in the destinations but in the connections-with the locals, the environment, and the stories that become a part of your narrative. We hope this list of curated, immersive experiences and the inspiring stories behind them propels you to rediscover India.

HIKING TO AN ANCIENT LAVA STREAM

Habitat Institute Activity Centre, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

What comes to your mind when you think of the Andamans? Pristine blue waters, powdery golden sand and days spent lazing in the sun, right? And just like every other tourist, I had already done all these. So, when I returned to the islands this time, I was on a mission to explore beyond the usual.

And an apt opportunity arose at the dinner table during my first night there. We were suggested a trek through Havelock Island's secluded, untamed rainforests. The next morning, we headed out to see a side of the islands that we didn't even know existed. During the first half of the hike, we explored the island's unique flora and fauna and how they adapted to the local ecosystem to ensure their survival. And the tiniest detail didn't escape us, thanks to the expertise of award-winning naturalist Anurag Karekar and his team from the Habitat Institute Activity Centre—Hussain, Chahat and Aditya, who led the hike. Together, they had years of experience studying the ecology of the region.