IT TAKES A 10-HOUR DRIVE from Delhi to reach but Palampur is worth the wait. The sun has set by the time I arrive at Araiya Palampur - A Norwood Heights Resort. I hear nothing but the silence of the mountains surrounding the sleepy little village of Kandi, where the 25-room boutique resort is set. With a deluxe suite perched at the far end of the 2.7-acre property, I feel blissfully away from the clutches of city life. Not from creature comforts, though.
My chic suite flaunts European and Victorian influences, with artsy portraits of Prague and delicate chandeliers hanging in the living room. The bedroom is spacious yet cosy. And the views that greet me in the morning are a treat—I can see the Dhauladhar range from my bedroom window, the living room balcony, and the patio in front of my room. The golden hour adds magic to the snow-capped peaks. I simply stand there for a few minutes, gazing at the mountains and wondering how long they’ve stood there. I see the goats of the village are up and about. So, I get going too, for a day full of adventures.
There’s more to Palampur than tea estates, and the resort does a good job of showing its guests around. There is a wide range of activities on the portfolio of Araiya Experiences. From active excursions and cultural immersions to soulful experiences of self-discovery, there is something for everybody. The property has partnered with local experience provider Himalayan Adrenaline (himalayanadrenaline. com), which curates an array of activities for adventure enthusiasts. They run a huge, private ATV park in Palampur, where you can easily spend a day off-roading through curvy forest trails with family or friends. They also have dedicated spaces for paintball, archery, and a suspended rope-bridge trail.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Lunching In Leh
Turtuk, the last town of India in Ladakh, is having a culinary and hospitality renaissance, discovers Harsh Surti
The Medieval Charm of Elsinore
Elsinore, in eastern Denmark, is a charming city full of surprises, such as its interesting link to Shakespeare, discovers Ami Bhat
Natural Selection
In other parts of the world, natural wine production can be raw, wild, and a little messy. But a road trip through southeastern Austria reveals that, in a land where order and understatement reign, even the low-intervention bottles are elegant and refined.
Where the Wild Things Are
Uncovering Rwanda's natural treasures-and the gift of multigenerational travel
FROM THE VOICE WITHIN
A hit new season of a cult show, a brand new production venture, and a baby girl-it seems Ali Fazal is on top of the world right now. Amid a new parenting journey, the actor talks to SAMREEN TUNGEKAR about his travel persona, his instincts, and what feeds the artiste within him
MONSOON IN THE WILD
For nature lovers craving the lush serenity of monsoon forests, off-season safaris in national park buffer zones offer rare rewards and vital support to local economies, discovers Chandreyi Bandyopadhyay.
Ray of Sunshine
Getting diagnosed with life-threatening ailments can spell doom, but for actor Lisa Ray, it became a testament to her resilience. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009, the former model maintained a positive outlook, blossomed into a vocal advocate for cancer awareness and support, and turned author with a book chronicling her story. In a chat with Bayar Jain, she gets candid about her journey of hope and healing
Championing Change with Conversations That Matter
Aditi Mayer is a responsible storyteller who likes to look at fashion through a lens of social and environmental justice. She tells Samreen Tungekar about how she manages her own mental health and wellness despite work that promotes positive change and requires mental bandwidth
Travelling Through Conscious Well-Being
In the ever-evolving landscape of wellness, where data meets intuition and science aligns with ancient practices, Deepak Chopra stands as a unique bridge between these worlds. Chopra talks to Dipali Patwa about how travel, when intertwined with wellness, becomes a powerful catalyst for personal transformation.
Transcending The 'Trend'
For Rimzim Dadu, the creation of a collection is about lending the pieces a timeless quality. Samreen Tungekar talks to the designer about her creative process, and how her travels intersperse with her approach to design