Travel

Looking to start the New Year quietly and on a budget? From Varkala to Nagaland, these Indian destinations are ideal for solo travellers seeking calm, community and reflection

A meal shared in a village home, a trek led by locals, a journey shaped by everyday lives. Across India, these travel companies are working with communities to create experiences that support livelihoods and protect places travellers come to love.

In Rishikesh, two siblings shaped a warm cob homestay with the help of volunteers from around the world. Built from earth, wood and care, their Tiny Farm Fort feels like a fairytale space where simplicity and community come together.

Kashmir’s new Chrysanthemum Garden, Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood, with over 30 lakh blooms, has transformed the once-quiet autumn season into a vibrant tourist draw. The influx of visitors has revived livelihoods, offering hope to locals who faced months of uncertainty.

From Ranthambore National Park to Panna Tiger Reserve, wildlife can’t exist in silos. Co-existence is crucial. And here are homestays that are ensuring travel does not come at the expense of the wild.

Discover six kid-friendly nature trails across India where families can enjoy safe, scenic, and educational outdoor adventures. From Uttarakhand’s meadows to Kerala’s tea gardens, each trail offers gentle paths, wildlife sightings, and plenty of hands-on learning for young explorers.

Capt Gaurav Gautam, a retired Indian Navy officer, and his family ditched land life in 2022 to live full-time on ‘Reeva’ — their 42-foot solar-powered sailboat. Read their inspiring journey of resilience, sustainability, and ocean adventures.

From Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh, discover six enchanting Indian villages transformed by snow into magical wonderlands — perfect for travellers and photographers alike.

Step into a place where elephants, lions and penguins stand tall without taking a breath. At Noida’s Jungle Trail, more than 650 metal animals turn discarded waste into a living landscape, inviting families to wander through zones that feel alive in their own gentle way.

Indira M put her life on hold to see to her family’s needs. Today, she’s ticking countries off her bucket list and encourages every mother to do so.