[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Denali’s call to the wild”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Leave the day-trips, shore excursions and leaving-you-wanting-more fly-overs behind, there’s a new way to explore Alaska’s famous Denali National Park. Sitting at 6,000 feet on a rocky granite cliff, called a nunatak, the hexagonally shaped, eco-conscious Sheldon Chalet sits high above the 35-square mile snowy Don Sheldon Amphitheater, offering incredible views of Denali’s peak, the tallest mountain in North America, only ten miles away.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The setting of the Sheldon Chalet by Jeff Schultz

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Get your winter wonderland on inside the five-bedroom luxurious chalet with off-the-chart adventurous amenities including a concierge, chef and two guides. Cuisine features “Alaskan gourmet” highlighting the bounty of the land with seafood, game and foraged items leading the pack.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

No shortage of food here by Jeff Schultz

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Alaskan artisans crafted the weather-proofed, seismically secure chalet with windows as large as the state of Alaska and an equally large round table out of local birch trees. sheldonchalet.com ◼[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Guest room – an atmosphere of comfort by Jeff Schultz

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© This article was first published in Oct-Nov 2018 edition of World Travel Magazine.

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The post Northern Lights and Alaskan nights first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

As teenagers, Eddie and Jack worked together in an Edinburgh bar where they decided to build a boat and hire a local fisher-pirate captain to explore the islands around the Philippines. After their money ran out, they invited tourists to join them onboard for a fee, arranging for their accommodations with islanders. The rest is history.

Over a glass of jungle juice––the Tao signature cocktail a soothing blend of rum, pineapple juice, and water––you meet your expedition leader and a few dozen travelling companions. The next five days will be epic in ways you can’t imagine. Onboard you receive a little more information about the next five days. The handout says it all––

“We call it an expedition because we are exploring the islands together….the experience is all there for you but it cannot be listed on a menu, you have to explore it yourself.” There is no plan. Only the promise that exploration can take many forms. The exploration of the outside world is what lured you here to Camp Ngey! Ngey!, but you hadn’t expected waking up every morning in an open-air bamboo ‘Tuka’ hut. After an ocean breeze coaxes you out of bed, you dive into crystal clear waters in the early morning. This exploration puts a new twist on the typical fun and sun package.

Camp Ngey! Ngey!

Family-style meals feature Tao Chefs to cook up fresh fish caught by Islanders and produce from the Tao organic farm. Adventure comes easy here. Exploring the island’s jungle trails as you skirt wild beaches and windswept cliffs, brings a discovery of hidden caves. Enjoy snorkelling around the island’s preserved reefs rich with a variety of sea life and shipwrecks too on an escape to this Neverland of wonder and freedom. taophilippines.com ◼

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© This article was first published in Oct-Nov 2018 edition of World Travel Magazine.

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The post Welcome To Neverland, An Off-The-Grid Luxury Escape first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

A green sea turtle surfaces near your kayak as you  paddle through an electric Kool-Aid blue lagoon surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. Your destination? A pristine palm tree shaded beach without another soul in sight. This is just another day in Palawan, an archipelago of 1,780 islands south-west of Manila in the Philippines.

guests sleep in their own private luxury “Nest” perched in the canopy

Yet, this scene has become increasingly rare around the world. Things like empty beaches, biodiversity, cultural authenticity and clean oceans are becoming scarce. The price of standing in the world tourism spotlight is high.

low impact activities like kayaking and paddleboarding are the preferred way to see the Big and Small Lagoons at the El Nido Resorts

Case in point: Boracay. Waste management and environmental concerns so plague the tropical hotspot that on April 26, 2018, President Duterte officially closed Boracay to all visitors for six months.

Palawan is a diver’s dream with hundreds of unique species found only in its water

Boracay is an extremely popular destination for domestic and international travellers. According to the Boracay tourism office, the island made a record US$1 billion dollars as it played host to over 2 million visitors from all parts of the globe.

one of the greenest ways to see Palawan is aboard a sailboat

With Boracay off limits, it’s time to look for a new favourite island destination while simultaneously figuring out a way to preserve the slices of paradise we so love.

your stay at the Birdhouse starts with a 187 stair climb, but don’t worry, the view is worth every step

El Nido: The Green Alternative to Boracay

Enter El Nido. Armed with its spectacular natural beauty and forward-thinking approach to sustainable tourism, this charming little town is the perfect launch pad to see Palawan. Get acclimated while staying in a luxury bell tent at the Bird House El Nido. The Bird House is a “glamping” eco-resort that is perched in the jungle canopy 187 stairs above Marmegmeg Beach.

sweet Filippino sausage, fresh vegetables, and eggs raised on site compliment the view at breakfast at the Nesting Table

The owners of the Bird House said that they were quick to recognise the growing need for businesses built around an environmental ethos in El Nido and the greater Philippines. The Bird House is now leading the green tourism initiative in the area with composting toilets, a greywater system, a garden-to-table restaurant and an entire operating system based upon the ideals of permaculture.

a tiny ziplining tourist whizzes through the view from one of the “Nests” at the Bird House

Beyond being entirely self-sufficient, the Bird House lures flocks of travellers to its canopy-top perch because of its luxe bohemian interiors, comfortable beds and unique outlook. Nowhere else in El Nido will you find a 180-degree birds-eye view of the exquisite Bacuit Bay. Down the stairs, adventure beckons. Options include kayaking to Papaya Beach, sunbathing at Marmegmeg Beach or trying the 750-meter zipline that sends tourists hollering from the top of Marmegmeg Beach to a neighbouring island.

From the beach below the Birdhouse you can paddle to several secluded beaches

A Healthy Dose of Vitamin Sea: Palawan by Sailboat

The Bird House may seem like the sky’s limit, but the reason most people visit Palawan is the islands. Out amongst the atolls, your toughest daily decision may be whether to explore what’s above the surface or what’s below. Sheer limestone cliffs that flank lagoons of crystal clear, bright blue salt water are a photographer’s delight. Yet, for divers, what lies beneath is more enticing. Palawan is world-renowned for scuba and free diving because it is home to hundreds of unique species of coral and fish.

Not far from El Nido, the ultimate island shack sits waiting for its keepers

One of the best ways to see more of the islands, skip the crowds and reduce your carbon footprint is to rent a skippered private sailboat. Several outfitters run trips throughout the year with best sailing months being January through March.

The Maremegmeg Beach Bar is a great place for a bite to eat, people watching and a sundowner

Once you’ve met your boat and captain, you motor out of Corong Corong harbour, put up the sails and leave the rest to the wind. You’ll soon find that the slow pace of travel is not only relaxing but the best way to see the seemingly endless sugar-white beaches, jungle-covered deserted islands and deep blue fantasy lagoons of the area.

Live out your castaway fantasy somewhere in Palawan

El Nido Resorts: Where Luxury Meets Sustainability

Of course, not everyone has found their sea legs. If you’re a landlubber looking for a luxurious but remote alternative to sailing, try one of the El Nido Resort’s four island outposts. All four – Apulit, Miniloc, Lagen, and Pangulasian – are located on secluded private islands accessible only by boat. The El Nido Resorts group prides itself on offering exclusive high-end experiences to its guests while working with the local community to protect traditions and the environment.

The slow pace of sailing is extremely relaxing and naps on the bow are common

Choose your island based on your mood or purpose for the trip: Miniloc for fun, Pangulasian for opulence, Lagen for sanctuary, or Apulit for adventure.

It’s easy to nd a private slice of paradise in Palawan

While it’s hard to look past the original – Miniloc Island was the first resort of any kind in Palawan when it opened its doors to divers back in 1982 – Pangulasian is the showstopper. The resort is located on a private island called the “Island of the Sun” for its incredible sunset and sunrise views. Pangulasian is known equally for its impeccable service and private pool villas as it is  for its natural beauty. Frolic on the 750-meter stretch of snow-white sand before taking part in numerous activities like lagoon and island hopping tours included with your accommodation.

Pangulasian Island specializes in once in a lifetime experiences, think your honeymoon

Regardless of which resort you chose, you’ll be able to soak up this luxury experience guilt-free knowing that El Nido Resorts is committed to protecting this unforgettable place. The entire operation is designed to be as low impact as possible on the environment and culture. The Resorts seek to enhance the natural experience and thus prohibit jet skis and motorised sports equipment. Their team has also installed 21 moorings around Bacuit Bay to protect the coral reefs from destruction by anchors dropped by tour boats.

A private sailboat lets you see parts of the archipelago otherwise unreachable

The El Nido Resorts are tailored to make sure you have the best of both worlds luxury and adventure

The iconic overwater villas at Miniloc Island are the perfect place to base your aquatic adventures

Saving the Philippines’ “Last Frontier”

El Nido is often called “the last frontier” because, as the legend goes, the area was not discovered until 1979 by a team of stranded divers. But this nickname also describes the area’s unadulterated natural beauty, intact biodiversity and untouched islands and beaches. The fact that El Nido stayed out of the tourism spotlight until relatively recently created an opportunity for proactive preservation.

As luck would have it, stewards like the owners of the Bird House and the El Nido Resorts group are stepping up to preserve the natural splendour of El Nido and prevent it from becoming anything like Boracay. The future of the Philippines’ marvellous natural resources depends on our choices as travellers. ◼

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© This article was first published in Aug-Sept 2018 edition of World Travel Magazine.

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The post Discover Palawan – Philippines’ Sustainable Island Hotspot first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Barbeque & Dessert in the Snow
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A table for two deep in the Arctic Swedish wilderness is waiting for you.

Candlelight sets the mood as open fires crackle and the Aurora streams lights now green, now blue and violet.

So exciting, you can’t sit still.

You take your guide up on his offer to snowshoe a bit to follow the light show and work up an appetite – breathtaking. You don’t keep a bucket list, but if you did this moment would be on it.

Forget the romance, this is a dinner Hemingway would love.

This moveable feast comes with a dining room built on skis. You say you’ve never arrived to an Aurora lit diner by chauffeur driven snowmobile before? There’s a first time for everything.

Sourced locally, you’ll dine on bar-b-q reindeer steak and wild herbs, topped off with a dessert of blueberry and merengue pie served with warm vanilla sauce.

The post Fire and ice: aurora streams meet Arctic Sweden first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Bubble Lodge in a tea plantation”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

Say goodbye to your troubles while inside the Bubble Lodge in Mauritius. Your unique stay begins in a private bubble, complete with stunning views of the impossibly star-filled sky.

There’s plenty of ways to feel like a child here. Your youthful spirit will enjoy a call to play hard while hardly noticing the rustic eco-design’s occasional heat, humidity and rain. At what price happiness? A stay here answers with bubble-designed accommodations focused on well-being, harmony and a closeness with nature.

Have your bubble your way with one or two-bedrooms, as well as a family suite made up of 3 transparent and partially transparent connected bubbles––including air conditioning, sky-view showers and a dehumidifier.

Enjoy delicacies at panoramic Bois Chéri Restaurant, perched over beautiful tea fields and a volcanic crater lake. Paddle boat, hiking and fishing adventures are included as well as tea tasting.

Wine lovers will enjoy a tour of local wineries and collecting a few favourites for a nightcap back at their bubble. The relaxed state induced by setting yourself apart from the world to luxuriate among nature in your lavish private bubble opens the door wider to your dreams as never before.

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The post Igloo living in Mauritius first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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Botswana is the secret safari Africa has tucked under her belt, a place where the delta yawns, the sky floods, and the wildlife is best seen on horseback or helicopter.

Dive right in, the waters fine at Jacks Camp

Many tourists flock to Tanzania to gaze in awe at the great migration, others grab their packs to climb snow dusted Kilimanjaro, and then there are the few who want to discover the last Eden of Africa. Botswana is nothing short of climatic with its deep-water deltas, palm-fringed islands, and graceful canoes gliding past weary-eyed elephants.

Unlike the swaying grasslands of other safari destinations, Botswana breaks the mould; offering a rich variety of landscapes – shimmering salt pans, golden sand dunes, and bushlands where wild dogs roam. The Kalahari Desert is a sight that will stay with you long after you leave, and the sparse and ethereal salt pans of Makgadikgadi make you feel as though you are walking on the moon.

Alongside, the Big Five that bloom in impressive numbers across the landscape, you also have the chance to form cultural connections with local tribes. Hunting and cooking with the indigenous San people allow you a glimpse into a soon to be lost world, and leaves another imprint of Africa in your soul.

Botswana knows how to serve up luxury on a silver platter. This is a land that has built their tourism industry upon the banks of sheer, unadulterated and exclusive luxury. Lavish lodges boast outdoor tubs and four-poster beds, beautiful houseboats glide down the Chobe River, and chefs whip up five-star suppers in the wild. There is something about blending well-tailored comforts and delightful decadence with the sheer isolation that brings out your spiritual side. Discover the finest experiences you can have in beautiful Botswana.

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The post Botswana – luxury safaris breaking the mould first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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Getting the Most of the Wildlife Experience

A trip to Africa conjures a riot of images and possibilities. For wildlife enthusiasts, this is the ultimate destination. Every year, more resorts spring up, offering easier access to the remotest locations, assuring guests a personalised and far more intimate interaction with nature, wildlife and a host of conservation projects that provide an inspiring and humbling experience. World Travel Magazine handpicks seven exotic resorts and lodges that are designed to add a sheen to your travel on this continent.

Royal Malewane

Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa

A luxury safari lodge right in the middle of the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, on the western border of the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa combines a vintage elegance with modern comfort. The bottom line here is the assurance of experiencing a most memorable game viewing safari in the rich ecosystem of the South African bushveld. A minimum of three days stay is recommended to make the most of the twice-a-day rides to spot the Big Five, savour dinners under the African skies and revel in the property’s amenities that include sensual spa treatments. Those staying longer can explore nearby areas and go for hot air ballooning, golf and local village excursions. The luxurious safari lodge has six luxury suites, two royal suites and an Africa house that has an exclusive bush villa with six bedrooms. Antique furniture, carved four-poster beds from Mombasa, plush silk furnishings and Persian rugs make the interiors captivating. The property is popular with solo travellers, groups and even those interested in a safari wedding!

Getting there: Closest airport to Royal Malewane is Hoedspruit and from Kruger Mpumulanga International Airport in Nelspruit. Chartered flights are common and also road drives through the Drakensberg mountains.

Azura Quilalea Private Island

Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique

Azura Quilalea sits regally on an uninhabited island paradise surrounded by the pristine waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary. Azura along with its sister island, Sencar, lies within a protected marine reserve that offers excellent snorkelling and diving facilities. Quilalea is the ultimate private luxury hideaway that allows you to discover new places of unspoilt natural beauty while preserving the environment. In a unique partnership with the locals, the property has been developed as a seamless extension of the deserted beaches, pristine reefs and sparkling turquoise seas. Experience a lightness of being, as a happy kind of hospitality envelopes you in its warm and caring embrace. Award winning villas have been hand built by the local community. Island villas are just footsteps from the beach while the safari tented villas lie on the banks of the Great Ruaha River, where the hippo call by day and lions roam by night. The four Kaskazi villas are open-plan and spacious, with stylish décors of wood, cotton and materials such as rope, pebbles and rattan, all blending in ever so naturally with the island surroundings.

Getting there: Pemba can be accessed from South Africa with flights from Johannesburg on Airlink and LAM; from Kenya with flights on LAM from Nairobi; from Tanzania with flights on LAM from Dar es Salaam and from other centres in Mozambique including Maputo, Beira and Nampula.

Angama Mara

Kenya

Located on the edge of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Angama Mara overlooks Kenya’s famed Maasai Mara. With two intimate camps of 15 tented suites each, a private airfield and access to the Mara below, guests can choose from a range of special tours that include customised jeep and walking safaris, hot air ballooning, photography expeditions, and cultural visits to neighbouring Maasai villages. Be sure to witness sightings of lions, leopards, black rhinos and abundant herds of elephant and buffalo. On a quiet day, plan a picnic breakfast after watching a magnificent sunrise and embark on a boat ride along the Mara River. Interestingly, even if you miss the peak season which has the migration, you can go in any season and get to unearth a slice of the generous Mara pie. Indeed, each season offers something new with the attraction of storm clouds and lush green grasslands, watching the Big Five in their natural habitat and listening to stories of the local tribes.

Getting there: Best accessed by plane from Nairobi with many scheduled daily flights landing at the lodge’s private airfield. Another popular route is to connect via Serengeti and cross Tanzania/Kenya border west of the Mara. Both Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam airports are well connected with a network of flights connecting to the Serengeti safari lodges and camps.

Singita Pamushana Lodge

Zimbabwe

Singita Pamushana Lodge sets a new paradigm in ecotourism with a sprawling 130,000 acre reserve that is committed to preserving the wildlife and ecology of the area. As one of Africa’s most exclusive and hidden haunts, it has an old world appeal with organic shaped buildings with thick walls, meticulous thatching and detailed stonework that trace back to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. Six palatial suites and a five-bedroom villa are equipped with private plunge pools and panoramic views. The Lodge’s cellars are home to some of the most sought after private reserves and vintage wines that Africa has to offer. Apart from the must-do’s of safaris, game drives, nature walks and cycling tours, a water safari is highly recommended. The personal favourite is a visit to the San Bushmen rock art sites, during the day, dating back thousands of years and exploring the crystal clear African night sky filled with stars, a dreamer’s paradise.

Getting there: The resort organises scheduled flights and private charters. While Federal Air schedules flights to/ from Buffalo Range International Airport on Mondays and Thursdays from or Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, chartered flights land at Lonestar airstrip, 25 minutes from the lodge.

Mombo Camp

Botswana

Cozily shrouded under thick foliage in Mombo Concession, on the northern tip of Chief’s Island within the Moremi Game Reserve, the Mombo Camp has an abundance of game year-round in its floodplains. This luxurious camp in the middle of the Delta has nine spacious en-suite tents raised above the ground with excellent views, a long veranda, sala and indoor and outdoor showers. Well-mapped drives on 4×4 Land Rovers ensure a window seat to each of the 6-7 guests giving ample scope to observe, marvel and learn from nature. Conclude the day with an in-room massage treatment to relax your exhausted limbs. On a relaxed morning, familiarise yourself with the Botswana Rhino Reintroduction Project that is a joint initiative between Wilderness Safaris and Botswana government. The conservation efforts of the lodge cover 3mn hectares across nine African biomes and includes 800 bird species, 280 mammals, 220 reptiles and no less than 63 amphibians.

Getting there: Fly in from Maun 30 minutes from Kasame and about 90 minutes from Kasane to Victoria Falls.

Serra Cafema Camp

Namibia

One of remotest camps in southern Africa, Serra Cafema is located in the extreme north-west of Namibia, on the banks of the Kunene River in Hartmann’s Valley. Eight riverside wood canvas and thatched villas on spacious elevated decks blend smoothly into the picturesque surroundings. Rushing rapids below the camp will tempt you to sit by the shores, letting time stand still. The resort organises authentic Himba cultural experiences and throws in quad bike rides for those wanting to venture on to the winding bike trail. The Kunene River stretches to Serra Cafema mountain range in the north and is home to the Nile crocodiles and water birds. Boating trips are organised on demand. Game viewing however is limited to small herds of gemsbok, springbok and Hartmann’s mountain zebra. Nature drives and walks in Hartmann’s Valley with a conservationist will provide insights into the nature of the fragile environs and efforts being made to preserve the unique and delicate habitats of the landscape. There is much to learn from the Namibia Sea Turtle Project and Crocodile Research apart from energy-saving initiatives undertaken in the area.

Getting there: The resort’s travel desk helps you plan your
itinerary guiding you on the best way to reach.

Tswalu Kalahari

Northern Cape, South Africa

South Africa’s largest private game reserve protects an unending stretch of over 110,000 hectares of grasslands and mountains. With an endless variety and range of visuals and experiences, the Kalahari is the perfect ground for all age groups, especially children, to see and learn about flora, fauna and animals.

Game drives at Tswalu are flexible and follow no particular rules or timings, giving a chance to nature, wildlife and adventure enthusiasts to create their own itinerary for the day. During the day, encounter dust devils which are small swirling dust storms that drift across the sand dunes. At night, settle down under the star spangled sky to enjoy their bush dinner, soak in the feet in the sand and relish the traditional Kalahari feast.

Three family suites have a special activity zone for kids that include archery, spoor identification and casting and tracking on foot. Children’s bush walks are educational and usually include bird watching, cycling and a picnic.

Getting there: 350km from Upington Airport, fly in from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kimberley or Upington by private charter. Driving distances from Kimberley / Upington are about 4 hours and the nearest town is Kuruman.

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The post Africa calling first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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Which child hasn’t been intrigued about living in a tree house, extending the Enid Blyton description of a summer vacation in the woods? There is a magical quality about a house being constructed atop a tree. The very thought immediately conjures a vision of a mystery and an adventure, where the star cast is clearly the friendly squirrel, the exotic range of chirping birds, the threat of a looming bear or a leopard in the horizon and of course the monkeys that can very well be your room companions!

Tree houses provide the perfect opportunity to be right in the lap of nature. Serious wildlife enthusiasts too opt for a tree house vacation, which in India has a diverse feel to it. Each of the tree houses featured in this shortlist are located in a different Indian state, making it unique and exclusive. Kerala hosts some of the most famous tree houses in the country with Vythiri Tree Resort (Wayanad), Rainforest Boutique Tree House Resort (Athirapally), Nature Zone Resort (Munnar) and Vanya tree house (Thekkady) to name a few. Most of these are known for their coconut and spice plantations, the famous Kerala ayurvedic massages and spa therapies, yoga and meditation facilities.

The Tree House Hideaway resort in Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh) is right in the middle of the jungle with all its trappings of wild animals. The Tree House Resort in Jaipur is known for its five star amenities and a range of in-house facilities in the midst of a gently wooded environment. Carmelia Haven Resort, Vandanmedu, Thekkady brings nature right to your doorstep mesmerising you with the sights, sounds and smells of a luxuriant wooded forest. The Machan, Jambulne on way to Pune in Maharashtra has at least five kinds of ‘machans’ to choose from, each offering a different vantage view. Here, World Travel Magazine presents five of the most memorable tree houses in India.

Vyathiri Tree Resort in Waynad, Kerala

Vythirir Resort is one the largest Tree House Resorts in India, offering luxurious facilities atop live trees, set in the untouched natural ambiance of an eco friendly tropical rainforest. Rustic themed cottages in indigenous architecture sit snug beside a frolicking jungle stream rubbing shoulders with exotic tropical birds on overhanging branches, amidst colourful butterflies and an insistent chatter of cicadas.

A trek to the tropical rainforests surrounding the resort is highly recommended. The two-hour guided trek is conducted by the resort’s in-house naturalist. Guests can spot Nilagiri Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Malabar Grey Hornbill and the Yellow Browed Bulbul besides other species endemic to the Western Ghats. If you are not up to a trek, take a leisurely walk to a waterfall near the property, anytime during the day. Cycling trails wind through the resort and surrounding forest which are equally exciting. If you want to be indoors, opt for a culinary demonstration and with time to spare, check out close by places such as Kuruva Islands, Soojipara Waterfalls, Chembra Peak and Pookot Lake.

Best time to visit: All year round.
How to get there: 18 km away from Kalpetta and 65 km from Kozhikode; 85 km from Calicut International Airport.

Tree House Hideaway, Bandhavgarh National Park of Madhya Pradesh

The Tree House Hideaway is located in the Bandhavgarh National Park of Madhya Pradesh. This is a unique lodge with only 5 tree house cottages built on stilts. Built entirely from wood, they blend effortlessly into the surrounding jungle, giving the lodge a beautiful and natural feel. There is a high probability of your spotting animals from the cottage balcony that provides a good view of a hide overlooking a local water hole. The property is set on 21 acres of land and with so few cottages, is able to offer a high level of privacy in each. The restaurant is built around a mahua tree with a tempting open air bar on the upper level.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is famed for rewarding jungle safaris by jeep. Besides safaris, other cultural and enthusiastic indulgence are offered such as cycling and picnics in the park periphery, village visits, craft workshops with local artisans and bamboo weavers. Having a local guide is a must as they understand the topography and the general mood of the animals in the vicinity.

Best time to visit: October to March.
How to get there: Nearest Airport is Jabalpur (200km) & Khajuraho (250km); Nearest railway stations are Umaria (35km) & Katni (100 km).

The Tree House Resort, Jaipur

Situated in the foothills of Syari Valley, the Tree House finely blend the comforts and luxuries of a five-star. Perched atop ” keekar” trees, the rooms have several live branches running through, making nature your reliable companion. Waking up to the sound of several winged visitors of all hues and shapes, chirping merrily outside the windows, present a unique morning alarm call. Here, rooms or ‘nests’ as they are called, sit pretty on top of large trees, equipped with all modern amenities.

Each of the tree house cottages have been built to a height of 15 to 30 feet by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and construction technologies. Wooden stairs lead up to the structure that rests on an iron frame wrapped around tree trunks. All rooms have a different design based on how the tree has grown its branches. The 22-cottage resort has a near ‘house-full’ tag through the year. Future plans include floating water cottages and mud villas. The concept is right and it thrives on word-of-mouth publicity, placing the Jaipur Tree House on one of the best tree houses in the subcontinent.

Best time to visit: July-March.
How to get there: 38 km away from Jaipur Railway Station; Jaipur Airport is 40 km from Tree House Jaipur.

Carmelia Haven Resort, Vandanmedu, Thekkady

Carmelia Haven is a stylish, eco friendly resort set amidst a tea and cardamom plantation. Close to the village of Vandanmedu, the resort is abundantly endowed with cardamom bushes, pepper vines and alluring scents of clove and cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg; trees are awash in season with succulent tropical fruit. The exquisitely furnished cottages and suites with thatch roofs, lofty tree houses and honeymoon suites offer beautiful views that extend welcome to cupid’s designs.

A mountain road traverses through stunning undulating landscapes. In-house attractions include a handicraft store, leisure area and well equipped suites. A gazebo attracts immediate attention, sitting on an immaculately manicured lawn that has comfortable wrought iron furniture strewn around for guests to find their ‘own zone’. A multi cuisine restaurant with a verandah and banquets are both built with a stone façade and thatch roof. Stone paved pathways branch out along a ridge towards two ends of the property. Fringed on either edge by lush cardamom bushes, vines of pepper and clearings with fruit trees, guests are transported on electric carts to cottages set along the hill’s slope.

Birds sing their welcome, shy squirrels scamper into the underbrush that has plenty of cloves, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. In season, trees are loaded with oranges, mangostene, jackfruit, rambuttan, butterfruit, papaya and rose apple. There is plenty to do within the property and time permitting to take short day trips to nearly areas. This is a popular honeymoon destination providing utmost privacy and a frozen in time quality that allows couples to bond and experience a rare kind of intimacy.

Best time to visit: Mid October to February.
How to get there: Half an hour drive from Thekkady along the Thekkady – Munnar road. Closest airports is Madurai (145km) and Cochin (150km).

The Machan, Jambulne, Atvan, Maharashtra

The Machan is one of the 25 biological hot-spots in the world and a popular weekend getaway for residents of the busy commercial cities of Mumbai and Pune. Located in Jambulne, the different Jungle Machans or living abodes are raised off the ground, designed as arboreal accommodation providing the perfect vantage position to sight local flora and wildlife. Each Jungle Machan has a master bedroom, modern bathrooms and wooden deck. Living trees sprouting from the floor and going through the roof has a strangely calming effect as if Mother Nature is there to protect and nurture. An elevated wooden walkway takes you through a thickly set grove of evergreen trees and shrubs before bringing you to the majestic Sunset Machan from where you get a beautiful view at dusk.

This exclusive eco-resort with unique tree houses rising 30 – 45 feet above the forest is run on sustainable resources and is devoid of pollution. Gazing up from the comfort of private decks, guests enjoy the starry skies and spot various constellations such as Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Orion, Ursa Major/Minor, Sephious, Sirius and if lucky, even a shooting star. For those more adventurous, guided treks to the 1,000 ft. peak above are organised. From this height, the views of historical forts, valleys and expansive lakes can be enjoyed. There is plenty of history in the area with the Koraigad Fort, located about 4 kms away and the Lohagad Fort which has a 2,000 year old history.

Best time to visit: Monsoon (Jun – Sept) and winters (Oct – Feb).
How to get there: 2.5 hours drive from Mumbai or 1.5 hours drive from Pune.

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Ladakh is an enchanting land, perhaps like no other. For where will you find a stark barren desert and the most pristine blue waters at the same place, or mountains and sand dunes in a shared frame, or the scorching sun and freezing winds in seasons separated by barely a few months, sometimes even a few days or hours?

Here is a landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. Over the last few years, this remote terrain has been drawing tourists, adventure seekers, photographers and film makers who are experiencing Leh and Ladakh by embarking on long road journeys, treks, motorcycle expeditions, car rallies, camps and now luxury tented glamping.

Leh at 11,500ft above sea level and Ladakh, also known as the roof of the world has opened up to tourists only in the last decade. It has a raw, unspoilt touch to it that is complemented by its people who are welcoming, allowing you into their fold with a simplicity that tugs at the heartstrings. Why the area lends itself to camping and now glamping is also because of its history when early travellers trudged along the best trade routes between Punjab and Central Asia setting up camping sites, cooking meals and discovering uncharted terrains on this beautiful, untouched and inspiring route.

From rough and rugged to luxurious

Perched on India’s most northerly tip, Ladakh is flanked between the neighbouring countries of China and Pakistan. Until the 1970s, security concerns combined with the region’s inhospitable topography meant it was mostly closed to visitors. It is only in the last few years that the area has offered a rough-and-ready form of tourism, with its unusual scenery, challenging hikes and Buddhist monasteries. So much so, it is on the bucket list of many travellers who look forward to unusual experiences.

The starkness of Ladakh and its raw appeal, inspite of its high altitude has a pull for people who want to connect with their inner selves or commune with the nature at its best. Also, with a few hugely successful Indian films such as the ‘3 Idiots’ being shot here, the place has seen multi-fold increase in tourist activity. The catch however has been the quality of accommodation on offer, which has been mostly limited to home-stays and basic hotels.

The scenario however has changed in the last year or so. It has now become a popular site for glamping with leading luxury tent companies setting up site during the season. With increased interest of a wide range of tourists from across the world, wanting to come and explore the magnetic charm of this high altitude paradise, luxury camps have come up rather selectively, earning a place of pride in the region.

These “nomadic super-luxury camps” offer luxurious infrastructure in places which are otherwise bereft of luxury hotels. It is a win-win for both visitors as well as entrepreneurs of these glamping sites. Given the extreme weather conditions of Ladakh where for about six months the region is closed, the mobile glamping sites then shift to other locations in India such as Rajasthan, Northeast and Uttarakhand. International tourists are flying in to Delhi and hopping on to a direct 1 hour 20 minute flight for Ladakh during the season. Once back, they unanimously rave about this being a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Double Humped Camp, set up in the picturesque Nubra Valley is around four hours from Leh. It is a new alpine desert camp that offers camel safaris. The Ladakh Sarai is a 10 minutes’ drive from Leh offering a tribe of 14 yurt-style accommodations in a beautiful grove of willow, poplar, apricot and apple trees. A few minutes’ drive from Leh is the highly rated Tsermang Eco Camp which has eight luxury tents, each named after a Buddhist monastery from the Indus Valley. From here accessing the Nubra Valley is easy. As you cross Khardung la Pass on the way you will find yourself on what is supposed to be the highest motorable road in the world. On reaching Nubra Valley, an added attraction will be to explore the village and surrounding areas.

Another glamping site that is fast gaining favour is that of Thiksey Monastery which welcomes the adventurous traveller to the Chamba Camp at Thiksey. Run by the Ultimate Travelling Camp, the project is an unusual commercial and spiritual partnership that has the participation of friendly monks from the local monastery. This collaboration allows the tourist an opportunity to combine the external beauty of nature with a spiritual connect with one’s inner being. This partnership is able to provide added financial support to the monastery.

Feasting on soul stirring visuals from a nomadic ‘suite’

The plush bedroom tents are of excellent quality. They have solid wooden floors and a four-poster bed, along with an elegant colonial-style chest and writing desk. Light-toned drapes cover the walls, while an air-conditioning unit emits warm air to fend off the night chill. The en suite bathroom is also charmingly equipped with crisp linen and a classy brass sink. The view from the glamping site is spectacular. On the left, over the river rises the Himalayas and on the right is the Karakoram Range. Right in front is the well-known Thiksey monastery itself which is one of the most enduring images of Ladakh with its dozen odd storeys of white buildings perched atop of one another, on a hillock.

Gentle walks and mountain-bike rides in the nearby countryside have a charm of their own. Brace yourself to encounter shaggy-haired yak and dzo which is a half-yak, half-cow hybrid and furry treacle-coloured Himalayan marmots scampering about in the distance. Guests are treated to a royal game of polo and are provided options of rafting down the River Indus, enjoying picnic lunches amidst the most picturesque spots with unforgettable views.

Avid trekkers combine glamping with trekking. Some of them drive down from Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh instead of flying in from New Delhi. They then take a respite with a 3 night 4 day glamping halt before hitting the road again. Either way, they are all unanimous in their feedback of being in Ladakh in a luxury tent. According to them, they being on top of the world, living a dream captured in a snow globe that is set between the Kunlun Mountains and the Himalayas, capturing images and visuals that will last them a lifetime.

Must Do’s

• Leh can be reached by road or air. Via Kashmir/Kargil or Manali, one can drive in or take a flight from Delhi.
• Roads open up during mid-June to early September and this is the best time to plan glamping, camping and whatever else.
• Chamba Camp at Thiksey is operational from 15th May to 10th October.
• Reserve the first day for acclimatising to the altitude and go slow on activities.
• When in Leh, visit the local market of Chanspa and Fort Road; explore small villages and try kebabs on Old Fort Road.
• Head up to Pangong Lake, the highest lake in the world and enjoy the panoramic view of the majestic lake and hills.
• Visit Military Airport, Hall of Fame, Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers and Magnetic Hill.

© This article was first published in August 2016 online here at World Travel magazine.

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And if you liked this story, subscribe to our bi-monthly World Travel Magazine, a handpicked selection of editorial features and stories from Global Destinations, Inspire Me, Insider, Style File, Wellness & Travel, City Travel, Suite Life, At Leisure, Short Breaks and much more.

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