As you walk between untouched mountain villages, you will traverse through stunning landscapes and stay in beautifully-appointed and exclusive restored village homes, experiencing simple and traditional rural living. Naturally, accessing such remote regions can be challenging, but you will avoid the usual rigours by flying in a private executive jet, so that you can focus entirely on experiencing the romantic, spiritual and rejuvenating effects of the Himalaya.
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi and settle into your hotel. Stay one night at The Imperial New Delhi on Bed & Breakfast Basis.
This evening, dinner will be arranged at one of the capital’s best fine-dining restaurants.
Day 2: Start early and fly to Pantnagar by private jet. You will be met on arrival by your guide and driven (about 3.5 hours) to Almora from where your walking holiday begins.
After about two hours’ of gentle walking, you will arrive at your first village house in the small and sleepy town of Deora. Spend the night at Shakti Deora Village House on Fully Inclusive Basis.
Day 3: Today, you will walk to the next village house in Jwalabanj. En route, you will visit a couple of hamlets, spend some time at a local school and might even get to chat to a retired army officer to learn about his experiences and local culture. Today’s route will take you through pine and rhododendron forests, lush terraced fields and along a lovely stream descending into the valley.
You will usually be walking four to six hours every day, but the duration can be extended or shortened entirely based on your mood and energy level.
Stay at Shakti Jwalabanj Village House for two nights on Fully Inclusive Basis.
Day 4: Today’s walk will involve exploring an 8th century temple complex and traversing through beautiful rhododendron, pine and oak forests. You might pass by friendly villagers going about their daily chores. Picnic lunch will be arranged at a lovely and very relaxing spot by a stream. Alternatively, you could just relax at your village house, sitting outside and reading a book or simply admiring the beautiful scenery.
Day 5: After a leisurely breakfast, you will be driven (about 5 hours) to your next destination – Shakti 360° Leti, set in a stunning mountain wilderness at 8,000 feet. This is a truly special place where you can take time to reflect, and allow the space, tranquillity and astonishingly beautiful landscape to help you connect with nature and your inner self. With only four private guest pavilions, 360° Leti provides an exclusive mountain experience – the first and only place of its kind in the Himalaya. Indoors, there’s gourmet cooking and fine wine, as well as beds adorned with pashmina blankets and fluffy duvets. Outdoors there are mountain walks, delicious picnics, fabulous views and just chilling out in planter’s chairs.
Stay at Shakti 360 Leti for three nights on Fully Inclusive Basis.
Days 6 & 7: You may take gentle walks or more strenuous hikes out into the countryside or if you are keen on longer walks, your guide will take you on interesting walks to nearby villages passing through a breath-taking mountain scenery with majestic snow-capped peaks.
In case you would like a more challenging experience, on the last night we can arrange an overnight camping experience at Lodhura top. This walk is very challenging (about two and a half hours) but the views from the top are just sublime, with views of Nanda Devi – the highest Himalayan peak in India at 7,816 metres.
Drinks and dinners will be set up outside under the most amazing blanket of stars!
Day 8: After a leisurely breakfast, you will be driven (about 5 hours) to the village of Kana. En route, you will visit the town of Almora where you will visit Panchachuli Women Weavers’ Co-operative which has helped the local tribal women revive their traditional handloom skills by providing employment and empowerment. Today the factory employs a large number of women who produce some of the finest woollen shawls and scarves in the country. Upon arrival at Kana, you can have the rest of the afternoon at leisure or enjoy a beautiful hike in the area with your guide.
Stay at Shakti Kana Village House for one night on Fully Inclusive Basis. Enjoy a special farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 9: After breakfast, you will be driven to the nearest airport (4.5 hours). Fly back to Delhi by a private executive jet.
You will be met on arrival and driven to your hotel (about an hour). Stay at The Imperial New Delhi on Bed & Breakfast Basis. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 10: You will be transferred to the international airport to check-in for your international flight home.
This extraordinary journey starts from US$24,900.00 per person based on a minimum group size of four travellers. This is merely a sample itinerary and it is entirely possible to customise it according to your specific requirements and interests. The indicative cost does not include the international flights.
Jet aircraft images are for illustrative purposes only and are indicative of the types of aircraft used for these journeys which is dependent on the number of travellers in the party.
Epic helicopter journeys exploring corners of Africa that few have been to or even ever heard of. We specialise in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, the Congo and Namibia. Our tailor-made safaris cover wild and spectacular mountains, valleys, forests and deserts, with a focus on ‘remote and unknown, unexplored and unforgettable’.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore – Dream – Discover - Mark Twain - You can view clips of some of our own favourite discoveries here.
- Utterly designed and tailored around you and your requirements
- Totally unique every time you travel with us
- The very best hand picked guides which can make the difference between a good and an outstanding holiday
- Established over 30 years ago we have been around longer than most
- Our specialists come from, have lived in or travelled extensively in the regions we cover
- Unparalleled knowledge provides you with the best possible experience
- Philanthropy is our philosophy
- Our founding principle is to always ‘put something back’
- An amount from each holiday is donated to our selected conservation and humanitarian charities
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By Marcela Kunova - 20th April 2017
Nicola Shepherd, founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, organises unusual trips for HNW and UHNW clients ranging from birthday parties at an Indian Maharajah's palace to reliving Sir Vivian Fuchs's 1950s expedition to the South Pole. Citywealth caught ...
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