6 Spectacular Adventure Activities

Keen on a break that doesn’t involve sitting in a plush hotel. Looking to push your physical boundaries. India boasts of a stunning landscape with great outdoors for all adventure pursuits, from motorcycle rides on the rugged roads in Ladakh to parasailing and bamboo rafting in the scenic lagoons in Kerala. The country offers a huge canvas for inteprid travellers, coupled with favourable weather conditions, stunning scenery and dollops of fresh air that will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Now, you can ride, hike, sail, surf and bike across India’s finest destinations with our selection of Adventure Breaks. In fact, June till September offers a tempting window break for adventure enthusiasts looking for thrilling outdoor breaks to explore the picture perfect Indian countryside. It’s time of the year when holidaymakers have not yet flooded the country, and most tourist trails are uncrowded.

Travel Smart presents a range of outdoor activities, that you can indulge in the remotest corner of India and on the high altitude roads in the Himalayas that will definitely get your adrenaline pumping.

Make your adventure holidays a success with our selection of top 6 activities

Motorcycling in Ladakh

Enjoy the wind in the hair kind of experience. Go on a trans-Himalayan motorcycle trip across cold high-altitude deserts, deep valleys and dusty treacherous roads in Ladakh. The Manali-Leh highway ride to Ladakh is full of surprises and has punishing road trails, which will really test every biker’s endurance. It’s a must-do trip for every avid biker.

Hiking in Kali Sarda, Uttarakhand

You can visit a luxurious mountain resorts and gaze at the snow-clad hills, but where’s the fun in that. Looking for a more out of the ordinary challenge. Head to the Kumaoni wilderness in Uttarakhand. It’s a veritable treasure hike for first time hikers and families. The trail starts at the picturesque Kathgodam, running through postcard perfect Nepali villages, gurgling streams and terraced farms, culminating at the descent of the might river Kali into the plains.

Surfing at Kodi Bengre, Karnataka

With Karnataka emerging as a hot surfing destination, this tiny fishing village, near Manipal on the west coast of India is an ideal destination for surfers to enjoy the big waves. With no reefs or rocks, cruise on the big waves blissfully. If you want to the get the grips with this water based sports, the surfing camps in Kodi Bengre will come handy.

Essential Wayanad Ride, Kerala

One of the toughest trails that will test your physical endurance, Essential Wayanad Ride offers the most dramatic scenery, with the path cutting through paddy fields, base of a hill and sleepy villages. But the real test is a sharp descent down to the countryside, leading to muddy trails and fields which is hard to negotiate. You can stop by at the many small eateries peppering the road for a quick bite. The ride ends at Kalpetta.

Bamboo Rafting, Kerala

Sail through some of the rich forests in Periyar Tiger Reserve on a raft made of bamboo. As you drift past deep woods, watch the forest come alive with bird life, giant squirrels and Nilgiri langur. Bamboo rafting is an ideal combination of adventure with moderate activity.

Parasailing in Alappuzha Beach, Kerala

A highly recreational sport, the Alappuzha Beach is a well known place for water based activities, especially Parasailing. For the uninitiated, parasailing is carried out by attaching the para-sail to a long rope which is connected to a speed boat or a motor boat. If you havn’t tried your hand at parasailing yet, this is the time to give it a go!

Travel Smart, a leading luxury travel company designs enriching holidays with a host of activities to suit every taste and need. Our travel advisors customize programmes according to your interests and requirements, delivering unique travel experiences, ensuring you have a memorable journey.

Speak to our consultant today to book a package:

+91 93419 18386 / +91 98437 63464

You can also submit your travel information on our website and our travel experts will get back to you shortly.

For queries, mail: info@travel-smart.in

Unique Wellness Destinations in India

Looking for a stress-free vacation. Want to unplug, unwind and relax your body and mind amidst natural surroundings. Come to India, the home of Ayurveda, a land where the art of healing is as old as Hinduism itself. It’s the land where Ayurveda is part of a lifestyle. Little wonder that the country houses some of the best Ayurveda Resorts, spectacular wellness centres set amidst peaceful environment and offering the most rejuvenating treatments to health-seekers.

Take an ultimate wellness trip to India and recharge your body in tranquil surroundings in Kerala – Mecca of Ayurveda and the Himalayas, where the air itself works as a healing balm. Pamper yourself with stress-relieving massages, rejuventaing baths and Ayurveda treatments in India, the place for wellness. Come, celebrate this unique ancinet tradition with the most experienced practitioners of Ayurveda.

According to ancient texts, the monsoon season, June till August is the best time to undergo Ayurvedic Treatment. It is during this season that the atmosphere remains cool and dust-free – letting the pores of the body open to a maximum, making the skin most receptive to therapy.

Travel Smart presents the best Ayurveda Resorts across India to soothe your soul and mind

Kalari Kovilakom, Kerala

Designed as a place for healing, restoration and nurturing, Kalari Kovilakom located in the foothills of Annamalai range, practices Ayurveda in its purest form. Set in a sprawling estate and surrounded by lush, peaceful gardens, enjoy the healing touch fo pure Ayurveda here. The centre practices Ashram like austerity – no meat, leather footwear or alcohol is allowed inside the establishment.

Poovar Island Resort, Kerala

Experience the peace and serenity of this secluded tropical paradise, Poovar Island Resort in Trivandrum. It is an ideal location for anyone who wants to reconnect with themselves and leave the hectic lives behind. Release your physical stress and take advantage of the fascinating Ayurveda Village, where an experienced team of doctors and masseurs will restore your natural vitality through carefully crafted Ayurvedic therapy treatments.

SwaSwara, Gokarna

The most luxurious island property in Gokarna, SwaSwara is set amidst rolling hills and lined by serene coconut palms with 24 villas. The Wellness centre provides a holistic Yoga and Ayurvedic treatment. Enjoy a private Yoga session on the beach and then relieve your body with a specialized Ayurvedic treatment, designed just for you. Maximize your well being by indulging in stress-free activities, such as pottery or spending an afternoon in an organic farm.

Ananda Spa, Rishikesh

Venture up to the foothills of the Himalayas and heal amidst the tranquility and calm surroundings of the majestic mountains. At Ananda, the Ayurveda experience has been designed keeping in mind the individual’s desire to heal, cleanse, relax and revitalize. What could be a better mix than indulging in a wellness regime, with specialized diet programmes in pristine natural surroundings.

Wildflower Hill Spa, Shimla

Situated 8,000 feet in the mystical Himalayas, Wildflower Hill Spa is a luxury resort set in 22 acres of pine and cedar forests. Taking relaxation to new heights, Wildflower Hill Spa offers holistic Ayurveda treatments to nurture the mind and soul. Enjoy an Ayurveda experience in this tranquil sanctuary in the mountains, famed amongst weary travellers. Take luxurious walks through fragrant pine forests and delight your tastebuds with gourmet meals.

Travel Smart, a leading luxury travel company designs enriching holidays with a host of activities to suit every taste and need. Our travel advisors customize programs according to your interests and requirements, delivering unique travel experiences, ensuring you have a memorable journey.

Book a Wellness Vacation with us and avail exclusive benefits.

For instant bookings, speak to our travel consultant today:

+91 93419 18386 / +91 98437 63464

You can also submit your travel information on our website and our experts will get back to you immediately.

For queries, mail: info@travel-smart.in

5 best treks around India

So you thought India couldn’t be explored on foot. In fact, what you don’t know is that India is home to some of the most spectacular routes, from the snow-clad Himalayas to the gentle, short trails in Darjeeling, and sometimes the well-beaten pilgrim route in Haridwar, the trails thread through rhododendron-clad hillsides and low level forests. With each turn, explore a fantastically rich fauna, geography and geology in India. And there are easy walks to demanding treks, so lace up your boots to appreciate the Indian countryside.

While the Himalayas have always been the preferred trekking trail, Travel Smart brings wow-worthy trekking destinations around India that can only be appreciated on foot. Wander off the beaten track to the most exciting and enthralling treks with the pioneers of adventure travels.

Right now is the best time to pack your backpack, stow the dusty jacket and switch off your cellphone. Trekking season starts from months of May to October.

Get a healthy dose of nature with our top 5 trekking destinations

Singalila Ridge Trek, Darjeeling

One of the finest treks int the world, the Singalila Ridge Trek brings you closest to the Himalayas. The trek offers a close-up view of the magnificent Kanchenjunga. The trek meanders through narrow paths along the Indian-Nepal border, crossing rhododendron carpeted forests and alpine meadows. This much-feted trek has the rare distinction of being the spot, from where one can view the summits — Everest, Makalu and Lhotse.

Dayara Bugyal, Uttarakhand

Dayara Bugyal has snapped up the position of being one of the most beautiful high-altitude meadows in India. Home to the Bhagirathi, Black and the quirky titled Bandarpoonch Peak, Dayara Bugyal showcases the Himalayas in all its poetic splendour. The carpet of wild flowers and green grasslands attracts trekkers annually. The trek, an easy stroll for seasoned trekkers kicks off at Barsu, a tiny village in Haridwar, 32kms away from Uttarkashi town. A pre-monsoon trek, May-June is highly recommended.

Valley of Flowers, Haridwar

Blaze your own trail at the picturesque Valley of Flowers in Ghangharia, a stunning carpet of 300 species of flowers such as braham kamal, anemone, marsh marigold, prinula, lilium and potentilla. A heaven for lovers of the outdoors, Valley of Flowers, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas makes a stunning backdrop to the snow clad Himalayan mountains. Start your trek at Govindghat, a well-beaten pilgrim trail which stretches up to 14 kms.

We recommend the trek in July, August and September when the valley is in full bloom.

Great Lake Trek in Kashmir

One of the most cherished and physically demanding treks, this 7-9 day Great Lake Trek represents the amazing geography of India. From four high altitude lakes, tiny brooks, snow clad glaciers and alpine meadows, trekkers are treated to the magnificent hillside views. And if you are looking for an adrenaline packed trail, this the path to beat. The first stop is the Vishansar Lake, followed by Kishansar Lake, a mere 1.2 kms apart. On your descent, you will cross the Gadsar Lake and the most popular Gangabal Lake a famous spot for trout fishing in the end.

Parang La, Himachal Pradesh

The toughest and most exciting treks amongst seasoned trekkers, Parang La begins in the glorious Spiti Valley. Thread your way through the old route between Ladakh and Spiti. The high altitude Spiti valley is a combination of breathtaking mountains and deep valleys and then cross over to Parang La Pass. This trek is strenuous and the most physically demanding but it offers spectacular vistas – wild flowers, beautiful summits and clean air.

We recommend a pit stop at the Tso Moriri Lake in Ladakh. The Parang La trekking season opens in July and the treks are conducted till August.

Travel Smart, a leading luxury travel company designs enriching holidays with a host of activities to suit every taste and need. Our travel advisors customize programs according to your interests and requirements, delivering unique travel experiences, ensuring you have a memorable journey.

For tailored trekking packages, speak to our consultant today:

+91 9341918386 /+91 9843763464

You can also submit your travel information on our website and our experts will get back to you with their recommendations immediately.

For queries, mail: info@travel-smart.in

Best Romantic Retreats

Whether it is a romantic honeymoon or a trip to rediscover your romance, your special getaway can be a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of your everyday lives and help you reconnect and re-ignite your romance. A well-timed getaway can also help in taking time off from work, reboot and refresh your life.

Doesn’t matter whether you are a honeymooner or a couple looking for a idyllic hideaway, Travel Smart provides you with an array of stylish destinations with one of a kind experience to make everything oh-so-lovable. Looking for a special moment between you and your loved one amidst nature’s beauty and an intimate setting, a sand-between your toes kind of vacation or a private escape in a jungle lodge with a luxurious accommodation, your romantic idyll is not far away.

Travel Smart lists down five exotic getaways where you can enjoy the azure waters, feast your eyes on glistening shorelines and indulge in luxury at its best.

Here are 5 out-of-the ordinary retreats with a host of activities and facilities that will surely win you and your companion over:

Idyllic Sunset Cruise in Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan

You can never get the most out of Rajasthan in one trip. And Udaipur, a city of many moods and colours and has the grandest, most luxurious resorts and palaces. Over the years, the city, rated as one of the most romantic retreats has drawn honeymooners and seasoned couples in equal parts. But no trip to Udaipur is complete without a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola. It’s on the pristine waters of Lake Pichola that time comes to a standstill. Enjoy a picturesque view of the city’s havelis, pop the champagne and watch the sun set over Bagore Ki Haveli. The Gangaur Ghat with the triple-arched Tripolia stands as a magnificent piece of architecture at the end of Bagore ki Haveli.

Luxurious Stay in Mountbatten Lodge, Ranakpur, Rajasthan

Escape the hustle and bustle of city for a rewarding experience in the Mountbatten Lodge adjacent to the Kumbalgarh wildlife sanctuary. The luxurious four-suite Mountbatten Lodge is a must-visit for guests staying in Udaipur. Surrounded by wilderness, the Mountbatten Lodge, nestled high in the Aravalli Hills is a throwback to the Rudyard Kipling era, with its high-backed chairs and colonial architecture. Spend your mornings tracking leopards in mobile leopard safaris and enjoy champagne sunsets on the decks at the lodge. Merely an hour’s drive from Udaipur, Mountbatten Lodge is a must-stop if you are passing through Udaipur.

A Day with the Elephants at Kanam Estate, Kerala

There is more to Kerala than just scenic backwaters, elongated shorelines and lush green foliage. Enjoy a day with an elephant on Kanam Estate, a 5-bedroom hotel on a rubber plantation poised midway between Cochin, the backwaters and Thekkady. Take a ride through the surrounding plantations on Laxmi, the 30-year-old resident elephant, and watch her at work, lugging wood through the plantation. Start your day by feeding her breakfast, a bunch of bananas and take a languorous walk through the countryside with her. And while you are in Kerala, unwind with a rejuvenating Ayurvedic spa with your companion.

Active Adventure at Andaman Water Sports Complex

Experience nature at its best at Andaman Water Sports Complex, an ideal destination for the best water sports. Perfect for newlyweds and couples or families, Andaman Water Sports Complex offers uninterrupted view of clear blue expanse of sea and a host of adventure sports to keep you and your companion entertained. Go scuba-diving, the most sough after activity in Havelock Island and familiarise yourself with exotic marine life. The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor is home to a vast variety of coral reef fishes. Besides, water based activities, nature lovers can also go trekking and camping at Mount Harriet and Madhuban. May and June are the best season to trekking and hiking through the island.

Unwind and relax in Coorg

A hill-station of unparalleled beauty, Coorg, the land of sprawling coffee estates and plantations is the best destination for enjoying the unspoiled beauty of nature. From plush eco-resorts to stylish cottages, relax and indulge in the gracious hospitality of the land of Kodavas. Coorg offers the best gastronomic dining experiences, and there are a host of restaurants that rustle up delectable cuisine. The hospitality of the people may remind you of gentler times. There are a clutch of activities to keep couples engaged – a trip to Dubare Elephant Camp is delightful. Visit the nearby Abbey Fall and hear your voice being drowned out by cascading water or go trekking in the Brahmagiri Hills. May and June are the ideal months for a luxury escape to Coorg.

Travel Smart, a leading luxury travel company designs enriching holidays with a host of activities to suit every taste and need. Our travel advisors customize programmes according to your interests and requirements, delivering unique travel experiences, ensuring you have a memorable journey.

Speak to our consultant today to book a package:

+91 93419 18386 / +91 98437 63464

You can also submit your travel information on our website and our travel experts will get back to you shortly.

For queries, mail: info@travel-smart.in

6 Must-See Holiday Highlights in Sri Lanka

This summer, take a leisurely journey through Sri Lanka which is fast emerging as the go-to-beach destination amongst Australian and American holidayers. Looking for a prolonged spot of sunshine, glorious beaches and beautiful southern highlands, head to the East Coast, tipped as the Maldives of Sri Lanka, with its vast stretches of unexplored beaches, golden sand and the best surfing destination, the East Coast is the perfect island getaway. The perfect time to visit the East Coast is between May and September, when the beaches are relatively uncrowded, weather is remarkably pleasant and the surfing season is on.

Besides the idyllic beach towns that dot the Eastern coastline, all the way down to Trincomalee, which is the largest best natural harbour, visitors can also immerse themselves in the ancient past of Sri Lanka. Dambulla’s cave temple, in Anuradhapura, located in the Central Triangle of Sri Lanka is a must part of every Sri Lankan itinerary.

Go off the beaten track with some our carefully hand-picked locations that allow you to experience the unspoilt beaches at its best. The surfing season has already begun, (kicks off in May and is on till October) and surfers can enjoy swells from three-8 feet.

Travel Smart lists down the top 6 holiday highlights for you:

Arugam Bay

A tiny fishing village, that lies on an elephant corridor is fast emerging as an exclusive hideout amongst travellers. Known as the best surfing destination, Arugam Bay has a dedicated clutch of surfing enthusiasts who flock the beach between May-September to ride on the waves. The surfing hotspot also lays claim to some exclusive beach resorts, for those who prefer to watch rather than ride the waves.

Trincomalee

Trincomalee lays claim to one of the finest natural harbours in South East Asia. The former Dutch colony is also home to the most spectacular beaches — Nilaveli, Uppaveli and the marvellous Pigeon Island that boasts of a dramatic coral reef, easily accessible via a boat ride. The beaches, Nilaveli, Uppaveli are 6kms and 16kms off the town. Trinco as it is popularly known amongst locals is the best spot for snorkelling, scuba-diving, swimming and whale watching. Kanniyai, merely 8 kms from Trinco, with seven hot springs is known for its medicinal properties and is a must-stop for tourists.

Swami Rock

Now a historical fort, Swami Rock is the natural landmark that divides Trincomalee’s Back Bay from the Dutch Bay. Formerly home to the famous Temple of the Thousand Pillars, it now houses the massive Frederick’s Fort that offers a a magnificient view of Trinco. Also stop by the Koneswaram Temple, which was built to replace the ancient Hindu shrine – the temple of 1000 pillars destroyed by the Portugese in 17th century.

Lahugala National Park

One of the smallest National Parks in Sri Lanka, Lahugala National Park is the best place for watching tuskers up close. Located in the middle of an elephant corridor– the Park has a lush cover of beru grass around the Lahugala – the staple diet of Sri Lankan elephant. Around 150 jumbos are known to gather around the tank during July and August when the rest of the water dries up. July is also a good time for bird-watching. Home to a huge variety of aquatic birds – blue magpies, brown-bellied shikras, kites and snowy white egrets often found piggybacking on a friendly tusker.

Dambulla Ancient Caves

Your trip to Sri Lanka is not complete until you witness the best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka, held sacred by Buddhists and Hindus alike for 22 centuries. Home to over 157 Buddha statues, the cave temple has a 14m figure of Buddha carved out of one rock. Located in Anuradhapura, an ancient ruined city, the cave temple is a great landmark to the Sinhalese civilization that flourished two thousand years ago.

Sigiriya

Home to architectural wonders, Sigiriya has the island’s finest geographical formations. The city is the best display of 5th century urban planning, but one of the most awe-inspiring historical legacies is a 200m rock formation, looming large above the city, which is spread out around the flat rock formation. Known as a Lion Mountain, Sigiriya is not only a place of religious retreat, but a heritage site a well

Travel Smart, a leading luxury travel company designs enriching holidays with a host of activities to suit every taste and need. Our travel advisors customize programs according to your interests and requirements, delivering unique travel experiences, ensuring you have a memorable journey.

For a tailored Sri Lanka holiday, speak to our consultant today to book a package:   +91 93419 18386 / +91 98437 63464

You can also submit your travel information on our website and our experts will get back to you immediately.

For queries, mail: info@travel-smart.in

Panchgani – a quaint hill-station

Tucked away in the Satara district of Maharashtra, Panchgani a picture perfect hill station on the highway to Mahabaleshwar from Pune is an idyllic mountain retreat in the Krishna valley. This beautiful hill station is perched at an altitude of 1334 meters. Far from the hustle and bustle of Pune and the endless stream of traffic from Mumbai, Panchgani is a quick summer getaway. It is the first hill town one reaches from Mahabaleshwar on the Pune road. Swathed in lush vegetation, Panchgani offers jaw-dropping views of Krishna river on one side and the coastal plains on the other. The river Krishna meanders through tiny hamlets, farms and ravines, hundreds of meters below. Table Land, a flat mountain peak majestically overlooks the coastal plains. Panchgani with its pristine natural beauty and rejuvenating oxygen levels boasts of a TB Sanatorium. Patients are known to get better faster at Panchgani owing to the pure environs offered at Panchgani.

Panchgani enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year and the ideal months for visiting are May-October.

For more information, visit www.travel-smart.in, mail at info@travel-smart.in

Call: +91 93419 18386 / +91 98437 63464

Twin summer retreats -- Lonavala and Khandala

Tucked away near the bustling student city Pune, Lonavala and the adjacent picturesque hill-station Khandala are the twin hill stations, 622 m. above sea level and simply 5 kms apart from each other. Nestled on the Sahyadri ranges, the twin hill-stations are around 64 km from Pune and 96 km from Mumbai. A popular getaway from residents of Mumbai and Pune, Lonavala known as the 'Jewel of the Sahyadri' is situated in the western part of Maharashtra. Khandala is smaller, quieter and calmer of the two, though browsing through Lonavala's bazaar could yield some wonderful surprises. Both the hill stations are known for their scenic beauty, green hills, deep valleys,historic forts, lakes and waterfalls.The main attraction for coming to Lonavala is the sequence of great caves - like Bhoja (2nd century B.C.), continuing with Bedsa (1st century B.C.) and last but not the least Karla.

For more information, visit www.travel-smart.in, mail at info@travel-smart.in

Call: +91 93419 18386 / +91 98437 63464