Walking in the Himalayas has to be one of the most perfect antidotes to frantic modern living. Our Himalayan holidays include long fairly arduous but exhilarating treks in high country but also a terrific range of relaxed walking holidays at somewhat lower altitudes that enjoy panoramic views of the high ranges while simultaneously providing fascinating glimpses into the lives and culture of the mountain people. Some of our Himalayan walking holidays use charming village homes that have been simply but tastefully adapted to the needs of western travellers. We have also recently added a couple of lovely, gentle treks in the lower (relatively speaking) hills of Himachal Pradesh that end up in Shimla or begin in Shimla. The classic Himalayan trek or walking holiday was the expedition style adventure where you went off into the high mountains with a large train of pack horses or porters, completely self-contained except for water. This remains the preferred option in high country and for longer treks. The independence and flexibility that this allows is particularly in keeping with that quest for freedom that underlies the impulse to foray into mountains away from the humdrum bonds of domesticity that anchor our everyday lives.

Walking in the Himalayas with IndianExplorations.com

In recent years there has been an exciting development that has added to the possibilities of Indian luxury holidays in Himalayas. This is the growth of beautifully located historic homes that are being converted to homestays in the most magnificent locations – many of which are now either within or at the edge of protected wildlife sanctuaries.

Walking in Kumaon with IndianExplorations.com

There is nothing more relaxing, more fun than to have a comfortable base from which to head out for gentle or vigorous walks as the mood takes one without the compulsions of completing a set day’s march to the next camp. And if the weather turns bad – as mountain weather can – the option to retreat to a warm fire with a good book and, glass to hand, smugly contemplate the prospects of nothing more rigorous than an excellent meal while the weather blows itself to exhaustion outside. Our Himalayan walking holidays encompass the entire gamut of winter treks in Ladakh searching for snow leopards to relaxed walking trips from a comfortable base.

Is it possible to contemplate holidays in eastern Himalayas – of any description -  without Darjeeling intruding somewhere? In 1896 Mark Twain boarded the ‘Toy Train’ at Siliguri and was so entranced by the 40 mile, 8-hour journey to Darjeeling that he immediately declared it as “the most enjoyable day I have spent on the Earth.” And if you have seen BBC 4’s wonderful series on Indian Hill Trains with one of the episodes devoted to the Darjeeling hill train or Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (in its present avatar of world heritage monument), you’ll understand just why. It isn’t just the stupendous scenery as the track jacknifes its way up some of the most precipitous mountains on Earth; it isn’t even the richness of trees and plants and flowers and shrubs that that you encounter or even the velvety lushness of the endless tea that you pass through beyond Kurseong. No – it’s the fact that this little train and its tiny tracks are so deeply woven into the human landscape of the Darjeeling hills, shouldering it’s way through traffic jams and pedestrians and roadside markets and quaint little stations, monasteries and temples, often at no more than a slow walking pace – a human pace. And if you are incredibly lucky and find a completely clear day, you could even find yourself steaming past the massive rearing bulk of Kangchenjunga seemingly almost within touching distance. That is magic.

Eastern Himalayas

But don’t harbour too many illusions about Darjeeling. Yes, some of the old buildings of the Raj remain but for the most part the town has surrendered to the ramshackle decrepitude and general nondescriptness that has infected so many of the old hill stations. Not so the surrounding countryside, however. A mere hour and a half from Darjeeling and 3000 feet lower will bring you to Glenburn.

Glenburn

Glenburn is the name of a tea plantation and in the name one can detect the plaintive yearning of a Brit far from home – a yearning quickly doused by the cold realities of ‘home’ when compared with the indulgences of India during the Raj – especially if you were a Sahib. Well – think of all the indulgences, service, comfort, scenery, outdoor recreation, indoor décor and style, cuisine and little un-thought of luxuries that your imagination might conjure up – then multiply by two and you have Glenburn. A fabulous creation of Husna-Tara Prakash, the wife of the owner of Glenburn, who has converted the old managers bungalow and added another new wing built in faithful imitation of the old planter’s style and furnished them with such perfect taste and understated but natural style that the word ‘boutique’ intrudes as a crass interloper. I have one rule – if any client gets anywhere near the eastern Himalayas, they have to end up at Glenburn – no matter how many raging mountain torrents they have to ford, cliff-edge mule-tracks to negotiate, yak trains they have to follow – Glenburn is a must. Almost my most favourite place in these hills. Watch this space…