Shankar Saraiyā

Day Trips

Start your morning with a scenic drive through terraced fields, catching glimpses of misty hills and cascading waterfalls. Arrive at your heritage homestay and receive a warm welcome with traditional garlands and fragrant herbal tea. Spend time unpacking and strolling through the courtyard to absorb the tranquil ambience.

Enjoy a hearty lunch of local delicacies such as millet roti and vegetable curry at a family-run eatery. Join your hosts for a guided walk to the nearby village market where artisans display vibrant textiles and handmade pottery. Engage in friendly conversation with shopkeepers and learn about ancestral craft techniques.

Gather at the open pavilion as the sun dips behind the mountains, draping the valley in golden hues. Savor a communal dinner cooked over a wood-fired stove while listening to folk tales shared by local storytellers. End the evening by gazing at a starlit sky, far from city lights, as the sounds of crickets and distant river rapids lull you to rest.

Set out at dawn to climb the winding steps of a centuries-old hilltop temple, surrounded by orchids and chirping birds. Pause at the temple courtyard to witness priests performing morning aarti with bells and incense. Feel the serenity wash over you as you gaze at distant snow-capped peaks from the temple terrace.

Descend to the valley floor and explore a cluster of intricate stone temples adorned with carved deities and mythical motifs. Share a simple vegetarian thali lunch served on fresh banana leaves at a roadside shrine eatery. Listen to the rhythmic chanting of local devotees as they offer prayers and flowers.

Return to your accommodation and relax in a rustic courtyard with a cup of kamal chai and local honey biscuits. Watch the sky transform into shades of pink and purple as the sun sets behind the temple spires. Drift off to sleep to the distant echo of temple bells and the gentle rustle of night breezes.

Embark on a guided trek through dense oak and pine forests, following the sound of rushing water. Spot colorful butterflies and listen for the distant calls of Himalayan birds as you ascend narrow trails. Take periodic breaks to stretch and sip cool mountain spring water from bamboo flasks.

Reach a secluded waterfall where you can picnic on fresh fruits and local snacks while feeling the mist on your skin. Wade into the natural pool beneath the falls for a refreshing swim or simply relax on smooth rocks. Admire the towering cliffs and lush greenery that frame this hidden gem.

Return to camp as twilight descends, lighting lanterns along the forest path to guide your way. Gather around a crackling fire to roast peanuts and share stories of native folklore with your trekking companions. Fall asleep under a canvas tent, lulled by the symphony of crickets and distant water sounds.

Begin the day with a gentle yoga session on the banks of the river, listening to its soft murmur. Follow with a guided mindfulness walk along the pebble-strewn shore, pausing to observe insects and wildflowers. Practice breathing exercises while seated on a wooden dock overlooking the shimmering water.

Spread out woven mats beneath a cluster of banyan trees for a tranquil picnic featuring saffron rice, spiced lentil soup and fresh vegetable salad. Spend time journaling or sketching the river’s flow and the mountains reflected in its surface. Engage in a short group meditation led by a local spiritual mentor.

As the sun lowers, embark on a peaceful paddle boat ride down the calm river, watching herons take flight. Return to the shore to light floating lanterns adorned with prayers and wishes. Enjoy a simple riverside meal of roasted corn and masala chai by the glow of lantern light.

Wake up to the aroma of freshly baked millet bread and simmering chai at your homestay. Accompany your host to her weaving studio where you learn to spin wool and create simple patterns on a traditional handloom. Share laughter and stories as you master basic weaving techniques.

Join villagers in planting seasonal vegetables in terraced fields, learning organic farming methods passed down through generations. Savor a farm-to-table lunch of garden-fresh greens, spiced yogurt and locally pressed mustard oil. Help harvest ripe produce and sample sun-warmed tomatoes straight from the vine.

Return to the homestay to hang your woven piece in the courtyard as the sun sets behind distant hills. Participate in an impromptu folk music session, playing tablas and singing local ballads with your hosts. Drift to sleep lulled by soft harmonium melodies and the gentle cooing of night birds.

Set off before sunrise for a guided jeep safari into the Kava Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its leopard and deer populations. Peer through binoculars to spot langurs leaping among treetops and sambar deer grazing in clearings. Enjoy a forest breakfast of sweet buns and hot coffee at a scenic viewpoint.

Continue your safari to lesser-known trails where you might glimpse sloth bears and wild boar rummaging through undergrowth. Stop for a packed lunch of spiced chickpea curry and rice perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking a river gorge. Talk with your tracker about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and local wildlife behaviors.

Return to your lodge for a leisurely walk through botanical gardens teeming with medicinal herbs and orchids. Sip herbal tea infused with lemongrass and mint as you watch the sun set behind distant peaks. End the day with a candlelit dinner featuring regional specialties like paneer curry and millet dol.

Rise before dawn for a guided yoga practice on a wooden platform overlooking the sunrise-kissed hills. Experience sun salutations and deep stretches as birds greet the new day with melodic calls. Conclude with a short meditation focusing on gratitude and inner peace.

Visit a nearby Ayurvedic wellness center for a consultation with an expert practitioner. Indulge in a personalized massage and herbal steam treatment designed to balance your energy. Enjoy a light herbal lunch featuring kitchari and cooling cucumber raita.

Return to your accommodation to practice gentle restorative yoga or breathing exercises at your own pace. Reflect on the day’s rejuvenating therapies with a cup of turmeric milk before dinner. Drift into restful sleep as soothing instrumental music plays softly in the background.

Join a local chef in the open-air kitchen to harvest fresh vegetables, herbs and spices from a terrace garden. Learn to make traditional spice blends by pounding fresh chilies, coriander seeds and ginger on a stone mortar. Prepare batter for hand-rolled flatbreads and knead dough alongside village cooks.

Participate in a hands-on cooking class featuring curries, vegetable stews and seasonal chutneys. Share the fruits of your labor with fellow travelers over a communal lunch served on banana leaf plates. Learn about the medicinal properties of each ingredient used in your dishes.

Stroll through the evening market where vendors sell marigold garlands, local sweets and handicrafts. Sample street food snacks like crispy aloo tikki and sweet jalebi from colorful stalls lit by lanterns. Return to your homestay for a leisurely dinner of your workshop creations paired with spiced buttermilk.

After a hearty breakfast, gear up for an exhilarating river rafting adventure on the rolling rapids of Shankar Saraiya’s main river. Navigate bouncy waves under the guidance of experienced rafters and feel the cool spray on your face. Pause at calm stretches to swim and relax in the river.

Land on a secluded riverbank for a picnic lunch of grilled paneer tikka, fresh salads and mango lassi. Spend time exploring nearby caves and rock formations that house ancient paintings. Return to your raft for a gentle drift back downstream as the sun begins its descent.

Gather on the sandy shore to light a roaring bonfire under the open sky. Grill skewers of spiced vegetables and share stories with fellow adventurers as embers crackle. End the night with a circle of drumbeats and the distant whistle of a night bird before retiring to your camp.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast of honey-laden tufted pancakes and fresh fruit with views of dewy fields. Participate in a farewell ceremony where local artisans present you with a handcrafted token of appreciation. Take final strolls through gardens to scent jasmine and lavender one last time.

Pack your belongings and load into a comfortable vehicle bound for the nearest railway station or airport. Share memories and photographs with your hosts over a light lunch of rice pudding and spiced tea. Express gratitude to your hosts and friends for their warm hospitality.

As you journey away, watch the landscape transition from rolling hills to bustling townscapes under twilight skies. Reflect on the moments of serenity, adventure and cultural connection that defined your trip. Arrive at your departure point with a heart full of stories and a promise to return.