Ziro Festival of Music
6 Days
Music is an integral part of the North-East culture. So it is not surprising that a music festival is organized in Ziro, a remote but a beautiful part of Arunachal Pradesh. The Woodstock of India, Ziro festival of Music is back again this year with more punch and more music. For the music aficionados who haven’t been to Arunachal Pradesh and have not experienced the North East flavor and natural beauty, this is the perfect time to come. Attend the four-day music fiesta in the outdoors explore the beautiful countryside hiking, cycling and immersing yourself in the culture of the Apatani tribe.
If this is not enough then follow it up exploring the scenic countryside, the mesmerizing Siang river and of course take the spiritual path to the beautiful Tawang monastery. We have put together an experience combining all of that.
Ladakh Experience (Women only)
8 Days
On request
So many experiences. So many stories to tell. That’s what Ladakh is. The land of high passes is blessed with natural beauty any other place in the world would envy. In ancient times it was an important outpost in the important silk route trade. Much of that richness esp. in culture and heritage is still very much reflective in the present day Ladakh.
Not much else needs to be said about Ladakh. A surreal landscape vastly different from anything imaginable. Though so much has been talked and written about it that most people have an idea of the place, yet nothing can prepare you for what to expect the moment the door of the aircraft opens and this land opens its arms to you.
Amazing Arunachal with Tawang Road Trip
9 Days
If the place is as inspiring as Arunachal Pradesh, then you will definitely become a storyteller. This beautiful state in the North-Eastern part of India is a full of stories and experiences. The place not as remote but still unexplored is the perfect destination to find yourself and write your own story through the natural beauty from every nook and corner of this state.
Arunachal Pradesh is the largest North Eastern state with 82% of evergreen cover. It receives an average rainfall of above 3000 mm per year. The climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to Alpine in the North. There are 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes in the state. Over 500 varieties of orchids are found here.
Then there is the beautiful Tawang monastery, for which we have specifically designed a scenic road trip that gives an experience of Arunachal Pradesh.
Assam-Meghalaya-Nagaland with Hornbill Festival
9 Days
On Request
The state of Nagaland in the North East of India is home to several tribes each of which are distinct in their language, culture and customs. The festivals are important to the tribes as these revolve around agriculture, which is a major profession in the state. The Nagas consider their festivals sacred and so participation in these festivals is essential.
To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The festival is named after the Indian hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird, which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes.
If you are headed to the Hornbill festivel, it’s a great opportunity to combine this trip with a stay and safari at the popular Rhino destination – Kaziranga National Park.
To make the North East experience complete a short trip to Meghalaya and its beautiful capital Shillong would just do that.
Offbeat Goa
Goa with its bustling beaches along with its pristine ones is where everyone heads to when they need the beach therapy. But there’s more to Goa than the beaches. The confluence of cultures over the centuries with the arrival of the Portuguese and before that given birth to unique art & culture. The ever laid back and peaceful environment so infectious as it is reflected in the delicious local cuisine and the afternoon siestas. Goa is evergreen and has the amazing forest cover and wildlife, which is still off the usual tourist and therefore less crowded. So if you are headed to Goa, go beyond the beaches, explore the unexplored and soak in the local experience.
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Hornbill Festival and Kaziranga Experience
6 Days
2-8 Dec
The state of Nagaland in the North East of India is home to several tribes each of which are distinct in their language, culture and customs. The festivals are important to the tribes as these revolve around agriculture, which is a major profession in the state. The Nagas consider their festivals sacred and so participation in these festivals is essential.
To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The festival is named after the Indian hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird, which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes.
If you are headed to the Hornbill festival, it’s a great opportunity to combine this trip with a stay and safari at the popular Rhino destination – Kaziranga National Park.
This experience will allow you to do just that.
Mesmerizing Meghalaya
If every cloud does have a silver lining then Meghalaya or “The abode of clouds” would be raining silver heavily. This small state in the North-East region of India has abundant rainfall and sunshine around the year and is considered to be one of the richest botanical habitats in Asia. Meghalaya is subject to vagaries of the monsoon. The climate varies with altitude. The Meghalayan sky seldom remains free of clouds and the Meghalayan spirit seldom remains free of adventure.
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Bhutan Experience
6-10 Days
4-11 May, On request
Bhutan has been much in news. It is not because of its effort to measure its performance in terms of Gross National Happiness rather than GNP. It is also not because of the natural beauty of the place – the monasteries, fortresses (dzongs) and the amazing topography ranging from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. The big news is that Bhutan has become carbon negative. Yes, exactly that. Led by the dynamic Prime Minister Tshering Togbay, Bhutan has been working hard to protect the environment and reduce pollution and the results are showing.
But this is not the only reason to visit the land of Thunder Dragon. The Himalayan kingdom offers a plethora of experiences ranging from adventure, trekking, climbing to culture and heritage, from nature and wildlife to calm and peaceful environs of a Buddhist monastery.
In line with our philosophy, Rustik Travel has curated a range of travel experiences that are rustic, offbeat and sustainable. Here goes.
Surreal Sri Lanka
On request
Sri Lanka had many names in the past. Persians and Arabs referred to it as “Sarandib” or “Serendip” from the word serendipity. A true to the meaning this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean is. Arthur C Clarke, the famous science fiction writer made Sri Lanka his home and stayed here till his death and has written much about the cultural and geographical diversity of this island nation. Recovering from the decades of tragic civil war that split apart the nation, Sri Lanka is taking rapid strides forward economically. Blessed with natural beauty and diversity, Sri Lanka is already a favorite travelers destination from many. The place from North to South and from East to West provides great many opportunities for various activities and travel experiences. With its pristine beaches and beautiful ocean with bustling marine life scuba diving and snorkeling, along with kite surfing and other water sports are popular out here. As you go deeper inside the country, the green forests and the wild life with leopards, elephants, birds are a treat for any wildlife enthusiast. The green country provides amazing trails for bikers and cyclists. The swelling rivers are great for white water surfing. Culturally Sri Lanka is a diverse country with Sinhalese Buddhists having the larger numbers and hence the influence. Though one may find enough influences from the Portuguese, Tamils, Muslims and other ethnicities or nationalities that have come and stayed in Sri Lanka for centuries. Not to forget the tales from the epic Ramayana about Lord Rama’s nemesis Ravana who ruled Lanka as part of the myth.
Sri Lanka is a microcosm of diversity with everything yet something for each and every traveler.