Active/Adventure: Pulse: Into the Himalayas

Into the Himalayas

For Westerners, the magic of venturing deep into the remote regions of the Himalayas has long been out of reach for all but the most dedicated trekkers. That’s precisely what Jamshyd Sethna, chairman of Banyan Tours, sought to change when he founded Shakti Himalaya in 2004. “We wanted to give travelers a glimpse of India that was previously unimaginable,” he says. To do so, Shakti offers two experiences, each authentic and unforgettable: a Village Walk and a camp high in the wilderness. The Village Walk is a week-long journey in which travelers stroll through a series of Kumaoni villages in the foothills of the western Himalayas. Each night, they stay with a family and are immersed in the local way of life. Though the accommodations are certainly rustic (mud floors, bucket showers), Shakti has outfitted them with such unexpected comforts as Western-style bathrooms. Last year, Shakti unveiled a wilderness retreat like no other: 360º Leti, situated at 8,000 feet on the site of a former tented camp. Staffed mostly by locals, the property relies on solar energy and grows much of its own food in a greenhouse on the premises. Constructed in the traditional, low-impact fashion—no foundation, no concrete—its four cottages are simple and designed to highlight the magnificence of the surroundings. No need for a spa to unwind here—you just kick back, savor a glass of wine and gaze out at the “roof of the world.” 360º Leti from $1,608 per person for a three-night stay, including meals and guides.

Getting there: After a train ride or flight from Delhi, you are driven seven hours up into the mountains, then embark on an hour-and-a-half trek to reach 360º Leti. (Another option: a private charter is available from Delhi to Pithoragarh that cuts the drive to just three-and-a-half hours.)