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The Luxury of Purpose

“WE WANDER FOR DISTRACTION, BUT WE TRAVEL FOR FULFILMENT.” ~ HILAIRE BELLOC

We live in a world in which the “where” in travel is rapidly being replaced with the “why” – or perhaps, the why not. Today’s discovery isn’t just about seeing the place – it’s about discovering it’s soul and your own soul in the bargain. Giving back to the destination, the community and the environment with integrity is intrinsic to the rise in sustainable and responsible travel. Let’s look at some of the real reasons why we travel

“A JOURNEY IS BEST MEASURED IN FRIENDS RATHER THAN MILES.” ~ TIM CAYHILL

We travel to support

Whether it’s to visit far-flung friends and family, cheer on the couple at a destination wedding, support a community, species or habitat that is endangered, an event or a cause, or simply to be kind to yourself after a traumatic life experience, supporting something lends meaning to why you’re going on the trip.

I also feel that supporting local businesses that follow sustainable practices is integral to responsible travel. The Wah Tea Estate was established in Palampur in 1857. In addition to a tea tasting, it serves a traditional Himachali Dhaam – a home made meal using locally grown ingredients and local produce. This is one of many such unique, immersive experiences that we offer to our guests that also helps preserve the culture and tradition of a destination.

“WE TRAVEL NOT TO ESCAPE LIFE BUT FOR LIFE NOT TO ESCAPE US.” ~ Anonymous

We travel to connect

Given the recent alarming news about the destruction of forests and loss of wildlife in Australia, I feel like it’s timely to want to choose travel with a purpose. For today’s traveler, it’s vital to feel authentically connected to the place and it’s people. One of our signature activities at Araiya Palampur is a visit to the Andretta Pottery Studio, India’s oldest pottery studio for a private lesson. https://andretta-pottery.business.site/ The story of Andretta offers visitors to the region yet another opportunity to connect with the destination and truly appreciate what makes the Kangra Valley such a wonderful place.

“WANDERING RE-ESTABLISHES THE ORIGINAL HARMONY WHICH ONCE EXISTED BETWEEN MAN AND THE UNIVERSE.” ~ ANOTOLE FRANCE

We travel to re-wild

Nature is not only a terrific classroom – it’s also the perfect “living room” where you and your fellow travelers have an opportunity to engage with one another in a meaningful and relaxed manner. Nature not only teaches us about the outdoors, but reinforces our understanding of what family and relationships mean across different generations.

This winter, we all went to Palampur on a family holiday. On one of the mornings, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on the mountainside, not too far away from a family of Langurs (long-tail Indian monkeys), that despite their number – over a 100 plus – continued down the mountain without even a second-glance at us. Only nature can make you feel elated at reaching a summit and at the same time remind you that it is a force that continues on regardless.

“TRAVELING ALLOWS YOU TO BECOME SO MANY DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF YOURSELF.”

We travel to transform

For the urban dweller, stepping outside the concrete jungle is a revelation. For city-slickers an environment like the one you find in Palampur is sheer therapy. Imagine coming from a smoggy winter’s day in Delhi and basking in the bright sunshine and cool Himalayan air that emanates from the Dhauladhar range. The mountain water is so pure that you literally feel like you’re shedding a skin when it touches your face. By the end of your trip, chances are that you have reached a heightened degree of awareness that makes you pay more attention to the birdsong than the chirping of your inbox, where the scent of pine needles crushed under your feet has eradicated traffic’s carbon monoxide, and the earthy goodness of home-made slow cooking has out-tasted fast food. It’s simply transformational.

“LIFE ISN’T ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF. LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF.”

We travel to learn

We feel that life’s journeys are better than the best classrooms (the rising trend in experiential education proves that we aren’t the only ones who think so). A journey into the Himalayas offers you so many opportunities to learn that you can’t always absorb it all in one trip. Chances are you’ll find yourself wanting to return to learn more.

  • Learn a new sport and discover your spirit of adventure! Palampur is one of the best-known hang-gliding spots in the country!
  • Learn about hyperlocal cuisine and explore your inner gastronomad! The Kangra Valley is known for it’s terrific local food and our chefs will be delighted to give you a cooking lesson!
  • Learn about the local flora and fauna and educate yourself on your environment and sustainable living. One of the biggest attractions in the Kangra Valley are the migratory birds from Siberia that descend during the winter season.

“THE REAL VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY CONSISTS NOT IN SEEKING NEW LANDSCAPES, BUT HAVING NEW EYES.” ~ MARCEL PROUST

We travel to explore

When we travel, we not only explore the destination, but also our own limits. Pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone is essential to discover what each of us is capable of doing. On a recent family trip to Palampur to celebrate Christmas, the younger generation took a hike from 5,000 feet above sea-level while others took a jeep safari to the peak. Everyone was exuberant for having rousted themselves out from under the covers and made it up the mountain on that crisp, cool morning. Activities like mountain biking, nature hikes and treks and high altitude yoga, not only push you physically but also mentally and spiritually, and Palampur’s environs are ideal for activities like these. They are also ecofriendly and sustainable, leaving no carbon footprint.Even if being physically active is not high on your agenda, a new or different spa treatment, cuisine or simply sitting still and listening to the sounds of nature can open your eyes to a different you.

“THE WORLD IS CHANGED BY YOUR EXAMPLE, NOT YOUR OPINION.” ~ PAULO COELHO

We travel to be sustainable and responsible

In fact, a recent study by Skift indicates that the conversation about carbon footprint needs to go beyond flights, to allowing consumers to make informed decisions about all aspects of their vacation including accommodation and food choices.

As a hotel management company, we embrace the triple bottom line ethos: People + Planet + Purpose = Profit. We believe that making a sustainable and responsible travel decision connects you to a larger sense of purpose with the planet and society in general.

When you stay with us at Araiya Palampur, you will soon discover that our construction and operations of the property are deliberately designed to keep our carbon footprint to the minimum.

The luxury of purpose takes experiential travel to a different level of engagement. Travel is not a one-way street and the more you give back, the more you get back. As a hotel management firm, we see ourselves as stakeholders in the destination – a truly sustainable partnership that only grows from strength to strength.

Building with a purpose

Respecting the land and using planning and design to adapt to the natural landscape can help minimise the intervention and the overall impact a hotel could have on the environment. Building smart by orienting the structure to enhance natural lighting, cross-ventilate and harvest sunlight helps to reduce energy consumption and control costs. Water is another natural resource that can be harnessed. At Araiya Palampur, glacier water is sterilised and mineralised through our in-house bottling plant and served in re-fillable glass bottles to the delight of our guests.

The luxury of purpose takes experiential travel to a different level of engagement. Travel is not a one-way street and the more you give back, the more you get back. As a hotel management firm, we see ourselves as stakeholders in the destination – a truly sustainable partnership that only grows from strength to strength.