All Age - Offbeat Tours

Explore with Prof. P. K. Ghanekar & Mr Sudhir Risbud !! Fort Sindhudurg (With Prof. P. K. Ghanekar): Type: Sea Fort Grade: Easy, Includes Ferry Ride & an hour long walk The Fort Sindhudurg is one of the important Sea-forts built by Shivaji Maharaj (Architect: Hiroji Indulkar) over a period of three years (1664-1667). The fort is built on "Kurte" Island, located near Malvan. This fort was strategically built to have a control over Malvan Port and keep a check on the English and Portuguese as well as the pirates. The sea fort is huge, spreading over 48 acres, with a 4 km long rampart, and walls that are 30 feet (9.1 m) high and 12 feet (3.7 m) thick. There are 26 bastions and around 45 staircases at intervals on this wall. Inside the the fort, we also get to see the prints of palm of right hand and left foot of Shivaji Maharaj himself. Petroglyphs around Ratnagiri (With Experts, Mr Sudhir Risbud & Prof. P. K. Ghanekar): A Petroglyph is an image created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading, as a form of Rock Art. Petroglyphs are found worldwide, and are often associated with prehistoric people.Petroglyphs were discovered in the Ratnagiri and Rajapur areas in the Konkan region of western Maharashtra in October 2018. These rock carvings which might date back to 10,000 BC, depict animals like Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros which aren't found in that region of India. More than 280 sculptures have been found in vicinity of Ratnagiri, Rajapur, and Lanja in the Ratnagiri district. In many places, the size of the carvings of the elephant and tiger are as big as the actual animals. Along with the most common carvings of human, you can also see the carvings of a crocodile, tortoise, fish, and snake. Who carved these mysterious sculptures on these plateaus? What was their purpose? What did the ancient man intend to tell us through these sculptures? Let's explore these geological wonders with Experts. Last but not the least important is mouth watering "Malvani Cuisine". How can one miss this while being there !! read more read less

An Offbeat Destination in Kumaon, Jhaltola (near Chaukori) has a unique location and stunning 300 km of Himalayan views. A 1000 acre Estate, it is surrounded by thousands of acres of untouched forests and the nearest neighbour is a kilometer away. The peaks of Hathi Parvat, Gauri Parbat, Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, Nanda Devi East and West, Nanda Khat, Nanda Kot and more ranges of Nepal are seen from here. The Himalayan paradise of Kumaon contains some of the most stunning mountain scenery that we know of anywhere, from the perennially snow capped peaks of the Great Himalaya range in the north to the pretty hill stations in the foothills and the stunning wilderness of Corbett National Park. This tour will let you enjoy one of the best National Parks of India with the destinations from where you can witness the 300 kms of Himalayan Panorama.  Join us to experience the most memorable time of your life in the lap of Himalayas. read more read less

Join us as we explore some best kept secrets of Himachal Pradesh. The action packed holiday essentially for families and individuals who would want a holiday that's a mix of interesting outdoor activities and walks in uncrowded locales without compromising on quality of stays and food arrangements. Tirthan, an Offbeat and a tranquil destination offers an adventure-centric getaway blessed with a wealth of nature’s treasures. Tirthan valley, perched at an altitude of 3500 feet is a calm and quiet place along the Tirthan river (tributary of Beas river), in the Kullu District of Himachal. It offers ample opportunities for hiking, bird watching and water activities at untouched places. Serolsar Lake, an another attraction is a high altitude lake which offers a pleasant walk through the pristine oak and pine forest. The second leg of the Tour will get us close to Naggar with a stay at most beautiful Sonaugi, a place that is blessed with a stunning location. Built in typical and traditional Himachali style that includes use of lot of wood and stones, our stay is amidst Deodar trees and Orchard. Beautiful walks, visit to Naggar Castle and day visit to Manali would be highlights of this leg of ecotour. read more read less

"Arguably three of the most beautiful and offbeat Himalayan destinations Sojha, Sangla and Thanedar form this triangle. Each of these destinations has a different photogenic landscape, culture and an experience which is different from each other, yet uniquely Himalayan!!!" SOJHA - Is a small village located in the undiscovered Seraj Valley that is a part of the Great Himalayan National Park. You can see PANORAMIC views of snow-clad peaks from the resort / room A walk to Serolsar Lake near Jalori Pass will be heavenly in April. SANGLA - Resort in Sangla in Kinnaur region has impeccable credentials. At 8,860 ft., (ensuring snow in April),. Picture-perfect location next to River Baspa, the mighty snow-clad peaks are AT ARM'S LENGTH here Hammocks swaying in the breeze, the delicious aromas of barbecued food wafting over you are just some of the things that we have on offer here. THANEDAR - Thanedar on the old Hindustan - Tibet road near Narkanda is nestled amidst acres of Apple & Cherry Orchards that drape the mountain slopes. For beginners, orchards of pear, cherry, almond, apple, peach plum, walnut and few more make Thanedar a major contributor to India ’s fruit basket. Highlights of the camp : Drive through most beautiful mountain-scape Exclusive Stays in resorts / boutique properties Incredible locations of resorts Long but easy walks See most awesome sunrise and sunsets Himalayan view’s to die for Enjoy delicious Himalayan Cuisine Barbecue Enough free time for many a Cup of Coffee and long conversations with like-minded travelers over Bonfire in the chilly Winter evenings!!! Doing just about nothing and posing on "top of the big rock" may also be a good idea read more read less

Recommended for “All Age Group" (8 Years & Above) How about seeing a rare phenomenon of "Annular Solar Eclipse" being in the lap of Himalaya? Does this sound exciting to you? Plan your holidays today itself & secure your seats for one of its kind experience organised by Foliage Outdoors. Considering the overnight train journey & hectic day long travel in the itinerary, lower age limit has been kept as 8 years. Auli is scenic place located on a hill top in Garhwal Himalaya that offers some great panoramic views of the Himalayan range. Witnessing Eclipse from this scenic place is going to be a worth experience. Best part is that, Auli has road access & one need not trek to reach there. Also do note that we stay two nights in the Comfortable Resort scenically located at Joshimath. SAVE MORE! Book early to avail the discount & get the best airline fares !! read more read less

2020 is a landmark year in many ways. Not only does it mark the end of a decade, but holds a special significance celestially. 2020 will witness a total of 6 eclipses (2 solar and 6 lunar) which would be visible from various parts of the world. Of these, the most awaited will be the Annular Solar Eclipse, characterized by the breathtaking "Ring of Fire", happening this summer and which will be visible from parts of Northern India. We, at Foliage Outdoors, will be there to witness this spectacular celestial phenomenon under the guidance of Dr. Prakash Tupe, one of the most recognized astronomy experts along with Prof. P.K. Ghanekar, noted historian and travel expert. So mark your calendars and join us to enjoy a lifetime experience the Foliage way ! read more read less

The states of North East India are a land of pristine untouched forests, lush green valleys, lost and forgotten cultures nestled in mountains that disappear into the clouds. Thrown across the farthest reaches of India, obscured from the greater world by ageless forests and formidable mountain ranges, the states of North East India are one of Asia’s last great natural and anthropological sanctuaries. This well-crafted exclusive tour of Meghalaya and Assam enhances your experience not only by the comfort of good stay but also gives you an opportunity to get a closer insight into North East India. These remote frontiers of rugged beauty are ready to unfold an eclectic mix of tribal cultures, climates, landscapes and people. The untold stories of the largest river island, Majuli, in the great Brahmaputra, are out there just to be discovered by you! The clouds, waterfalls, caves and never ending cool blue mountains define the essence of Meghalaya. The simpleton Khasi tribe are warm and welcoming. In other words, travelers with a taste for raw adventure and the thirst to explore the remote and the unexplored, alongside the comfort driven stay and travel arrangements can bag this opportunity. The saying “The more you look, the more you see” aptly summarizes this expedition. Click here to see few photographs clicked by our recent explorer. Click here to see the teaser video. read more read less

Away from the electricity and telephone networks, get reconnected to sights, sound, smell and taste of the western ghats. Well!! that's the theme of the tour. Stay at an exclusive homestay in the Western Ghats, on the border of Goa and Karnataka, and get a genuine break from a day-to-day life. Take a walk through the forest & relish the rich flora & fauna along with the streams flowing around. Get rare views of famous Dudhsagar falls from the top of the waterfall. Go for cycle rides and try your hands on pottery. Bond over a hot cup of coffee and eat locally grown vegetables and salads. Gorge on woodfired oven pizza and share experiences by a bonfire.Note from the host : 'Off The Grid' is owned by Sylvia Kerkar and John Pollard, a wife and husband team. Along with a handful of staff, they run the property tending to a variety of tasks ranging from trekking, cooking, building, repairing, attending to the fields and other chores. Sylvia Kerkar is from Bangalore and Goa. She is passionate about ceramics and runs her own pottery studio at Off The Grid and in Goa. John Pollard is from England and is an adventure sports enthusiast. He pioneered white water rafting in South India in the year 1999 and started running the first rafting operations in Peninsular India. 'Off The Grid' is a very good example of a self-sufficient property which is completely independent in terms of energy & food. Solar energy is used for lighting, the waterfalls for plentiful year-round water supply & firewood from the forest for cooking with ovens, grills & stoves. This will give a unique experience of a simple lifestyle. The Farming at Off the Grid today is the same as it has been on farms in these areas for hundreds of years- mainly rice-growing, fruit trees & vegetables. read more read less

Sonaugi, a place that is blessed with a stunning location. Built in typical and traditional Himachali style that includes the use of a lot of wood and stones, our stay is amidst Deodar trees and Orchard. The place is accessible throughout the year and is classically described as a home from where many gentle directions goad you into walking to nowhere in particular. A destination very close to Manali yet far away, Sonaugi is blessed with unbelievable scenic beauty and pleasant walks. It is ideal for travelers who don't want to rush things up, who would like to live easy a few days amidst their rushed-or-unrushed lives. Holidays here are meant to languish, recharge, rethink, re-align, meditate, chill, hang-out, long conversations with like-minded travelers, long walks and you will come back rejuvenated.Note from the host : Mr Vivek Sharma : This is the place where I plan to retire and till then you are welcome to be the guest at my place. A few years from now, I will personally welcome you. A lot of thought has gone on to the making of this place but I am sure you will like old style "Dhuna" the best. This is the place where you can sit around the big fireplace and have riveting conversations with your co-travelers. The rooms have not been provided with the German bukharis (wooden stove) in the room that ensures that you can stay in a T-shirt and shorts even when it is snowing outside. I assure you that it does not get more comfortable than this on a chilly day. This is a 365-day "place to be in" but personally I feel that winters are much better than summers, of course relatively speaking, as it has crisp sun, lovely days, great visibility and less / no haze. This is a place for all those of you who prefer solitude over chaotic "touristy" destinations. read more read less