Offbeat Tours for All Ages

We head to Chikmagalur to experience the stay in a Colonial Bungalow that has stood testimony to the changing seasons since 1853!!! The Bungalow offers an exclusive stay experience since it has only six rooms but infinite common areas to indulge in casual conversation!!! Balur Estate, our home in the Coffee Estate, is a fully functioning, 400-acre coffee plantation that also grows spices like pepper, vanilla, cardamom and areca nut. This Tour is a part of our “Coffee, Conversations and Bonfire” Tours. Essentially a slow-paced tour, the schedule of the day leaves ample time for you to enjoy your cup of Coffee, indulge in real Conversations over Bonfire.Note from the host : Balur Estate is marked by what it isn’t, perhaps more than what it is. So it isn’t a homestay, it definitely isn’t a resort or even a painstakingly maintained heritage bungalow. It doesn’t boast a terrific, multi-cuisine chef; it has no television, barely any mobile or internet connectivity, no geysers or jacuzzis. What it promises you is a terrific sense of place, of history, of lifestyle. Do come to experience the hospitality of Ratnamma and Hamsa, your most hospitable cook cum hosts that you could ever wish for. Communication with them will be fun and you will eventually be richer by at least a ten-word-strong Kannada vocabulary!!! :) read more read less

Chhattisgarh is an Indian State that still carries a mysterious aura about it. A landlocked State that shares its boundary with seven Indian States was carved out in 2010 from Madhya Pradesh. A "young" State, it has slowly yet steadily began to occupy a place of priority and respect in the wishlist of an explorer. Since Chhattisgarh is still devoid of crowds that throng a popular destination, a nature lover will find Chhattisgarh relatively untouched, unblemished and unspoilt. Foliage Outdoors will take you through the journey that begins at the Coastal Town of Vizag (Visakhapatnam) in Andhra Pradesh and we will meander through to Araku and beyond in one of the best train journeys of India. A run over 58 tunnels and 84 bridges, this engineering marvel of the Indian railways will leave you awestruck. This rail journey is best undertaken post-monsoons. After a spell of rains, the valley is a verdant green with numerous cascading waterfalls and gushing streams. The end of this train journey will get us into the treasure trove of History, Nature, Heritage, Culture, Festivity and Art that keeps every traveler interested and spellbound. Chhattisgarh is blessed with exotic waterfalls and it would only be appropriate to call it "The Waterfall Capital Of India". The Jewel In The Crown certainly goes to horseshoe shaped Chitrakote Falls. Chitrakote is the largest waterfall in India that falls from a height of about 100 feet and widens up to 150 meters is a sight to behold in peak rainy season. The majority of the state's population belongs to tribal communities and we will make an attempt to known their lifestyle from close quarters. We will visit the famous weekly Tribal Markets and feast on the local cuisine. Join Foliage Outdoors as we try to decipher a mystery of our own land that has, for long, gone unnoticed even for a discerning traveler. read more read less

Chhattisgarh is an Indian State that still carries a mysterious aura about it. A landlocked State that shares its boundary with seven Indian States was carved out in 2010 from Madhya Pradesh. A "young" State, it has slowly yet steadily began to occupy a place of priority and respect in the wishlist of an explorer. Since Chhattisgarh is still devoid of crowds that throng a popular destination, a nature lover will find Chhattisgarh relatively untouched, unblemished and unspoilt. Foliage Outdoors will take you through the journey that begins at the Coastal Town of Vizag (Visakhapatnam) in Andhra Pradesh and we will meander through to Araku and beyond in one of the best train journeys of India. A run over 58 tunnels and 84 bridges, this engineering marvel of the Indian railways will leave you awestruck. This rail journey is best undertaken post-monsoons. After a spell of rains, the valley is a verdant green with numerous cascading waterfalls and gushing streams. The end of this train journey will get us into the treasure trove of History, Nature, Heritage, Culture, Festivity and Art that keeps every traveler interested and spellbound. Chhattisgarh is blessed with exotic waterfalls and it would only be appropriate to call it "The Waterfall Capital Of India". The Jewel In The Crown certainly goes to horseshoe shaped Chitrakote Falls. Chitrakote is the largest waterfall in India that falls from a height of about 100 feet and widens up to 150 meters is a sight to behold in peak rainy season. The majority of the state's population belongs to tribal communities and we will make an attempt to known their lifestyle from close quarters. We will visit the famous weekly Tribal Markets and feast on the local cuisine. Join Foliage Outdoors as we try to decipher a mystery of our own land that has, for long, gone unnoticed even for a discerning traveler. 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. This Tour will have a good mix of activities and a lot of leisure time to savor the flavor of the destination. It is for this reason that we prefer to call this style of Holidays as "CCB" ie Coffee, Conversations and Bonfires.Note from the Host : The Misty Mountains Retreat has been developed in a location carefully selected for its stunning views of the WIDEST Himalayan range in Kumaon. The Resort exists in 1000 acre estate surrounded by 800 acres of untouched forests all around it. Our setup is informal and the food simple and delicious. Everything is the way we would like it to be if we were on a holiday. My family and our three adorable cats, love to share this place with people who appreciate offbeat holidaying. The discerning travelers of Foliage Outdoors have stayed with us before and we enjoy their company as much as (we think) they like ours :)Note from your WIC : We have traveled far and wide in the Himalayas and without a doubt, beating the location of Misty Mountains is next to impossible. A 300 km of Himalayan Panorama is simply a sight to behold. Combine that with the hospitality of the gracious hosts, the holidays here will be amongst the very best that you will ever have in your life. There would be NO "treks" in this tour but we will enjoy our share of Himalayan "Walks" that will NOT be rigorous or physically exhaustive. We at Foliage Outdoors call this a CCB tour ie a tour that's so easy-paced that you have enough time to enjoy your cup of Coffee, the endless Conversations and time around the Bonfire For uninitiated, WIC is your Wanderer-In-Charge, the person who will lead this tour :) Join us to experience the most memorable time of your life in the lap of Himalayas. read more read less

We head to Chikmagalur to experience the stay in a Colonial Bungalow that has stood testimony to the changing seasons since 1853!!! The Bungalow offers an exclusive stay experience since it has only six rooms but infinite common areas to indulge in casual conversation!!! Balur Estate, our home in the Coffee Estate, is a fully functioning, 400-acre coffee plantation that also grows spices like pepper, vanilla, cardamom and areca nut. This Tour is a part of our “Coffee, Conversations and Bonfire” Tours. Essentially a slow-paced tour, the schedule of the day leaves ample time for you to enjoy your cup of Coffee, indulge in real Conversations over Bonfire.Note from the host : Balur Estate is marked by what it isn’t, perhaps more than what it is. So it isn’t a homestay, it definitely isn’t a resort or even a painstakingly maintained heritage bungalow. It doesn’t boast a terrific, multi-cuisine chef; it has no television, barely any mobile or internet connectivity, no geysers or jacuzzis. What it promises you is a terrific sense of place, of history and lifestyle. Do come to experience the hospitality of Ratnamma and Hamsa, your most hospitable cook cum hosts that you could ever wish for. Communicating with them will be fun and you will eventually be richer by at least a ten-word-strong Kannada vocabulary!!! :)Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the core of Western Ghats in Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts of Karnataka. The Sanctuary has a substantial Tiger population and was declared as the 25th Project Tiger of India in 1998. The resort here is nestled very near to Bhadra Tiger Reserve on a knoll on the edge of the Bhadra reservoir. Boat and Jeep safari through rich flora and fauna of the sanctuary is worth witnessing. 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

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. Camping in alpine tents will be an experience for the first time trekkers.  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

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