gINKgo I The RARE Newsletter I Winter Inspirations I December 2025
Dear Discerning Travellers and Members of the RARE Circle
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Here's to bring you some travel inspiration for the first quarter of the New Year. Between a festival dedicated to the UNESCO notified intangible cultural heritage - Chhau in Odisha, to a community powered Snow Leopard Program in Ulley, Ladakh to a wholesome itinerary for Nepal combining Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Chitwan National Park and Pokhara - this is a curation from RARE's best hotels and experiences.
Shoba Rudra
The Chhau Music Festival: Jan 29,30, 31 - 2026
A Private Arts Festival by The Belgadia Palace
An open invitation to all — lovers of culture and performing arts, heritage, and travel: this is an opportunity to see a UNESCO Intangible Heritage–listed art form in person in Mayurbhanj, where it originated. Chhau is a performing art form drawing from martial drills as well as folk and classical dances of the tribal belt of Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. The Belgadia Palace has created something genuinely authentic and belonging to the community — a 3 Day festival showcasing three distinct styles of Chhau. Everyday you will be a part intimate talks with the royal family and local NGO founders who have been working for years to preserve Chhau. This is cultural immersion and supports indigenous artists while experiencing their craft in its authentic setting, as Mayurbhanj was where the Mayurbhanj Chhau was born. In its second year, the festival is brought to you by RARE India and Aadi Naad (promoters of cultural and art immersions).
For full details of itinerary and costs : Click here
Book Now with a mail and questions to shoba@rareindia.com
Tracking the 'Ghost of the mountains' in Ladakh
Many count this journey among their top "once in a lifetime" experiences. The beauty of seeing the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) often camouflaged in the snowbound landscapes of Ladakh is one such. Only a twitch of the tail or an indolent paw-wave gives it away but only seen by the ever attentive, experienced trackers with razor sharp vision used to picking up clues and what looks to us like a puzzle block of rock and snow. And that is not all, looking for wildlife or wilderness in the high-altitude trans Himalayas is slow, meditative and takes time and patience. You also come away with conversations, learning about the culture of the local people, understanding conservation and life in sub-zero temperatures. Summer and spring are not to be missed in these places, where tourism is deliberately kept sparse – as we focus on other experiences to show you. Wildflowers, spring and fall colours for instance and the joy of hiking in the high mountains and private camping under the stars. The Snow Leopard Lodge in Ulley offers a unique perspective on culture, wildlife, and nature. For wildlife and snow leopard the seasonal window is the winter months from November upto the spring in April and early May. The Wildflower and camping are best between May and September.
For full details of itinerary and costs : Click here
Book Now with a mail and questions to shoba@rareindia.com
Nepal for culture, cuisine, and Himalayan views
To see the Macchapuchhare in golden light and reflected in a swimming pool is a sight I will never forget. Machhapuchhare or Fishtail Mountain is a sacred, iconic Himalayan peak (6,993m) in Nepal's Annapurna range, named for its distinct fish-tail shape and twin summits. Once upon a time, Nepal was a much-visited destination for travellers from India for many reasons; some of the spoken ones were shopping, pilgrimage, and films. Of course the romance of hiking in the shadows of the Himalayas, cuisine, wildlife and heritage contained in this state-sized country was unmistakable, it was also intriguing to see how our heritage and culture intertwined and is maintained. It is time to head back to spaces that are working hard to preserve the Nepal experience of Heritage, culture and Nature through owner hotels leading the charge with experiences that are RARE and memorable.
For full details of itinerary and costs : Click here
Book Now with a mail and questions to shoba@rareindia.com
All the above itineraries are available with your favourite Travel Agents. To discuss itineraries, mail to info@rareindia.com for a callback and speak to one of our well-travelled specialists.
RARE Gift Card: To gift an experience goes beyond commercial worth; to gift a RARE Experience ensures that you are creating value for the destination, community and building transformations. Write to info@rareindia.com
