These Properties In India Are Putting Experiential Travel On The Map

Forget the crowded tourist traps and picture-perfect postcards. Today's travellers are seeking something deeper, something more transformative: experiences. Experiential tourism, a travel style focused on authentic connections and immersive activities, is booming.

Millennials and Gen Z, the driving forces behind today's travel trends, prioritise experiences over possessions.

They'd rather spend their money on memories than material things, seeking adventures that challenge them, broaden their horizons, and create lasting stories. While they want luxury, it should come with a meaning. “More and more, luxury travellers are looking to get under the skin of a place, to experience deeper and more meaningful connections with where they’re choosing to spend their time and visit. They are seeking full immersion in nature; true disconnection. It used to be luxurious to get connected to wifi in the middle of the wilderness, now our clients feel true luxury is when you are disconnected,” says Jaisal Singh, hotelier, conservationist and founder of Sujan.

If you too are looking to experience the best of India, head to these incredible properties on your next getaway:

Cliffside Picnic at The Kumaon, Binsar

This stunning and sustainable retreat in Binsar is worth your time for many reasons; postcard views, lush greenery and two resident dogs that will accompany you on village hikes. If this isn’t enough to sell the place to you, the boutique property organises cliffside picnics and high tea on a mountain overlooking a stunning valley. You’ll hike down Hawalbagh village and perch yourself on a cliff with tea and sandwiches till sundown, before making your way up for an evening of stargazing and bonfires. Perfect, right?

Forest Walks at Jungle House, Shimla

Jungle House, nestled in the Himalayas with a rich history dating back to the 19th century, offers privacy and easy access to tourist areas in Shimla. The Shimla home of HH Princess Kusum of Bharatpur, this boutique property has hosted royalty since the heydays of the Raj. Today, travellers can book themselves a quiet getaway, away from the bustling city centre. Want something active? Hike the Shimla Catchment Sanctuary or explore the Himalayas with a guide. For spiritual seekers, the Jakhu Temple, where Lord Hanuman is said to have rested on his quest for Sanjeevani Booti, is another short trek away from the hotel.

Aai Museum at Fort Jadhavgadh, Pune

A fortress turned hotel, Fort Jadhavgadh was originally built in 1710 by Shri Pilaji Jadhavrao, a Maratha General in the army of Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj, to be used as a residence. Today, under the banner of Orchid Hotels, this heritage property boasts the only museum that is nestled inside a hotel. Called Aai Museum, it displays a fascinating collection of everyday items from the 17th and 18th centuries, including a giant keyless lock! Here, guests are welcomed by the warmth of staff attired in the elegant folds of the traditional ‘Nauvari’ saree, their smiles hinting at the stories waiting to be unveiled within the fort's ancient walls. See brass kitchenware, bullock carts, war relics, and more at this small centre of history inside a massive historical property.

Bird Watching at Aahana Resort, Corbett National Park

Nestled in 13.5 acres of lush green landscape sharing a boundary with the Bijrani Zone of Jim Corbett National Park, this resort is not just luxurious but also the epitome of sustainability. After rewilding the land, the founders planted a host of trees which today are home to over 200 species of birds. Karamjeet, their in-house naturalist, will take you on an engaging birding expedition around the property, followed by a nature walk that lets you learn more about local species of flora and fauna, and how they are tied to local beliefs and cultures. For example, there is a ‘sindoor tree’ whose fruit, when crushed, leaves a bright orange pigment on your fingers, giving it its colloquial name.

Rabari Walk at Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp, Rajasthan

While the leopard enjoys a solitary stroll at night, away from the din of human settlements, Pali’s Jawai Bandh is witness to a beautiful symbiotic relationship between people and wildlife. And there is no better place to enjoy a stroll with the charismatic Rabari herdsmen and immerse yourself in the local culture of the land than at Sujan Jawai, a Relais & Chateaux member. Your expert guide and tracker will let you track animals, and teach you about local foliage, along with visits to villages and temples in the vicinity. And you’ll come back to the luxury of private tents and dinner under the stars.

A Wilderness Safari at Jaagir Manor, Dudhwa

One of Dudhwa’s best kept secrets, this boutique property, a part of the IHCL SeleQtions portfolio, is nestled amidst untouched rainforests, surrounded by hundreds of acres of tranquil orchards and miles of rugged forests. While the property has enough experiences to keep you busy, get your fill of wildlife by chasing the big cats of Dudhwa National Park with in-house wildlife conservationists. Beak-To-Beak is another drive and walk experience with their senior naturalists, where you get up close to some of the birds found in the Terai.

Ayurvedic Healing at Dharana at Shillim, Maharashtra

Set on a 320-acre estate in the Sahyadri Mountains, this wellness retreat promotes healing using Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy. The programme is intended for people who want to do yoga, eat healthy organic food, and unwind in a luxurious location. Programmes at Dharana are personalised to each client following conversations with the wellness director. These include therapies, cooking workshops, and health presentations in addition to yoga. What’s more, you don’t have to give up on creature comforts as you chase holistic wellness, and can choose from a variety of beautiful villas for your getaway.