You got a ticket ride…

Picking the wafts from the bygone era on a heritage walk, eating your way up on a food trail or learning a local craft while staying in a countryside—holidays are no more just picking up a random place and making a quick tour of the popular sights and bringing home memorabilias. Like adventure or nature, wild life or photography, partying or pilgrimages — you can very well customise your time off with whatever under the sun (on moon) you like doing.

Here are some ideas for the ones yet to book a ticket on their summer holiday special...

Art & architecture

Panoramic views and rural life beckon serenity seekers to Pragpur, home to famous Kangra School of Painting, Garli. A heritage village, it is one place where you can admire majestic Dhauladhars from afar. If you want to experience the old architecture, sit by the taal (pond) or walk around the cobbled streets, and this is where your search ends. If you are open to exploration, surrounding areas offer fishing and rock-cut temple Masroor is worth a visit.

123himachal.com/pragpur.htm

Pining for adventure?

Mild adventure is what Pine Hills Eco Camp, which is totally rejuvenating. Run by zealous ex-army officers, the place set at the top of a hill near Barog, Himachal Pradesh, offers activities like Burma bridge, zipping, rappelling and trekking. The combination of staying in tents, surrounded by wilderness, campfire at night and day spent in vigorous exercise is a quick ‘pick me up’.

“I went to the camp on a corporate retreat and the fun I had! Knowing that I still had in me to do all these adventure games made me plan another visit with my friends and family,” shares Deepak Sharma, who works for an auto giant, highly recommending it.

http://pinehillsecocamp.com/

Luxury at Ladakh

Glamping in Ladhakh this summer? The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC) at Thiksey and Diskit, Ladakh comes packed with Wi-Fi, a boutique and a library and the service of a personal butler. One can also add various elements to their itinerary to make this experience truly unique, such as exploring the enchanted Pangong Lake, rafting down the river Indus, a cycling tour of the Warila Valley or enjoying Polo. Operational from May 15 to October 10, the packages start from Rs 27,000 per person.

theultimatetravellingcamp.com

Soul searching

Food for the soul your demand of this summer? Pack your bags and head to Dharamshala, albeit post a quick check and reservation. Beginner or advanced, Buddhist or Tibetan, you will find a meditation course to suit your stage, taste and budget. Go quiet or chant to your heart’s content or bring together passive meditations, therapies, body movements, dance and games at Osho Nisarga—one is spoilt for choice. However, read thoroughly about the programme you pick and book, there are more takers than courses offered at different meditation centres in and around Dharamshala.

http://oshonisarga.com

Spa-tial indulgence

Not at the soul stage yet? Soothe your frayed nerves by indulging in Shillim spa that offers a beautiful blend of beauty treatments, yoga, meditation and holistic healing. Nestled in the mystic mountains of the Western Ghats, Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa integrates traditional and aesthetic medicines that refreshes and rejuvenates the body, mind and spirit. Blend of simplicity with contemporary life-enhancing practices, it is a pathway to discover your own journey in serenity. Bring healthy habits as carry home.

www.hilton.com/Shillim

Potting and planting

If you have time and money and willingness to learn something new, register for a short course of your liking. How about turning the potter’s wheel and bringing alive some pots and pans? The small village of Andretta, in the Kangra valley, amidst a fascinating cultural heritage and magnificent surroundings offers opportunity to study pottery at a steep price.

andrettapottery.com

And, it’s just the beginning. Surf a bit or dial a travel agent, and you will come across options customised to suit your individual tastes or tailored to fit your family. After all, taking holidays is healthy, why let the summer pass sans one?

— Mona