Community, Cultures & Cuisine: Living with locals
March 1, 2025
Slow Travel: The Need of the Hour in a Fast-Paced World
March 1, 2025Understanding the Nature of Nature in India
India is known to be a country of extremes – colours blending with traffic sounds, a rich variety of cuisines, and sometimes even extreme warmth – where you get an extra large serving of everything – especially if you are a guest, as “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God) is a thought spread across the country. The itineraries sold to international travellers – evidently and deliberately showcase this side of the country featuring the chaos of Delhi, the photo with the Taj Mahal as a backdrop, and the colours of Rajasthan. It’s highly stimulating, and this is the India sold to foreigners, often adding the Holi celebrations and pictures of Butter Chicken. If you have been thinking of planning a trip to India – or have visited once following the typical tourist routes – this information is not new to you.
But even amidst all of the extra-ness of the country, you find your pockets of quiet and calm. And I’m here to introduce you to them through slow travel in India. I’m Sayali – the founder of Unfollow Travel, and I create tailor-made itineraries for you to explore the untold side of India’s natural landscapes.
India’s Pockets of Serenity Amidst Changing Nature.
India is so stimulating that moments of quiet and calm come as a pleasant surprise, often when you don’t even expect them. It will sneak in one afternoon as you walk past the mighty Parvati River in Himachal, the sound of the water crashing against the rocks creating a symphony better than old-school rock. Or one night when you look up and see the full moon illuminating your path in a tiny village in Uttarakhand. Ironically, you will find peace in the middle of crickets chirping loudly in Coorg – as if they’re trying to communicate a big secret to you.
Unlike the West, the nature in India, true to its nature, is raw, unpredictable, and exciting at the same time. As a traveller, if you’ve decided to ditch the Golden Triangle and go down the immersive travel path, there are a few things you can keep in mind while exploring nature in India.
Most importantly, always listen to the locals and trust the forecast. Tech-devotees might not agree, but no apps can understand the wind, sound, and smell of a land better than people who live amidst it and have been living through generations in sync and collaboration with nature. If a mountain dweller says it will rain, and your app shows no forecast, trust the local. That’s how you travel and navigate nature in India. The ideal solution is to be prepared and layer light – so you’re prepared for anything. Pack smart for sun, rain, and cold in the same bag and stay connected with a local or the concierge at the place you’re staying at to get a real-time update.
Another revelation is that Google is not your know-it-all ultimate guide in India’s offbeat locations. While it’s fairly accurate when it comes to metro cities, following it blindly in the hills, beaches, and forests is not always the right thing to do. Instead, the guy at a chai stall, the farmer on the road, the kids playing around can often reveal lesser known trails, seasonal routes, and hidden spots that hardly make it to any travel guidebook making your experience far richer than anything you’d planned.
An unsaid rule here is that maps may rarely be of help, but the kindness of strangers will help you reach your destination.
Nature Reciprocates Respect
Like any other relationship, the nature in India also thrives on mutual respect and is rewarding when we approach it with care. If you are patient with the rules and mindful of the advice of local communities, sticking to being responsible about your surroundings and changing weather conditions, you’ll be ensured of your safety above everything else. While the adrenaline may tempt you otherwise, always venture with vigilance, without disturbing wildlife or dismissing warning signs, however little they may seem. The rewards here are aplenty, promising life-changing memories.
And the best way to do that is to be a silent observer. So, ditch those headphones and enjoy the tunes brought to you by the universe itself.
Let India Surprise You
Understanding the nature of nature in India is an immersive opportunity to be with locals and get a slice of life with people for whom the mountains, rivers, and coasts are home, and not just a checklist item from a travel bucket list. Let the local people welcome you to their homes and, safely and warmly, give you a chance to see the real, unscripted side of the country beyond the metropolitan cities and overcrowded sightseeing sites.
In conclusion, surrender yourself, get out of your head, and let India surprise you. Travellers from Canada, Australia, Europe, UK, and USA have travelled with Unfollow Travel for more than two years, experiencing an India far-off from the mundane cookie cutter itineraries in rushed touristy areas of the country. We let you experience India’s real and authentic side with local support in a slow paced journey, specially tailor-made suited to your interests and comfort.
Fill out this short form with 5 quick questions, and we can e-meet to explore all possibilities.
Things You’ll Want To Know
1) What is the best way to travel in India?
Slow Travel is the best way to experience India. It is a large diverse country with varied landscapes, cuisine, and cultures and cannot be experienced by hopping from one place to another. The real India wants you to slow down, sit, talk, listen and engage in a different perspective, as you spend more time in a chosen region and have a more immersive experience in the place with its local people.
2) How long should a slow travel itinerary be in India?
You can go as slow as you need! Ideally, I suggest a minimum of two weeks to explore a region to its fullest. For more regions, a minimum of three weeks is ideal.
Usually, our travellers from Europe and the UK prefer a 2-weeks region-specific trip. 3-4 weeks for an immersive monthly vacation is loved by travellers from Australia.
3) Is Slow Travel more expensive than regular tours?
No. Slow Travel is not expensive. At Unfollow Travel, we work as per our guests’ budget. We tailor the itineraries accordingly, by choosing accommodations and including experiences that suit your budgets.
4) Which regions in India are best for slow travel?
India has a lot to offer beyond the Golden Triangle. You can slow travel anywhere across India but here’s some of mine and our travellers’ favourites:
- Uttarakhand & Himachal for the Himalayas in North India
- Gujarat & Maharashtra for Sahyadris and village life in West India
- Assam and Meghalaya for tribal culture in North-East India
- Wayanad, Vagamon, Coonoor for Nilgiris and coffee plantations in South India
5) When is the best time for UK/European/Canadian/Australian travellers to visit India?
The usual inbound travel season in India is October – March. You can travel anytime within these months.
However, one can also opt for the monsoon season, which is offbeat and one of a kind. You can experience surreal road trips in Maharashtra during this time.
6) Is India safe for solo travellers?
I work with solo travellers and accompany them on the tour too. India is perfect for a solo traveller, especially the North Indian regions of Himachal and Uttarakhand.
7) Will I get help with my visa and other procedures?
Yes.
8) What are the inclusions and exclusions?
You’ll receive these in the product docket once you get in touch.
9) Will there be a tour guide accompanying us?
Yes. A dedicated journey host will be accompanying you and will take care of every end-to-end detail of the tour so that you can relax and focus on enjoying the experience.
10) What’s the procedure to book a trip with Unfollow Travel?
At Unfollow Travel, I provide a wholly tailor-made itinerary for you to explore India at your own slow pace.
- Fill out this short form with 5 quick questions.
- I’ll get on a 1-1 call with you to understand your interests, travel style and preferences.
- I’ll curate the trip entirely customized for you, around the kind of India you are seeking, adding selective delightful new experiences.
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