KAAFILA | Beyond the last hotel

India is awash with some absolutely stunning areas - forts, palaces, national parks and sanctuaries, private estates and deserted beaches - that fly under the radar because there is no tourism infrastructure. In fact the very attraction of such places is their isolation and remoteness and the sense of personal discovery that is the reward for being completely off the tourist track. Kaafila opens up huge possibilities – whether it is a once-in a year festival, a wildlife phenomenon, a remote and beautiful historical, architectural or cultural spot, an unknown wildlife sanctuary, a high mountain valley with some unique attraction, great fishing spots – the possibilities are endless. In a nutshell it allows your clients:

• Exclusive off-the-beaten track destinations that can be weaved into regular itineraries with Kaafila providing a multi-dimensional experience.
• Local experts who are knowledgeable on every aspect of the areas your clients will travel to.
• Flexible itineraries that address your clients specific interests, if any.
• Best possible campsites in the area that add to the sense of personal exploration.

Every location is thoroughly checked out and at every place there will be a combination of walking and driving on offer. Fishing rods will be carried as India’s lakes and rivers can still provide some good sport. In remote locations forest and country lanes provide exceptional walking opportunities; all of these areas retain colourful traditional rural communities with age-old and hugely attractive architecture and fascinating ways of life; a surprising amount of forest and wildlife exists at the edge of settled lands and many of the most dramatic forts and historic and cultural sites that your clients will visit with Kaafila, occupy this evocative landscape. The Kaafila experience focuses on a 360 degree exploration of these wonderful landscapes – but in a relaxed and slow manner giving your clients ample opportunity to head off and wander and explore on their own – in the colourful bylanes of a medieval town, along a stunning nature trail, or with rod in hand along a lake or river.

Currently, Kaafila operates in 8 unique sites. Details of which are given below (get in touch with your relationship manager at TCI for more details)

Kaafila Camps in Winter – Central India

• Kalinjar - History, architecture, iconography, walks, ruins, wilderness, access to Panna and Khajuraho in itineraries.
• Chanderi - Forts, Palaces, Ruins, Weavers, Markets, History, Walks and Landscape.
• Kuno - Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary- Wildlife, Safaris, Walks, interaction with hunting and fishing tribes, Fishing, walks to view wildlife and to access old forts, historic sites within the boundaries of Shivpuri town and Madhav National Park, visit to the unique crater impact site at Dhala.
• Maikal Hills - exploring the eastern extreme of the Satpura (Maikal) hills, interaction with the Baiga tribes of the region- both in their villages and in the fields, visits to Baiga markets and wilderness walks.

Kaafila Camps in Summer – Ladakh

• Khema - walks with shepherds, pre-Tibetan Buddhism, birding and wildlife viewing, access to Nubra region and Pangong Lake.
• Kanji - walks along glacial streams and gorges, walk to 1000 year old gompa, birding and wildlife viewing, visit to the ruins at Hinaskot, visits to Lamayuru Monastery and Domkar Petroglyphs.
• Tsokar - exploring the Changthang plateau, walks around the high altitude marshes and low hills that surround the lakes, birding and wildlife around Tsokar and Dath, Puga hotsprings, Tsomoriri Lake, Yayatso Lake, Chumathang hotsprings, interaction with the Changpa – the nomadic herders of Changthang.
• Drass - The green hills of western Ladakh, walks to see the Himalayan Brown Bears and other wildlife, excursions to sites that have been shaped by the war in 1999 – abandoned villages, museums, reviving towns and markets, old historic forts and ruins, speciality orchards, interaction with the locals about life during and after the war.

Apart from these, Kaafila can be pitched on request at any site of your clients’ choice, provided there is a minimum notice period for the team to recce the area and collect essential data. The recce will be done for no extra cost.