Summertime’s Vintage Escapes

Soft, unhurried, and full of possibility, April feels like a quiet threshold. It’s that in-between moment when the year begins to stretch, and thoughts instinctively turn to escape. And in seeking experiences that promise a distinct mood, a different rhythm, and a compelling reason to step away, we find that the appeal of India’s classic summer retreats never fades.

Dharamshala

Heartful of Memories

It’s never quite enough when it comes to Dharamshala. Whether travelling with family or friends, it makes for the quintessential summer hideaway. The monasteries and meditation centres lend the town a calming tenderness. Nearby, McLeod Ganj is still the embodiment of slow living with its quaint mountain cafés (where you sit looking out dreamily at the hills), street food, prayer flags, and easy rhythm. Indeed, there is a sense of stillness here that feels increasingly rare. But Dharamshala offers so much more beyond what we know.

There’s Dharamkot, best reached via a 30-minute hike through forested paths and past terraced fields, along the way slipping into easy, warm conversations with the locals. The vastness of the countryside feels both humbling and quietly liberating. And with spaces like the Tushita Meditation Centre and Vipassana centres, there’s a deeper, silence-imbued spirituality in Dharamkot that continues to draw many, from all over the world, who seek introspection. And not too far away, Naddi charms in its own way: flocks of chirping green parakeets, herds of pashmina goats, air that feels impossibly fresh, and the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar rising into view in the distance.

Jammu

In Faith’s Embrace

Jammu deserves your time and attention. It guarantees a gentler, more contemplative kind of break, one that blends spirituality, history, and culinary traditions (for example, in the beloved Kalari cheese, a local delicacy, and the street-food staple Kalari kulcha). Of course, the city’s rhythm is anchored to devotion, and to hallowed Vaishno Devi. There is, undeniably, something moving about witnessing the collective act of faith at the temple.

About three kilometres out from the city centre stands Peer Kho Cave Temple, one of the oldest shrines in the vicinity. Built around natural caves and dedicated to Lord Shiva, it attracts both pilgrims and curious travellers for its serene, sheltered atmosphere. The nearby hill station – Patnitop, is a great option for an idyllic stay in the hills.

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Leh

Of Lunar Vibes

An otherworldly haven, Leh is most sought-after not just for biking trips but also for its culture and cuisine, wildlife and monasteries (Lamayuru, Wanla, Alchi), and its dramatic geography. Few places in the world boast scenery quite like this: the Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake-Tso Moriri region are breathtaking, while Kargil and the Zanskar Valley unfold in equally spectacular ways. Across Ladakh, there’s an ever-shifting topography of open valleys, high mountains, tranquil settlements, and lakes that feel almost surreal in their brilliant blue.

About 135kms from Leh, Lamayuru reveals striking geological formations that have earned the village the name ‘Moonland’. Hiking through its eroded hills is an experience in itself, especially at sunrise and sunset, when light and shadow wash the terrain in hues of gold and crimson. Then there’s Hunder, where silent sand dunes stretch out against towering mountains, and the two-humped Bactrian camel still wanders. Hunder’s remoteness is part of its magic, making it ideal for trekking, camping, and presenting a rare chance to stay with a local family, to experience life at its most unfiltered.

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Shillong

A Hushed Kind Of Bliss

In Meghalaya, the hills are forever lush, the air bracingly fresh, and the skies full of drama, often shifting moods through the day. And no place is too far from the capital Shillong, including the relatively unexplored Laitlum Canyon. ‘End of hills’ in the Khasi dialect, Laitlum lives up to its name: an endless sweep of undulations that dissolve into the horizon. As the day drifts by, the landscape changes in colour, from earthy browns and deep greens to soft reds at dawn and dusk.

Then there’s Mawphlang, a sacred grove that offers a glimpse into nature as it once was: untouched, unbroken, and deeply revered. Protected for centuries by Khasi tribal customs and believed to be guarded by forest spirits, Mawphlang carries a palpable stillness, a silence that, in the summer, feels almost sacred, held together by green light, cool air, and the restful sense of something enduring.

Srinagar

Of Lakes & Gardens

In Srinagar, life unfolds around the magnificent Dal Lake. The chinars rise tall against the backdrop of the Zabarwan range, while the pristine Hazratbal shrine appears to float lightly on the water. The Mughal-era Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh stand as lasting testaments to the city’s layered past. Indeed, there is something about Srinagar — its light, its quietude — that imparts it an ethereal loveliness.

And while its natural beauty is indisputable, it is Srinagar’s architectural richness that truly lingers. The old city pulls you in with its wooden homes, intricately carved latticed windows, and hanging balconies. Crossing Safa Kadal – one of the seven historic wooden bridges – you find yourself wandering through a maze of narrow lanes and neighbourhoods, while traditional houses uncover the quiet interplay of Himalayan and Persian influences, still alive in their form and detail

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