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RARE NEWSLETTER
MARCH, 2021 |
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| The Tulips are in bloom…. and the hills are calling. |
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Every year as the weather turns warmer in the plains, it is spring in Kashmir and the foothills of the Zabarwan range in Srinagar embracing the banks of the Dal Lake are ablaze with thousands of tulips. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia and is spread over 70 acres. This year’s early summer will ensure early blooms and travellers can behold this amazing sight of over 60 varieties of tulips – red, yellow, pink, purple, orange, white spread around you in a seemingly endless procession. Besides tulips, the garden also has other flowers like Iris, Daffodils, Rose and Hyacinths.
An export from Central Asia where it grows wild, the tulip is Turkey’s national flower and one of Iran’s two national flowers. Interestingly the Turkish word “tülbent” is derived from “dulband” which is Persian for turban. Immortalised by Bollywood as a backdrop for some of the most romantic song sequences, the tulip season takes on a near pilgrimage status for those who love flowers and gardens.
RARE invites you to behold spring in Srinagar while staying at Karan Mahal and Nadis Hotel both offering unique accommodation, locational advantage and experiences.
| Karan Mahal |
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Karan Mahal is set on the erstwhile estate of the royal family of Jammu and Kashmir – a charming European-style villa and is perched on Srinagar’s Shankaracharya Hill overlooking the Dal Lake and surrounded by private orchards. Built in the early 20th century, Karan Mahal served as the residence of Dr Karan Singh, and has since welcomed historical figures such as Edwina Mountbatten, Pandit Nehru, Nikita Khrushchev, Rajendra Prasad, Indira Gandhi and Joseph Campbell. Karan Mahal is easily Srinagar’s select address curated for exclusivity and luxury by Vikramditya and Chitrangadha.
Seven guest rooms and suites are lavishly appointed with the best of Kashmir’s carpets, art deco furniture and beautifully preserved antique design from stairways to the handcrafted ceilings. Most suites have a private balcony with almost every section of Karan Mahal opening up to unparalleled views of the Zabarwan and Pir Panjal ranges as well as Dal Lake. Ideal for long stays and buy outs, cuisine and services, spaces and hospitality at Karan Mahal have been perfected for those who value exclusivity and understated elegance. Read more
Book with RARE @ INR 25,000++ |
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| Nadis Hotel |
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Nadis Hotel by the Harwan Gardens is on the other end of Srinagar town and just five minutes from Dachigam National Park. Facing the ancient Chinars of Harwan, Nadis is a two storeyed brick building, built primarily with locally sourced cedar wood and sits at the edge a big garden. Nadis is a personal story for Yaser Shaw who designed the place by himself with cues from his personal travels around the world. Nadis in Ayurveda means the channels through which energy flows in the human body, and Yaser believes that Nadis will connect people with nature, a culture of harmony and maybe with themselves too. The hotel exudes a relaxing, warm atmosphere of a contemporary Kashmiri home.
The large and airy rooms are simple and elegant and the cuisine is distinctly Kashmiri showcasing the produce from the region including ‘Red Gold’, saffron. While staying here, explore the Sufi trail in the old town, take in guided visits to the Dachigam National Park, glide in a shikhara on one of the lakes or visit the bazaar for beautiful Kashmiri handmade products. Read more
Book with RARE @ INR 7,200++ |
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| UT Ladakh as it is fondly called these days is a destination for the sensible and the sensitive. The fragility of its environment and its culture holds no space for mass tourism or has any charm for people who will not pause to think twice about what they are leaving behind. However for those of you who would love to see an ancient culture that still rules the Ladakhi way of life - slow pace, silence and vastness, the hum of chants and brilliant night skies, RARE’s collection of small and medium hotels that spell heritage and local architecture in their design will be the perfect base for explorations. |
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| The Apricot Tree |
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Nimmu House is no longer a part of the RARE Collection as there is likely to be a management change. However we now have on board The Apricot Tree in Nurla overlooking the Indus river. At about 2800 meters, The Apricot Tree is an ideal first stop as you land in Leh or driving up from Kashmir allowing you to acclimatize better. Its proximity to monasteries like Lamayuru, Alchi, Likir and the Indus river, the wildlife at Ulley allow for explorations before you move on to the other areas in the valley. With 18 rooms, a courtyard around apricot trees for evening performances over tea or drinks and a restaurant overlooking the river, The Apricot Tree has a stunning location, set away from the crowds and is a gentle introduction to Ladakh through its art, architecture and cuisine. Read more
Book with RARE @ INR 7,870++ |
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| Stok Palace Heritage Hotel & Chulli Bagh |
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Preserved from urbanity and one with the elements, the Stok Palace stands in regal grandeur in the valley of Singey Sangpo better known as the valley of the river Indus. Even for those driving past, this is a breath-taking picture – that of a mysterious palace surrounded by immense country side, scuttling clouds overhead, brilliant blue sky and rugged high mountains. Built entirely by Ladakhi craftsmen in 1820, Stok Palace continues to be the snug abode of the Namgyal dynasty. The palace traces its origin to its founder from the 10th century – Lhachen Palgygon. Opened to the public in 1980, with blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Stok Palace has hosted many travellers from around the world.
The suites at Stok Palace are airy, bright and offer a stay that celebrates traditional heritage architecture with creature comforts. Each room exudes traditional charm with hundreds of years old murals, vintage furniture, colourful handmade rugs and low doorways – adding a magical touch to the stay. The family kitchen will lay out the best of authentic Ladakhi, Tibetan and Indian food, sourcing products from the local market and village. Read more
Book with RARE @ INR 12,500++ |
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| Chulli Bagh |
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In the orchards around the Stok Palace, set amidst old apricot, walnut and willow tree gardens is the beautiful Chulli Bagh Villas. Stay here to enjoy apricot blossoms in the month of April, mesmerising autumn colours in October, a quaint dinner setting with wood-fire under a star studded sky, or ethereal moon light lying on the hammocks – if nature is at its best in Ladakh, here it is resplendent.
With just three villas, exclusive and private, each cottage has been painstakingly built by hand, using wood and mud as primary materials, with no industrial finishes. The design is organic and earthy, so as to blend with the nature around and encourage travellers to live like a commune. Sit around in the warm kitchenette, rooms lit with natural light, guests live amongst nature. Each room is individually heated and well insulated with natural materials and look out into garden where one could read, enjoy tea, catch a nap or mediate in silence. Read more
Book with RARE @ INR 17,000++ |
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| Lchang Nang |
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Lchang Nang Retreat translating to The House of Trees is a splash of verdant green in the high desert Trans-Himalayan valley. Set in Nubra and surrounded by a spectacular landscape, it lies amidst an orchard of elm, apricot and apple trees, with the Siachen River close by. Located in Teggar village, it takes between 4-6 hours for guests to reach from Leh. The retreat offers 17 cottages, constructed using traditional methods with local materials and are distributed throughout the property in a way that allows each to leverage the natural resources unique to the area. The cottages have their own private garden sit out offering unparalleled views of the mountains, the chorus of birdsong, and some of the best night skies in the world. The farm-to-table cuisine spans the influence of local Ladakhi dishes, Indian, Chinese, and Continental.
Teggar Village remains true to its Ladakhi past and is away from the well-trodden tourist path of the other side of the valley, while still offering day trips to all of the main attractions. Visit ancient monasteries, the sand dunes, enjoy hikes and get a glimpse into the Nubra that once was part of the Silk Route. Read more
Book with RARE @ INR 13,645++ |
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