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gINKgo I The RARE Newsletter I Vande Bharat & RARE : Connecting INDIA I Vol 111 I Aug 2025
Dear Traveller...
On Aug 15th, the nation will wake up to its 79th Independence Day. I believe Tourism as a business is a natural reflection of our nationalism, for eg. how we narrate our India story and its cultural identity to invite travellers from around the globe. And what the young see of India through legacy destinations, history, natural heritage, and culture; has the power to transform and inspire them.
In this edition of gINKgo, we talk about Vande Bharat - India's latest network of intercity, semi-high-speed day trains to destinations less than 800 km from each other. Part of the 'Make in India' initiative, it is a valuable connector of the 7th largest country in the world, with over 70 routes and expanding.
I've taken about 7 Vande Bharat trains since 2024! Clean, on time, with bio-vacuum toilets, automatic doors and advanced monitoring systems, the network has some schedules that may suit travel itineraries. A comprehensive article on the Vande Bharat Connections was published by Conde Nast which you can view here. An informative account of Vande Bharat trains can be found on Wikipedia and on Press Information Bureau.
If a journey is also a destination, train journeys make it for me. A railway engineer's daughter, I have a lifelong love story with the Railways — though I struggle with its fatal 'crossings' with wildlife, sometimes. We've listed 4 connections to inspire unusual itineraries, but there are likely to be many more.
Shoba Rudra
Our recent addition, KAAV is a safari lodge on the Kabini River at the edge of Nagarhole National Park, offering stylish rooms, luxury tents, and a private pool villa, with fresh local dining and a strong focus on conservation through the KAAV Foundation.
Chennai - Bangalore - Mysore
Vande Bharat: 20607/20608
On Kerala's unspoilt Malabar Coast, Neeleshwar Hermitage is a luxury retreat of traditional cottages offering Ayurvedic treatments, seafood dining, a spa, an infinity pool, and immersive backwater and village experiences. Neeleshwar operations grounded in community and sustainability.
Trivandrum - Ernakulam - Mangalore
Vande Bharat: 20632/20631
Close to the wildlife-rich Panna National Park, Sarai at Toria is an eco-minded retreat on the banks of the Ken River, with traditional mud cottages, farm-fresh dining, and experiences from river walks and birding to safaris and visits to Khajuraho, Ajaygarh etc.
Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) to Khajuraho
Vande Bharat : 22470/22469
An off-grid luxury retreat near the Ellora Caves, Dhyaana Farms runs on solar power and farm-to-table dining, with eco-built rooms and experiences from pottery and yoga to horse riding, cycling, and outdoor movie nights
Mumbai ‑ CST to Aurangabad
Vande Bharat : 20706/20705
Snow Leopard Lodge: Ulley & Mangyu
RARE welcomes back Snow Leopard Lodge, with a unique narrative for Ladakh that leans strongly into conservation and nature based tourism.
Both Snow Leopard Lodge Ulley & Mangyu are now a part of the RARE Collection. The flagship lodge, operational since 2016, lies north of the Indus River in the remote hamlet of Ulley at the head of the Ulley Chhu valley. The new lodge in the historic village of Mangyu is perched high, at the dramatic intersection of valleys. Less than an hour apart, the two lodges are ideal for wildlife viewing, walking, cycling, nature trails, and glimpses of local culture in the villages around.
Year-round opening: The lodges now welcome guests through all seasons — from the sensational wildflowers of spring and summer to the wildlife of winter. While animals are less concentrated outside winter, they remain visible, and with milder temperatures visitors can walk more, even camp in high pastures with excellent chances of seeing a variety of animals and birds. Ulley with 10 Rooms has had a design and services upgrade, with common areas for dining as well as spaces for reading and conversations. Dining is extra special with local and international cuisines as a part of every day menus. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2026, Mangyu incorporates passive solar design, from sustainable building materials to heat traps and double-glazed windows.
INDIA & NEPAL Differently by Philippa Kaye:
RARE's Ambassador in the UK, Philippa Kaye of Indian Experiences is showcasing the best of India and Nepal Differently at a special event in London on Sept 16th. The idea is to showcase destinations, wildlife and, importantly, journeys focused around a truly experiential collection of boutique hotels & lodges and regional specialists. To know more write to Philippa Kaye at philippa@indianexperiences.com. For more Info, click here
