For A World In Flux

It’s been a difficult time to think about travel in the way we usually do. With escalating tensions in West Asia, airspace closures have begun to ripple outward, disrupting flight paths that many Indians rely on to reach Europe, Africa and America. Longer routes, rising fuel costs and the uncertainty of sudden changes and cancellations have made international travel feel complicated, expensive and, for many, simply out of reach. But beyond logistics, there’s a quieter conflict at play. The constant churn of distressing headlines, economic unease and a lingering sense of unpredictability have begun to weigh on how we move through the world—and whether we feel like moving at all. Travel, which once promised escape, can now feel like another layer of planning and anxiety. And yet, the need to pause, reset and feel reassured has perhaps never been stronger. What this moment calls for is not grand itineraries or far-flung plans but perhaps journeys gentler and closer to home. Across India, there are destinations where the pace slows, the noise recedes and the mind finds room to breathe again.

This is a guide to those places.

When You Need to Disappear

Binsar, Uttarakhand

Tucked inside a protected forest and surrounded by the Himalayas, Binsar carries the lingering imprint of its colonial past, when it served as a summer retreat for the British. Not much seems to have changed. Oak and rhododendron trees line walking trails where the only sounds are birds chirping, the wind rustling and your own footsteps. On the edges of the sanctuary, small villages remain untouched by time, connected only by narrow trails that have existed for generations. Staying at Mary Budden Estate, a 19th-century colonial homestead and one of the only stays within the core of the reserve, deepens this sense of retreat. It invites you to fall into a slower rhythm. You read, write, sit with your thoughts, lunch in the garden, stargaze at night and without realising it, your mind begins to weigh lighter. Insider Tip: Binsar gives you the space to reconnect with forgotten hobbies like sketching, painting, journaling or writing. On at least one day of your stay, you must wake before sunrise and walk to Zero Point; the first light over the Himalayan peaks is worth the early start!

— Sunanda Pant, Estate Manager, Mary Budden Estate

Hunder, Ladakh

Getting to Hunder takes intent. From Leh, it is a long, arduous drive across the high passes of Khardung La and into the Nubra Valley, where the landscape shifts dramatically. Silver rivers cut through a cold desert, and wide stretches of sand sit against rugged mountains. By the time you arrive, the distance has already begun to do its work, putting space between you and everything you’ve left behind. Hunder is known for its Bactrian camels and white stupas, but it’s the scale of the place that recalibrates you. At Stonehedge Ladakh, this translates into experiences rooted in the region. You can learn Ladakhi cooking, meditate with a monk, head out on a foraging picnic or paint Lungta flags. Evenings slow into stargazing dinners under impossibly clear skies. It’s the kind of place that helps you disconnect without trying too hard. Insider Tip: Hunder Dok is one of Nubra Valley’s lesser-known trekking bases, surrounded by surprisingly lush green fields, willow trees and traditional Ladakhi farms set against stark mountains. It’s worth visiting for short village walks and treks towards the higher ridges, offering a rare glimpse of Nubra’s agricultural life in the middle of a cold desert landscape.

— Stanzin Tsephel, Founder, Stonehedge Ladakh

Measured Pleasure

Ashwem, Goa

Goa is almost always the answer when you’re looking to get away. But beyond the crowded beaches, there are pockets that feel slower and more in tune with what a break in these trying times is meant to be. Ashwem is one of them. The shoreline is clean, the pace unhurried and yet you’re never too far from Goa’s indulgences. Right on the palm-fringed beach, the newly opened Little Palm Grove leans into that balance with just five mudhouse-style cottages, each with a verandah and private plunge pool opening out to the sea. It’s designed for slow mornings and unhurried afternoons. When you do step out, the experiences stay just as grounded. Kayaking through mangroves becomes a lesson in fragile ecosystems, while village strolls or working with clay at Mati Earth offer a rooted way to engage with Goa. Insider Tip: Ashwem is one of the rare places in North Goa where nature is still respected—clean shoreline, peaceful sunsets and no loud music, especially keeping the turtle nesting habitat in mind. This naturally keeps away the party crowd and attracts people who value calm and peace. There’s a simple chai spot by the beach where like-minded locals and travellers gather to grab a cup and watch the sunset, with nothing but the sound of waves for company.

— Krapika Singh Jat, Co-Founder, The Katha House

Jawai, Rajasthan

Deep inside Rajasthan’s rugged landscape, Jawai feels far removed from present anxieties. There are no crowded itineraries, just deliberate experiences that gently take your mind off things. This is prime leopard country, where big cats roam granite hills towering alongside human settlements. This long-standing coexistence lends the region a quiet reassurance. At jüSTa Luxé Highpoint Jawai, rooms open to the landscape, some with private heated plunge pools, designed not to distract from where you are. Mornings begin with safaris that demand patience. Leopard sightings are frequent, but the thrill never dulls. Afternoons stretch into adventurous drives across boulder-strewn terrain, while evenings settle into slow sundowners by the reservoir. There’s enough to engage you, but never overwhelm. Insider Tip: One of the most serene experiences here is watching a stunning sunset over the calm waters of the Jawai Dam, while birds and crocodiles go about their day against a backdrop of magnificent rock hills. The Jeep safaris are unlike those in busy national parks; you can drive for miles without another vehicle in sight, surrounded by silence and vast landscapes, occasionally passing a Rabari herder walking home with his sheep and goats.

— Yudhister Jhala, General Manager, jüSTa Luxe Highpoint Jawai

In the Company of Solitude

Durrung, Assam

Set in the Brahmaputra Valley near Tezpur, Durrung is one of Assam’s oldest tea estates, where life still follows the rhythms of the plantation. Mornings begin in a soft haze over endless rows of tea bushes, with the quiet hum of workers moving through the plantations. At The Postcard in the Durrung Tea Estate, that connection to the land becomes the experience. Set within a 1,400-acre working estate, the stay centres around tea in all its forms. You walk through guided tea trails, visit the factory and sit down for curated tastings with an in-house tea expert. Beyond the estate, visits to artisan villages add depth to your understanding of the region, while Kaziranga and Nameri National Parks are within reach for wildlife explorations. But it’s just as easy to stay in. Here solitude doesn’t feel isolating, just deeply grounding. Insider Tip: Just about a 45-minute drive from the Durrung Tea Estate, Sengeli Mari Gaon and neighbouring villages offer a glimpse into the region’s rich culture, cuisine and craft traditions. You can watch women at handlooms working with Muga, Eri and cotton, or notice the distinct architectural styles of different tribal homes as you drive past areca nut groves and small farms. More often than not, a visit turns personal, with locals inviting you in for tea and snacks. It’s this easy warmth of the people, as much as the charm of a tea plantation stay and the beauty of the landscape, that stays with you.

— Mrityunjay Jalan, Director, Durrung Tea Estate

Kaner Retreat, Rajasthan

Many artists and writers have visited Kaner for the solitude it offers for their creativity. It’s a bit of an aberration on this list, but that is because certain stays are destinations in themselves. Kaner Retreat is set deep within the Thar Desert, with nothing but the arid landscape for miles. About two hours from Jodhpur, it stands beside a sacred ‘oran’—one of Rajasthan’s 25,000 protected groves. Founder Sapna Bhatia has spent years documenting native desert flora and shaping experiences around it. You walk through the oran, learn to identify hardy desert species and have meals built on foraged ingredients and traditional knowledge. The Kaner Clay initiative adds another layer, with a walkthrough of over 500 clay objects curated by Dr Madan Meena from across the Thar, culminating in a community-style meal. This is a place where solitude feels intentional. You can engage, or simply do nothing at all and sit with the stillness, uninterrupted and entirely your own. Insider Tip: You can spend time meditating in the Kaner Wild Gardens, letting the desert settle around you. As evening falls, head out for a dinner set up on the dunes, where the silence deepens and the sky opens up for unhurried stargazing. It’s in these moments that solitude here feels complete and deeply restorative.

— Sapna Bhatia, Founder, Kaner Retreat

A Physical Reset

Gothangaon, Maharashtra

On the edge of Karhanda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gothangaon barely registers on the map, but for a reset, few places come close. Within the reserve lies The Bamboo Forest Nature Conservancy, India’s first and only conservation-centric wellness destination. There are no fences here, just 10 elevated “luxury nests” within the forest canopy. Wildlife moves freely, while you are gently escorted—a reminder that this is their territory first. If the sheer energy of the forest isn’t healing enough, their Wilderness Wellness programmes take it further. Potli massages in bamboo groves, dosha-guided meals and therapies like Mridukarna Marma and Nabhi Ghritam are designed for modern fatigue. Add to that nature walks, birdwatching, yoga, meditation and sound baths, all with the forest as a constant presence. You arrive tired and leave lighter, steadier and more in tune. Insider Tip: In a world pushed to the edge, the human collective is experiencing a deep neural overload. At Gothangaon, the forest is not an escape—it is a somatic “hushscape”. Here, the soil, the rhythm of the wild and the simplicity of hamlet life gently nudge away the noise and fatigue we carry. Come without an agenda. Sit, breathe and let the forest guide you.

—Anoopamaa Mukherjee Lohana, Wellness Director, The Bamboo Forest

Palakkad, Kerala

Nestled at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Palakkad has long been the gateway to Kerala’s many charms. Spread across 63 acres of lush greenery here, the multi-award winning Kairali—The Ayurvedic Healing Village has spent over two decades refining a rigorous approach to wellness and cementing its position as one of India’s pioneering wellness destinations. Every programme is medically guided, combining Panchakarma, yoga, meditation and diet. Food is farm-totable and aligned to your body’s needs. Villas, built along Vaastu principles, sit within coconut groves designed to support healing. Days fall into a rhythm of treatment, rest and movement. Sleep deepens, energy steadies and the noise settles. You leave with a system reset. Insider Tip: Wake up early and take a slow walk near the Palakkad Gap just as the sun rises. There’s something quietly special about this place—the gentle wind that moves through the gap, the wide stretches of paddy fields and the absence of noise that usually follows us everywhere. In a time when travel feels rushed and overstimulating, Palakkad offers the opposite. You’re not trying to “see everything” but just being present.

— Abhilash K Ramesh, Executive Director, Kairali Ayurvedic Group

To read more such stories from Esquire India's April 2026 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.