A walk that brings you closer to nature

“The whole idea of a nature walk is to bring you closer to nature. Naturalists study the area, and pick up trails. Walks vary based on what the guests like, bird watching or stream walking.” "Walk it off" is what most people say to cool someone down.

The coming months will surely bring with them soaring temperatures, so challenge yourself by hiking or traversing a plantation. To beat the heat, become one with nature by walking through a rainforest or in a stream, and wink back at the sun. Opt for nature walks organised by some of the luxury hotels in the country.

The Lalit Resort & Spa in Bekal, north Kerala, is surrounded by picturesque gardens, organic farms and a river. The guests are shown the coral lake, have a walk around the river, and more.

They have also tied up for a plantation trek with Ratnakaran from Thonikadavu in Kasargod district, Kerala. Guided by him, guests can take a walk through plantations, and take home a bag and a hat made on the spot with betel nut tree leaves.

"People are getting increasingly interested in such walks, as it is a good change from the daily activities available in the cities. Due to hotels, nature walks are becoming popular among people," told Ratnakaran.

Talking about hotels incorporating nature walks in their itinerary to attract tourists, Parvinder Singh Bual, General Manager of Vivanta by Taj in Coorg, said, "The nature walk has been an intrinsic part of the hotel.

The whole idea is to bring you closer to nature, and we could not have done this without including nature walks. Naturalists have studied the whole area, and they are the ones who pick up the trails. Walks vary based on what the guest likes. It can be bird watching or stream walking."

If you thought Pune, Maharashtra, was just for buttery Shrewsbury biscuits, then think again. There are quite a few nature-inspired experiences that you can indulge in. "Be it the city excavation or the nature trail, activities revolve around the local surroundings of the region," said Sachin Didolkar, Director of Business Development, Conrad Pune.

"‘Embark on a Spiritual Sojourn' at Conrad, Pune, a typical one-day affair that has the guests exploring the soulful beauty of mediating at the Osho retreat, indulging in natural and organic vegetarian meals, having an open air yoga session in a green forest habitat, and mingling with the wildlife -- interacting with peacocks and other fauna," he added.

At the Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore, a luxury jungle resort located adjacent to the Ranthambore National Park, every nature walk is instructive, as guests explore and gain knowledge about the flora and fauna with a naturalist.

During the walk, the naturalist takes the guests bird watching, explaining the birds' behavioural aspects, and their role in the ecosystem. He also provides important and interesting facts about the local flora.

By Natalia Ningthoujam