Micro vacay, macro fun

With urbanisation on a rise, many often find themselves stuck in front of a screen, too busy for long vacations. Thus, microadventure is a welcome change among young Indians trying hard to cope with growing work pressure. These short getaways give them time out from the cubicle life. It is also appealing to many as they make adventure accessible to the ones who may have very little outdoor experience on a budget.

“Mini breaks have become very popular. We have witnessed a spike in hotel bookings at destinations close to metros during the long weekends, with a number of these being sold out. Away from India, Thailand, Dubai, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka are all-time favourites for travellers looking for a short foreign getaway,” shares Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C), Yatra.com

Breaking the monotony

Punam Kalra, managing director at I’m the Centre for Applied Arts, describes her everyday life as a rollercoaster ride with a never-ending to-do list which keeps on growing. “Short trips always provide the much needed emotional release and helps me cope with the constant strain of managing personal and business matters. Capitalising on the small, close-to-home getaways is not only fun but also healthy for the explorer within us. The fact that they are small and achievable is what makes them more desirable,” says Kalra.

For her, what works best is driving up to the mountains over a long weekend, a stroll under the moonlight or reading a book outdoors over a cup of tea.

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Aashmeen Munjaal, of Star Salon and Academy, feels that being too engrossed in work on a daily basis leads to a drop in energy and enthusiasm. “Instead of going for long vacations to rejuvenate myself, I always prefer a weekly trip. After working for the whole week, I look for something interesting to do, something I have never ventured into — be it forest or heritage walks, bungee jumping or something as simple as a game of pint ball with family and friends.” Destinations like Agra or Rishikesh, too, work as a refreshing tonic for Munjaal.

The Gadabout and the Gallivanter

While small getaways are often seen as a way to break the monotony of life, some look at it as a chance not only to rejuvenate but also to explore new terrain and culture.

For Maneesh Baheti, Director of South Asian Association for Gastronomy, adventure is discovering the architecture, culture and local food of any place he visits. “Closer to home I find the entire Shekhawati area of Rajasthan, barely 5 hours from my home in Gurugram, very fascinating. It’s like visiting an open air art gallery with beautifully painted havelis that are found in the entire region. I enjoy discovering places on foot, and getting lost in nature is when I really find myself,” shares Baheti.

With the trend of microadventures on a rise and time playing the deciding factor, people are opting to explore the outskirts of their city, hill stations or nearby tourist areas.

Vesna Pericivic Jacob, fitness expert and travel enthusiast, feels it is a great way to explore places without having to spend too much time planning. Not to mention it is cost-effective. “India has so much diversity and different experiences to offer — an ideal combination. I love the concept of short and adventurous trips. I have covered quite a few places from the bucket list, including Dharamshala, Bharatpur bird sanctuary, Mahabalipuram and Mashobra.”

Krishen Seth, chairman, Pearl Group of Companies, loves going on solo trips to the mountains to breathe in fresh air. “I love visiting the hills and enjoy nature at its best — from Ramgarh to Assam tea estate — all are my go-to places. With easy road accessibility and camping facilities available, short trips have become even more adventurous,” he says.

Beyond borders

Thanks to increased connectivity to many Southeast Asian countries owing to their proximity of 4 to 5 hour flights and visa on arrival, there is no dearth of go-to international destinations for microadventures. Sam Castelino, travel enthusiast, often finds himself taking a week off every 2 to 3 months to keep his sanity. “I have travelled extensively but for my micro-trips I prefer nearby places like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia or even Sri Lanka as they are quite reasonably priced and offer great value for money.

I look forward to continue my travels in these areas and hoping to travel to new destinations such as Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States countries which offer great new places to explore without burning a hole in your pocket. They’ve recently begun opening up to Indians who seek a short holiday by giving e-visas or visa on arrivals like Ukraine and Turkey.” For many, connectivity and ease of obtaining visas is a key factor for determining their next destination.

Go full-time

What starts as an adventure can always become a full-time passion. Disha Kapkoti, a freelance travel writer, made her passion for traveling her everyday life as she co-founded The Doi Host, a travel company that curates offbeat experiences for travelers in lesser known parts of India. “I’ve designed my life around my passion,” she says. “I work on the go as a travel writer and explore new places for new stories all the time. I also organise curated travel experiences for small groups in offbeat Indian destinations.”

For Kapkoti, traveling is not just about adventure, rather it’s about getting a fresh perspective on life by exploring new places. “You often come across interesting people, see new kind of lifestyles, with different experiences to share. This will help you think differently and give you an alternate perspective on things once you’re back at your desk after a fulfilling travel experience,” she adds.

Vivek Prashar has been working for Cognizant as a Senior Process Executive along with managing a website wanderingvivek.com where he talks about the various travelling adventures he goes on. “Travelling is my passion and I pursue it no matter what, whether it is to go on weekends or taking leave to travel more than one location,” says Prashar, who needs to frequently break away from the cubical world.

With inputs from Kavi Bhandari and Nirtika Pandita