India

This trip has been curated by See All This and will be operated by Doorways Travel. In February 2023, editor-in-chief Nicole Ex — in preparation for the winter issue in collaboration with Indian architect Bijoy Jain — took an unforgettable and transformative trip to India. Here, she met the travel experts of Doorways Travel, and so the idea was born to put together a special art and nature trip to Northern India, exclusively for readers of See All This.

Delhi is a multifaceted megacity with an intriguing and layered history. India’s capital is a sprawling urban metropolis more than 1,000 years old, making it a fascinating and surprising fusion of old and new. The contrast between the 17th-century Mughal city of Shahjahanabad (or Old Delhi) and 20th-century British New Delhi could not be greater. Known for its historical monuments, food, cultural events, temples, museums, parks and markets, it is the perfect gateway to India.

Rishikesh is a major Hindu pilgrimage site for devotees. With the holy Ganges flowing through the city, Rishikesh, with its famous temples, ashrams and welcoming atmosphere, attracts spiritual seekers, yoga practitioners and adventurers from all over the world.

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas lies Ganga Maki: the product of a fertile, sensitive human collaboration between Japanese textile artist Chiaki Maki and Studio Mumbai. Ganga Maki emerges from the earth ‘The same way I build my textiles’, Maki says. The project embodies a progressive shift in the traditional textiles industry, which has been in decline over recent years, squeezed out by fast, large-scale industrialised practices. The many airy, open spaces of the studios accommodate large handlooms and spinning wheels, where the craftspeople spin, weave and sew the fibres by hand into delicate handmade pieces. The natural dyes infused into the fabrics are created from locally sourced indigo, marigold, harshringar, tesu, and chestnut, grown and prepared on site. ‘The intention of the work is to accompany the cyclical relationship between work and life, sun and moon, joining past, present and future’, says Bijoy Jain. During your visit, you will meet Chiaki Maki and her team, and you’ll enjoy a delicious home made lunch.

Explore Rajaji National Park through a wildlife guide safari. Rajaji Park was created after three reserves in Uttarakhand — Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla — merged in 1983 to form a large protected area of some 840 square kilometres. It is close to cities but has a wild serenity, and is known for its beautiful scenery, rich biodiversity, and for its wild elephant population. You can also encounter tigers, leopards, deer and monkeys, as well as a wide variety of birds.

The Himalayas – the world’s largest, highest, most magical mountain range and the source of the sacred river Ganges – have attracted mystics, pilgrims and artists for thousands of years. Himalaya means ‘abode in the snow’ and the region is home to many wild animals, as well as the condor and the yeti.

For three nights, you’ll stay at the Amaya Life resort, which opened its doors a year ago. It is an enchanting retreat with spectacular views of the Himalayas, designed by Bijoy Jain — a unique opportunity to experience his work in real life. Get to know rural life, and take walks and treks in the forests and mountains. ‘Amaya was born out of a simple need: to reconnect. Our journey began with the desire for a refuge, a space far from the chaos of the city; free from noise, distractions and the demands of the life we had created for ourselves. We wanted a nest from which we could watch the mist that enveloped the mountains at sunrise, a cradle where we could be lulled by a gentle mountain breeze, a home where the night would bring a million stars to dazzle us. A quiet place where we would slow down and rediscover life.’

At the resort, you’ll spend your nights in Jain’s characteristic suites and villas with roofs made of copper. Each has been built by hand and without the use of mortar, to create long-lasting structures that can survive natural wear and tear. The restaurant provides another intensely sensory experience; top chefs work with handpicked ingredients from the mountains and the kitchen garden.

In Chandigarh you will visit the highlights of Le Corbusier’s iconic architecture. Chandigarh, the dream city of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, was planned by the famous French architect, Le Corbusier. Picturesquely located at the foothills of the Shivalik Himalayas, it is known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the twentieth century in India. In fact, Chandigarh became symbolic of the newly independent India and even today has one of the highest standards of living in the country. The foundation stone of the city was laid in 1952. The city is also known for its designs by architects such as Pierre Jeanneret, Jane Drew, and Maxwell Fry.