The bucket list
The Mayan calendar marks the end of the world on December 21, 2012. Whether you choose to believe the ancient prediction or not, you could make the best of the rest of the year with a holiday. We’ve rounded up some unconventional travel activities to get you started:
Under the radar
Looking to leave the crowds behind? Lushescapes, a Delhi-based internat ional luxury travel partner, offers a private island getaway in the Seychelles. The itinerary includes a stay at the Presidential Villa and BMW and helicopter transfers. The outfit also offers interesting itineraries like exploring Italy in a Ferrari, Antarctic odysseys, renting a yacht or royalty treatments at New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle. The Seychelles package is priced from `5,77,210 onwards.
Details: lushescapes.com
Sea lion season
How about getting up close to an Australian sea lion, the most endangered species of sea lion in the world? Tourism Australia suggests a visit to the Seal Bay, Australia. Guided tours provide guests with an opportunity to walk among the seals and sea lions on the beach.
Entry fee: approximately `2,000 per person.
Details: australia.com
Dancing lights
For a surreal experience minus bright city lights, head to the Waitomo glow worm cave in New Zealand. Guided tours will take you through three different levels, beginning with the catacombs. The third and final level goes down to the Cathedral, an enclosed area with rough surfaces. A number of famous singers and choirs have performed here, including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Vienna Boys Choir. The tour concludes with a boat ride to the underground Waitomo River where glowworms create a sky of living lights. A 13D/12N ‘Spectacular
New Zealand Self Drive’ package from Thomas Cook is priced from `1, 07,472 onwards.
Valid till April 2013. Madhav Pai, director, leisure travel, Thomas Cook India, says, “One can also sign up for fissure snorkeling in Iceland.”
Details: thomascook.in
Drive through
Long drives on the ECR are relaxing but if you’re looking for magnificent scenery, there’s the 500 km drive on the Great Ocean Road in Australia, which can be completed in a day. Kuoni Travels’ 3D/2N Luxury Retreats itinerary features a drive through the Twelve Apostles, Bells Beach and Otway Fly (has some of the oldest rainforests in the world). Motoring enthusiasts take the road for the excitement of feeling the corners.
Priced from `34,000 onwards onwards.
Details: kuoni.in
Into the wild
The Conde Nast Traveller magazine recommends the great wildebeest migration for your bucket list. No matter how many times you’ve watched it on Animal Planet, the thrill of observing the action in person is unparalleled. Over a million wildebeest cross the Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara, where they battle crocodiles, lions and leopards. Be prepared for a rustic stay, for the Nkorombo camp comes with bucket showers and Indian toilets. Priced from `46,801 per person.
Details: serian.net
Arctic rays
Finland’s itinerary features visits to the home of a Lapland family and a reindeer farm and a drive in a snowmobile. Bring the kids for this one, as they can meet Santa Claus. Ezeego1.com offers two packages to the Arctic Circle (Inari, Helsinki and Rovaniemi in Lapland).
Priced from `31,623 onwards.
Details: ezeego1.com
Big bird
According to Karan Anand, headrelationships, Cox & Kings, visiting the ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn is a must do when in the Western Cape, South Africa. Visitors are allowed to touch, feed and ride these magnificent birds. A 12D/11N Best of South Africa package from Cox & Kings is priced at `1,56,244 person.
Details: coxandkings. com