Has a blog ever predicted your whole week’s schedule? No? Okay, what if we told you that you spend your weekdays staring at your computer’s screen all day during work? And the weekends get passed by staring at your phone’s screen, watching Youtube or Netflix? Sounds close?
Globalization and Digitization- These 2 words have surely made us all interconnected, ‘woke’ and productive, but have they truly liberated us? Have they freed us? Since the last decade or more, the rise of modernistic gadgets and cheap & superfast internet has surely brought us ahead of our times in terms of our careers, networking and finances.
But, on the other hand, they have also been equally responsible for the detached connection to humans’ and mother nature’s touch, apart from those dark, puffy eyes, aching necks, aching backs and the piled up depression, engulfing us into corporate slavery.
This is where the concept of a ‘Digital Detox’ chimes in. As the name indicates, it is that period of time during which a person abstains from using digital devices such as mobile phones, computers, iPods, tabs etc. to get reconnected to the real world - humans and nature alike.
A digital detox is that sweet interval from your daily mundane lives where you leave every possessed gadget and technological trace to get hidden in the hills among locals, interacting, breaking odd habits, rejuvenating your souls, feeling happier.
Even though more than a dozen havens in Himachal promise exactly the same, we, for obvious reasons, list out the top 3 spots to get you away from those screens and gadgets where you won’t feel like coming back. Ever. Again.
Getaway 1: Kaza, Spiti Valley
Imagine waking up to a breath of the freshest air, chilling temperature and alluring hills around. Kaza, nestled along the Spiti river, is one of the coldest spots in the whole country. Having its offsets to Lahaul and Chandartaal, Kaza, in itself, is one of the remotest and the most unexplored retreats in the whole of Himachal.
Rightfully described by Rudyard Kipling as ‘a world within a world’, Spiti Valley is home to a myriad of culturally and aesthetically rich villages and towns. Small habitations such as Tabo, Langza, Kye and Dhankar, Spiti Valley has its largest township and the sub-divisional headquarters located at Kaza.
From one of the oldest civilisations to one of the coldest towns in the whole country, Kaza is home to surreal monasteries, gompas, historical palaces and a 360-degree panoramic view of dream-like hills.
Nestled at a whopping altitude of 12,500 ft,. Kaza is divided into two parts: Kaza Soma, the new town having the government and authorities offices, and Kaza Khas having the local habitation and a number of beautiful homestays in Spiti Valley and some lavish accommodations to stay and roam around while mingling with the affable locals and the fellow tourists.
During your Kaza vacation, you WOULD feel like taking out your mobile phones every now and then, but ONLY to capture the irresistible surroundings and the ambience, and that is a promise.
Now, stop daydreaming, plan your itinerary and book one of the most popular homestays Kaza at unbeatable prices.
Getaway 2: Tosh, Kullu
Not many destinations in our country hold the qualities and the aura to compete with and beat the hype created by Spiti Valley, especially in the ‘Digital Detox’ realm.
However, this quaint, hidden hamlet located in the Kullu district has been rising from ashes towards its way to huge popularity among travel connoisseurs. Sitting at the head of Parvati Valley and characterized by its small, colorful, match-box-like homes and the most suitable trek base camp to Kheerganga, Tosh Village, personally speaking, is still untouched by modernisation, technology and a rat-raced life.
The hippie culture, guitar music filled cafes and tourists (read: Israeli tourists) meditating and ‘medicating’ here and there, this serene and picturesque village nestled right beside the Parvati river makes you dwell into the moment and forget about the Instagram stories, the comments and the likes, and the like.
Having caught your attention now and owing to the ongoing vacation season, go ahead and book one of these beautiful and affordable homestays in Tosh for staying a couple of nights to have one of the most memorable vacations of your lives.
PS: During your stay at Tosh, a one-day trek to Kheerganga is highly recommended.
Getaway 3: Chitkul, Kinnour
Keeping the desserts for the end, this hidden gem, rightly known as the “Last Village of India’, leaves you spellbound, thrilled and outworldly, making you forget about your monotonous routine altogether.
Located in the Kinnaur district, Chitkul has practically no place of attraction to offer apart from Mathi Devi Temple, but we still rank this little village at the highest. Wonder why?
Owing to its aromatic nostalgic breeze, the babbling Baspa river nearby, the jaw dropping scenic view and the dreamlike journey from Reckong Peo/Sangla, this small village marks its presence in every travel junkie’s bucket list.
Having just a couple dozen houses & homestays and an extremely low population density, this picturesque village is located at an elevation of 11,320 ft., welcoming you with its ‘Hindustan ka Aakhri Dhaba’.
Packed your bags? Check out some of the best homestays in Chitkul with unimaginable prices and book your rooms right here, right away.
