Experience Unwind, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra
Offbeat Kangra: A Journey Through Serenity and Adventure
Nature-Inspired Living in the Heart of Wah Estate
A Warm Welcome to Lodge at Wah
As we arrived at Lodge at Wah, nestled in Palampur’s quiet village lanes, a sense of calm washed over me. The boutique lodge, with its charming blend of heritage and modern comfort, was surrounded by lush tea gardens.
The day unfolded gently, with a guided tour of the tea estate. Learning about the art of tea cultivation and production was fascinating. By evening, I found myself savoring a Kangra tea tasting session under the open sky, each sip a revelation of delicate flavors.
Rustic Elegance at The Lodge
The Lodge at Wah showcases eco-friendly architecture, blending rustic charm with sustainability. The structure is crafted from reclaimed wood and mud, seamlessly integrating with its tea estate surroundings.
Bedrooms feature a cozy and minimalist design with warm wooden tones, large windows offering garden views, and furnishings that reflect a blend of comfort and natural elegance.
Dining areas are inviting, with earthy décor, communal seating, and an ambiance that encourages conversations over meals prepared with local produce.
Sitting areas are warm and relaxed, furnished with vintage-inspired pieces, offering an ideal space to unwind.
Explore the Art of Tea
Hands-on plucking, tastings, and stunning garden views.
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Dhauladhar range, Wah Tea Estate is Palampur’s largest tea plantation, spanning 526 acres. Known for its high-quality Kangra Orthodox teas, it produces antioxidant-rich black and green teas from the Camellia Sinensis cultivar. The estate also offers tea tours, letting visitors explore the tea-making process, try plucking leaves, and taste teas like a sommelier. Strolling through its rolling gardens, visitors can enjoy scenic views, diverse flora, and vibrant birdlife, making it an essential stop in Kangra Valley.
Day 2: A Culinary and Cultural Dive
Waking up to the soft whispers of nature, I knew today was going to be a treat for the senses. Breakfast was hearty, and by noon, I was ready for a true gastronomic adventure—a Kangra Thali experience. Every bite told a story of Himachali tradition, from the spicy chutneys to the earthy lentils.
Post-lunch, we ventured to Andretta, the famed pottery village. The artists welcomed us warmly, guiding us through the delicate process of shaping clay. I attempted my own creation—not perfect, but uniquely mine!
Day 3: Exploring Bir, the Paragliding Paradise
The final day in Palampur was an invitation to fly—or at least watch others do so! A short drive brought us to Bir, India’s paragliding capital. The skies were alive with vibrant parachutes, and the calm Buddhist vibe of the hamlet was a perfect balance.
I spent hours soaking in the atmosphere, exploring quaint cafes, and enjoying local delicacies. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bir’s serene charm left an indelible mark on my heart.
Day 4–6: Eagle Nest – Where Forest Dreams Come Alive
Leaving Palampur, the journey to Eagle Nest was a scenic drive through pine-clad hills and winding roads. The boutique stay near Dharamkot felt like a retreat into nature’s lap, surrounded by towering pines and the melody of birdsong.
For the adventurous, the Triund Trek was the highlight—a trail that revealed the majestic Dhauladhar peaks. Others took a slower pace, opting for serene nature trails around the lodge. The evenings here were magical, with bonfires, storytelling, and the soothing silence of the forest.
Experience in a nutshell
Closing Note: Why the Kangra Experience is Unique
This isn’t just a holiday; it’s a narrative crafted with care. From the boutique stays that celebrate local culture to the thoughtfully chosen experiences, every moment will feel personal, meaningful, and rejuvenating.
Quick Facts:
- Nearest Airport is Gaggal ( Kangra ) which is short 1 to 2 hr drive. Alternatively, the holiday can be done from Chadigarh Airport as well
- Considering a total of 6 nights for a relaxed and pleasant experience. 3 Nights at Palampur and 2 at Dharamkot
- Village Walks, Hiking Trails, Culinary experience, Paragliding and local cultural experience make this holiday unique
- Combining a forest experience with a valley farm stay experience.
- This can be done year round except when there is excessive snowfall, then the access to Eagle Nest is blocked. Lodge at Wah is accessible all through the year.
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Testimonials
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Thank you very much to you and your team for arranging this fantastic tour. One of the best pick from this tour was your meticulous planning and promptness of service. All arrangements were fantastic, be it a delivery of vehicle at Chandigarh airport, hotels particularly at Chandigarh, Leh, Nubra, Pangong. However the best was at Jispa, Kargil and Srinagar for different reasons. Jispa was simple but authentic with very tasty food.
Rajesh & Gauri Natu
Graphic Designer, Apple
"
Sunil, after I ran 21k Marathon I bragged about it for years. The same is being repeated again, with my ambition to drive across the Himalayas, which was almost faded with Srinagar under curfew. You and Chetan were the spark to our fire that we could do this drive and without a single trouble. Driving is a passion but driving thru places where there are no roads is trouble, but your breakup of program and awesome car condition helped us actually sail thru. Three cheers and five stars.
Jignesh Shah
Absolute Networks, Mumbai
"
Wow. wow, wow. What a experience! We took the route of Delhi - Jammu - Srinagar - Leh - Sarchu - Manali - Delhi. Sunil Kapoor gave us excellent service which includes his next to new 4WD in immaculate condition and all hotels were top class. Coming from Australia, we were bit nervous in start but when we met Sunil, we had full trust and all went very positive. Sunil gave us perfect instructions and everything was according to plan. Thank you Sunil and your team for our one of the best experience in life you have provided us.
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Jignesh Patel
Director, Webential, Australia
"
Eight of us from Sri Lanka got Sunil to arrange a self driven tour to Leh and we are very happy with our decision. He was punctual, trustworthy and met our expectations. The service provided was very professional. As foreigners it’s hard to arrange such a tour by ourselves and Unwind outdoor filled in the gap perfectly. All places we stayed were nice and decent. Should specifically mention about the two Scorpios which we instantly fell in love with. They were very well maintained ...
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Sumudu Fernando
Friends from SriLanka
"
After days of research, we finally came across a facebook page called ‘Unwind Outdoors’. It seemed like our dream was going to be finally true. Very reasonably priced and Sunil from Unwind was like a know-it-all person.
The itinerary was so crisp and so very well laid out that there was no reason for us to worry other than coping up with nature’s fury.
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Priyadatta Prabhavalkar
Clifford Chance, Delhi
"
We did a SUV self drive trip from Chandigarh to Ladakh and back organized by Unwind Outdoor.
Highly recommend Unwind Outdoor as Sunil and Manpreet took care of everything we needed (car, hotel bookings, sightseeing and food recommendations, permits) and everything was organized seamlessly. Sunil was very patient with all our queries, giving suggestions and options to suit our preferences.
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Ashish & Neha Thadani
KPMG, Bangalore
"
Great to see the know-how of the Unwind Outdoor team regarding every aspect of the Srinagar - Leh - Chandigarh self drive trip. From weather conditions, to road conditions, to health/clothing requirements, and also driving instructions - Sunil and Manpreet are warm, meticulous and knowledgable. Villa Himalaya in Sonamarg surpassed all our expectations and ensured that our expected standards for the rest of the trip were extremely high.
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Parth Deshmukh
Symbiosis Law School, Mumbai
"
Thanks Sunil for arranging a wonderful trip. Everything went well and we were in good hands with friendly and competent drivers. Accommodation was good and tents were comfortable beyond our expectations. We didn't have problem with food choices. It was a totally rejuvenating vacation and experience for us. Thanks from us in Singapore!
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Lilian Chan
Singapore
"
We had an amazing 9-day from Manali to Leh. Serene, breathless and picturesque. High altitude sickness was a big issue for us but we were in good hands.
Unwind Outdoor was superb in arranging and coordinating the trip. Taking care of all arrangements and checking-in on us. Kudos to Sunil and his team.
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Alvin Chia
Assistant Director, Jurong Town Corporation, Singapore
"
We travelled as a couple & completed a self drive trip from Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar-Kargil-Leh-Nubra-Pangong-Tso Moriri-Sarchu-Manali-Delhi. Itinerary was meticulously designed to be a mix of adventure and comfort. Hotel choices were best. Support was available at all points in case of emergency.Vehicle provided was top notch. Thanks to Mr. Sunil Kapoor for personally putting in efforts to maintain such high standards.
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Nikhil & Neha Mazumdar
Manager L&T, Mumbai
"
Six of us (two families) travelled to Leh in Jul / Aug 2015 and we had an excellent experience with Unwind Outdoor. From the very beginning of our excited planning phase, Sunil has been willingly suggesting us options, number of days, places to visit etc. He has all the knowledge of the terrain, passionate about trekking and traveling himself, so he understands travel-crazy people such as me and my quirks.
We landed in Leh in time for cloudbursts and flashfloods and landslides (along with mud and rocks sliding too). Despite Nature's fury, Sunil and Skarma made sure we were utmost safe and comfortable. These guys are just not into travel business, they help people fulfil their travel dreams. Truly! Go guys!!
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Kamala Aithal
Barclays Bank, Bangalore
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