gINKgo I The RARE Newsletter I Summer of '26 - Part II at The RARE Collection I Vol 120 I March 2026
Dear Travellers...
SAMHI Hotels Pvt Ltd becomes RARE's investor, collaborator and benefactor by acquiring 70% of the company. A friend and a long-time mentor called this the result of long years of penance - the relentless foot-soldiering, long workdays, travel and impactful events as roadshows and training. This is RARE's future-forward vision and its change-seeking strategy. Our service spread, consistent brand positioning, stringent curation and legacy continue to be the driving force of the business. The next phase for RARE is not so much growth as adoption, relevance and recognition. And what this means to The RARE Collection is active sales and marketing and driving impact through bookings. A focus on DtoC through technology upgrades and collaborations to help with better distribution.
It is with gratitude that we acknowledge the support of our Travel Agent partners, Tour Operators and designers, as it is your recommendation since we began in 2004 that grew the portfolio, often recommending the perfect hotel we then audited as RARE. In fact, we have never needed a business development head - as many of you in the industry have just been that - business developers for RARE (pro bono) by recommending hotels and extending patronage. We remain indebted, always.
In continuation of our promotions for the hill stations, here is a second edition which looks at the Himalayan Foothills both as a long-stay itineraries and stay-longer programs. If you make 'avoiding the crowds' your holiday agenda, there are incredible ideas in RARE for the summer. Please feel free to call the sales teams or product heads for an in-depth consultation. Remember climate change and the heating effect of the planet are also due to our inability to enjoy seasons - we want to be cold in summer and feel hot in winter; instead choose cool and warm and see what changes. Think about it!
Shoba Rudra
Storyteller & Boutique Hotels OG
The Himalayan Foothills & the Kumaon Landscape
Duration: 6 Nights/ 7 Days
A short flight to Pantnagar or an early morning seven-hour drive will bring you to Sitla Estate, Mukteshwar. Three nights in the aesthetically restored colonial bungalow, or the new suites facing the best Himalayan views - staying amidst sprawling orchards, is slow travel naturally. Days are spent in leisurely hikes that can be shaped by your interest - birding, nature, views; walks through local villages or a day in Nainital to see what's left of its heritage. From the heights the journey descends into Jim Corbett National Park for two nights at Jim's Jungle Retreat. This refined wilderness hotel blurs the line between luxury and the untamed. Beyond the thrill of jeep safaris, the experience delves into expert-led birding, silent nature walks. If you are from other parts of India, fit in a day or two in Delhi 6, a vibrant contrast in the capital with an eventful night or two at Haveli Dharampura. This UNESCO-awarded restoration project in the labyrinthine alleys of Old Delhi echoes of heritage - past and present melding as living experiences. From the chaos of the bazaars of the old city to the centered evening highlights of kite flying, dining, music and Kathak performances, it is a vibrant memory - lived and present continuous.
RARE's Kashmir Program
Duration: 5 Nights/ 6 Days
Our collection in Kashmir is situated in Srinagar, yet away from where most tourists head to. Nadis Hotel in Harwan, in the suburbs is a family home repurposed as a chalet type stay overlooking the Zabarwan Hills. To flow into mindful living close to nature, your three days here is to intentionally choose walks, simple local interactions, a visit to Dachigam National Park, and savour every meal including the best Wazwan in the city. Alternately those looking for exclusivity of private villas set amidst tranquil hills and remote villages, Qayaam Gah is set at a height overlooking the Dal Lake and a fabulous sweeping view of Srinagar city. Outdoor decks and a pool, private dining gazebos and a spa create an idyllic retreat in paradise that is Kashmir. All your two days at Sukoon, a charming houseboat moored on the quieter end of the Dal Lake, a setting that is timeless to Kashmir is to end your Kashmir program on a beautiful note. So much to do. Shikara ride across the lake at sunset, followed by high tea on board accompanied by live Sufi music, before a memorable dinner over the stillness of the Dal, the Zabarwan around - a silent blessing. Early morning shikara paddles to the floating market, revealing a quieter, more intimate rhythm of life on the lake. Explore Srinagar's old city on foot, with its historic lanes, mosques, wooden architecture, and a crafts-led walk that brings the valley's craft traditions to life. By night, Sukoon is exceptionally magical, with the strains of live Santoor music lending the houseboat an atmosphere of warmth and grace - Kashmir's eternal vibe.
RARE in Nepal
Duration: 7 Nights/ 8 Days
RARE Nepal is a collection that we believe makes a perfect circuit with the right mix of heritage, culture, nature and community. A journey shaped in the spirit of slow discovery begins with 2 nights in Bhaktapur at The Nanee, where temple bells, family rituals and the quiet choreography of Newari life introduce Nepal not as spectacle, but as inheritance. The road rises gently for 2 nights in Pokhara at the contemplative heights of Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, where the Himalayas reveal themselves at dawn and walking becomes a form of listening. The landscape then softens into 2 nights in the riverine forests of Chitwan National Park, with Sanctuary Resort, Chitwan offering an intimate dialogue with wilderness shaped by patience, naturalists and the unhurried rhythm of the Rapti. The final chapter unfolds with one night in Kathmandu at Baber Mahal Vilas, a RARE-recommended residence. Conceived through RARE India Hotels, this itinerary privileges texture over checklist – a passage through living culture.
