Untamed roads, Rustic Bikes and Raw Wildlife: Roadtrips to empowerment and healing

‘Country roads take me home, to the plains I belong,’ imagine playing this on a road trip with your girl gang riding Enfields! Well, bike road trips are the new era of women's retreats. The retreats weave wildlife, nature, and empowerment in a bond of sisterhood. 

They say women can’t wander far, but what if we bring in ‘Wandering Womans’, a new wonder enough to steal eyes. The wildlife retreats are made to create a strong women's community and empower sisterhood. You get fun, adventurous road trips and the warmth of nature to help you heal. Balancing profession, family, social commitments, and expectations can leave even the strongest woman feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Travelling with nature and spending some time there can calm you down. 

Nature has been known to heal humans since time unknown. The bond between nature and human well-being has been a key part of culture, human history, and intuition. Recent scientific studies are providing strong evidence of nature's power to heal. We have always felt some connection with nature, and these studies are proof of that. 

According to research conducted by the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, spending at least 120 minutes per week in natural surroundings can enhance your overall sense of well-being. This includes both rural landscapes and accessible urban green spaces, such as parks and gardens.  The study involved around 20,000 participants and showed the impact of nature on human health. The idea was to show how nature can help develop and boost women’s health and mental well-being. Here are the top wildlife destinations that you can go for a road trip with your girlypops. Check the amazing and breathtaking adventures below:

The Wilderness Retreat: Take a ride to reconnect with your adventurous spirit and nature. Spend your time in repurposed cabins. Surrounded by greenery and rustic lakeside camping. With specially designed spaces, you also get a wide range of activities and breathtaking views. This retreat also offers a unique escape to 2 exclusive locations in Hyderabad. These include:

• The Wilderness Retreat in Kokapet

• The Wilderness Campsite in Ananthagiri Hills

• The Wilderness Lake Front beside Sapranapally Lake 

Kaziranga Trip:  Meghalaya is known as the “abode of clouds”. It's the home of lush green hills, raw wildlife, and the iconic living root bridges. Take a roadtrip from Meghalaya to Kaziranga National Park. An itinerary that connects wildlife and serene nature. Adding Kaziranga National Park to the itinerary makes this journey even more exciting. Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This also shelters the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses. You can also find elephants, tigers, swamp deer, and hundreds of bird species. Other adventures at Kaziranga include:

• An early morning Jeep Safari here is a chance to witness wildlife 

• Camp riverside near Dawki River in Shnongpdeng with a cozy bonfire night

• Explore the Mawsmai Caves and trek to the double-decker living root bridge in Nongriat

Limestone Cave Cycling: Enjoy an adventurous road trip amidst the Central India Plateau and then cycle among the Limestone Caves. Yes, you heard it right! Limestone caves are formed by water dissolving rock over thousands of years, creating tunnels, chambers, and underground corridors. Best for exploring by cycling slowly through the terrain. Here, you get to explore carved rock slabs, connected to the earth. Given below are the two major destinations where you can enjoy your holiday amidst nature, cycling your way towards an offbeat adventure:

• Chhattisgarh: Explore the hidden limestone caves in forested regions. Cycle through wide tunnels and stable ground. A perfect weekend getaway amidst the caves!

• Central India Plateau: Raw and unexplored cave networks with expansive underground corridors. An ideal offbeat spot for beginners exploring tunnel cycling.

Wildlife tour in Ladakh: Explore the snow paradise in a unique safari. Get a glimpse of nature’s healing influence. Thus, going beyond the realm of mental health and inner healing. Scientific research has unveiled several facts about its role in therapeutic benefits. This itinerary for the wildlife of Ladakh includes the following:

• Exploring Leh through bike trips 

• Witness the extraordinary beauty of Leh Palace and Shey Palace

• Reboot and heal yourself through a meditative tour of the Thiksey and Hemis monasteries. 

• Meet the wild Snow Leopards and Rumbak in Zingchen Gorge. This is also known as the ‘Valley of Snow Leopards'.

Triund Trek, Himachal Pradesh: Imagine women tying up their boots and conquering mountains with confidence, courage, and companionship. Yes, that’s what the Triund Trek brings for you. Discover the raw scenic beauty of the trek amidst the high hills of Triund. This is a trek focused on empowering women and promoting women-based treks across India. From Tadiandamol to Triun,d find your girl gang sharing fun, laughter, and inspiring stories. 

Heal with Nature in Coorg: Take a bike ride with your girl gang from Bangalore to the scenic beauty of Coorg. Coorg is often known for its luscious greens and great coffee plantations. Start by visiting the plantation resort and then freshen up. You can find many homestays in these plantation resorts. They even provide you with afternoon tea and arrange evening plantation walks. The next day, you will get a tour of the plantation in a guided elephant interaction. Please note: Dubare’s program for feeding, learning, and bathing typically runs 8:00 am–4:00 pm. So, you need to book slots in order to secure your trip in advance.

The healing power of Coorg's greenery goes beyond the visual realm. Coorg’s rich biodiversity nurtures a harmonious ecosystem. Fill your lungs with fresh air, soothe your ear with the melodious symphony of birdsong. You can also take a long trail, walking over the bright yellow autumn leaves and singing to the rustling of leaves. 

Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu: Experience serene rain-kissed beaches, a French quarter, and colorful cafes. Welcome to the aesthetic dream in Pondicherry with your girly pops. What can you do here? Well, you can rent a cycle and explore Auroville, or unwind yourself, drenched in the salty air by the sea. Pondicherry is full of a story trail based in a quiet, scenic, and solo-friendly heritage where boulevard scents your way. The tour will also explore the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and its establishments in addition to exploring the Tamil culture of the town. You can also visit the following places:

• Visit the Tamil and French quarters. Many local storytellers provide such trips.

• Go on a must-do bike tour. This allows you to explore the streetscapes and architectural buildings 

• Time travel back in time with local stories, exploring monuments, and revisiting historical and quaint corners. Capture memories with interesting photo stops and beach stretches, from a bygone era of French India in Pondicherry

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Other Women’s Adventure Trips

There are several other guided trips for women that include kayaking, backpacking, and adventures in the US. These programs are organised and led by certified female guides. The trips include both weekend excursions and weeklong backcountry adventures. The program includes the following: 

• A backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon

• Enjoy Kayaking through the San Juan Islands

• Hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

To enjoy more such soul-searching trips, The Flapper Life is always happy to welcome you! Send us a message or contact us at +91 9892229782