Escape The Grind This New Year Enjoy A Private Party 'Into the Wild'

New Year is a time of festivities and joy. It is also a time when you escape the grind of daily life, spread your wings, let down your hair, and have a blast. Here is a thought– why not make New Year a time to escape the bustle of the city and reconnect with nature and each other?

This New Year, welcome 2018 with unconventional family holidays, the Club Mahindra way!

Relax in the blue mountains of the Nilgiris - Club Mahindra Derby Green, Ooty

There is a reason why Ooty is called the queen of the Nilgiris or the blue mountain – it is because of the pristine ambiance that nature affords you in this small hill station, the peace and serenity of the surroundings yet knowing that there are lions, tigers, and other wildlife roaming the jungle not too far away. The lush green of the tea plantations, the unique mix of eucalyptus, tea, and coffee beckons you to come spend a few days the lap of nature.

From the Club Mahindra Derby Green resort in Ooty, you can take long walks with your sweetheart along the narrow pathways that surround the resort and listen to the music of the birds resonating through the forest. Here’s what one of the patrons’ shared, “The resort is a picturesque location with surrounding hills and the gardens around. The chilling weather was exhilarating for us considering we are from Mumbai. Looking forward to another family holiday soon at some of your other resorts”

The resort spans 5.5 acres of land lush with green meadows, gardens, and looking onto the racecourse. You can easily get there by road from Mysore, Coimbatore, or Bangalore – and the drive itself is scenic as it runs right through the forest.

Just a short drive away, you can visit the Bandipur and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries and witness wild cats, elephants, Indian civets and otters.

Feel the magic of the Himalayan pine forests - Club Mahindra Binsar Valley, Uttarakhand

From the Club Mahindra Binsar Valley resort in Uttarakhand, you can get magnificent views of the Himalayan range– it is literally a villa and you will be staying in one of the cosiest locations in India.

Snuggled among the tall pine trees, the villa is situated in a tiny hamlet, which is as yet unspoiled by commercial invasion. The mountain air in your face, the song of birds in your ears, and the delicacies of the north at your elbow – what more could anyone ask? Make a resolution to preserve wildlife and reconnect with nature.

Take a trip – you can actually walk up to the sanctuary - into the wild and watch the animals in their natural habitat. Return to the luxury of a spa and a delicious meal at the resort. If you are not adventurous, you can simply walk along the pathways that surround the villa and spot the birds. While you get to live the rough life in rustic settings, the villa is equipped with modern amenities – even a little kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave to provide you with maximum comfort.

At the restaurant, apart from the hot favourite of pahadi Maggi noodles, it also serves butter chicken, butter parathas, black lentils, and more. If you want a quick bite of truly North Indian food, try the kumaoni thali (a platter with roti or paratha, local vegetables, lentil stew, and rice. You can also have your pick of Indian wines.

Unwind in the breeze of carpeted tea plantations – Club Mahindra, Munnar In South India, the Club Mahindra resort in Munnar is one of the resorts where even the drive through the tea estates is a unique experience, especially at sunrise amidst the light mist, shifting clouds, and subtle changes of the dawn.

One of the most beautiful locales in the Western Ghats, Munnar is nothing but green hills, deep valleys, and dense forests. At this flagship resort of Club Mahindra, – built in 1998 – the estate spans a vast landscape with 120 apartments, cottages, and suites spread high and low over the mountains.

To unwind for real, an Ayurveda massage at the Svaastha spa in the resort is one of the most popular choices. If you feel like a drive, you can take the wild Chinnar tour. You could also take a walk in the tea estates – some of the locals will even show you how to pick the tea leaves off the plant – and let the cool air of the mountain soothe your spirit. For those who need a mental or physical workout, there is the gym and other sports and games like chess and golf.

A typical day’s menu at the resort includes a breakfast of South Indian dosa, vada, idli, or appam. Lunch is more of the local delicacies like puttu, paalapam and sadya served on the traditional banana leaf. Added to that is aviyal, thoran, injipuli, sambar or rasam to round off the typical south Indian meal. Other delicacies also include biryani and fish curry. Don’t forget to sample the payasam, a dessert made from milk and rice.

Come dusk, sip tea from a thattukada – tea stall – brewed from local produce. Dinner is more of local delights or your regular pancake and stew as you please – to the accompaniment of wines and Kerala culture presented in the form of music or a dance.

The essence of the Club Mahindra resorts is all about the locale, seasons and experiences. Club Mahindra believes in preserving nature and promoting local culture to provide unforgettable family holiday experiences. So, this New Year, make a new resolution to celebrate nature and wildlife at Club Mahindra resorts.