Adventure as an activity and travel option is increasing in India, and the use of cars – vintage – is finding a place in this. As part of this, the Leisure Hotels Group in Uttarakhand with a presence in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh & Goa, recently hosted The Endurance Car Rally: 2018 Himalayan Challenge en route Rishikesh and Nainital in early October.
The 2018 Himalyan Challenge, the longest and toughest driving challenge, is an exclusive event with experienced crews from endurance rallies participating in classic vintage cars. The Challenge was a 21-day Himalayan adventure that started on September 21 from Delhi, ending on October 11 in Agra.
This was hosted on its 12th and 14th days by The Leisure Hotels Group at their luxury properties, namely “Aloha on the Ganges” in Rishikesh and “The Naini Retreat” in Nainital. This ultimate four-wheel adventure is a true once-in-a-lifetime event for those seeking an experiential challenge through one of the most prominent mountain ranges in the world.
Vibhas Prasad, Director of Leisure Hotels Group said: “With [the] Himalayas known for their adventure and spiritual journey, whether the adventure mountain rallies such as this, or more of the beatific Char Dham experience, we want to be part of every such experience of travelers setting their foot here. Also, we wanted these explorer-competitors seeking challenge, drama, culture, and excitement to experience the new age grandeur and hospitality of our best heritage hotel, The Naini Retreat, and blissful spirituality at our exquisite resort by the Ganges, Aloha on the Ganges.
With the car models ranging from 1913-1960, the Endurance Rally consists of more than 45 cars from Ford, Porsche, Bentley, and Land Rover to vintage open to suitable crews with appropriate pre-1976 cars. The journey comprises the route with unmapped roads, winding mountain passes, hair-raising highways, and unrivaled scenery. Besides a stay at Aloha and The Naini along the way, crews will stop for a night at stone’s throw from the seat in exile of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, visit the yoga capital of the world, and finish up a mere 5-minute walk from of one of the wonders of the world, the ancient and iconic Taj Mahal.
Nainital is a charming hundred-year-old strikingly beautiful palatial building that once served as the residence of Maharaja of Pilibhit. The Himalayan hotel re-awakens the pleasures of living, enticing guests to trek into the mountains, go on a golfing date on the regal hundred-year-old Raj Bhawan Golf Course, and enjoy a special cultural evening featuring performances by traditional Kumaoni artists and Kumaoni cuisine.
Aloha on the Ganges is an exquisite resort in Rishikesh located right on the banks of the Ganges River and is the ultimate escape from the mundane to the spiritual where services on offer include experiential journey of yoga and spirituality through Ayurvedic and International spa, meditation and yoga sessions, swimming, nature walks, a guided tour of the Ashrams, trekking a winding trail in the Kumaon foothills, and enjoying sumptuous Indian, Mughlai, Chinese, and Continental cuisines.
“Finally, it was an honor flagging off the participants en route Rishikesh and Nainital, from our properties – Aloha and The Naini Retreat – and bidding them farewell and luck to complete the rally,” further added Mr. Prasad.
