Dunagiri's Sharebook 

We hope that all of our friends have taken a look at our web site and have read about the tours that we offer. It is ultimately important for us to give our guests an amazing tour experience, while offering the highest standards of hospitality and care. It is also important to us to create an understanding of our philosophy and the deep dedication we have towards operating Dunagiri Retreat in the most sustainable way possible, and share this passion with our guests and friends. In an area of such natural beauty and rich heritage, we at Dunagiri feel it is our responsibility to offer a unique and fulfilling guest experience, and to do so in an environmentally and culturally respectful and aware manner. Our guests experience beauty of nature, the places, the history and the culture of India and of the Dunagiri area…all while working together to protect the environment and benefit local cultures and communities...

At Dunagiri, our guiding philosophy is deeply rooted in sustainable/responsible tourism. Dunagiri keeps our exclusive tours small, averaging only 6-10 guests per tour, one tour a month. Yes, you read right, only 6-10 guests!! We keep our tour size small, allowing each tour to be very exclusive to insure a very personal tour experience for our guests, to minimize impact on the environment, and to allow each guest genuine contact with the place and the people. Indeed, exploring and sharing the deep understanding and pride the local people have for their heritage and the land they love adds much to what makes the experience at Dunagiri truly unique for our guests.

Accommodations at Dunagiri Retreat are comprised of two lovingly restored guest houses located on lush terraced hillsides and bordered by peaceful oak forests. The guest houses have been restored by local craftsmen, using time honored building techniques, local building supplies and have provided much needed income for many of our neighbors. Great care was taken to use natural products when restoring the guest houses, both inside and out. Even our furniture, designed by Dunagiri's Piyush Kumar, was created from local timbers by our talented carpenters. Surrounding the guest houses are organic herb and vegetable gardens, fruit trees and quiet sitting areas, all with breathtaking vistas. We have planted many native species, ranging from trees, native fruits and vegetables, wild and cultivated flowers, to native medicinal plants.

Food is prepared at Dunagiri Retreat using garden fresh seasonal produce procured from our own, as well as neighboring, organic farms, creating a much needed sustainable market for local farmers. The cuisine is vegetarian and comprised of deliciously prepared traditional regional dishes. Guests get an authentic taste of the wonderful local cuisine during their stay with at Dunagiri Retreat.

Our guests' visits help tremendously in addressing the livelihood issues of the local community – from generating employment for the local community to a local market for organic farm produce. Dunagiri tours offer our guests the chance to experience local daily life and culture…creating a wonderfully positive experience for both guests and local people. With each stay at Dunagiri, a portion of guests’ tour costs directly support a variety of community projects... directly contributing to charities and non profit organizations working closely within the local community. Guests may also chose to participate directly in a variety of community volunteer projects..all adding to the positive experience of a stay at Dunagiri.

We simply ask that our guests live by our own philosophy of respecting and preserving our retreat’s natural and cultural environment…tread lightly…all while enjoying tranquility, beauty and receiving the highest standards of hospitality and care.

Dunagiri guests are truly leading efforts to give back to the local communities and enhance the livelihoods of local people through their own sustainable tourism choices and involvement. Not only do our tour guests return home with a sense of satisfaction from participating in an amazing tour where they have enjoyed being immersed in India and the Dunagiri area, having made a difference in the world…but also with a unique and intimate understanding of a place and its people.

http://www.dunagiri.com



SCHEDULE OF ALL TOURS

2010
January 3rd-12th Students' Tour
February 17th –26th Cultural Heritage/Food of India Tour
March 15th – 24th Cultural Heritage Tour
April 14th–23rd Yoga and Spirituality Tour
May 5th-14th Photography Tour
June 2nd –11th Artists' Tour
July 7th – 16th Students' Tour
July 21st – 30th Students' Tour
August 4th-13th Cultural Heritage Tour
September 1st-10th Photography Tour
October 6th –15th Cultural Heritage Tour
November 6th – 15 Artists' Tour
December 1st – 10th Yoga and Spirituality Tour

Few places are left on our planet where we can enjoy tourism experiences in such a pristine and tranquil environment as Dunagiri Retreat – a small, exclusive country retreat found in the lush Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, India. Nestled in the hills at 7400’ Dunagiri Retreat overlooks dramatic deep rural valleys and cloud covered Himalayan peaks. Guests stay amidst ancient forests, terraced hills, fascinating history, rich local culture and captivating natural beauty.

Dunagiri’s guest houses, private and serene, are situated on a stunningly beautiful estate bordered by peaceful, dense oak forests. Surrounding the guest houses are charming organic herb and vegetable gardens, fruit trees and quiet sitting areas, all with breathtaking vistas. Our vision is to offer our guests a space where reflection and refreshment of the body and soul come, with each taking away what they need from the experience. Dunagiri is intended for nature lovers who value peace, calmness and appreciate the natural grandeur of their surroundings.

Accommodations at Dunagiri Retreat are comprised of two lovingly restored guest houses located within expansive gardens. Minimalist by design, the comfortable and stylish rooms offer our guests an elegant yet relaxed ambiance… perfect for you to snuggle up with your favorite book, to sit with a cup of our special herbal teas or to gently withdraw from the outer world into your essential self.

Dunagiri offers something for all guests. For those who yearn to get away from the city heat, to relax for a short holiday, explore the area’s spiritual heritage, or trek the local hills and enjoy nature, Dunagiri’s tranquil setting is a most refreshing and restorative solution. Guests from across the world are welcomed to join us for one of our Dunagiri Tours, where they will be immersed in a richly layered experience, exploring the beauty of nature, history, culture, people and places of India, Uttarakhand and of the Dunagiri area.

Believing firmly in sustainable, green tourism, we strive to ensure our retreat’s natural and cultural environment is managed and operated according to highest possible standards, practices and guidelines in sustainable tourism. Good environmental ethics allow us to maintain the availability of resources such that future travelers are not inhibited from enjoying the same experience. Our guiding philosophy is environmental conservation and biodiversity protection, intergenerational equity and cultural heritage preservation. Of great importance at Dunagiri, is to offer respect and empowerment to the local people from the small surrounding villages. Indeed, exploring and sharing the deep understanding and pride the local people have for their heritage and the land they love adds much to what makes the experience at Dunagiri truly unique.

Join us. We hope that a visit to Dunagiri is an experience like no other, creating a journey for mind, body and soul, which will stay with our guests forever.

Please visit http://www.dunagiri.com for more information on visiting Dunagiri Retreat!

Namaste

Please visit http://www.dunagiri.com for more information on visiting Dunagiri Retreat!

Namaste!

Through tourism, education, advocacy, and stewardship Dunagiri Retreat’s goal is to preserve, promote and support preservation of the culture, history and natural resources that contribute to the community identity, depth and character of the Dunagiri region.

The Mission of Dunagiri Tours is to provide opportunities for our guests to experience the local culture, to present them the chance to make lasting connections with places and people they meet along the way, and to offer them the utmost in hospitality. Part of our mission is also to offer opportunities for guests to give back as they travel, either by treading lightly, or through contributing to the natural environment and/or local communities in the Dunagiri area. Your visit will help us tremendously in addressing the livelihood issues of the local community – from generating employment for the local community to a local market for organic farm produce. In addition, part of proceeds from this tour will be directly contributed to charities and Non-Governmental Organizations working closely with the community you will visit.

The Philosophy of Our Tours
In an area of such natural beauty and rich heritage, we at Dunagiri feel it is our responsibility to offer a unique and fulfilling tour experience, and to do so in an environmentally and culturally respectful and aware manner. Our guests experience beauty of nature, the places, the history and the culture of India and of the Dunagiri area…all while working together to protect the environment and benefit local cultures and communities.

We simply ask that our guests live by our own philosophy of respecting and preserving our retreat’s natural and cultural environment…tread lightly…all while enjoying tranquility, beauty and receiving the highest standards of hospitality and care.

Dunagiri tours offer our guests the chance to experience local daily life and culture…creating a wonderfully positive experience for both guests and local people. With each stay at Dunagiri, a portion of guests’ tour costs directly support a variety of community projects. Guests also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in village life and share an experience, with local people. Something as simple as caring for a garden or livestock, planting a tree, spending time with children at the local school, or tackling a community project, all leave a lasting impression of time spent, for both our guests and the local people. Dunagiri guests are leading efforts to give back to the local communities and enhance the livelihoods of local people through their own ecotourism choices and involvement. . Not only do our tour guests return home with a sense of satisfaction from participating in a community volunteer experience and having made a difference in the world…but also with a unique and intimate understanding of a place and its people.

Dunagiri…is more than a place to visit. Dunagiri is an experience like no other, creating a journey for mind, body and soul, which will stay with our guests forever.

Please visit http://www.dunagiri.com for more information on Dunagiri Retreat!