GLAMOROUS CAMPING

Glamping in wilds

BY Pallavi Pinakin

Have you ever wanted to explore the wild and untamed places of the world without having to spend the night in an uncomfortable sleeping bag? If the answer is ‘yes,’ glamping could be right up your street.

This fusion of ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping’ offers an unconventional style of travel that allows you to experience the best of nature without giving up the finer things of life. Here are four reasons to consider glamping on your next vacation!

DREAMY HOLIDAYS From waking up in a tree house that’s perched high in the forest canopy to spending panoramic days at a mountainside eco-lodge or sleeping in plush tents on the savannah, glamping allows you to engage with the wilderness on your own terms.

Otherwise, some of the more remote and adventurous spots on your bucket list might never make it on your travel plans. With glamping, many destinations suddenly feel more accessible and doable especially for older travellers.

WIDER HORIZONS While glamping offers a certain degree of luxury, it isn’t about staying on the beaten path. You may eat and sleep comfortably but a thoughtful glamping holiday will expand your horizons with experiences that don’t fit the touristic cookie-cutter mould.

These occasions range from sampling regional cuisines and immersing deeply in nature to connecting with local culture. This kind of experiential travel can be transformational since it shifts your perspective, inspires you to grow and changes you as a person.

CHOSEN LUXURIES Glamping doesn’t seek to replicate the experience of staying in a hotel. Rather, it uses a few chosen luxuries to make your stay out in nature more comfortable and memorable.

So don’t seek accommodation with hundreds of rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, and all the amenities you would find in a typical resort. Not only are such places bound to be unsustainable but they also lack the charm and intimacy that make glamping so magical.

Look instead for smaller accommodation that provides some meaningful comfort with a focus on being eco-friendly and supporting the local community.

GREAT OUTDOORS Glamping isn’t about spending all day in your tent, yurt or lodge – no matter how luxurious it may be. It’s about making the most of the glorious outdoors. So shortlist accommodation that has heaps of space and experiences that will allow you to soak up the natural surroundings.

There are adrenaline pumping activities such as whitewater rafting, rock climbing and kitesurfing or quieter pursuits such as birdwatching and yoga.