12 THINGS TO DO THIS NEW YEAR 2018

And here come the most amazing experiences in South Asia that promise to make the year an outstanding one for every traveller.

Reside in a Luxury Tent

Is it a tent? Is it a structure? Welcome to Rasa Jaipur - the Devi group's latest offering of 40 canvas cube-style tents that cater to the modern camper. Futuristic in its appeal yet rooted in traditional sensibilities, each square block is airy and light-filled, thanks to the immense bay window and natural-hued interiors of beige, brown and red. Simplistic luxury is the oder of the day in these 500-sqaure-foot tents, complete with private patios and outdoor gardens. Dine at Indian restaurant Toran with the dramatic twisted arched ceiling or chill by the black pool. Did we forget to mention that Rasa is located adjacent to Amber Fort's rambling walls?

Partake In A Festival

India is a land of myriad celebrations, but it's about finding the unique ones that give a peek into the culture of a place. This year, head to Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar to attend their annual The Sacred River Celebration -  and watch the banks of the Narmada River resonate with classical dance, vocal and instrumental concerts over three days and nights. The sublime setting and soul-rendering recitals make for a lifetime experience.

Scouting For Textiles In Bhutan

This stunning Himalayan kingdom is home to exquisite fabrics that are produced in ancient back-strap looms across the country. For a guided tour, partake in Uma Paro's Thimpu Unravelled shopping and cultural excursion where aside from some retail therapy, you will also have access to Thimpu's National Textile Musuem which showcases all the major weaving techniques practised in the country. Don't miss the gallery upstairs for a peek into the royal Bhutanese family's exquisite masterpieces.

Join The Locavore Movement

Spice Village in Kerala will win the hearts of eco-warriors for their green efforts - their latest being THE 50-Mile Diet, where all the ingredients of your food have been sourced from a 50-mile radius. So, when you dine at the restaurant that's also named 50 Mile, you automatically give back to the local community and thanks to The Chef's Note - which states the name of the farmer, and the distance from farm to hotel - that accompanies the dish that you have ordered, you know exactly who you have helped!. What a great way to minimize your carbon footprint.

Encounter Nepal's Wild Side

Wildlife enthusiasts can set off on a de rigueur safari to Chitwan National Park with Natural Mystic South Asia - one of the regions's top luxury tour operators known for their tailor-made journeys. The experts will ensure that you experience the jungles of Nepal - that are teeming with rare animals like the Bengal Tiger, one-honed rhino, snow leaopard, and other endangered species - like never before.

Indulge In The Night Spa

The Four Seasons Resort Maldives Kuda Huraa takes your senses to a new level with their unique nocturnal spa concept. Imagine being ferried to The Island Spa in a private dhoni, enjoying refreshments in the alfresco lounge and finally succumbing to a super-relaxing treatment under a starlit sky-magical! Each of the four 150-minute lunar rituals have been created to coincide with the moon's four main phases - Reflect during the new moon; Harmonise during the full moon; Nourish during the waxing moon; and Release during the waning moon.

Embark on a Spiritual Tour

Follow in the footsteps of the Buddha on-board the Mahaparinirvan Express - The Buddhist Circuit Special Train (IRCTC). This seven-night and eight day tou takes you to Bodhgaya, Rajbir, Nalanda, Sarnath, Kushinagar and other major Buddhist sites.

Get Invited To A Private Home

With a scheduled address bordering a reserved forest in Shimla, Sunnymead is a quaint private home that has been lovingly restored by its owners. One double room, two twin bedrooms and one single room, make up this old, homely estate which comes with an enchanting garden that's teeming with seasonal blooms. Only by invitation, this exclusive private home is a great place to escape to and offers short-term rentals of a minimum of seven days.

Volunteer On Your Holiday

Ditch the spa and beach sojourn and, instead, make your travels more meaningful by doing some social work. Make it a trip of lifetime with Ecosphere's Volunteer Travel initiative in the remote valley of Spiti - where you can have fun while making a real difference by helping build a green house or a solar bath, or living in the village and working with locals. No matter how you choose to help out, it's bound to be a carbon positive trip.

Discover Unchartered Territory

Get ready to set foot on one of the prettiest and far-flung valleys of Arunachal Pradesh with one of the state's top travel outfitters - Abor Country Travels & Expeditions. Perfect for the intrepid explorer, the 15-day Siyum Mechuka Trek takes you through the sublime valleys of Ziro that is home to the intriguing Apatani tribe, and across the mighty Subansari River, before you finally arrive at Mechuka - a valley in West Siang that is inhabited by the Buddhist-worshipping Memba tribe. Your trek will be puctuated with cultural evenings in isolated villages and camps in bamboo forest, but most of all it will ignite your zeal for adventure and discovery.

Go On A Yoga Retreat

It's the perfect way to start off 2012 - so pack your yoga mat and head down south for the week-long yoga programme at The Dune in Pondicherry. Helping you with this therapeutic course are yoga teachers Prasad Rangnekar and Misa Derhy, who will ensure that you will come away feeling renewed and relaxed. Boosting of a sublime ambience, this eco-village resort and spa is a hub of creativity and FYI, also offers artists-in-residence programmes and watsu and aquatic training courses.

Start Your Own Travel Blog

If you are an avid traveller with much to share but not proficient enough to put your stories down in words, sign up for the Learn Travel Writing in the Himalayas tour with Monopeak in association with Ekno Experience. If you are good at writing, start travelling and start blogging about your travel stories.