The global pandemic has had a seismic effect on how we work and live today. In a bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus which leaves devastation in its wake, companies globally had to forge new ways to keep their employees productive and business moving.
Along the way, work-life balance became a major concern as employees felt a desire to enjoy their lives outside of the office. And in an attempt to foil a wave of great resignation, companies devised ways to keep employees happy in their jobs.
And since then new global trends such as remote and hybrid work, four-day work week, and workations have sprung to life. India, like the rest of the world, had to reshape the traditional work-life in the past three years
What are workations
Many people found working from home intrinsically difficult and started lamenting feelings of laziness. Others simply preferred to work in teams. As a result, workations or working vacations became trendy during the post-pandemic summer.
During these working vacations, one can combine working from home and being on a holiday to increase work productivity while improving their work-life balance. For example, you can rent out a mountain cabin to catch up on pending work.
Staying for an extra week after a business trip in a new place was so easy. And with the reduction of business trips as companies try to protect their employees’ health, workations have taken precedence.
Where to have workations in India
Darjeeling
Also known as the “Queen of the Hills”, Darjeeling is a picturesque hill station nestled between Nepal, Tibet, ad Bhutan in North West Bengal. It is one of the top 10 workation destinations in India and is popular amongst nature lovers.
Darjeeling is surrounded by 86 tea estates that make the hill one of India’s well-hidden treasures. The lush green tea plantations make up a unique soothing vista that will leave you relaxed and in a great state of mind to accomplish your work. It is ideal for an unforgettable working vacation experience where you spend your days enjoying breathtaking views, and sipping on delicious local tea as you work.
Things to see and do.
- Sandakphu, river rafting in Teesta.
- Trek to Sandakphu. Ropeway Cable Car.
- Ride the meandering toy trains where you have magical views of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga peak.
- Visit the tea plantations.
- Visit the monasteries.
Coorg
Coorg’s official name is Kodagu, also known as the “Scotland of India” and the “Kashmir of South India”. It is one of the quietest, most relaxing, and most rejuvenating workation destinations in India. Coorg is popular amongst nature lovers for its aromatic coffee plantations that cover most parts of the landscape alongside dense forests.
Some of Coorg’s beckoning features are its famous unique views, top-notch coffee, diverse wildlife, and the Kodava, ethnic warriors of Coorg. It is one of the least populated areas in the country making it an admirable destination for a working vacation.
Things to see and do.
- Ride an elephant at Dubare Elephant Camp
- Visit Chettalli Waterfalls.
- Go water rafting on the Barapole River.
- Take a tour of Abbey Falls.
- Have a taste of the authentic Coorg cuisine.
- Immerse yourself in the beauty of Coorg at Raja’s seat.
- Visit Namdroling Monastery.
- Go to Madikeri Fort.
Varkala
A working vacation in Varkala will awe you with the Arabian Sea’s enchanting beauty. It is a home of the untold wonders that nature has bestowed upon India. Varkala is a municipality in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala and is one of India’s top workation destinations.
Boasting lush green hills, springs, fantastic lakes, pristine beaches, forts, and mesmerizing waterfalls, Varkala is a nature lover’s dream. Varkala also meets all your modern needs like great internet speed which is great for a working vacation. The town is riddled with vibrant paintings in hip colors and there is plenty of scrumptious seafood to satisfy all your cravings.
Things to see and do.
- Soak in the sun at Varkala Beach
- Go to Varkala Cliff
- Take a walk in town and admire hip paintings
- Visit Kilimanoor Palace
- the Varkala Lighthouse
- Saint Sebastian’s Pilgrim Church
- Thiruvambadi Beach
- Ponnumthruthu Island
- Kappil Beach
Dharamshala
If you are looking for a serene escape from the hullaballoo of the city, Dharamshala is your ultimate escape. It is located on the foothills of the Dhauladhar range with mesmerizing views of nature amongst dense forests of pine, rhododendron trees, and oak.
The city is home to the Dalai Lama, the leader of Buddhists. It offers views of waterfalls, stunning glacial views of the Himalayan peaks, and deodar. Be sure to taste the scrumptious Tibetan delicacies while on workation.
Things to see and do.
- Visit Gyuto Monastery
- Dharamshala cricket stadium
- Dalai Lama Temple
- Trek to Triund
- Visit Mcleodgani, Khajjiar, Kangra, Dalhousie, and Kasol.
Bir
Working vacations from Bir are an adventurous undertaking. The surrounding lush green vistas, adventurous activities, and quiet surroundings make it one of India’s top 10 workation destinations.
Bir is a cultural hub of the Bir Tibetan colony founded in the early 1960s with one of the top paragliding sites in the country.
Things to see and do.
- Paragliding. Hiking
- Visiting the Gunehar River Pool
- Bangoru waterfalls
- Drukpa Kagyu monastery
- Sharbaling monastery
- Chokiling monastery
- Tibetan colony
- Biking in the forests
- Volunteering at Dharmalaya
Shillong
Shillong is a charming hill station in Meghalaya snuggled amongst pine forests. It is also known as “Scotland of the East”. Shillong is also the capital of Meghalaya.
It is an amazing sanctuary to escape the scorching summer heat as the weather remains pleasant during the summer. It is the musical capital of India and hosts many music festivals all year round.
Things to see and do.
- Go to a music festival.
- Visit Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Elephant Falls, Don Bosco Museum, Police Bazar, and Living root bridge in Cherrapunjee.
- Hike Shilong peak, Khasi Hills, and Nohsngithiang Falls.
Udaipur
Known as the “City of Lakes”, Udaipur is located in Rajasthan and is the capital of the Kingdom of Mewar. It has a rich culture, traditional aura, ancient architecture, and picturesque vistas. Working vacations in Udaipur are lively, calming, and productive.
Things to see and do.
- Visit Lake Pichola, Lake Garden Palace, City Palace, and Lake Palace.
Masinagudi
A road trip to Masinagudi will bring you to the perfect workation sanctuary within South India. It is located in the state of Tamil, Nadu amongst the Nigiri hills.
Things to see and do.
- Visit Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Moyar River
- Maravakandy Dam. You can also go for a safari in the jungles in a hired jeep or on an elephant. Bird Watching.
Goa
A workation in a villa by the beach is the ultimate dream. In Goa, you can work amidst the luring sounds of the crashing waves at sea. It is a state located in West India with some of the most coveted tourist destinations in the country. If you enjoy a good after-work party, Goa has one of the best nightlife scenes in India, a true definition of work and play.
Things to see and do.
- Go to Dudhsagar waterfalls,
- Dona Paula
- Palolem Beach
- Calangute Beach
- Basilica de Bom Jesus
Mussoorie
Known as the “Queen of Hills”, the quaint town in Dehradun is popular amongst workationers for its hypnotic views of mountain ranges, snow ranges, and the Doon Valley. During the British era, Mussoorie was the summer capital. It is a nature enthusiast paradise as well as a great getaway destination.
Things to see and do.
- Ride the cable car at Gun Hill
- Explore the British remnants
- Visit the adjacent hill stations of Barlowgani, Landour, and Jharipani
- Trekking, and mountain climbing
Conclusion
As the companies embrace the ever-evolving work ecosystem in a bid to keep their talent, workations will continue to band into the work culture across the globe. The notion that productivity can only be attained in the office is slowly growing extinct and it is time companies found a way to onboard the trend.
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