This month we caught up with Rajasekar Pachai (a.k.a Kutti) who recently became the first person from Tamil Nadu to conquer the mighty Mount Everest Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be the first person from Tamil Nadu to raise a flag atop Mount Everest? Well, Kutti can tell you, as he recently returned from trekking the highest point on earth – 29,000 feet above sea level. This trek is considered one of the most magnificent on earth and has enchanted hundreds of mountaineers from all corners of the world, and Kutti was lucky enough to be one of them. Rajasekar Pachai, also known as Kutti, grew up in a small fishing village in Tamil Nadu. This year, at the age of 27, Kutti achieved his dream of climbing Mount Everest and planted his flag at the peak. He trained for a year, trekking six mountains and preparing himself both physically and mentally for the gruelling climb. To acclimatize himself to the harsh weather conditions, he spent months in Manali, Shillong, and Nepal. On April 13, 2023, Kutti left the base camp and finally reached the summit of the world’s highest peak at 5:30 am on May 19th by climbing 8850 meters. Doing this trek needs a lot of planning, preparation, equipment, and tough training. Kutti’s successful journey was supported by KYN Powered by PRO. So there’s this new platform called KYN that’s all about bringing people together in their local communities. It helps encourage everyone to have a voice and get involved in making their community better. There’s more info coming soon, so stay tuned! I first encountered Kutty in May 2022. Veera and Navi agreed to my proposal to coach him, so he could climb Everest in May 2023. We planned to hone his mountaineering and climbing skills, have him practice climbing, and finally, help him summit. I remember when I first met him, I told him that climbing to the summit would be both mentally and physically challenging. I encouraged him, telling him that he had the heart and determination to conquer it. Seeing how eager and fit he was gave him an advantage right from the start. First, I met with him to discuss training and continued to keep an eye on his progress. To improve his workouts for mountain climbing, I provided him with a high-altitude training mask. Working together, we were both highly motivated to help him achieve his goal even though he lacked mountaineering experience. Back in August, I sent him to Manali to learn some basic mountaineering skills. Surprisingly, he excelled in his training and jumped straight into the advancedskills training soon after. The initial training took around 15 days and following that, we took him on an 8-day expedition to climb Yunam Peak, which stands at 6122m. And the best part? He managed to conquer it with ease! It’s obvious that he was physically up for the challenge, but what really proved difficult was finding ways to pass the lonely hours waiting in the tent for the weather to improve or just to make it through the freezing nights. This was his first time being alone for such an extended period, and it was really starting to affect him mentally. We found a crucial point and Veera sought professional help to improve his mental state. This proved beneficial for him. Afterwards, Veera embarked on his toughest endeavour yet – climbing three peaks in Nepal’s Everest region to acclimate himself to the challenging terrain and conditions. He spent more than a month there in October and November, successfully completing his climbs which included Imja Tse (6,165m) and Kyajori Ri (6,200m) So, the first idea was to go up Chulu West – a 6400m mountain in the Annapurna Ranges. However, we realized that he needed more experience walking in his snow boots, so we decided to switch things up. Instead, we tackled Mera Peak – a 6500m peak in the Everest region with a tough, snowy climb. I was convinced he’d succeed in climbing Everest in Apr/May after he finished those 3 peaks in excellent time. In February, we sent him to Solang, Himachal for Ice climbing and winter training to improve his technical skills and help him acclimate to the freezing climate. This lasted for approximately 10 days. His attitude towardsthe mountains shifted, and his determination to reach the summit of Everest grew stronger. All we required was a bit of luck with his health and the weather to make certain he achieves his goal. We were fortunate enough to have him join the Elite Expeditions climbing team led by the legendary mountain climber, Nirmal Purja. His personal Sherpa for the climb is Lakpa, who has conquered Everest eight times himself. Lakpa has completed numerous rotations up Everest to Camps 1, 2, and 3, as well as climbed Lobuche peak – a 6119m climb that all Everest summiteers use as practice before attempting the big climb. Moreover, he is currently stationed at the base camp and is eagerly waiting for the final call-up when the climbing window opens up to finish his story!

2023 promises a year filled with great travel and experiences. After a two-year lull, the travel and hospitality sectors seem to be booming again. And it’s time to cover the lost ground again. This month we have some of the most beautiful properties and experiences shortlisted just for you. So sit back, bring out your calendars and chalk out a memorable travel plan that will guarantee a memory of a lifetime! CRANGANOR HISTORY CAFE & RIVERSIDE CHATEAU LOCATION: Kochi, Kerala Located on the banks of the River Periyar, Cranganor feels like a breath of fresh air. The property draws inspiration from Geoffrey Bawa’s style of tropical modernism with deep, open verandas that seamlessly connect the indoors to the surrounding landscape. As you stand in the foyer of Cranganor the entire vista of lush green and the flowing river strikes you in a grand panoramic vision. REASONS TO VISIT: This is the quiet part of Kochi, of riverside and verdant green fields, fishermen glide past and farmers sow new baby green saplings. Of ancient historic churches, synagogues and temples. But equally of bustling markets, boat races and handicraft societies. BEST TIME TO VISIT: September to June NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: The property is located in the middle of the Muziris Heritage Project, one of the largest historical conservation projects to be undertaken. Right across the river, a short walk away is the beautifully restored Chendamangalam synagogue and the Dutch palace of Paliam. For those wishing to dig deeper into the history of the ancient port town of Muziris should head to the excavation museum at Pattanam a few km away. For those desiring more hustle and bustle, there is the vibrant Kottapuram market. If you would rather take in the tranquillity of a sleepy fishing village you could venture out on a rice boat and lazily watch village life lived out on the banks of the Periyar. EKAANTA: MINDVERSITY ON THE GANGES LOCATION: Haridwar, on the banks of the river Ganges Ekaant is a mindversity on the Ganges that aims to enhance one’s self-awareness, potential, and innate creativity. It is a one-of-a-kind experiential learning destination set up in an old dharamshala on the banks of the river Ganga. Thoughcentrally located amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, the intention was to create a space that offers calmness, just like the river that is constantly in motion and at times chaotic but still offers a sense of calm around it, therefore the name ‘Ekaant’. REASONS TO VISIT: Ekaanta is a space that gives one- of-a-kind experiential learning, enhancing knowledge about the mind and imparting skills that enable one to handle life’s situations with equanimity. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, amidst the hustle and bustle of Haridwar, Ekaanta offers a serene space where ancient wisdom meets modern science, where calmness learns to thrive within chaos. BEST TIME TO VISIT: All year round NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Har ki Pauri