Kim Love India Travels

Kim Thanlinder first came to india in 1989, crossing the border from Nepal and arriving in Varanasi, a sacred city on the banks of the Ganges.

India was so intense,exciting and overwhelming. At times I felt I was dreaming. I spent 3 weeks on that first journey and knew I wanted to come back. It took me ten years to do so.

So trips followed to Rajasthan, karnataka and up to the Himalayas and Ladakh, little Tibet. Kim fell in love with the villages and the majestic mountains. She has now spent the last ten years in a village she first stayed in then, and considers blessed to have been able to make this her home.

Kim returned to Australia and set up practice as an acupuncturist and massage therapist. In time Kim returned to India again and again to visit new places and old friends. On one of these trips Kim decided to return to the village in the mountains.

As I drew closer I felt an excitement growing and expanding in me. I felt like I was coming home. It was never a plan to stay so long but one thing led to another and somehow all fell into place. I rented a cute little cottage and found work with a heli skiing company. I knew I wanted to stay and so decided that the best way was to share my knowledge of India by guiding tours. I even worked on a film called the Ashram. Which was a great experience.

This last decade has been full of unexpected experiences, new friendships, and learning.

Kim writes about life in her Himalayan Village…

Living in a village in the himalayas has been so rewarding and at times challenging. Harsh winters in a non insulated house heated by a woodfire. Thank goodness for the hot spring in the village.

Watching as spring arrives and the daily life of growing apples,wheat and grazing sheep and cows. The turn of the seasons was a rhythm I loved and all the while it is celebrated by local festivals that allow family to reunite and mark the passing seasons.

Over the ten years much has changed we now can reach Delhi after a 14 hour bus ride and an airport has opened an hour away which brings it even closer.

When I am not on tour my days are simple, walking in the forest, doing the housework, a bit of yoga and catching up with friends. Living here has taught me an appreciation of the small things saying that I look forward to my tours to enjoy a different pace ,meet new people and travel to new places.

When I hit Delhi I go for a pedicure, an almond croissant and some shopping. I return to Australia every year which I enjoy too. I now offer boutique trips around India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. These are small groups, staying in boutique and heritage hotels and mixing sightseeing with off the beat experiences. I can also tailor make trips for individuals or groups.

You can join one of Kim’s Trips through her business Love India Travels.
They are featured on the Women Travel the World Website along with hundreds of trips designed for women travellers.