31 May,2026 10:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Nasrin Modak Siddiqi
When the going gets tough, the tough get going at this military-themed resort at Lonavla
Mushkil waqt, commando sakht." That became our rallying cry during a two-day survival programme led by Para-commando Subedar Ramakant Chaudhari at DATA Resort, India's first military-themed luxury glamping destination.
Just two-and-a-half hours from Mumbai, including a 40-minute off-road ride in a 4x4 military vehicle, you are led to the comforts of a luxury retreat amid the wilderness. Now add to that a survival training, at the heart of which is the 55-year-old war veteran Subedar Chaudhari, with a single mission to teach practical life skills often overlooked in formal education. "We send our children to the best schools for an education, but we don't equip them with basic survival skills. Education is important. Survival is essential," he says.
On day one, we took part in Hell Night, a military-style survival challenge led by former commandos. Dressed in camouflage uniforms, we learnt basic jungle survival skills, navigation techniques, and emergency distress signals before heading into the wilderness after dark. Using the stars for direction, we trekked through the forest, foraged for edible plants and cooked a simple meal over a bonfire.
Day two began with a guided nature trek, followed by a ceremonial flag hoisting and a mental conditioning session inspired by military training techniques meant to build resilience, focus, and teamwork. The activities offered a glimpse into the discipline required in commando-style environments (not for the faint-hearted).
The rest of the day moved at a gentler pace, with dog walks, horse rides, and cycling trails allowing us to explore the surrounding landscape at leisure. On property, while military-themed glamping tents pair adventure with comfort (think plush beds and jacuzzi), the Salaam Manekshaw restaurant honours Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and the Gurkha Lounge pays tribute to the famed Gurkha infantry and their legacy of courage and skill.
WHERE: Plot No. 101 and 102, Shirota Lake Udewadi, Maval, Lonavala
PRICE: Rs 13,500
Fitness today is becoming less about clocking hours on a treadmill and more about finding movement that challenges both body and mind. Propelled into the spotlight after its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, bouldering combines strength, strategy, and problem-solving. From New York and London to Berlin and Singapore, climbing gyms are drawing a new generation of fitness enthusiasts.
Go higher up! The uptick in interest to learn bouldering signals a broader shift in how urban India is beginning to engage with fitness
We tried it at The Indian Bouldering Company, Fort, home to one of the city's largest bouldering walls and fell in love with it instantly. Built around shared movement and visible progress, climbers pause between routes, exchange techniques, and often stay longer than intended. Like us. Each climb is a puzzle that requires not just strength but also strategy and focus, making the experience both physically and mentally engaging.
Shaiv Gandhi
Shaiv Gandhi, founder of The Indian Bouldering Company, discovered bouldering in 2021 while pursuing his master's in Berlin, a city that boasts nearly 20 climbing gyms. "It made me realise how little importance we give to sport, health, and recreational spaces in India," he says. Inspired to bring the experience home, Gandhi launched Mumbai's largest bouldering gym, where routes are reset every two weeks to mirror global standards. The facility was built from the ground up by Gandhi, instructor Pratik Mhatre, a professional climber with extensive rescue-climbing experience across the Sahyadris, and a team of carpenters.
The space has evolved into a hub for work and recreation, complete with a café and co-working-friendly environment. "We have people who come in with their laptops, work for a few hours, climb, grab lunch, get back to work and then climb again," says Gandhi.
WHERE: 3rd Floor, Shreeniwas House, Azad Maidan, Fort
PRICE: Rs 2200 onwards
