Northeast

Why I Made This Journey

India is often dubbed Incredible. And I have always had the desire to explore every part of Incredible India.

As the founder of a vacation rental firm, I find ample opportunities to explore the lengths and breadths of the country, luckily, for business purposes.

My recent trip to the Northeast was one such venture. Our team called it the Casa Roadshow.

Casa comes from the initial name of my firm “Casa Lontano,” and ‘roadshow’, well, that’s because I travelled through the Northeast like a traveller more than a tourist.

In this post, I’ll share my journey through Northeast India and everything it entailed.

From Kamakhya to the Grasslands

My journey began in Assam, where I visited the holy Kamakhya Devi Temple. There was something special about the sacred premises. I found a sense of calm unlike any other.

After taking the blessings of the almighty, I moved on to Kaziranga National Park. This place was amazing. The sight of one-horned rhinos living in the wild is something that must be witnessed rather than told.

The first leg of my journey to Northeast India was truly memorable. Travelling along the vast Brahmaputra River was a majestic experience.

This time, I couldn’t make it to Majuli (which is the largest riverine island in the world), but for travellers like me, there’s always a second time. Or more.

After wrapping up Assam, I embarked on the second leg of my journey.

The Second Leg

Next, I travelled to the hidden wonder that is Meghalaya. It has a climate unlike any other. My visit to Shillong and Cherrapunji was unforgettable.

One can only imagine, in a tropical country like India, that there’s a region which receives the most consistent rainfall. Mawsynram is considered the wettest place in the world, and visiting it was absolutely worth it.

After Meghalaya, I moved on to Mizoram. The vibes here were more intimate. People were truly welcoming.

As someone from the vacation rental space, I never imagined the kind of hospitality I received in this state. Open doors, long conversations over tea, and a kind of care that doesn’t have to try too hard.

Aizawl, the capital, had some hustle and bustle, but even in that busy environment, I noticed a sense of discipline not frequently seen elsewhere in India.

This state taught me that hosting can be simple, yet warm. There’s no need for polish when people truly care for others from the heart.

Northeast India was not only incredible, but eye-opening.

The visits sparked an idea within me, something I’ll share next.

The Last Leg and the First Step

As I wrapped up my roadshow in Northeast India, I walked away with one big realisation: hospitality is not a product. It’s something people do from the heart.

That’s exactly what I want to continue with Casa Lontano.

Before saying a hard goodbye to the region, I set up three new properties in the three states I visited during the roadshow.

As I mentioned earlier, my kind of business gives me the privilege to travel to tranquil places for work.

But it wasn’t always like this.

How I Got Here

Before Casa Lontano, I was an in-house lawyer at Airbnb. It was a top-notch corporate experience. I learned a lot about risk, structure, and the vacation rental business, from the best in the industry.

And amazingly, it was all part of my job.

Perhaps that’s why, as someone now settled in Goa, having a venture like Casa Lontano made perfect sense.

So I took that call, and started what is now Casa Lontano.

It aligned perfectly with my motto: love what you do, and do what you love.

The Takeaways

This trip cemented three new properties for Casa Lontano. Each one carries a different vibe, rooted in the land and culture around it.

My mission was (and still is) to expand the footprint of Casa Lontano throughout India.

Currently, we have properties across 13 states in India:

  • Goa
  • Rajasthan
  • Uttarakhand
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Mizoram
  • Assam
  • Meghalaya
  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Delhi NCR
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Maharashtra

You can learn more about them at  www.casalontano.com

If you’re a traveller like me, or just want to spend time in a quiet place, or with your people, you’ll find a stay that matches your vibe at Casa Lontano.

A Quick Note on Mental Health

Being a business owner comes with its own stress (yes, even in the vacation rental space). Mindful thinking has become vital for me.

Travelling offers me that calm.

Some people find it in cooking, art, music, or time with pets. For me, it’s the road.

And for anyone who finds peace through travel, I’d love to connect with you.

Modern life is fast-paced. And too many people forget to care for themselves. But self-care isn’t optional. It’s necessary.

We need to check in with ourselves regularly, and create space to breathe.

What’s Next for Casa Lontano

I’m a traveller at heart, so I like to keep things spontaneous. Maybe the next roadshow will be in Rajasthan, my home state, or maybe somewhere down south.

The goal is simple: keep exploring, and keep expanding the Casa footprint.

Stick around, I would love to tag you all along on this journey.