Sublime to the meticulous

By Kendall Hills for The Australian (Travel+Luxury)

Jamshyd Sethna, the founder of leading Indian travel agency Banyan Tours and luxury hiking outfit Shakti Himalaya, admits he's a pretty demanding traveller and he expects his customers to be too

Where was the last place you visited?

"I recently had a big birthday and chose to spend it in Kumaon, in the Indian Himalayas. The first half of the trip was a transcendental meditation course at an ashram in the hills with my daughter. I've battled with meditation all my adult life - it featured but never in a meaningful way. I can't say I've won the battle, but my stay certainly helped bring it into the daily rhythm of my life. The second half of the trip took us to the Tibetan border where my company Shakti Himalaya's flagship property, 360 Leti, is located. I spent the birthday with a few dear friends and family there among a team who have been with us since we launched the property in 2006.

It's a very special place to me. I don't know anyone who has been who it didn't have a meaningful impact on and that's a source of great pride for me".

What's a destination that surprised you?

A PR suggested I visit the Dolomites as she represented a hotelier there who she felt I had a lot in common with. I wasn't expecting these little hills to be a source of inspiration for me, but how wrong I was. I stayed at the Rosa Alpina hotel in San Cassiano and formed a close association with my wonderful host, Hugo Pizzinini. When I first heard about the Dolomites. I pictured a scenic and relatively dull place with a few mountains that wouldn't remotely compare with our majestic Indian Himalayas. But this place ticked all the boxes. The hotel restaurant ,St Hubertus, now with three Michelin stars, presided over by amazing chef and Eric Clapton lookalike Norbert Niederkofler, was exceptionally good. A stone's throw from the hotel is superb wine from the Trentino-Alto Adigeregion, great mountain views, walks, skiing and wonderful shopping."

Where in the world have you felt the happiest?

"It's a tie between London and Bombay. Bombay is my home- I spend a lot of time now in Delhi because it's where our office is (and my dogs), but I grew up in Bombay and it's there I feel most at home. I know its speed, its sounds, its smells and you can't beat my knowledge on where to eat in the city. I'm happy there because I know it. Then there's London, my first love. I can't think of a day in London I haven't found something to be happy about - the sense of place the city commands, the friends I have there, the amazing food, the architecture, the parks."

How has travel fostered you professional growth?

"Travel stimulates creativity and some of the best career-defining ideas I've had have been on the road. I'm pretty demanding when I travel and try to source the best vehicles, drivers, guides and thoughtful, discerning advice before each journey. It helps me achieve seamless travel and in upgrading our services in India. Our customers are just as discerning as I am and my own travel experiences, overseas as well as in India, help me fine-tune the services our companies provide. I feel we are the best at what we do because of my own travel experiences."

And a destination that disappointed?

"Las Vegas. As a music lover, and someone who is more than happy as long as I'm well-fed, I felt a work trip here would have some great advantages. Perhaps I was naïve but not one element of the experience appealed. I've never been anywhere that was entirely disingenuous or where I was so out of my comfort zone. I doubt whether even a resurrected Elvis performing live would have changed my mind."

What was a trip that was transformational for you?

"The first trip I did on my own was to Manali, on the hippy trail, in 1970. I travelled to Delhi from Bombay by train then took the gruelling and interminable state transport bus ride to Manali. I parked my few belongings in a dormitory for the fortnight I was there and spent nights wherever I ended up at sunset. I met fascinating people from all over the world -poets, painters, junkies, academic, musicians - and made a few friends I'm still in touch with. A few years later, after university and a brief stint as a tea planter I joined a travel company and visited some of these friends in the UK,Australia, the US and Denmark."

Describe the best hotel you've ever stayed at.

"Le Bristol, Paris. This property set the standard for me that I felt every luxuy hotel should aspire to. I have high expectations, especially when forking out good money, as far as hotels go. I was blown away by just how close to perfection they got it. From the concierge to the doormen, the restaurant Epicure, the genuine care we received when one of our party fell sick and the discerning thoughtfulness given to every element of the guest experience. Hospitality is not an easy game to get right, but when you find perfection, you remember."

Anyone fascinating you've met on your travels?

"About 15 years ago I was on a trip to Sydney and one of the leads I was pursing concerned the creation of gourmet tours in India and a mutual friend introduces me to the chef Christine Manfield. That was the start of a friendship that has prevailed, based on our mutual love of food, travel and nature. Some of the most memorable meals of my life were in her restaurant, Universal, and in her apartment. Christine influenced much of Shakti's food ethos - and the team adore her. She's a force of nature and an inspiring lady."

What items do you always pack?

"Headphones, Birkenstocks and the same type of Gucci loafers I've worn for decades."

Name a dining experience seared in your memory.

" This is difficult - I've been lucky to have incredible meals all around the world. Standouts include a small vegetarian Gujrati thali restaurant in Bombay, The French Laundry in California, Eleven Madison Park in New York, and knock-your-socks-off Thai meals at Jitlada in LA and at Nahm in Bangkok.

Every London visit I return to Scott's in Mayfair. I always order the same thing. First, a dozen oysters with their delicious wild boar sausages and potted shrimp with Melba toast. Following that, sole meuniere and a perfectly dressed salad. Finally, a fillet steak with cauliflower cheese and chips. All shared, of course. The consistency of the service and the food is what makes it for me.

What journey do you most often take?

"The one from my Delhi home to our office, which takes an hour each way and is frankly, fairly dull. However, I'm lucky enough to be driven, so instead of viewing this as a chore, I've turned it into an hour for frivolous TV watching, finding new music, composing letters and chatting on the phone with friends that usually the doesn't allow time for. If I didn't have that commute now, I think I would miss it."

What destination is next on your list?

"London because London is always 'next' on my list! Next on my dreams list, though, is a long journey through Iran and a week in Istanbul."