Traveling within India presents a vivid kaleidoscope of magical destinations that highlights a truly remarkable diversity of peoples, religions, cultures, geography and food, as well as the ancient and contemporary history that defines the region. As such, there is an incredibly broad range of travel opportunities that exist within India, as well as a variety of programs that can be arranged throughout the Himalayan countries of Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Tibet.
India is one of our favourite destinations, and we have developed individual itineraries in this region that have included elements of Moghul history, Indian arts, wildlife safaris and rainforest excursions, tribal cultures, mountain treks, desert camel trips, Buddhist studies and beach stays, all within a framework of truly grand accommodations that can include heritage properties and former palaces, houseboats and ayurvedhic spas, or luxury tent camps and exclusive jungle lodges, or even deluxe train travel. In fact, the breadth of accommodations within India is almost as broad as the different environments one can explore, and for those who have never been to India before, the level of luxury and service available for high-end travelers in the country really has to be experienced to be believed.
As there is far too much to see to try to cram everything into one trip, we will work with you and your own preferences and desires with respect to culture, history and the environment, while keeping an eye on the relative climates, travel logistics and local festivals to come up with the perfect trip for you – whether it be for your first trip to the region, or another in a line of multiple journeys, there is an endless number of fascinating places to explore in the area.
That being said, some of our favorite programs in this region include the following themes:
- 'Days of the Raj' – these programs in India, frequently appropriate for one's first visit to the subcontinent, are usually focused on exploring the grand monuments of the Moghul era while staying in the converted palaces of former Maharajas – itineraries in this realm include travels within Rajasthan, along with visits to Delhi and Agra to see the Taj Mahal, and sometimes the ancient city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges;
- 'Backwaters of Kerala' – itineraries focused upon exploring the tropical allure of southern India, frequently including cruising by private rice barge, passing the myriad of villages that line the canals, lagoons, and inland waterways of the state. Longer itineraries to southern India can also include time exploring in Tamil Nadu to the east and Karnataka to the north;
- 'Heart of India' – journeys focused on the rich lands and history of central India, that can include the remarkable caves at Ajanta and Ellora, a wealth of other world heritage sites, and some of the country's best national parks within the states of Maharashtra and Mahdya Pradesh. This is a fascinating and lightly touristed part of the country to explore for those who have already experienced some of the highlights of the north and south.
- 'Himalayan Journeys' – these programs can include visits to any or all of Ladakh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Darjeeling or the Himalayan foothills that cross a number of northern Indian states. On these Himalayan journeys, we can also include a variety of activities that can include mountain treks, whitewater rafting, village home-stays, Buddhist learning or Himalayan spas;
- 'Across the Roof of the World', including the remarkable drive (or flight) from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa, Tibet.