India

North India

4 Itineraries

Enchanting Rajasthan represents India at its most vibrant and colorful, explore the Golden Triangle teaming with historical splendour or head off the beaten track to the many hidden gems, miniature forts and desert camps of rural Rajasthan.

East India

2 Itineraries

The East of India is an area of improbable diversity, one of the last frontiers that has much to reward the intrepid traveller, reaching from the Himalayas heights down to the Bay of Bengal, via the wild mangroves and swamps of the Sundarbans.  The revered Ganges River snakes its way through the flat basin of Bihar, including the remarkable holy city of Bodhgaya, the sacred Buddhist place where the Buddha gained enlightenment.

At the very north-eastern tip, you will find the Seven Sister states home to the water-colored, tea plantations of Assam, the ancient tribes of Nagaland and the magnolia clad mountain sides of Sikkim peppered with monasteries wrapped in fluttering prayer flags, overlooked by the great Himalayas.  Nearby Darjeeling is set high up in cool, misty tea plantations where gentle walks and journeys on the celebrated Toy Train are a must.  Drink in the tea scented countryside as the ‘toy train’, gently loops through the terraced tea plantations to the Victorian resort of Darjeeling.  Step back in time at the impossibly charming Glenburn Tea Estate, boasting bedroom views of the spellbinding Kanchenjunga.

Central India

3 Itineraries

Set exactly in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh and its neighbouring state of Chhattisgarh offers a glimpse into India’s tribal culture and wildlife abundance. The vast expanse of dense forests of Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, and Panna accommodate an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. There is no dearth of heritage either. The magnificent forts and the ancient temples towering against a beautiful landscape make this region rich historically and ethnically. In the depths of the region, one can find hidden gems like the World Heritage Sites of Khajuraho the great Buddhist centre of Sanchi, and the forts of Gwalior and Mandu. Holding dearly in its cultural kitty, Central India still preserves many of its folk dances, folklores, and music forms.

The region shares many linguistic and culinary characteristics with North India. Central India is many ages old; the Bhimbetka caves show evidence of palaeolithic settlement. Discovery of stone age tools along the banks of Narmada, Chambal, and Betwa River valley show proofs of early human settlements. Some tribes find their linkage to the Indo – Aryan period.

South India

2 Itineraries

The Tropical South offers a laid-back gentle introduction to India. The fertile state of Kerala is surrounded by a profusion of natural landscapes; coconut palm-backed beaches, cool tea plantations, bright green paddy fields and lush waterways teeming with exotic bird life.  Here there is a gentler pace of life: spend your days drifting through the latticed canals on a private houseboat, relaxing on the Malabar Coast, or soaking up the architectural styles of Fort Cochin.  Well known for its Ayurvedic spas, yoga retreats and Malabar fish curry this is the place to unwind.

North of Kerala is the dry plateau of Mysore, in the state of Karnataka, where scents of sandalwood and jasmine swirl round the lavish Hindu Maharaja’s Palace. Karnataka is home to amazing ancient cultural sites, rain forested hills and untouched beaches.  Since the infrastructure of this fascinating state may be a little tricky, why not hop aboard the Golden Chariot luxury train which effortlessly weaves it way throughout the land stopping at all the major sites along the way, from garden city of Bangalore to the champagne sands of colonial Goa and of course the highlight, the primordial city of Hampi with its colossal ruins that are scattered throughout the boulder strewn landscape, the last remnants of the Vijayanagara Empire.

West India

3 Itineraries

Bounded by the scorching Thar Desert and cooled by the Arabian Sea, West India is rich in natural resource, golden beaches, mist shrouded jungles, desolate salt plains and the bright lights big city commercial capital Mumbai.  This is the birth place of Gandhi, and many a dream.

Goa in particular is famed for its kilometers of palm-fringed golden coastline.  A former Portuguese colony where ruined forts, baroque churches, vibrant night markets and fabulous seafood are the draw to this, the most popular seaside resort in the country.  Choose between the larger beach resorts of the south, nestled amongst sleepy fishing villages, or head north to the colonial mansions turned boutique hotels.

Metropolitan Mumbai lures visitors with its cosmopolitan nightlife and vivid bazaars whilst juxtaposing its rich heritage.  Highlights include the colonial architecture of the ‘Gateway of India’ and the ancient art carvings on Elephanta Island.  This immense, maximum city is one of the most dense urban jungles in the world.  Here mighty high rises give way to gothic manions and the Victorian, Indo-Saracenic architecture of the past.