India as a destination requires no introduction!

The mere mention of its name conjures images of snake charmers, elephants, the once powerful maharajas, mystical yogis — India is all of that and a lot more. A land of mystery, culture and color.

A land rich in history. A thriving subcontinental nation, melting pot of tremendous diversity, the birthplace of cultures and religions. India is a nation with a past and a future.

In the words of Mark Twain,

“The one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give up that glimpse for all the rest of the globe combined.”

We believe that the reality here in India lives up to every word.

AGRA
The capital of the Mughal Emperors in the 16th and 17th centuries and home to the Taj Mahal. The most lavish monument to love ever built, was Emperor Shah Jahan’s marble mausoleum to his second wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. Built between 1651 and 1653, it’s a sheer work of art and can be visited more than once, especially at dawn and on a full moon night. Other places of interest are the Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, the Jama Masjid, Itimad-ud-daulah and Akbar’s Mausoleum.

Fatehpur Sikhri (40 km west of Agra) was the Mughal capital between 1571 and 1585 during Emperor Akbar’s reign. But the grand city of red sandstone was soon abandoned due to a lack of water. Housed here is the tomb of the saint Salim Chishti, who had granted Akbar his desire for a son.

AURANGABAD
Emperor Aurangazeb made this his capital in 1653 but the city is overshadowed by the Ajanta (166 km) and Ellora Caves (30 km). The 34 Ellora Caves house 5 centuries (600-1000 AD) of artistic work by Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks. The most remarkable is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shiva’s celestial abode, Kailash. This engineering marvel is the best example of rock cut architecture.

Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves (166 kms) which predates the Ellora Caves from around 200 BC to 650 AD. As Ellora came up these caves were abandoned, but some of the exquisite Buddhist paintings remain. Ajanta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

BANGALORE
The state of Karnataka’s capital, Bangalore is known as India’s Silicon Valley and the Garden City. The Lalbagh Botanical Garden is worth a visit for its variety of fountains, lotus ponds and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. Also see the Vidhan Soudha (State Legislature) and the Maharaja’s Palace.

BELUR AND HALEBID
Visit the twin capital cities of the ancient Hoysala Kingdom (1100 AD to 1310 AD) and see the Channakeshava temple in Belur built in 1116 AD. An excellent example of Hoysala architecture, it has intricate carvings on the exterior. Also visit the image of Ganesh, Durga and Saraswati, at the Kappe Channingaraja Shrine. Visit the Hoyaleswara Temple at Halebid, a masterpiece of Indian sculptural art and see the intricately carved friezes of episodes from Hindu mythology.

BENARAS (VARANASI)
On the banks of the Ganges, one of the holiest places in India. A must-do is the early morning boat excursion on the holy river Ganges to see the bathing ghats and cremation sites. The ghats are used for both ritual and secular purposes and are central to life in Benaras. Half day sightseeing tour of the city to visit the Bharat Mata Temple, the Durga Temple and Tulsi Manas Mandir. Also visit the Benaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and a mosque built by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Half day tour of Sarnath, 10 km from Benaras, the buried Buddhist city where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. Sarnath became a major centre of Buddhist learning since King Ashoka’s reign (273-232 BC). Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple, and the Museum. (The museum is closed on Fridays)

BHUBANESHWAR
Half day tour of the Temple City. Among the finest temples are the Lingraj Temple, Rajrani Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Parsu-rameshwar Temple and Bhrameshwara Temple. Some of the best specimens of Orissa temple architecture.

BIKANER
Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Raja Bika Rao 1488 the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavillions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. An enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal Temple. Visit the royal chapel and the Har Mandir, where royal weddings and births were once celebrated.

CHENNAI (MADRAS)
Chennai the forth largest city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu, has grown from the merging of a number of small villages including its former name-sake Madraspatnam. The city sprawls over more than 70 sq. kms. and rather than claiming a centre, it retains its former regional limbs. Billboards are the most striking outward expression of the city. These gargantuan icons of popular culture  dwarf city buildings  in their eagerness to promote every thing from soap and shoes to power tools and blockbuster movies.

DARJEELING
Darjeeling, one of the most beautiful hill stations in Eastern India, is nestled among tea gardens which produce some of the world’s best teas. It is also the home of Everest hero Tenzing Norgay. Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and see the highest racecourse in the world. Sip a hot cup of the local brew and see the sun rise over the high Himalayas at Tiger Hill.

DELHI
Half day city sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit the Qutub Minar, India Gate (War Memorial), the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Drive past the President’s home, Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings. Also visit Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

GANGTOK
Half day sightseeing tour. Visit the Enchey Monastery and get an excellent view of the mountains at The Residency. Also visit the White Memorial Hall, the Tibetology Institute and the Deer Park.

GWALIOR
Half day tour visiting the Man Mandir, Gujari Mahal (today an archaeological museum), the Fort, Temples of Sas-Bahu, Teli Ka Mandir, Jai Vilas Palace, Tomb of Gaus Mohammad and the Mausoleum of Tansen, the famous musician at Emperor Akbar’s court.

HYDERABAD
Half day sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the Charminar ~ a rectangular four arched Monumental Gate often described as the ‘Arch of Triumph of the East’. Browse in the shops of the old city and buy the famous Hyderabadi bangles.

JAIPUR
Half day excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors Jai Mahal and Temple of Kali. Ascent to the Fort on Elephant back.Half day city sightseeing tour. Visit the Maharaja’s City Palace and the Observatory, Albert Hall Museum, Ram Niwas Gardens, drive past Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds and through the rose pink residential & business area of  Jaipur, that gives it its name ~ Pink City.

JAISALMER
Built in 1156 by Jaisal, a Rajput Prince, on the 80 meters high Trikuta Hill, Jaisalmer brings alive the romance of the desert. Most of the yellow sandstone city is still housed within the Fort walls. The narrow cobbled streets & alleys of Jaisalmer are a fine showcase for exquisitely carved lattice work of breathtaking intricacy. See the beautifully carved Jain temples built between the 12th & the 15th Centuries. Also the famous Havelis of Jaisalmer, namely Patwon ki Haveli, Nathmalji ki Haveli and Salim ki Haveli.

JODHPUR
Half day tour visiting the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill, including Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada an imposing Marble Memorial located in the Umaid Public Garden.

KOCHI (COCHIN)
Half day tour of a historically rich town. Visit the remnants of different episodes in this town’s past ~ the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Chinese Fishing Nets, St Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Church.

KOLKATA (CALCUTTA)
Half day city sightseeing tour. Walk in the Zoological Gardens, visit the Victoria Memorial and drive past the old and new Howrah Bridges, Dalhousie Square, Fort William, Secretariat Building and Old Court House Street.

KOVALAM
Thirty years ago Kovalam was a hippy idyll: a picture-perfect tropical beach; a traditional Keralan fishing village providing fresh fish, fruit and toddy (coconut beer); and about as far from decadent western civilization as you could get and still hear Jim, Janis and Jimi. Today this tiny beach is the focus of a multimillion dollar business drawing thousands of tourists for a two week dose of ozone, UV and a sanitized Indian “experience” Kovalam retains a certain charm and is still popular with travellers craving some rest from the long haul across the subcontinent. The beaches are generally safe and clean.

LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS
Located 300 to 400 kms off the Kerala coast, the Lakshadweep Island make up India’s smallest Union Territory. The total area of the 35 islands is only 32 sq km. Only 10 of them are inhabited. The population (nearly 52,000) is 93% Muslim, and Malayalam is the dominant language. Fishing and coir production are the main economic activities.
 
Tourists require a special permit to visit the island. Foreigners can visit only the resort on Bangaram Island and the tourist facilities on Kadmat. Indian nationals are allowed to visit other islands only as part of an organised cruise. The pristine lagoons,  unspoiled coral reefs and condusive climate make it a diver’s dream.

LEH
Full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. Shey was once the residence of the royal family and is famous for its 7.5 metre high gilded statue of the Buddha. Thiksey is famous for its stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two-storied statue of Buddha. Hemis the biggest and richest of them all is well known for its annual festival held in the summer. Seventy km from Leh, on the banks of the Indus river is the Alchi Gompa dating back a thousand years. One of the walls feature thousands of miniature pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and brightly painted are its focal attractions. No longer an active religious centre, it is looked after by monks from the Likir monastery. Visit the Shankar Gompa, which has innumerable statues of pure gold and a number of interesting paintings. Also visit the Leh Palace. Drive to the Spituk monastery which contains a large collection of thankas and old masks. Also visit the Phyiang Monastery.

MADURAI
Half-day sightseeing tour visiting the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva, with its towering gopurams. Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace — a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches.

MOUNT ABU
At an altitude of 1200 metres, Mt Abu is set amidst the wooded and granite rich Aravalli Hills. The city sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Dilwara Jain temples, built between the 11th and 13th centuries. These are famous for their sheer elegance and beauty in marble. Intricate carvings decorate these temples. Visit Nakki Lake picturesquely set with hills rising all around. An interesting aspect is the many rock formations around the lake.

MUMBAI (BOMBAY)
Half day tour of this city by the sea. Visit the Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill. Walk on the sands of Chowpatty Beach. Also visit the Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat and the Gateway of India. Drive through the bustling Crawford Market past Flora Fountain and onto the panoramic Marine Drive.

MUNNAR
Set amid dramatic mountain scenery in what was once known as the high range of Travancore, the hill town of Munnar (1524m) is the commercial center of some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates. The combination of the craggy peaks, manicured tea estates and crisp air makes Munnar an ideal retreat.

MYSORE
Visit the Fort and Palaces of Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam (16 km). Tipu Sultan’s summer palace, Daria Daulat and his mausoleum Gumbaz are situated outside the fort. The interiors of the palace are adorned with gilded wall panels, carved ornate arches and colored frescoes.

Visit the Maharaja’s Palace which is a harmonious synthesis of Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture with magnificent archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures. Visit the Art Gallery, drive up to Chamundi Hill to see the Chumandeshwari Temple and the Nandi Bull. And don’t miss the panoramic view of Mysore from this hill.

ORCHA
A medieval city situated on the river Betwa, Orcha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chief Rudra Pratap. Among his succeeding rulers was Raja Bir Singh Deo who built the magnificent Jahangir Mahal — a tiered palace surrounded by lovely chhatries. Complimenting the exotic exteriors are the grand interiors housing some of the unique representations of the Bundela School of Painting.

PEMAYANGSTE
Half day visit to the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest in Sikkim belonging to the Nyingmapa sect. The Indian teacher, Padma-sambhava established this tantric sect, in the 8th century. Pemayangtse offer a spectacular view of Kanchenjuga.

PURI
Visit one of the holiest of pilgrim centers for Hindus, the renowned Jagannth Temple built in the 12th century. Crowned with Vishnu’s wheel and flag, the temple dominates the landscape of Puri. Its elaborate carvings and mouldings are fine examples of Orissa architecture.

RANAKPUR
The Jain temples of Ranakpur, built in the 15th century, are situated in a lovely valley of the Aravalli Hills amidst picturesque surroundings. Ranakpur has grand structures and beautiful sculptures. There are 1444 pillars in the temple and no two are alike. The Surya and other temples are added attractions.

SANCHI
Full day excursion to Sanchi (68 km from Bhopal) which has the distinction of having the finest specimens of almost all the Buddhist architectural forms. Visit the great stupa which is 16 meters high and 37 meters in diameter. Other attractions are the four toranas, gateways exquisitely carved in yellow stone brought from the nearby Udaigiri Hills. The North Gateway is the best preserved of the four, adorned with elephants and lions, and surmounted by a Wheel of Law. Also visit the Udaigiri Caves, 13 km from Sanchi, a group of rock-cut cave sanctuaries carved into a sandstone hill that stands, sentinel like, on the horizon. An inscription states that it was made during the reign of King Chandragupta II (382-401 AD), thus dating these caves to 4-7th AD. The caves possess all the distinctive features that gave Gupta art its unique vitality, vigor and richness of expression.

SIKANDRA
Visit en route to Agra, the 16th century Mughal Emperor Akbar’s mausoleum at Sikandra, a fusion of Hindu and Islamic architecture which, like the emperor himself, characterizes the era.

TANJORE
Visit en route the temple of Brihadeshwara built by the Cholas in the 9th century. The temple is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building the pyramids. The tower of this temple was the greatest feat of the Chola architects. Tanjore bronzes and handicrafts make it one of the highlights of a visit to southern India.

TRICHY
Half day sightseeing tour. Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapati situated on a high rock. The ascent through 434 steps is climaxed by a magnificent view of the sacred Kaveri River. Visit Srirangam, a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which contains a thriving bazaar within its walls.

UDAIPUR
Half day sightseeing tour includes visiting the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, a drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Salelion Ki Bari (Queen’s resort for her friends) and Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk Art Museum).

National Parks & Reserves

BHARATPUR
Bharatpur is renowned for its World Heritage-listed bird sanctuary, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. This is one bird sanctuary which even non-ornithologists should visit. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from October to late Feburary when many migratory birds can be seen, including the highly endangered Siberian crane. According to recent reports, around 354 species of birds have been identified at the beautiful Keoladeo sanctuary.

CORBETT
India's first National Park, earlier known as Hailey National Park, was established in 1935 in the Himalayan Foothills.Spread over 1319 kms the park has a vast population of elephants, tigers, leopards, hyenas and a variety of deer. Corbett is also home to 585 species of birds making it an ideal destination for bird watchers.

KAZIRANGA
North east of Guwahati, on the swampy banks of the Brahmaputra river, is the Kaziranga National Park, famous as the last major home of Rhinoceros unicorns. The 430 sq. km park is thought to have a rhino population approaching 1500, although in 1904 they were on the verge of extinction. The park became a game sanctuary in 1926, and by 1966 rhino
numbers had risen to about 400.

MADHUMALAI & BANDIPUR
The Bandipur Tiger reserve, part of the richly forested Deccan plateau offers a rich and varied habitat. Former shooting reserve of the Maharajas of Mysore, Bandipur covers an area of 266 sq. kms. It adjoins the Madhumalai Sanctuary. A mix of deciduous, evergreen and scrub forests, Bandipur is famous for its tiger, elephant and gaur. The bird life at Bandipur consists of Cormorants, Herons, Ospreys, Red Spur fowl, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Imperial Pigeon. At the foot of the “Blue Mountains” in South India lies the Madhumalai Sanctuary. This biosphere constituting over 121 sq. miles of protected forest is an ideal habitat for the Asian Elephant. Thick Teak & Eucalyptus forests and dense bamboo groves are a favorite with the Tiger and the Gaur as well.

NAGARHOLE
This 643 sq km wildlife sanctuary (also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park) is in an isolated pocket of the Kodagu (Coorg) region, 93 km southwest of Mysore. Until a few years ago, it was one of the country’s finest deciduous forests. There are currently 55 to 60 tigers as well as leopards and elephants, but you are more likely to see gaur, muntjac (barking deer), wild dogs, bonnet macaques and the common langur.

PERIYAR
Part of the Western Ghats, the 777 sq km Periyar sanctuary is the earliest sanctuary, set up in 1934. Wildlife can be seen while cruising on the 26 sq. km artificial Periyar lake in a motorboat. Amongst the animals that inhabit Periyar are wild elephants which can be seen and photographed at close quarters, bison’s, antelopes, wild boar, sambar, tigers, leopards, wild dogs and langurs.

RANTHAMBORE
Near the town of Swai Madhopore, midway between Bharatpur and Kota, Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts in Rajasthan. According to the 1996 census, the park has a total of 28 tigers (several cubs have apparently been born since then) and there is a reasonable chance of seeing one but you should plan on two or three safaris. The park itself covers some 1334 sq km and its scenery is very beautiful. A system of lakes and river is hemmed in by steep, high crags and on top of one of these is the Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century. The lower ground alternates between open bush land and fairly dense forest and is peppered with ruined pavilions, chhatris and hides. The area was formerly a hunting preserve of the Maharajas.