India
India
India is an awe-inspiring spectacle of raw energy that defies simple definition. Bejewelled with opulent monuments to a complex past, bustling with activity and a kaleidoscope of cultures, and blessed with diverse regions of outstanding natural beauty, this fragrant melting pot bubbles with the promise of the extraordinary – no wonder travellers have flocked here for centuries.
A miraculous stitching together of cultures and wildly varying landscapes, India’s vibrancy, bursting forth from the moment you step off the plane, excites the imagination and feeds the soul. Home to more than one billion people and myriad cultural heritages, fragrantly spiced snacks and colourful markets, India is a feast for the senses, which, like the dishes in a traditional thali meal, are endlessly topped up until your departure. With a rich history of competing civilisations, from the Mughals to the British Raj, India embodies a collision of cultures, trade routes, and grandiose empires whose monuments dot the land. Sights as diverse as onion-domed mosques, imposing red sandstone forts, monkey-infested temple ruins, and opulent palaces await exploration.
Faith and ritual take on an everyday beauty in this land of contrasts. Businessmen bow to orange-clad gurus; kites weave between towering mosque minarets; and Buddhist flags whisper prayers on the wind to the high Himalayas. Time your visit to coincide with one of India’s many festivals to experience the country at its most joyful and devout. See plumes of multi-coloured flour explode around ecstatic faces during Holi, or witness the annual procession of wooden juggernauts roll by sheer force of excitement into Puri’s Jagannath Temple. India’s breathless pace of life finds its counterpoint in peaceful nature reserves, tea-rich hill stations, grand train journeys, and sun-drenched beaches. Take a morning safari from your luxury tented camp to encounter elephants, rhinos, and Royal Bengal tigers navigate idyllic backwaters from the comfort of a plush Keralan houseboat; or sample Darjeeling tea from the cool heights of one of the British Raj’s summer retreats. India’s multi-dimensional travel opportunities, from metropolitan hubbub to tranquil natural wonders provides the ideal base to curate your luxury, tailor-made itinerary with the attentive help of our knowledgeable specialists.
Experience the majesty of the Taj Mahal with a renowned historian. Be hosted by living Maharajah’s and stay in their palaces or attend an evening event as an honoured guest. Explore the Himalayan mountain town of Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga and Ayurveda and let a leading exponent lead you through a yoga session or period of meditation. Take to the skies for a timeless hot-air balloon flight over Jaipiur. Explore the wonders of the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, towering above the old city of Jodhpur, and let a top historian guide you to its treasures. Indulge in an intimate lunch of local delicacies between the ramparts of the fort. Undertake a private 4x4 safari in the Ranthambore National Park, accompanied by the foremost authority on Indian tigers. Let yourself go for the outrageous Holi celebrations or even star in your own Bollywood film. Then, to top it all off, head south to the beaches and backwaters of Kerala for a luxury houseboat cruise.
Discover the secrets of India's great forts
Relax in style aboard a private houseboat on Kerala's palm-fringed backwaters
Seek out rare Bengal tigers in the company of experts
Consider contemporary hotels in incredible locations such as Oberoi Amarvilas, which overlooks the Taj Mahal. Alternatively, be entertained in royal style at Maharajah palaces such as Umaid Bhawan or Taj Lake Palace, which floats in the most romantic setting. Try too Rambagh Palace, the one-time home of the rulers of Jaipur. Otherwise, seek out atmospheric forts such as Alila Fort Bishangarh, exquisite desert camps and safari tents or stunning lodges in national parks like Oberoi Vanyavilas. Experience Eco-friendly rural retreats such as Spice Village and ask us about a berth on a luxury houseboat that explores the sleepy backwaters of Kerala. Step back in time by staying on tea estates or Colonial style boutique hotels including The Brunton Boatyard. End your adventure with a retreat to beach chic escapes such as The Leela Kovalam.
Travel to India is dictated by the monsoon season, which, from May onwards, can impact where you go; to enjoy the best conditions, visit during the cool, dry winter from October and March, the end of which is marked by the riotous colour of Holi festival. From March to May the south becomes oppressively hot although you could make like a local and retreat to the hill stations. The monsoon sweeps north across the country, finally reaching the Himalayas by early June when many roads become impassable. Visit the mountains from September onwards, however, and you'll be treated to picture-perfect views of some of the world's highest peaks.
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