India is a vast magical country with a rich diverse culture and history dating back to at least 2500BC, when the first known civilisation settled on the banks of the Indus River. A sensory overload of colour, chaos and sheer beauty awaits, with a startling mix of old and new. Gold monasteries perched on mountain peaks and steam trains lumbering through misty tea gardens collide with new India and its urban cityscapes.

India’s rich history has produced an incredible number of temples, palaces and monuments with some of the most visited located within the Golden Triangle comprising of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, which are also home to one of the world’s most poignant monuments such as the Taj Mahal.

Venture away from the main attractions and you will discover another India opening up before you. The Himalayas whose peaks stand at 8,000 metres high stretch across northern India to bordering Nepal providing numerous opportunities for walks and treks in stunning remote mountain scenery.

Rajasthan’s contrasting landscapes of desert, sand dunes, lush forests and amazing wildlife provide awe inspiring desert safaris by horse, camel and elephant. Major parks include Rathambone National Park where it is possible to spot the endangered Bengal Tiger and over 260 species of birds.

Travel further south and enjoy the laid back palm fringed beaches of Goa and some wonderful examples of Portuguese-baroque style buildings in the capital Panaji.

The jewel in southern India is without doubt Kerala with its lush emerald backwaters, serene beaches, hill stations and exotic wildlife. It is possible to explore this area of immense natural beauty by boat allowing a unique glimpse of the animal and birdlife and many isolated communities. The region is also famed for its ayurvedic massages and aromatherapy treatments with many hotels and homesteads offering treatments and packages.

Ladakh and the northern regions of India provide some fascinating, exhilarating and spiritual trips and experiences. Tribal cultures remain strong and untainted by exposure of the travelling masses with over 300 distinct tribes and the scenery and natural wilderness is magnificent. Here you can experience flamboyant colourful festivals, the birthplace of Buddhism, and the most expensive tea, Darjeeling.

Ladakh is nestled in between the Himalayan mountains and Karakorum with strong Tibetan influences and a population made up mainly of Buddhists and Muslims. Most attractions here relate to Tibetan Buddhism with many serene monasteries and of course the striking barren landscape. If you’re lucky you may time your visit with one of the many annual festivals where you can enjoy traditional music and dancing and displays of archery and polo.

Just below the Himalayan foothills in western Bengal lies the old colonial summer retreat of Darjeeling, with a wealth of trekking opportunities and hill stations it remains a popular tourist destination. Flora and fauna are abundant here with wild magnolias, orchids and rhododendrons growing together with meadows and forests.

National parks in this region include the Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site and the largest habitat of the one-horned Indian rhinoceros. You can also sight elephants, wild buffalo, swamp deer and tigers, and the river attracts storks, pelicans, otters and dolphins.

Manas National Park, also a World Heritage Site, lies on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas covered with tall grass and dense semi-evergreen forest. Here you can sight tigers, wild buffalo, swamp deer, sambar, elephant and over 400 species of birdlife.

India’s most enchanting vivid region, also known as the Land of Princes, Rajasthan evokes images of fairy tale romance and splendour. Its wild desert scenery, pastel-coloured cities and grand forts and palaces make for unforgettable experiences.

This is the land of the Rajputs, the ruling warrior clans who controlled this part of India for over 1000 years. The three Rajput clans claimed descent from the sun, moon and the flames of a sacrificial fire with an evolved code of chivalry and honour similar to that of European medieval knights. The history of the Rajputs is now remembered in stories and songs, part of a rich folk tradition of performing arts, acrobatics, music and dance and remnants can also be found in the many ruins, museums and heritage hotels dotted around this region.

Delhi, India’s capital city lies close to the Rajasthan borders and is the international gateway to this region. Many visitors combine trips to what’s commonly known as the Golden Triangle, Agra, Delhi and Jaipur and includes attractions such as the mesmerising Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and the bustling sights and sounds of Delhi.

Head south and discover Udaipur, claimed to be the most romantic city in India, replete with grandiose palaces and hill top forts which line the banks of Lake Pichola.

Western Rajasthan encompasses the vast Thar Desert covering some 77,000 square miles of territory, rich in forts and havelis such as the magnificent Jaisalmer and Jodpur forts. Safaris are the best way to explore the desert by either jeep or camel and provide opportunities to engage with local communities making a more adventurous and rewarding experience.

Southern India has all that you could hope for, with dramatic coastlines, stunning isolated beaches and lush forest and game reserves bounded by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

Situated in the southernmost part of the Indian peninsular is Tamil Nadu, a verdant land of rice fields and spectacular temples such as Srirangam, Chidambaram and Madurai to name but a few. Srirangam is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in this region, a perfectly preserved town enclosed by high fortress walls. The temple itself consists of multiple walled enclosures, surrounded by streets that echo the temple layout.

In contrast strong French influences prevail in Pondicherry a small town established in 1674 by Francois Martin, the first director of French East Trading Company. Here you will find a fusion of French and Indian styles of architecture, with tree-lined boulevards, parks, cafes and bars. French is still spoken by many of the older residents.

Lying to the west of this region is Kerala, the enchanting backwaters, coconut groves, paddy fields and beaches rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Kerala’s labyrinth of emerald backwaters weave through villages and lush vegetation, providing ample opportunities for relaxing boat trips and stays on traditional houseboats. Wildlife is plentiful in this region, particularly at the Periyar Tiger Reserve which covers some 300 sq miles. Its large lake and abundant grassland make the perfect habitat for elephants, Indian bison, sloth bears and the endangered lion tailed macaque.

Kerala is also famed for its Ayurvedic massages and treatments with many hotels and homesteads offering treatments and packages.

India’s climate conditions vary considerably due to the size of the country. The coolest and driest time of the year is from October to March and visitors will find these months agreeable. For those with a penchant for stifling heat April to June are ideal. The monsoon rains from June to September provide some relief although short lived but can make travel difficult particularly in the south western states of Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra. Humidity in the big cities in the summer months will be unbearable for most visitors.

Autumn is the best time to visit most parts of the Himalayas though March and May can be pleasant. Be prepared for extreme weather conditions in all seasons. Winters can be particularly cold, high passes can be closed and you will need more equipment.

India’s four main international airports are at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. All major international airlines fly to India usually with stopovers on route. Air India is India’s international carrier.

Although most visitors fly into India it is possible to travel overland from Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Visitors can use four land crossings between Bangladesh and India, all within West Bengal and the Northeast States. There are five land border crossings between India and Nepal, all dependent upon the political and weather conditions.

Distances between cities are vast making travelling around India an adventure in itself. Flying between destinations can seriously save you hours of travel. There are three main domestic airlines- Jet Airways, Air Sahara and Indian Airlines but there are many new budget airlines offering discounted flights such as IndiGo.

India’s rail network is the third biggest in the world with 63,000 km of rail routes providing travellers with plenty of options. Trains in India go almost everywhere so it’s generally safe to assume that you can travel between two cities or major towns by train.

Bus networks vary greatly in quality, speed and reliability but they often fill the gaps where the rail system fails to reach. Buses are by far the cheapest way to get around India and often the only way to travel around many mountainous areas. Buses run by the state government bus companies are usually the safest and most reliable option.

The three-wheeled autorickshaws can be a fun alternative to travelling around cities and towns and tend to be cheaper than taxis. Journeys are usually metered. The slightly larger tempos and vikrams run fixed routes for a set fare.

Visas are required by all visitors with the exception of nationals of Bhutan and Nepal, who can stay in the country for a maximum of three months without a visa. All visitors must have a valid passport with at least six months to expiry.

Hindi is the principal official language of India being spoken as a mother tongue by an estimated one third of the population while many others speak Hindi as a second language. English is not widely spoken outside the major cities.

Hello – Namaste