UNFORGETTABLE INDIAN EXPERIENCES TO TREASURE FOREVER
INDIA’S PALACES, JUNGLES, DESERTS AND BEACHES ARE THE STUFF OF STORYBOOKS. EVERY VISIT TO THE SUBCONTINENT IS EMBROIDERED WITH VISCERAL ADVENTURES. FROM THE SPICY CHAOS OF ITS VEGETABLE MARKETS TO THE RIOTOUS COLOR OF ITS RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS, WE’VE CURATED THE INDIAN EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE A HOLIDAY IN INDIA AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME.
SPOT A SNOW LEOPARD IN HIMALAYAS
The stunning beautiful snow leopard remains one of the most mysterious cats in the world. Hemis National Park at high altitudes of above 4000 meters at Rumbak Valley in Ladakh in the foothills of Himalaya is the home to endangered Snow Leopards. During the winter time in the months of February & March every year, normally this beautiful big cat come down to lower attitude of Rumbek Valley in prey of food. To spot a snow leopard, a small trek through the snow terrains up to the Rumbak valley and stay in a tented accommodation at an altitude of 4150 meters when usually the temperature is 20-25 degree Celsius below zero is a life time expedition.
BALLOON SAFARI IN A TIGER RESERVE
Sighting wild animals roaming freely in the natural space from the heights during Hot Air Balloon Safari is an experience not to be missed. Bandhavgarh National Park in Central India is home to many endangered wildlife including the famous Royal Bengal Tiger. Our adventures 60 minute hot air balloon safari adds more adventure and thrill in exploration of Bandhavgarh National Park.
AN EVENING IN UNSPOILED DUNES OF THAR DESERT
Feel to be a part of the centuries old Silk Trade Route which passed through the dunes of Thar Desert in Jaisalmer, the Sun City of India. Enjoy an evening, after exploration of Thar desert by a 4wd jeep or on the back of a camel, in the mesmerizing settings of un-touched sand dunes. The experience becomes glorious and majestic when traditional folk music floats in the air and delicious food cooked at the venue lit-up by candles.
VINTAGE CAR TOUR - EXPERIENCE THE LEGACY OF ROYALTY
India is the land of Kings, Queens & Royals who were the rulers of different princely states in British India. Mighty forts, grandeur of Palaces and unique Vintage Cars are still the pride of rich Indian royal heritage of some of these princely states. Explore some of the capital cities of these princely states in a well maintained vintage car with your own storyteller on a crafted tour covering some incredible sights. The experience completes with dinner in the grandeur of a real living palace hotel.
RENEWAL OF VOWS - MADE FOR EACH OTHER
Taking seven rounds around the holy fire and Exchange of Vows have been an essential part of marriages in India. We invite you to our specially crafted experience of Renewal of Vows with your loved ones no matter if you are newly wedded couple or celebrating your anniversary. An unforgettable day that begins with a couple spa for the ‘bride’ and ‘groom’, followed by traditional henna hand painting, salon hair and make-up. A horse drawn carriage with the traditional music played by Brass Band takes the couple to a well decorated temple where the couple reaffirm their love in presence of holy fire and a priest chanting holy mantras. A private dinner for two accompanied by live, traditional music at a romantic venue followed by a Honeymoon set-up of the room completes the experience.
RE-ALIGN YOUR CHAKRAS - EXPERIENCE AYURVEDA
Ayurveda, centuries old traditional science of healing through balance of Chakras, was born in India. It is still a way of life for many of Indians who practiced on everyday basis. In modern days, Ayurveda is used not only for therapies or treatments of illness but also to revitalize the senses. During your luxury journey to India, embrace Ayurveda to realign your Chakras and find your natural balance at one of the world class spa offering therapies inspired by Ayurveda.
SPEND A DAY IN JUNGLES OF RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, North India offers a fabulous opportunity to spot a Royal Bengal Tiger along with other endangered wild animals living in their natural space. Though you can always explore the park in your private jeep safari for couple of hours either during morning or evening in a specific zone of the national park, but a Half Day Safari for 6 hours or a Full Day Exclusive Jeep Safari for 12 hours allows you to explore the wilderness of the park your convenience and with-out the restriction of zone. You shall enjoy a sumptuous delicious packed lunch in your private jeep. This adds more thrill, adventure and wide opportunity to spot a wild animal including Royal Bengal Tiger.
PAINTINGS ON WATER - JAL SANJHI
For most of us word “Painting” is synonymous with brushes, colours, canvas or paper or cloth or wood etc……..Have you ever seen a painting where water surface is the canvas ???
Udaipur in Rajasthan, India is the most romantic city because of is royal palaces, lakes and gardens. The city is also preserving centuries old temple art of “JAL SANJHI”, meaning “Painting on Water”. With a canvas of water rather a paper or cloth, the art of Jal Sanjhi paintings depicts only one subject : The Hindu god, Krishna. In the art of Jal Sanjhi, water is placed in a flat vessel and sprinkled with various secret ingredients to create a floating base. Once the base gets settled, stencils of Krishna are placed very carefully over water and other colors are sprinkled before lifting the stencils from the floating base only to reveal JAL SANJHI painting for you!
BEHIND THE SCENES - PRIVATE TOUR OF MEHRANGARH FORT
Built by the royal families of Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort, “fort of the sun” spectacularly lives up to its name at evening when 70 ft thick walls of the fort shine in the sunlight of setting sun.
The whole fort complex fills with full of inspiring stories narrated by the curator of the fort as you walk on the ramparts of the 15th century fort exclusively opened just for you at the end of the day. Eye-catching treasures of the bygone era of the Indian royalty become alive as doors of the private part of the fort are opened just for you.
To add-up to the whole experience, you are invited to relish an unforgettable dinner exclusively for you at the restaurant on the ramparts of the part with illuminated mighty Mehrangarh Fort in the back drop.
KAYAKING THROUGH THE GLOW-IN-THE-DARK WATERS OF THE ANDAMANS
Bioluminescence is the nature’s gift to mankind. Cherish it to its peak when you do Kayaking at night through the mangroves of Andamans and see the twinkling of the trees and various aquatic organism.
While Havelock Island’s pristine beaches are famous for their tranquility, island is also the best place for kayaking to explore the forest of mangroves at night. In the quiet of the night in those mangroves, as you paddle the blades of the kayak, the most extra ordinary event comes before you – the beauty of blue-green bioluminescence in water.
Accompanied by an experienced instructor, Kayaking turns to an unforgettable thrilling experience when the lagoon water currents are even wildered at night.
SPOT LEOPARDS IN THE CITY OF PALACES & FORTS
Pink city of Jaipur offers vivid experiences to travelers of all interests and likings. The city of beautiful palaces & mighty forts also offers an excellent opportunity to wildlife lovers to spot a leopard during private jeep safari in Jhalana Leopard Safari just at the outskirts of the city. The Wildlife reserve of Jhalana offers an untamed opportunity of spotting a leopard in a much tranquil zone open all year round. Spotting these shy cats in their natural space can be opted twice a day.
To add to the experience, enjoy the stunning views of the wildlife reserve sipping coffee and cookies in morning or a sunset from “Shikar Audi” atop a hillock which was once the hunting lodge for the royal family members of Jaipur.
BREAKFAST AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Magical, captivating, enchanting, fascinating……..difficult to find a word for this ever memorable experience – The Breakfast at the Top of The World. An adventurous Heli ride around the highest peaks followed by a private meal – breakfast served exclusively for you and your loved one with the closest views of the Mount Everest – without being to Mount Everest.
A private helicopter from Kathmandu airport to the South Base Camp of Everest at 18000 feet to explore the beauty around followed by an unforgettable Champagne breakfast on well set-up table served by experienced Sherpas with un-interrupted views of Mount Everest is an experience to treasure forever.
A DAY IN AN ASHRAM - LISTENING TO YOUR INNER-VOICE
Ashrams in Rishikesh are places of spiritual retreat. Spiritual seekers from around the word come to Ashrams to spend time concentrating only on the spiritual aspect of life – listening to inner voices, heart, and the calling of the soul. Life at the ashram offers the rare opportunity for a very quiet, simple existence, centered around inner reflection
Aurovalley Ashram founded by Swami Brahmdev is a haven of peace and conscious living. A typical day in Aurovalley ashram starts early in morning by Sunrise with meditation followed by Yoga sessions. The Gurus in the ashrams do Satsang (a session of spiritual inquiry with the teacher). People spend time in walking around and participating in various other activities of ashrams before they end the day with another session of meditation and yoga. Vegetarian meals are served at different timings.
VOLUNTEER YOURSELF - SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IN WOLRD'S LARGEST KITCHEN
The tradition of service of mankind by serving free food in Gurudwaras (Sikh Temples) is as old as the Sikh religion itself. Most of the Sikh Temples (Gurudwaras) run community kitchens serving free meals to all the visitors irrespective of religion, caste, colour or gender. The Golden Temple at Amritsar runs one of the biggest community kitchens in the world and is estimated to serve free food to over 1,00,000 visitors every day. The grand kitchen prepare food for thousands of visitors almost 24 hours and all seven days of the week. Anyone can volunteer his or her service in the kitchen of the shrine and can experience the happiness which one receives after serving free food to thousands of visitors.
Get inspired and volunteer yourself in the kitchens of one of the Gurudwaras (Sikh Temple) and feel the emotional relief when you prepare Chapatis (Indian bread) or serve food to thousands of people.
A CRUISE THROUGH THE GOLDEN AGE OF SPICE TRADE - MUZIRIS TO FORT KOCHI IN KERALA
Set sail on a whole new experience traversed by explorers and traders of bygone years along the historic Spice Route between two ancient ports of Muziris and Fort Kochi in Kerala, the epicenter of spice trade. The ancient port of Muziris, an hour drive from Cochin witnessed the coming of Roman ships laden with gold to be exchanged for spices, silk and precious stones. Muziris became a melting pot of world cultures as traded with 31 countries in Europe, Asia and Far East. After nearly 1000 years of thriving trade, the port of Muziris was damaged in a major flood, and Fort Kochi took its place as the most important trading port in Kerala.
Today’s Muziris continues to be as multi-cultural as ever. Old churches, synagogues, mosques and temples attest to the great confluence of cultures that Muziris was, the land of earliest Jewish settlers in India and also where St. Thomas the Apostle is said to have first landed in 52AD, bringing Christianity to India. The first ever mosque in India was also built here.
A cruise along the Spice Route through the Arabian sea and Periyar river between Muziris and Fort Kochi is a journey to rediscover some of history’s magnificent and defining moments.
HISTORY TREASURED FOR YOU - A ROYAL AFTERNOON AT CITY PALACE JAIPUR
Inspiring journey into the rich history, cultural heritage and artistic traditions of Jaipur’s royal family is incomplete with-out seeing the hidden treasures in the private rooms of the City Palace Museum in Jaipur. While most of the people visit and see the outer areas of the City Palace complex, its your turn to soak in the legendary, historic sagas of war and love as you hear some incredible folk tales when some of the private chambers in Chandra Mahal, the home to the royal family of Jaipur, are opened to bring you more intricacies of the architecture, art and décor at the palace.
Four iconic representing four seasons provide access to the seven storied private Chandra Mahal (‘Moon Palace’), which remains the residence of the erstwhile Maharaja, wherein each floor is named specifically according to the purpose and the grand building contains many unique paintings, mirror work murals, floral decorations and family heirlooms. The Sukh Niwas, or ‘Hall of Rest’, is the fully-furnished royal dining room. The Rang Mandir, is adorned with mirror work across the walls and ceiling. Shobha Niwas, is known as the ‘Hall of Beauty’, with the walls lavishly embellished with mirrors, tiles and gold leaf detailing. The Chhavi Niwas, or ‘Hall of Images’, is on the fifth floor and was the monsoon retreat of the Maharaja.
This tour of true royal grandeur of Jaipur is complimented with a Hi-Tea in Baradari restaurant in the courtyard of City Palace.
SPEND A DAY WITH MUMBAI'S DABBAWALAS
Through the years, the sprawling team of Mumbai’s Dabbawala – “one who carries a box” feed the city’s workforce by delivering around 2,00,000 lunch boxes from home kitchen on every weekday on schedule and without making mistakes, time and time again.
Spend a day experiencing the unique system of food delivery starting from pick-up of the lunch box from home to travelling in Mumbai’s local trains to pulling a cart full of lunch boxes and finally delivering the lunch box to its user.
MEET AN ASTROLOGER – REVEAL A LOT MORE ABOUT YOURSELF
Since long time, the tradition of Astrology in different forms has always been associated with the life of common Indians starting from their birth to education to marriage to career and even to death. Today, India is home to many best astrologers in the world. Educated, experienced and practicing different forms of astrology, an astrologer can predict from the past, the present, and also the future.
In India, astrologers practice different forms of astrology in different regions of the country. Vedic astrology (horoscope) and Palmistry is more common in North India. Unique yet mythical, Nadi astrology (Nadi Shashtra) is practiced in South India. During your journey to India, meet with an astrologer and reveal a lot more about yourself, to change your life.
MEET WITH UNSUNG HEROES OF AGRA - VOLUNTEERS OF WILDLIFE SOS
The volunteers of an NGO-Wildlife SOS in Agra are the unsung heroes who firmly believe in the peaceful cohabitation of humans and animals. These volunteers have rescued and saved the lives of hundreds of all types of animals from injured street dogs to wounded birds, from wild leopards to dangerous snakes. However, the most remarkable work is the set-up of Wildlife SOS’s elephant and bear rescue centers near Agra.
Spend some time with the elephants rescued, treated and cared from forced work in unnatural conditions. Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation Center is home to around 20 elephants rescued from depriving conditions. Another remarkable contribution of Wildlife SOS is Bear Rescue Center where more than 200 sloth bears rescued from different parts of the country are living their life in peace.
As you visit the conservation center, you will surely fall in love with these lovely animals. Watch bears playing or walk with elephants as they go to bath in waters of river Yamuna twice a day.
EXPERIENCING THE ART OF HENNA PAINTING
For visitors to India, getting a mehndi is a unique cultural experience that they can take home with them. Henna, also known as Mehndi, painting on hands or feet have always been auspicious in India being associated with positive spirits and good luck.
Sit back, relax and prepare to be amazed as a skilled mehndi or henna (paste from the leaves of a shrub) artist deftly embellishes your hands or feet with intricate patterns that will wash off after approximately two weeks. The colours may fade but the memory will always remind you of India.
VISITING A VILLAGE IN INDIA
The soul, heart, and beauty of India can be found in rural parts of the country. Travelers seeking for a place to get a real feel of the India must visit its ancient villages that even today give the glimpse of age-old culture and traditions. A walk in the open farms, the calm breeze touching your face, the tempting smell of soil, colourful painted houses and the warmth in the hearts of people, are some of the many things that every traveler should visit rural India to experience.
CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST OR A SUNDOWNER WITH TAJ MAHAL IN BACK-DROP
Relish the lip-smacking Champagne breakfast or a sundowner with breathtaking views of ‘One of the Seven Wonders of the World’ – Taj Mahal is an experience to remember forever.