Autumnal Hues across Asia

India    31.12.2024    TransIndus

Autumn is the sweet spot for travel to Asia. The rainy season has receded, leaving behind lush landscapes, clear blue skies, and cooler days and nights. Southeast Asia offers golden rice fields at this time, while Japan and Korea dazzle with vibrant autumn foliage and a multitude of festivals like Diwali, enhancing the experience.

 

Rajasthan

Welcome to Rajasthan, the desert state of India, "The Land of Kings," where thousands of years of history, opulent architecture and vibrant heritage converge in a kaleidoscope of colour, sights and sounds. While it remains one of the most visited parts of India at almost any time of the year, the autumn months of October/November bring out an extra sparkle as it celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Almost all homes, streets, and shops shimmer in the dazzling glow of lights and oil lamps. Colourful welcome patterns (rangoli's) adorn thresholds as fireworks light up the night sky, and families get together to exchange greetings and gifts, creating an unparalleled atmosphere.

Steeped in regal grandeur and tradition, Rajasthan offers a huge variety of accommodations from luxurious palace hotels, boutique heritage properties and country house homes-away-from-home making it a great place to start experiencing the magic of India. Make sure you leave sufficient time to wander through Jaipur's bustling bazaars, marvel at Udaipur's shimmering lakes, and explore the timeless deserts of Jaisalmer.

Discover more  Rajasthan, Land of Kings Tour

 

Tiger Tracking in India

Beyond the ancient monuments, impressive history, forts, palaces, colonial history, and bustling cities, India offers a vast wealth of natural habitats that support nearly 500 mammals, over 1,300 birds, and countless species of amphibians, reptiles, and insects, the prime among which stands the Tiger, The King of the Jungle.

It comes as no surprise that a glimpse of a tiger features high on the must-do list for most travellers to India, whether they are casual observers or true-willed enthusiasts. One of the best times to spot them is the Autumn, just as the tiger parks open after a summer recess, during the mating season. The other is late spring, when natural water holes begin to recede, ahead of the long, hot, wet summer months. At this time, nature encourages animals to venture further from their lair in search of water for easier spotting. If you are looking for adventure this Autumn or next spring, tiger tracking should definitely be on your radar, and we are here to help you get the most out of it.

India's Tiger Parks  Land of Tiger Tour

 

Eastern States of India & River cruising

Explore India's least-visited gems in the country's far northeast, where a unique tapestry of natural beauty and cultural diversity survives hidden and wild rhinos still roam free. The Seven Sister States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura each boast a unique culture with vibrant festivals and indigenous tribal people who maintain their traditional way of life. Now is the time to visit these parts before change becomes inevitable!

While access and creature comforts may still be catching up with the rest of India, a handful of excellent, small cruise ships make navigating parts of this remote region easy. The renowned Pandaw Flotilla Company, Assam Bengal Navigation Company and The Anantara Group ply a handful of luxurious ships along the Mighty Brahmaputra and other rivers, and we couldn't recommend them more for relaxed and comfortable adventures. Let our experienced team guide you through your next adventure through these frontier lands, and we won't tell anyone just how easy it was!

Discover river cruising  Rhinos and more Tour

Sri Lanka

Outstanding nature, affordable luxury, and excellent service are traditionally the big draws for Sri Lanka, the world's prototypical tourist destination. Add tropical beaches, historic cultural sites, wildlife adventures, and unbelievably great food to the picture, and it is no surprise that the island becomes most people's idea of a tropical idyll.

Considered a year-round destination, try to visit it during the autumn and winter, from October to March, when the weather is at its best and the sea is calm. Hundreds of species of migratory birds fill the skies, and when Ocra, Blue and Sperm Whales come to roost in its warm waters to breed and calve. For us, visiting Jaffna and its treasure trove of historic sites and tiny islands for an off-beat adventure is the best season. Our team will be delighted to guide you and help you book.

Discover Sri lanka  Off-the-Beaten-Track-SriLanka

Nepal

Nestled between India and China, Nepal, home to Mount Everest, is a land steeped in 2,500 years of history and rich cultural heritage. This small yet diverse nation packs a breathtaking mix of landscapes, including the Himalayan peaks, lush valleys, and subtropical plains.

The Kathmandu Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a veritable treasure trove of historical architecture and culture, both in the vibrant capital city of Kathmandu and in ancient capital past rulers, like Bhaktapur and Patan, that are renowned for their ornate temples and palaces. In the countryside beyond, visitors can explore beauty spots like Pokhara, known for its serene lakes and Annapurna trekking routes, or Chitwan and Bardia National Parks, offering sightings of rhinos, tigers, and wild elephants. True adventurers may head towards the Everest base camp in the Sagarmatha National Park only after due preparations!

Autumn festivals like Dashain and Tihar add cultural vibrancy to any trip, so ask us about these before finalising dates.

Discover more  Treasures of Nepal Tour

 

Taiwan

Contrary to the country's hi-tech image, traditional Oriental pleasures of art, Taoist opera with painted faces, and cultural history provide the defining moments of trips to this proud and distinctive island, located just southeast of China...

Watching shaven-headed monks lighting incense in ancient Shinto shrines or navigating vestiges of European and Ming rule that survive in the by-lanes of the Anping Fort district in Tainan, a city famously known as the 'City of Snacks'. However, the most distinctive features of Taiwan are the remarkable number of diverse natural sites one can experience, like the afterglow reflected on the glassy waters of Sun Moon Lake, the astonishing marble crags of the Taroko Gorge, the dreamy, misty hills of the Alishan mountains and the phantasmagoria of weird shapes crafted into rock by the sea, wind and rain.

The food is excellent, the hotels of all grades provide comfortable stays, and the islands' beaches provide much-needed relaxation after an inspiring tour. What more could you wish for?

Find out more  Experience Taiwan Tour

Oman

Discover the timeless allure of Oman, a modern Gulf state steeped in ancient charm. Begin your journey in Muscat, the perfect gateway to Arabia, where azure-tiled mosques, the Sultan's Palace, and bustling souks brim with traditional treasures. Stay in some of the world's finest hotels while exploring the capital's rich heritage and stunning seafront.

Venture into the Hajar Mountains to uncover historic forts and dramatic wadis and watering holes for freshwater swimming or head south to Sur, a city famed for its dhow-building legacy and connections to the ancient frankincense trade. Don't miss the Empty Quarter, the vast desert that inspired explorers with its endless dunes and the legendary lost city of Ubar.

Oman invites seasoned travellers to experience its blend of tradition, luxury, and breathtaking landscapes.

Discover Oman  Oman, The Jewel of Arabia Tour

 

Jordan

The Kingdom of Jordan on the southwest fringes of Asia is just a short hop away, visa-free, perpetually sunny and offers great opportunities for short breaks and long weekends away. Explore Petra, the Lost City of the Nabataeans, the capital of Amman, and enjoy an invigorating dip in the soothing waters of the Dead Sea over a relaxing long-weekend break.

But choose to stay on, and we will help you discover much more of Jordan, including Amman, one of the oldest and continuously inhabited cities of the world; Jerash, the largest and best preserved of Roman cities outside Italy; the ancient mosaics of Madaba; the secluded forest reserve at Ajloun; Biblical Mount Nebo and an endless list of other significant sites of Jordon.

You might even consider crossing the land borders into Israel to visit the holy landmarks of Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

Find out more  Essential Jordan Tour