India 22.03.2024 Transindus
Quite apart from the undeniable allure of India's architectural marvels or the deep-rooted heritage and devout spirituality of its villages to the magnificence of its landscapes, from the frozen Himalayas to tropical rainforests, teeming with wildlife, the barmy golden sands of its beaches with world-class hotels and a cuisine to die for, it is so often India's endless capacity to surprise and captivate visitors with it's magical, often quirky, and occasionally infuriating chance encounters that keep visitors returning for more...
Our Travel Specialists travel year after year to uncover hidden gems off the beaten track that help you experience the real India, get close to local people, and create memories that will remain with you forever. Let our experts create bespoke luxury experiences that help you enjoy India at its best and most experiential.
Here are a few of our favourite experiences:
Hill Railways of India
Escape the heat of the plains and head for the hills on board one of the very special trains to the cooler climbs of Shimla, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri Matheran Hills. These slow but spectacular journeys trace the historical roots of Indian Railways to pre-independence days you're unlikely to meet in any other way. What they lack in speed, they make up for in charm and should not be overlooked as some of the most spectacular journeys in India.
Learn to Cook like a local
A feast for the senses dedicated to providing an authentic Indian home and cooking experience as you venture out into the bustling markets of Delhi to shop for fresh ingredients before heading into the kitchen with your personal chef to learn the best secrets of Indian food you can replicate back at home.
These classes are recommended for anyone interested in learning the culinary techniques of Indian cuisine, how to buy the best ingredients, roast and mix spices, gain a richer awareness of Indian life and culture, and, of course, anyone everyone who enjoys excellent food!
Trek in the Valley of Flowers
Chamoli, Uttrakhand, is home to an enchanting National Park known for its rich flora and fauna. A serene high-altitude trek that offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges, along with a glimpse of the beautiful alpine valley and its flora. Suitable for beginners, the serene Valley of Flowers Trek starts at Govindghat, passes through the beautiful villages, and crosses the Pushpavati River before reaching the village of Ghangaria, our base camp.
Moderately strenuous, the 37-day trek, usually taken over 6-7 days, is known for its beautiful flora, including Himalayan blue poppies and the incredibly rare Brahma Kama. You make your way to Hemkund Sahib, at 4,329 meters, one of the holiest shrines for Sikhs, second only to the Golden Temple, Amritsar.
Navigate the Living Bridges of Meghalaya, Eastern India
Meghalaya, literally “Abode of Clouds”, owes its name to the prodigious humidity drawn over its hills from the Bay of Bengal. The state, sandwiched between Assam and Bangladesh, boasts the highest rainfall on earth.
Sailing slowly down the Ganges
The Ganges may begin life as a mere trickle in the Western Himalayas, but as it powers across India, it brings millions of people's lives, livelihoods and cultural wealth. Its vital waterways and religious significance have drawn travellers to its banks for thousands of years, creating a confluence of colonisers, from the Mughals to the British, the French to the Dutch. This rich tapestry of historical sites, cultural influences, and political epochs has left a legacy that endures to this day in its buildings, people, religious sites, and food.
You can now explore these timeless sites as you sail gently down the river on your luxurious cruise ship, nominated "Among the world's 40 best cruising holidays" by the Guardian UK.
Embrace Spirituality in the home of the Dalai Lama
Clustered on a wooded ridge in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala is internationally famous as the home of the Tibetan spiritual leader in exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It’s also the home of a sizeable and ever-growing number of Tibetan refugees, most of whom undertook dangerous journeys across the mountains of their homeland to get there.
Their presence has transformed what was formerly a sleepy hill station into one of India’s principal attractions. Visitors from all over the world come not only to attend public teachings by the Dalai Lama himself but also to study Buddhist meditation, Tibetan performing arts, crafts, and medicine and to experience the unique atmosphere of this refugee town in the Himalayas.
Sip Darjeeling at a Living Tea Estate
Enjoy one of our favourite experiences of staying in the foothills of the stunning Kanchenjunga range to experience the heavenly 1,600-acre working Tea Estate established by an entrepreneurial Scottish planter in 1859. Sitting at a fold in the River Rangeet and overlooked by the mighty Kanchenjunga peak, Glenburn offers a stunning range of activities, from walking with the tea pickers to trekking across the rolling hills, experiencing the workings of the living tea factory, camping, and fishing. The nearby monasteries, towns, and villages make excellent day excursions.
Accommodation bungalows offer old-world elegance and charm with four poster beds, a living area, gardens, verandahs, terraces, amazing views of the surrounding mountain range, and service standards that exceed guest expectations.
