Madurai is seriously ancient. Its recorded history goes back as far as the 3rd century BC. And from then to now, it seems to have been populated by gourmands. There are written recipes dating back to the time when Jesus walked on earth, and which are followed till date.
Madurai is a flourishing market town since at least the 2nd century BC, the centre of power for many dynasties and a seat of divinity from time immemorial.
At first glance, it is the archetypal Indian village – sun burned and sleepy. But walk in, and you can’t help but spot the dolls, of all sizes and in various stages of making.
Cardamom, coriander, turmeric, ginger, tamarind, asafoetida… the stars of Indian cuisine are many, and each has a unique personality that it lends unabashedly to every preparation.
The spice trail is an exploratory journey through Indian cuisine.
Flying across the Himalayas, the Great Himalayan Divide and the Pir Panjal ranges of Ladakh with views of the Eastern Karakorams before landing at Leh, experience possibly one of the world’s most spectacular flying experiences. Land at the quaint though now fairly bustling township of Leh and take rest for the day to acclimitise to an altitude of 3,500 meters.
The greatest natural history experience outside of the continent of Africa but with everything that Africa does not have!
A very exciting and relaxing rail with river two centre combination of chugging through the beautiful hills and plains of Karnataka in the comfort of the luxurious Golden Chariot train. Visit a tiger reserve national park which is also home to elephants, bison and deer. Explore the amazing palaces and temples of Mysore, a city where an erstwhile Maharaja still resides. Come to one of the most beautiful ancient ruins of South India at Hampi which was earlier called Vijaynagra, which was one of the most powerful empires of South India before the colonial period.
The greatest natural history experience outside of the continent of Africa but with everything that Africa does not have!
Ladakh, is a stark lunar landscaped land of a high altitude and a cold desert inhabited by Buddhist people following the Lama form of Mahayana Buddhism. Living under the shadows of the surrounding snow covered mountains of both the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges and praying at their monasteries perched on-top of hills trying to reach out to the gods. With prayer wheels in their hands rotating the prayers in the wind “Om Mani Padme Hum” describing the God Buddha as a jewel sitting in a lotus flower.
MV Mahabaahu offers an expedition form of cruising on the mighty Brahmaputra that refuses to be tamed. Guwahati area experiences a surge of 35 ft in height of Brahmaputra waters during monsoons.
The greatest natural history experience outside of the continent of Africa but with everything that Africa does not have!
The fastest land animal, the graceful and endearing speedy Cheetah which had become extinct in India is now set to return this August 2022 with many of them being relocated to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh from Namibia. India is now becoming the proud home to Six Big and Fifteen Small Cats, having already been home to five. This land of Kipling, Jungle Book, Mowgli, Sher Khan, Bhaloo, Bagira and Haathi is now going to become heads and shoulders above all else as the "Greatest Cats Country on Earth"!
View the rich birdlife of India at the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Meet the Royal Bengal Tigers at Ranthambhor National Park and the Spotted Leopards at Jawai, with these Big Cats roaming the semi-arid desert lands of Rajasthan. Combining this with a visit to the ancient capital of India - Delhi, the Wonder of the World - The Taj Mahal, The great Palaces and Citadels of Jaipur and Jodhpur. Finally, ending with the Desert Trails in the Thar Desert at Jamba where you stay on-top of a sand dune, meeting the Bishnoi Tribes!
A fairly demanding high altitude trek, starting with first arriving into Leh in Ladakh, driving to Zanskar, then over the Umasi La pass (5,300 meters), this trek takes you into the lesser known Sumchan valley. End the trek in the Kishtwar region located between Jammu and Kashmir after crossing the Great Himalayan Divide Ranges which separate the Himalayas from the Zanskar and further, Karakorams.
MV Mahabaahu offers an expedition form of cruising on the mighty Brahmaputra that refuses to be tamed. Guwahati area experiences a surge of 35 ft in height of Brahmaputra waters during monsoons.
Taj, Tigers, Leopards, Lions of India - The World"s Greatest Land of Big Cats View the rich birdlife of India at the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Meet the Royal Bengal Tigers at Ranthambore National Park and the Spotted Leopards at Jawai, with these Big Cats roaming the semi-arid desert lands of Rajasthan. Combining this with a visit to the ancient capital of India - Delhi, the Wonder of the World - The Taj Mahal, The great Palaces and Citadels of Jaipur and Jodhpur.
This program combines the amazing living jungles of India with the bird sanctuary of Keolado Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Going deeper into the wilderness of the Jungle Book of Rudyard Kipling where stories of Mowgli's jungle adventures abound. Mowgli's Trails of the Jungle Book takes you through the Panna National Park, the Bandhavgarh National Park and the Kanha National Park where the fierce Royal Bengal Tiger - Sher Khan roars and Bhalu, the Sloth Bear protects Mughli.
As the paradise on this Earth, the Kashmir Valley becomes the centre of tourism again seeing a great revival of both domestic and international tourism there, we too look forward to relaunching what for many of us used to be a second home in the past. The combination of the Golden Triangle with the Kashmir Valley is possibly offering the greatest and most diverse experiences that are possible within North India and the Himalayan regions together.
Starting the journey in Kolkata a city seeped in history of the colonial period of India, we fly into the North Eastern parts of India across to Assam: The land that gave the world the English Breakfast Tea, where the world’s largest population of rhinos share the forests with tigers, elephants, wild buffaloes, leopards and deers. Set along the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River and under the shadows of the towering Himalayan mountains, this paradise of nature and cultures takes your breath away!
Ladakh, is a stark lunar landscaped land of a high altitude and a cold desert inhabited by Buddhist people following the Lama form of Mahayana Buddhism. Living under the shadows of the surrounding snow covered mountains of both the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges and praying at their monasteries perched on-top of hills, trying to reach out to the gods. With prayer wheels in their hands rotating the prayers in the wind “Om Mani Padme Hum” describing the God Buddha as a jewel sitting in a lotus flower.
Abhaneri Stepwell is an architectural marvel and called by BBC as "one of the 10 great unknown wonders of the world". To overcome the perpetual issue of water scarcity during summer months, inhabitants of northern India began constructing unique step wells in the 6th century CE to collect this precious resource.
Adalaj Stepwell is a magnificent structure built brilliantly to curb water crisis in and around Adalaj Village. The stepwell is located 19 Km to the North of Ahmedabad. It was built in 1498 and is one of the many step wells built in India to provide access to groundwater.
A few blocks back from the beach, the candy-striped 1862 lighthouse contains a small museum with an original oil lamp, but is best visited for the 360-degree views of a surprisingly green Alleppey from the top of its spiralling staircase.
Come the season of Kurinji, and all the roads of South India lead to the Nilgiris or Blue Mountains, upon reaching which you will feel, that all of Nature or the Universe has conspired for you to behold this phenomenon – a tapestry of lush green transforming into an undulating ocean of violet.
