India travel tips, a choice of destinations also combinable as tailor-made individual holidays in India.
We do arrange cultural tours in India, adventure travel in India, pilgrimages and Ayurvedic treatments in India.
- Rajasthan Dreams: A tour including Shekhawati and Jaisalmer
Explore the vibrant bazaars of Jaipur, the renowned frescoes of the Hawelis in Shekhawati region, the towering forts at Jodhpur and at Chittorgarh,
the fairy-tale palaces of Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bundi and Kota. Or stroll through the atmospheric pilgrimage sites of Mt. Abu and Pushkar.
Experience the love of art manifested in stone, Rajput honor and legends, 1001 Nights in a bizzare landscape. An orgy of colours, shapes and smells.
Luxurious accommodation is also available in many of the old authentic palaces - according to individual budget.
- Hight-lights of the North: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Kolkata
Follow the sacred Ganges and encounter the stunning monuments of Mughal architecture at Delhi and Agra, colourful Rajputana at Jaipur, the exquisite temples of the Chandela period
at Khajuraho, and reach glorious Varanasi (Benares)- the constantly dying and being reborn city of Shiva.
The journey can be extended to Calcutta (Kalkota), the buzzing cultural centre in Bengal with countless architectural remains of a colonial past.
- Western Impressions: Delhi to Mumbai
Discover India's North-West. Enjoy the colonial style ambience of New Delhi, the deserts and fabled
palaces of Rajasthan and Gujarat, colourful impressions and Islam art par excellence, the caves of Ajanta and Ellora
and pulsating Mumbai. You experience some of the most outstanding locations in Rajasthan, still explore amazing
Ahmedabad, built in Indo-Saracenic tyle, and visit the fascinating Jain temples at Palitana or at Girnar Hill near
Junagadh. The famed caves at Ajanta (220 BC - 650 AD) and Ellora (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, 600 - 1000 BC) are among
India's most important cultural sites, and a visit to Mumbai(Bombay) completes this exceptional journey filled with impressions.
- Southern Delights: Karnataka and Kerala
Experience the Western Ghats and generate lasting memories of cool mountains covered in forest, coffee and tea plantations,
pepper, vanilla and cardomom. Cruise through the southern Deccan plateau and be stunned by the other-worldly atmosphere
of Hampi (Vijayanagar). Marvel at fascinating art at Belur, Halebid and Badami. Stroll through atmospheric Mysore
and cross the mountains down into the tropical lagoons, backwaters and the anscient spice trade ports of Kerala. Spend a
few days at one of the famed hill stations. Enjoy countless images of bye-gone times, vast plains, evergreen mountains,
dense jungle or a home-stay on plantations. A taste of the Raj, superb art, backwater romance, beach life and Ayurvediv treatments.
- Eastern Seaboard: Tamil Nadu and Orissa
Enjoy the fascinating temple towns and pilgrimage sites of Madurai, Trichy, Rameswaram, Mamallapuram or Kanchipuram, and relax in between
high up in the Ghats at the cool hill stations from the time of the Raj.
In Orissa marvel at the stunning temples of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark.
Do not forget to reserve a week with driver and guide for exploring some of the many ethnic minorities like the Kondh in the Hinterlands.
- Towering Mountains: Darjeeling - Sikkim
Encounter the enticing Tibetan culture and explore the villages and monasteries at the foot of mighty Kanchenjunga (8600m).
Ride on the old Toy Train up the mountains to Darjeeling or choose one of the soft treks in Sikkim in April when the Rhododendron blossoms.
Hike from Pelling to Pemayangtse Gompa or from Yoksum via Dzongri to Goecha La. The monasteries of Rumtek and
Sangachoeling are always worth a visit. Grand mountain scenery, remoteness and a bewitching culture.
- Our Forgotten Past: Arunachal Pradesh
Back in the 1950s India's then PM Nehru declared this region off limits in order to preserve the culture and customs of
the different indigenous tribal groups. In principal this did not change until today, and even Indians need a special
permit to enter the state. Since a few years we are able to obtain this permit for most regions.
The extreme western part of Arunachal Pradesh around the monastery of Tawang, is inhabited by people belonging to the Tibetan culture.
Activities in this region are visiting the monasteries and trekking tours on higher altitude.
The other 90% stretching east are inhabited by a wide variety of different tribal groups, the Apatani, Adi, Hill Miri, Mishimi, Nocte, Wanchu, to mention only some.
They all have their own distinctive culture, some even have their own script. Most still worship nature in a quite
elaborate system, even the Christian Churches are trying hard to 'civilize' them.
The people are in general very warm and friendly and curious to talk to foreigners (most speak English - Indian School system).
They sometimes expect us to have an opinion, and a certain cultural sensibility on our side is urgently required.
Arunachal is almost 2000km long and the infrastructure is not very developed, but the quality and authenticity of the
impressions are enormous. Quite unlikely to meet another group enroute.
- Finding One's Way: Nagaland
Of all the regions of different Naga tribes, I consider the area around Mon, home to the Konyak Naga, in
northern Nagaland the most interesting. Still I advise to also visit Mokukchung, centre of the Ao Naga region and
the area around Kohima, home to the Angami Naga. During my journeys I have been to other areas, but still I
do not consider it worthwhile visiting them, taking into account the expected obstacles and inconvenience.
Day excursions from the above mentioned places to villages of different tribal groups are recommended.
When planning to visit Nagaland we should not forget, that the area has been christianized by Baptists as early as the
2nd half of 19th century. Head-hunting does not exist anymore, but Nagaland is an interesting example of a people being
deprived of their culture and struggling to adjust to modern times in search for identity. And they are very lovely and
agile people.
Accommodation at Hotels, guest houses and some village projects. Access to Nagaland is restricted, special permits are required.
- Trekking in the Himalayas north of Delhi:
Ladakh's Tibetan culture is fascinating and alive. The capital Leh and the variety of monasteries in the valley
are worth the trip alone. The classic treks follow the old trading routes into the remote Zanskar Valley. One starts
in the north at the monastery of Lamayuru, the other in the south from Darcha to Padum. Another trek connects Lamayuru
to Hemis monastery, or if you are looking for just a few days, the trek through the Markha valley might be the one to choose.
Very interesting is the Nubra Valley north of Leh. Beside a stunning scenery it is lovely to spend a few days in
the monasteries along the old caravan route between Tibet and Central Asia.
Further south the valleys of Lahaul und Spiti offer other fascinating treks on a lower altitude.
If you are more interested in Hindu culture, you should consider visiting Uttarranchal and the Nanda Devi region.
The most popular trek is to the source of the Ganges, entering the world of the Sadhus.
- Ayurveda in India:
Southern India is famous for Ayurvedic Centres and Ayurvedic Clinics.
Choosing one depends entirely on individual expectations. The purpose of a stay varies from rejuvenating and being
pampered in a luxurious exotic environment to looking for help curing a serious illness.
The duration of a treatment varies accordingly from 1 week to several month. Most centres or clinics are situated in Kerala,
but a few respected ones are also in Goa and Karnataka.
- Remarks:
Having a guide means 3 options: Guide accompanying the whole trip from arrival in India until departure, changing guides
at different destinations, or just transfers and hotels (drivers speak English). Guides speak English, other languages on request.
We also joyfully accept inquiries about tours or routes which are not mentioned here.
This page has been created to allow a general overview of the most asked options.
