Blog-India

Diwali: Festival of Light

On the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu calendar, the five day Festival of Light begins with people celebrating all around the world. This marks the start of the Hindu New Year.

Diwali comes from the ancient Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning "row of lights". Every year people decorate their homes with oil lamps - diyas - to celebrate light conquering darkness, and good over evil. Fireworks are set off and families get together to share gifts and have delicious feasts.

READ THE BLOG

Festivals of India

If you have been lucky enough to experience an Indian festival, or even just seen some pictures, then there is probably one aspect that stands out to you: colour. Whether it is the costumes, paint, or decorations, these celebrations are a vivid celebration of life and spirituality. Listed here are a few of our favourites from all over the country, demonstrating the incredible variety that India has to offer. You will enjoy getting swept up in the legends, vivacity and immersive traditions that are on display at these events.

READ THE BLOG

A Day with the Apatani Tribe in Arunachal Pradesh

Vanessa Betts ventures deep into India’s remotest state to meet the Apatani tribe.

READ THE BLOG

THE DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY

Starting at an elevation of only about 100m in New Jalpaiguri and rising to around 2,200m is the Darjeeling Himalayan railway – the world’s tallest railway network. Whilst the length of this track is only 78km long, the Darjeeling Himalayan railway (fondly know as the ‘Toy Train’) is a must-do for travelers to this part of the world.

READ THE BLOG

The Manikarnika Ghat of Varanasi

For 3000 years people have gathered to worship on the shores of the Ganges in the holy city known as Varanasi. Overwhelming at times, Varanasi is the mystical centre of the Hindu world where every visitor can witness an abundance of life and death rituals.

READ THE BLOG

Apatani: A distinct Tradition

Nestled in India’s northeast lies the little known state of Arunachal Pradesh. With a population of just over 1 million covering the state’s area of 84 000 km2 (an area roughly a third of the size of the United Kingdom), Arunachal is one of India’s most sparsely populated states.

READ THE BLOG

PALACES AND FORTRESSES OF RAJASTHAN

Translating to the ‘land of kings’, Rajasthan is India’s largest state and boasts a dramatic desert landscape. Until the British arrived, Rajasthan was divided into twenty princely states headed by Rajputs who safeguarded their luxurious palace with powerful fortresses. A ferocious warrior nation, the numerous leaders of this state ultimately spelled out their own demise, with most of their energy being spent squabbling with one another.

READ THE BLOG

Tawang: India's Largest Buddhist Monastery

At an elevation of 3300m in the state of Arunachal Pradesh is Asia’s second largest Buddhist monastery: Gaden Namgyal Lhatse or the Tawang Monastery. At least 400 years old and founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1681, Tawang is one of the most important Buddhist shrines in the world. The monastery is significant for being the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama and the monks here belong to the Gelug-pa sect of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism.

READ THE BLOG

SNAKE BOATS OF KERALA

Measuring up to 140 feet in length and requiring 100 rowers to make them manoeuvrable, the chundan vallam, or snake boat, is considered one Kerala’s greatest symbols.

READ THE BLOG

NAGALAND’S TRIBAL CULTURE

Bordering onto Myanmar, Nagaland embodies the rugged beauty of India’s North East and is a wilderness of unkempt forests and rolling mountains waiting to be explored. The multitude of colours that fill Nagaland’s scenery can also be found in the state’s myriad tribes, which each have their own unique character and distinct customs.

READ THE BLOG

GOVERNMENT WANTS ARMY TO VACATE AGRA FORT

The Central minster of Uttar Pradesh wants the army to vacate Agra Fort so that tourists will be able to visit the whole of the UNESCO Heritage Site.

READ THE BLOG

TOP 5 TIGER CONSERVATION STEPS FOR INDIA

The national animal of India, the Royal Bengal Tiger, has become the poster child of wildlife conservation in India. Thanks to the tiger, India has woken up to the great threat that wildlife is facing owing to massive human interference with nature. Hence, although the tiger may evoke fear in many people’s hearts, his growing numbers augur well for bio-diversity in the long run.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: TOURISM BENEFITS TIGER POPULATION

In 2008, the number of tigers in India had dropped to a staggering 1,411, yet this month India’s environment minister announced that tiger figures have almost doubled to 2,226, reaching a level not seen since 2002.

READ THE BLOG

Kerala: Goa

Part 1 of the Kerala travel diary.

READ THE BLOG

Kerala: Munnar

Part 2 of the Kerala travel diary.

READ THE BLOG

Kerala: Alleppey (Backwater Country)

Part 3 of the Kerala travel diary.

READ THE BLOG

Kerala: Alleppey

Part 4 of the Kerala travel diary.

READ THE BLOG

Kerala: Cochin

Part 5 of the Kerala travel diary.

READ THE BLOG

Kerala: On the road to Wayanad

Part 6 of the Kerala travel diary.

READ THE BLOG

Kerala: Wayanad

Part 7 of the Kerala travel diary.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: KASHMIR & LADAKH EXPLORER I

This travel diary explores the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas and surrounding towns, as well as shining a light onto some of the destinations in our Kashmir & Ladakh Explorer tour.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: KASHMIR & LADAKH EXPLORER II

This travel diary explores the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas and surrounding towns, as well as shining a light onto some of the destinations in our Kashmir & Ladakh Explorer tour.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: KASHMIR & LADAKH EXPLORER III

This travel diary explores the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas and surrounding towns, as well as shining a light onto some of the destinations in our Kashmir & Ladakh Explorer tour.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: KASHMIR & LADAKH EXPLORER IV

This travel diary explores the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas and surrounding towns, as well as shining a light onto some of the destinations in our Kashmir & Ladakh Explorer tour.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: KASHMIR & LADAKH EXPLORER V

This travel diary explores the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas and surrounding towns, as well as shining a light onto some of the destinations in our Kashmir & Ladakh Explorer tour.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: CLASSIC RAJASTHAN

This was going to be my first proper trip to the Land of the Maharajahs since my visit some 14 years ago to Jaipur. Rajasthan has long been popular with travellers due to its rich and colourful heritage. To see it all in just 6 days would be impossible...

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: DELHI TO VARANASI

[Part 1] Rahul embarks on a research trip to create our Sacred India and Raj, Tigers & Mangroves tours – from Delhi, through Varanasi and Kolkata, all the way to the Sunderbans.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: VARANASI I

[Part 2] Rahul embarks on a research trip to create our Sacred India and Raj, Tigers & Mangroves tours – from Delhi, through Varanasi and Kolkata, all the way to the Sunderbans.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: VARANASI II

[Part 3] Rahul embarks on a research trip to create our Sacred India and Raj, Tigers & Mangroves tours – from Delhi, through Varanasi and Kolkata, all the way to the Sunderbans.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: KOLKATA I

[Part 4] Rahul embarks on a research trip to create our Sacred India and Raj, Tigers & Mangroves tours – from Delhi, through Varanasi and Kolkata, all the way to the Sunderbans.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: KOLKATA II

[Part 5] Rahul embarks on a research trip to create our Sacred India and Raj, Tigers & Mangroves tours – from Delhi, through Varanasi and Kolkata, all the way to the Sunderbans.

READ THE BLOG

INDIA: SUNDERBANS III

[Part 6] Rahul embarks on a research trip to create our Sacred India and Raj, Tigers & Mangroves tours – from Delhi, through Varanasi and Kolkata, all the way to the Sunderbans.

READ THE BLOG