The Himalayan Silk Road with Sophie Ibbotson

India

Travel India's Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh

15 days £3,895 pp This is the per person group tour price, based on 2 sharing. The price is subject to change with exchange rate and flight cost fluctuations.
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Intro, Dates & Prices

Intro

Take an unforgettable journey through the Indian Himalayas tracing parts of the forgotten Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh. Sophie Ibbotson, the Bradt guide author to Kashmir & Ladakh and expert in Silk Road history, will shed light on this once important trading route linking China with the rest of Asia and beyond. Perhaps one of the most scenic drives in the world, your journey will start in the capital of Kashmir, Srinagar, known for its rich Islamic culture. You will pass through the district of Kargil, a strategic trading post along this part of the Silk Road, and where remnants of the Silk Road era can still be seen. Continue on to Ladakh where you will visit the Central Asian Museum in Leh and the spectacularly located Buddhist monasteries dotted around the landscapes. One of the highlights will be witnessing the masked Buddhist festival in Tak Tok.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Heritage walking tour in Srinagar
  • Shikara ride on Dal Lake
  • Stunning drive through the Himalayas
  • Kargil War Memorial in Drass
  • Silk Road artefacts and caravanserai in Kargil
  • Visit Buddhist monasteries
  • Highest motorable road in the world - the Khardung La Pass
  • Sand dunes and remote monasteries in Nubra Valley
  • Isolated Diskit monastery
  • Tak Tok masked dance festival

Places Visited

Delhi - Srinagar - Drass Valley - Kargil - Lamayuru - Uleytokpo - Spituk - Leh - Nubra Valley

What's Included

Airport transfers
Domestic flights
Ground transport with driver
Accommodation
Most meals included
Sightseeing activities with escorted guides
Entrance fees to sites (one-time entry)

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Itinerary
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Overview Itinerary Detailed Itinerary

Hemis Festival only takes place on June/July departures. If travelling outside this period, optional walks and monastery visits can be arranged.

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Day 1 : Arrival

On arrival in Delhi airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. After refreshing, set off for an afternoon tour of Old Delhi, visiting some of its Mughal sites.

Note: you will have to take an overnight flight to arrive on Day 1. Let us know if you would like to arrive earlier for a pre-tour of Delhi or to visit other places in India before this tour.

Overnight in Claridges, Delhi

Meal plan: Dinner

India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Amidst the vast spiraling skyscrapers, the remnants of a bygone era in the form of its many monuments, stand as silent reminders of the region’s ancient legacy. The first impression for any visitor travelling in from the airport is of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.

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Day 2 : Srinagar

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. On arrival our representative will transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure to acclimatise and enjoy the surroundings. Lunch and dinner at hotel.

Overnight in Nadis Hotel, Srinagar

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 3 : Srinagar

Today we experience the sights and sounds of old Srinagar. We will visit the immaculate Nishat Mughal Garden, the Hasrat Bal Dargah and take a walk through old Srinagar, where we will see traders selling everything from fine Kashmiri woodwork to local spices. Lunch will be in a local Kashmiri restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit the artisan's village to see the local paper mache and embroidery workshop. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Nadis Hotel, Srinagar

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Situated on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is the summer capital of Kashmir. It is well known for its beautiful gardens, lakes and houseboats as well as dried fruits and Kashmiri handicrafts. Known as ‘the Kashmiri Venice’, the city has a unique blend of cultural heritage which is reflected in the city’s many religious buildings, such as Keer bhawani and the Hazaratbal Shrine, which is the only domed mosque in the city.

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Day 4 : Srinagar

Early morning walk from the hotel through the nearby fields past streams to the ruins of a 1st century Buddhist monastery, believed to be the site from where Buddhism spread further east to Ladakh and into Tibet. It is a relatively gentle walk but the path may be slippery in places. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, leave for Hari Parbat Fort where we will walk through parts of the old city then climb to the summit of the fort from where we will get panoramic views of the city.  After lunch, proceed to Srinagar's most famous lake - Dal Lake - where we will take a local shikara (gondola) ride and enjoy the ambience of the lake as the sun starts to set. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Nadis Hotel, Srinagar

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Surrounded by snow capped mountains, Dal Lake is one of the most beautiful urban lakes in India. It's the second largest lake in Kashmir and has many orchards dotted along its shores. The lake is part of a natural wetland including its floating gardens which cover the surface in lotus flowers during July and August. Called the 'jewel of Kashmir', the best way to view the stunning scenery is to take a colourful shikara ride across the tranquil waters.

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Day 5 : Srinagar - Sonamarg - Drass - Kargil

Today we embark on our journey along the Himalayas, driving through some of the most picturesque scenery on earth. After an early breakfast we will set off for Kargil. En-route we will pass Sonamarg, popular with trekkers wanting to climb one of the nearby glaciers, and  we will stop briefly at Zojila Pass where the first hints of Buddhist culture start to be seen. After crossing the Ladakh state border we will stop in the small town of Drass for lunch and then visit the nearby Kargil War Memorial, which commemorates the fallen Indian soldiers during the 1999 war with Pakistan. Finally we drive on to the city of Kargil where we will enjoy dinner at the hotel. 

Overnight in Hotel The Kargil, Kargil

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Zojila Pass is a high mountain pass connecting Srinagar and Leh. It’s one of the most dangerous roads in the Himalayas because it is narrow and has vicious winds due to a funnel effect. The second highest pass on the Srinangar – Leh Highway, it provides a vital link between Ladakh and Kashmir. 

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Day 6 : Kargil

In the morning we will visit the Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum. The family museum contains a fascinating collection of artifacts, relics and photos dating back to the days when Kargil stood at the crossroads of the old Silk Road in India. We will walk through the local bazaar to see from outside what is left of the old caravanserai (entry may not be permitted due to the precarious condition of the building). After lunch, we will visit the abandoned village of Hunderman, located in the rugged valley close to the Line of Control with Pakistan. Local people have opened a small museum in one of the homes documenting the lives of border families. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Hotel The Kargil, Kargil

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Lying on the banks of the Suru River, Kargil is the second largest town in the Ladakh. Before the Partition of India in 1947, the town was part of the Baltistan region of Ladakh and was a sparsely populated area with diverse language, ethnic and religious groups living in the isolated valleys. The town has a unique mix of architecture with the older mosques built in Tibetan and Iranian styles and the more modern mosques built with Arabic influences.

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Day 7 : Kargil - Lamayuru - Uleytokpo

Our drive continues through some of the most unforgettable scenery you will ever see. We will stop briefly at the Mulbek Maitreya Buddha statue (9m tall) and then proceed to Lamayuru, home to one of the most majestically situated monasteries in Ladakh. We continue our journey towards Uleytokpo, stopping en-route for a walk around the little-visited mud-brick fortress of Basgo Monastery, which again occupies a splendid position overlooking villages and stark barren landscapes. A short drive later we will finally arrive at the eco-retreat in Uleytokpo in time for dinner.

Overnight in Ule Ethnic Resort, Uleytokpo

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Lying on the banks of the Suru River, Kargil is the second largest town in the Ladakh. Before the Partition of India in 1947, the town was part of the Baltistan region of Ladakh and was a sparsely populated area with diverse language, ethnic and religious groups living in the isolated valleys. The town has a unique mix of architecture with the older mosques built in Tibetan and Iranian styles and the more modern mosques built with Arabic influences.

Lamayuru is a medieval monastery that is built on top of a near-vertical cliff. Towering over a small cluster of mud-bricked houses, it was founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the tenth and eleventh centuries. However, the place itself is thought to have been sacred well before Buddhism when the local people followed the shamanistic Bon cult. It is known for the being one of the largest gompas or monasteries in the Ladakh region with 150 monks permanently residing there. It hosts two masked dance festivals in the second and fifth months of the Tibetan lunar calendar when all the monks from the surrounding gompas gather together to prey.

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Day 8 : Uleytokpo - Leh

After breakfast, we set off for Leh via the Sangam (confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers) and stop off at Spituk Monastery. Arrive in Leh and afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight in Ladakh Eco Resort, Leh

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Spituk is a small village just outside Leh. It is best known for Spituk Gompa – an important Buddhist monastery. It was founded by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od in the 11th Century. Founded as a Red Hat institution, the monastery was taken over by the Yellow Hat sect in the 15th century.The monastery contains 100 monks and a giant statue of Kali (unveiled during the annual Spitok festival). Spituk has an average elevation of 3,307 metres (10,852 feet).

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Day 9 : Leh

In the morning we will head into the old part of Leh, where we will take a heritage walk and visit the impressive Central Asian Museum. The engaging museum showcases photos and artifacts illustrating the importance of Leh and Ladakh's importance in the Silk Road trading route. Afterwards, we will visit Shanti Stupa and then have lunch in one of Leh's finest local restaurants. Rest of day at leisure.

Overnight in Ladakh Eco Resort, Leh

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Leh is at an elevation of 3500m above sea level, situated in the Ladakh province. The stunning Leh Palace is modelled on the Tibetan Palace in Lhasa. some of Ladakh’s most famous and spectacular religious sites, including Sindhu Ghat where you can take a stroll by the bank of the River Indus. From there we move on to Thiksey Monastery, one of Leh’s most architecturally impressive structures clinging to the cliff-face and containing numerous stupas and murals of Lord Buddha.  The former home of the Ladakhi royal family, Shey Palace and Museum is situated on a hillock and houses an impressive 7.5 metre gold statue of Lord Buddha.  Hemis National Park is India’s largest national park, and the only park found in the northern Himalayas. It is home to a number of endangered species and the 400-year old Hemis Monastery.

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Day 10 : Excursion around Leh

After breakfast we will visit the quaint village of Matho and walk down from the Matho Monastery to the Indus River. Enjoy chai and snacks by the river and then head to nearby Thiksey Monastery, one of the most iconic monasteries in Leh, perched on a cliff-face. Afterwards visit the nearby Tibetan Library where monks come to study from all over Ladakh. Drive to Stok village for lunch with the local family. Visit their 300 year-old house, which has now been converted into a museum, and then take a walk around Stok Palace. Return to Leh. 

Overnight in Ladakh Eco Resort, Leh

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Constructed in 1430, Thiksey Gompa is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas, incorporating elements of Ladakh's traditional architectural style. It consists of 12 storeys and holds several stupas, prayer halls and small shrines with exquisite colourful wall paintings. The main prayer hall houses a 15-metre-high seated statue of Buddha, the largest in the region. 
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Day 11 : Leh - Khardung la Pass - Hunder - Diskit

Early start to the day for your drive to the Nubra Valley via Khardung La Pass, one of the world's highest motorable roads at over 18,000 feet. Despite its altitude and barren mountains, the landscape is dotted with lush greenery, the winding River Indus, sporadic wildlife and snow-capped peaks. If you are lucky you might spot pikas, marmots, red foxes, wolves and/or golden eagles. Arrive for lunch in the oasis village of Hunder, known for its silvery sand dunes. Then drive to the nearby village of Diskit where you will stay the night.

Overnight in Stone Hedge, Diskit

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Nubra Valley is full of spectacular landscape contrasts and silver sand dunes are set below snow peaks, with sublime views of Ladakh’s valleys. Here you can cross the highest motorable road in the world at 17,582 feet (5,359 m) and see how Khardung La Pass is literally on top of the world. It is also the home of the shaggy double-humped camel – a fine beast and one of the rarest camel species in the world.

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Day 12 : Diskit

Take a gentle walk around the village of Diskit and visit its isolated monastery which has  jaw-dropping views of the landscapes. Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch in Sumur and then explore the village on foot.  Return to Diskit and evening free to relax.

Overnight in Stone Hedge, Diskit

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Diskit Monastery, situated close to Nubra Valley, is not often visited by tourists and enjoys fantastic views of the Ladakhi landscape. The Monastery itself houses a number of shrines and is steeped in Buddhist folklore.

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Day 13 : Diskit - Tak Tok - Leh

Early morning leave for Tak Tok Gompa, where you will witness the colourful Tak Tok festival. It is a wonderful spectacle giving a glimpse into Ladakhi festival culture. Late afternoon return to Leh. 

Overnight in Grand Dragon Ladakh, Leh

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Taktok Festival - taking place once a year, the Tak Tok Festival is one of the most important festivals in Ladakh, which is celebrated in the cave gompa of TakTok. The highlight of the celebration is the masked dance of the lamas. Many cultural programmes are organised throughout the day, and a feast is set up in the evening. People dress up in ethnic clothes and observe religious practices. 
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Day 14 : Leh - Delhi

Transfer to airport for morning flight to Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight in Andaz, Delhi

Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner

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Day 15 : Departure

Transfer to airport at appropriate time for your onward flight or further extension in India.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Accommodation

Accommodation

All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.

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Claridges

Delhi (1 night)

The 5-star hotel Claridges is one of New Delhi’s most iconic hotels. A perfect amalgamation of elegance and contemporary luxury, it is located in close proximity to the capital’s bustling commercial and cultural centres. The hotel is equipped with a delightful temperature-controlled swimming pool, complete with sun decks, cabanas, loungers and a bar, where you can savour exotic cocktails, amidst uplifting music and ambient lighting!
 

Visit hotel's site
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Nadis Hotel

Srinagar (3 nights)

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Hotel The Kargil

Kargil (2 nights)

Located next to Hussaini Park and the Suru River, The Kargil offers a comfortable, modern stay. The hotel's 33 rooms and suites feature a stylish decor, en-suite bathrooms, mountain views, and all modern amenities including a free laptop rental service. Guests may enjoy buffet dining in the hotel restaurant, or spend time exploring the town or surrounding landscape, which is as beautiful as it is rugged.

Visit hotel's site
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Ule Ethnic Resort

Uleytokpo (1 night)

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Ladakh Eco Resort

Leh (3 nights)

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Stone Hedge

Diskit (2 nights)

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Grand Dragon Ladakh

Leh (1 night)

This is one of the first luxury hotels in Ladakh with a host of state of the art amenities in addition to handmade paintings by Gulam Mustafa (First modern Artist of Ladakh) around every corner, and fixtures that are reminiscent of royalty.

Visit hotel's site
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Andaz

Delhi (1 night)

Extensions

Kolkata & Darjeeling Snapshot (7 days)

Ideal extension to Bhutan

The Golden Triangle (5 days)

Marvel at India's most incredible forts and palaces

Kolkata & Sunderbans (6 days)

Discover colonial Kolkata and the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve

Himalayan Extension: Ladakh to Kashmir (5 days)

Travel across the spectacular Himalayan Highway

Beaches (1-7 days)

After exploring the busy cities, there's no better place to relax than one of India's paradisiacal beaches

Treks & Walks (1-12 days)

Himalayan treks, village walks and more

Hill Stations & Mountains

Escape the city and unwind among some of the most breathtaking mountain and hill scapes the world has to offer.

City Extensions (1-4 days)

Visit the must-see sights and the hidden depths of India's most vibrant cities.

Monks, Tribes & Rhinos (20 days)

Himalayan mountains, unseen tribes & amazing wildlife

Journey through the Indian Himalayas (20 days)

Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh

Classic Bhutan & Assam Cruise (18 days)

Experience Bhutan's rich culture, colonial Kolkata and rural life in Assam

Glimpse of India & Nepal (16 days)

Golden Triangle and the Himalayas

Kerala Calling (15 days)

Tropical mountains, tea & spice plantations, and backwaters

Journey Through Rajasthan (15 days)

Discover Rajasthan's forts, palaces and rural villages

The Himalayan Silk Road with Sophie Ibbotson (15 days)

Travel India's Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh

Taste of South India (15 days)

Experience the flavours and exotic spices of South India

Big Six of India (15 days)

Spot tigers, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino & elephants

Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival (15 days)

Wildlife, tribes & rural life in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur

Wildlife of North East India (14 days)

Diverse wildlife in Assam and the Sunderbans

Hampi and Beyond (14 days)

Discover Karnataka's stone temples, wildlife and coffee farms

Taj, Tigers & Temples (14 days)

Perfect mix of classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India

Spirit of South India (14 days)

Temple towns of Tamil Nadu to backwaters of Kerala

Roof of the World - Ladakh to Kashmir (14 days)

Experience dramatic Himalayan scenery, Buddhist and Islamic cultures

Delicacies of North India (14 days)

Discover the huge diversity of North India's cuisine

Big Cats of India (14 days)

Experience the thrill of the Indian jungle ...

Kerala & Karnataka Explorer (14 days)

Idyllic backwaters, tropical forests & ancient temple towns

Tribes of Rural India (14 days)

Visit remote tribal villages of Orissa & Chhattisgarh

Best of Bengal & Sikkim (14 days)

Colonial Kolkata, Darjeeling toy train & Buddhism

Tribes of North East India (14 days)

Remote tribal cultures in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Nagaland

Heart of India (14 days)

Take in the highlights of central India

Kerala - Trekking the Western Ghats (13 days)

Explore this UNESCO biodiversity hotspot on foot

Hidden Rajasthan (13 days)

Rural villages, grand forts & wildlife

Treasures of Gujarat (13 days)

Villages, temples, salt flats & the world's last Asiatic lions

Glimpse of India (12 days)

Golden Triangle, tigers & exotic Kerala

Markha Valley Trek (12 days)

Set foot in Ladakh's hidden Himalayan valleys

Classic Kerala (10 days)

Tea, spices, backwaters & beaches

Essential Rajasthan (10 days)

Discover the forts, palaces, villages and desert of Rajasthan

Living Bridges of Meghalaya (7 days)

Waterfalls, hills and living bridges in North East India

Reviews

Thanks for organising such a great trip to NE India Rahul - everything went seamlessly! We loved the fact that we could book an individual tour but still have flexibility with our itinerary once we were there, enabling us to take in the Si Donyi Festival at Daporijo and also be the first guests to stay overnight in a local village hut with our hosts in Papi, which was fantastic. Our guide was super. He had a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humour! It’s hard to pick a highlight as the whole trip was both fascinating and at times, humbling. We’ll never forget the amazing people, scenery & culture we experienced whilst there and are glad we had the opportunity to visit such an intriguing part of the world. We would certainly consider travelling with you again in the future.

Hazel Fairall , Tribes of North East India, India

I`m sure I could not have found a better operator for the type of complicated Indian tour I wanted to undertake on a limited budget. India is an intimidating country to visit, and I suspect that some operators look down on the first time visitor, or disparage their requirements. Travel the Unknown, by contrast, helped me all the way, and their local guides were superb.

Andrew Martin , Tailormade North East India

A fantastic trip to Arunachal Pradesh. Very well organised exactly to our requirements. Superb local guide. Would recommend this trip. Hazel and James.

Hazel Frost , Tailormade North East India

This trip was very well put together and ticked all the boxes that we had requested. The accommodation throughout the tour was of a high standard and our experiences in the national parks was wonderful spotting many different animals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, lions, jungle cat plus countless number of birds. Thank you Rahul for tailoring this trip to our requirements.

Nigel & Margaret Turner , Tailormade India Wildlife & Birding tour

We went on the Spirit of South India Tour and had a great time on our honeymoon. There was a good variety of places visited and the hotels, drivers and guides were all very good. We would definitely recommend this tour.

Rachel , Spirit of South India, India

I would highly recommend Travel the Unknown to anyone visiting India. The service we received both prior to, during and following our travels was always timely and excellent. We were able to customize our trip to our liking and to enjoy a wide variety of activities. The guides in every location were outstanding! Honestly. Having travelled through much of the world I can truly say that we have never been more impressed with the quality of the guides arranged for us in each location, as well as the service we received. Similarly, the hotels were excellent and allowed us to live very comfortably while, at the same time, enjoy an authentic Indian experience. If you haven`t already booked your trip with Travel the Unknown, then either do so now....or at least give them a chance to show you what they can offer.

Tracey & Gary , Tailormade India

This was my first experience of using Travel the Unknown having enjoyed small group adventure holidays for many years. I was attracted to the company because it seeks out the more unusual and lesser known areas of a country and I was not disappointed by my visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. There is a clear contrast between the people and the scenery of these two regions and we saw very few western tourists particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. The tour was well organised with plenty to see and do.

Keith Lewis , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, India

This was a very varied and interesting trip to a forgotten part of India. If you like off the beaten track travel it is definitely worth the effort but go with an open mind and keep a smile on your face.

Richard Williams , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, India

Thank you for organising our holiday in Kerala. I certainly wouldn`t have had the time or the knowledge to put together such a trip. Munnar was my favourite and the accommodation throughout was excellent.

Vik , Kerala Calling, India

A really well planned trip. We experienced life in Northeast India in just the way we wanted to. We loved the game reserves and saw a rock python which thrilled our guides as it is even rarer than the tiger! We visited villages and were able to interact with local people and loved the busy markets in Delhi and Calcutta. A special highlight was the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; shown to us by our very own Naga guide Kezo. Kezo accompanied us for 15 days of our trip and ensured that we had many very special experiences - even taking us to the home of one of his Aunts where we spent a couple of hours sitting by the bonfire chatting.

Ann Holgate , Tailormade India

What an excellent service! Rahul adapted, extended and improved our trip so many times without a qualm and we ended up with the trip of a lifetime. The destinations are unusual and interesting but everything has been checked out by the team and works brilliantly. I can`t wait to do another trip.

Penelope Smith , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, India

The tour was an amazing experience for our first visit to India. The country, its people and its cuisine were friendly,delightful, colourful and exceeded all our expectations. Travel the Unknown have put together a superb unique package that we have no hesitation in recommending to anyone with an interest in food and culture.

Elaine & Neil Smith , Delicacies of North India, India
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