Ladakh
For the more adventurous traveller, Ladakh offers some of the finest adventure activities, be it breath-taking mountain treks, thrills of river rafting or for the wildlife enthusiast, tracking the rare snow leopards or you could enjoy a polo match like the ones played in Gilgit& central Asia. Ladakh occupies the northernmost territories of India, embraced by the eternal snow-clad mountains of Tibet, the cold desert conditions, dotted with gin clear lakes, an area of stark natural beauty. Picturesque monasteries dot the land and dramatically cling to the steep perpendicular face of the mountains. Colourful flags flutter and the prayer wheels decorate the white-washed monasteries.
Where to stay
The Grand Dragon Hotel
The Grand Dragon Hotel
Amritsar
It isthe spiritual capital of the Sikhs and boasts of the sparkling Golden Temple. Explore the streets of Amritsar savouring the culinary delights of the famous city, which once had the privilege of feeding the markets of Multan, Peshawar & northern territories now a part of Pakistan. Beautiful wooden balconies of heritage buildings dot the bazaars. A visit to Wagah border and see the flag lowering ceremony between the estranged neighbours!
An evening visit to the Golden Temple for the Palkhi Sahib ceremony, when the holy book is taken in a procession to its nightly resting abode, will etch in your memory for many years!
Where to stay
Taj Suwarna Mahal
Ranjit Svaasa
Punjab Farm-stay
Writing of Punjab, JD Cunningham wrote in the 19th century of the Sikh peasantry as, ‘the finest the world has seen’! Your Punjab visit will be incomplete without a stay at one of the farms in a state known by the epithet of ‘food bowl of India’. Indulge yourself in farm activities including riding a tractor or meeting the village elders. Punjabis are known for their hospitality!
Where to stay
Citrus County Farms
Citrus County Farms
Shimla by Toy Train
A hark back to the days of the Raj, when Simla was the summer capital of the British! Each year the government and the staff moved in from Calcutta & Delhi to Simla for the summers. Board your Toy-train at Kalka, Chronicled as the most surveyed project of its time, a correspondent of the Delhi Gazette first stretched it in 1847. The train actually was commissioned on November 9, 1903, with a single track of 2’-6’’ gauge.
The ‘chuk-chuk’ train, traverses 102 tunnels. The longest being 3752 feet at Barog which not only carries the name but also the blood of it’s creator, who committed suicide for having made a mistake in alignment (One marvels at his devotion to work)!!
The 18 stations with their Gothic architecture, beautiful locations, mechanical clocks still operational, lantern signals & block phones, is a journey worth making.
Where to stay
The Oberoi Cecil
The Oberoi Wildflower Hall
Himalayan Hikes
No hike in India is more delightful than a hike in the hills of Kumaon, where you shall stay in some of the village houses, after a refreshing trek through the hills and vales, small villages and homesteads and through the forests of bright red Flame of the Forest and the Rhododendron trees. There will also be a place on your itinerary, where these is no electricity and the Petromax will keep you company. The village houses have all the comforts and delicious home-cooked food is served. The Himalayan massif is amazingly close from these treks.
Where to stay
Village Houses, Kumaon
Village Houses, Kumaon
Lucknow
The hall mark of cultural extravaganza, known for its many splendours, magical charm, the refined mannerism…is distinctly visible when you explore the lanes & by-lanes of Old Lucknow. Writes the celebrated poet Josh Malihabadi, nostalgically from Pakistan, “Kalbhijisketaskire the, anjumandaranjuman, daastandar dastan, sham-e-Awadh aajbhihai…”, a very imperfect translation would be – Lucknow was a topic yester(years)day, from garden to garden, of every love-story, the Lucknow romance remains ever unchanged…!
Wisdom, women and wine were truly understood by the nawabs of Lucknow. The ‘Kothas’ were institutions where the nautch girls lived and danced. The nawabs sent their sons to such Kothas to learn culture, sophistication and respect for women!
The traditional Lucknow cuisine has evolved over nearly 500 years and is distinctly Indo-Iranian in concept with delicate aromas and mouth-watering taste.
The nawabs were doyens of music, the Thumri, Dadra &Quawali (songs of love, romance and passion), expounded so beautifully by Begum Akhtar in the twentieth century. Her style reflected the special elegance of Lucknow and the true form of art emerged from here.
Where to stay
The Taj Gomti
The Taj Gomti
Varanasi
Is one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world, Situated on the banks of the river Ganges, it is the spiritual capital of Hinduism. Immerse yourself in the culture by attending the Ganges Aarti on the river ghats, held every evening unbroken, over centuries.
Where to stay
Taj Nadesar Palace
