Book Special Interest - Eternal Journeys

TRIBAL TOURS

India has the largest tribal population in the world. The statistics are quite astonishing: the 533 diﬀerent tribes, made up of more than 80 million tribals, represents almost 10% of India's population. The lives of the tribes in India are closely tied to nature, and they inhabit some of the most pristine and picturesque environments in the country. Largely unaﬀected by the modern world, they're very simple and often curious people, who have retained their rituals and customs. Here are ﬁve of the best places to tour tribal India, and get an unforgettable insight into their existence. See the Tribes of Northeast India (Nagas, Khasis, Apatanis, Adis, Mishmis, Ahoms & Konyaks) , Tribes of Orissa (Santals & Bonda), Tribes of Chhattisgarh (Gonds), Tribes of Rajasthan (Bishnoi) & Tribes of Maharashtra (Bhils, Gonds, Mahadeo Kolis, Pawras, Thakurs and Warlis).

YOGA & MEDITATION

Yoga means union of the mind, body and spirit with the Divine and while this refers to a certain state of consciousness both individual and Universal, it is also a method to help one reach that goal. In recent years, yoga has also become popular in the west, inspiring increasing numbers of people to come and study yoga in India in traditional setting. There are many yoga centers in India, providing everything from in depth courses to ﬂexible drop-in classes. As the style of yoga and approach to teaching varies at each center, it's important to give proper thought to your needs before applying. This list of traditional yoga schools in India will give you an idea of what's on oﬀer. Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune, Ashtanga Institute, Mysore, Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai, Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Sivananda Vedanta Centre, Trivandrum & Yoga Institute, Mumbai.

INDIAN PILGRIMAGE

India is a vast country, with diverse cultures and ancient civilization. There are a number of religious groups residing in India. In India we ﬁnd the oldest pilgrimage tradition in the whole world. The practice of pilgrimage in India is so deeply embedded in the cultural psyche and the number of pilgrimage sites is so large that the entire subcontinent may actually be regarded as one grand and continuous sacred place. Theses are main Pilgrimage places in India: Ajmer Sharif, Bodh Gaya, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri , Yamunotri, Golden Temple, Mansarovar & Rameshwaram.

TEXTILE & JEWELRY

The textile tradition of India is varied and rich. India has an old tradition of numerous textiles and is traced back to the Indus Valley civilization. The people of the Indus Valley used homespun cotton for weaving their garments and Indian textiles have had a great market in so many countries. India has always enjoyed a ﬂourishing trade with the outside world on account of its ﬁne textile products. The quality of its textiles and jewelry are so famous and renowned that many people come here from far oﬀ lands to purchase them for trade elsewhere.

BEACHES IN INDIA

With one of the world's longest coastlines, India has incredibly scenic beaches that oﬀer everything from solitude and sunbathing to parties and adventure. One not to miss includes Kovalam Beach in Kerala, which oﬀers a long stretch of white sandy beach running the length of the Malabar Coast. Another is Palolem beach in south Goa, which is enclosed by a thick forest of coconut palms. Goa also boasts Baga Beach, for those seeking a long sandy beach packed with lively shacks and a party atmosphere. Varkala beach provides an edge of stunning cliﬀs while Tarkali Beach oﬀers a long beach with pristine clear water for a romantic getaway. For those wanting to escape further aﬁeld, Bangaram Island Beach in Lakshadweep will ﬁt the bill.

ECOLOGY TOURS

An interruption out of the complexity of technology and the sullen atmosphere of daily life will always be a welcome move. Ecological tour, one of the best forms of tourism, aims to let people have an insight into local culture and gain personal growth as well. Eco-tours include wildlife viewing, trekking, rafting, bird watching, angling, camping, beachcombing and many others. Fortunately, India, with its abundance of cultural, historical and natural diversity, enables vacationers from all over the world to enjoy the most special Eco-tour.

PAINTING TOURS

Painting is one of the most delicate forms of art, giving expression to human thoughts and feelings through the media of line and colour. Quite obviously, like most of the ancient worlds, in India too, the paintings ﬁrst started on the rocks of the caves. As the civilization progressed, paintings moved to the walls of the buildings and ﬁnally to hand-held surfaces. Indian paintings provide an aesthetic continuum that extends from ancient civilizations to the present day. Explore traditional Indian paintings with us and we would take you to some of the priceless collections of Indian rajas and maharajas in their forts and palaces. You may choose to follow a particular style of painting or survey the best that India has to oﬀer. You may also participate in painting workshops, organized upon request, to learn a range of skills directly from the painters.

MUSEUM TOURS

A specially crafted program base for art lovers, history buﬀs and for all those who have a curiosity to know more about the past, ancient civilizations and heritage of a country. India's rich cultural heritage was built by various civilizations in the form of great temples, forts and other monuments. With the advent of subsequent civilizations, previous cultures were damaged or destroyed. The remains of these cultures now form some of the best museums in the world. A must for artists, historians, archaeologists and culture-lovers visiting India.

VINTAGE AUTOMOBILES

In present times, classic and vintage automobiles stand testimony to the design and engineering that these classic motorcars stood for many decades ago. Dating back to the early 1900s and late 1800s, these cars delight motorists young and old to this day. Classic models include those of Buick, Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Morris and Austin, as well as many animal driven stage coaches of the ancient royalty. Vintage cars have always been a sign of great stature for the elite of India that visitors will ﬁnd a great selection to view and study.

INDIAN CUISINES

Cuisine is always one of the most popular interests in any tour to India. Without exception, we aim to ensure that you enjoy a truly unique and unforgettable cuisine experience in India. We combine the ancient with the modern and take you down the path of total bliss while you explore and savor the many exquisite ﬂavors of India. The food of India can be roughly divided into two categories, North Indian and South Indian, both those distinctions pale in comparison to the endless variety of ingredients, spices and modes of preparation that describe the magical world of Indian cuisine. This is due to the fact that, within each and every state of India, one ﬁnds great depth and diversity in every dish one ﬁnds. Food has always been so key in any civilization's culture. And never is it so true for that of India, the absolute center of the world's culinary treasure.

SHOPPING TOUR

India is a fabulous place to shop, with its wide range of cultural origins and diverse collection of native materials. If you want to ﬁnd something from the historic past of a dynamic culture, you will ﬁnd it here in India. Join us and experience some of the best of India and her amazing shopping experiences. Whether you seek the serenity of the rural craftspeople or the bustling excitement of the city markets, we can oﬀer countless opportunities to ﬁnd the elusive gifts you seek or the surprising treasure that you never thought you were looking for. Explore the many marketplaces rich with options for textiles, jewelry, handicrafts, herbal remedies, pottery, home furnishings, spices and decorative items.

ARTS & CRAFTS TOUR

Art & Crafts’ programmes of India highlights the various ethnic items that are locally produced in the remotest towns and villages of various states of India. On your heritage craft tour in India, see the famous blue pottery, block prints and Shekhawati paintings of Rajasthan to the unique montages and eccentric jewelry of Goa and the art of carpet weaving of Kashmir which never fails to generate interest in the tourist. Tourists are advised not to miss the Metalware, Ivory and Horn Carvings of Kerala. Enjoy your holidays in India to see the art that has remained beautifully conventional in spite of modernity.

EXPLORE ANDAMAN

The Andaman & Nicobar Group of Islands are a chain of 572 islands in the Andaman & Nicobar sea at approx 1100 Kms to the south of Kolkata. The Andaman Island is 355 Kms long and 60 Kms wide. There was a time when ancient tribes lived here. It is said, some of the natives are remarkable resemblance to the aboriginals tribes of Australia. Today some tribes have receded into the deep forest while others have been resettled. Port Blair, its principal port, is a picturesque and bustling town, full of greenery. The islands are situated on volcanic rocks. The main season of Andaman Islands is October through April. The Nicobar is prohibited for tourists purpose.

EXPLORE LAKSHADWEEP

If you fancy the idea of lazing on the pristine beach and indulging in adrenaline-pumping water sports, this tour is for you. The sojourn is designed to transport you into your dream holiday island – Bangaram. Partake in a variety of beach activities, water sports, hiking and trekking as well as savor the lip-smacking cuisine on this wonderful journey. One of the world's most spectacular tropical island systems, Lakshadweep in south India is spread over 36 islands surrounded by 4,200 sq. km of lagoon rich in marine wealth. The ecology and culture is supported by an extremely fragile ecosystem. The eﬀorts to promote tourism have been synchronized with the carrying capacity of the islands to avoid pressure on ecological environment.