Embark on a soul-stirring journey through India, where morning flute performances in Varanasi set the stage for a day rich in cultural exploration. Delve into the opulence of Sheherwali mansions, visit a historic synagogue, and unravel the sophistication of Mughal court culture under the Nawabs of Bengal.
Immerse yourself in spiritual wonders, from Jain temples to Tibetan monasteries with prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Witness elaborate prayer ceremonies on the Ganges banks in Varanasi, a sacred site for Hindus seeking ultimate liberation, moksha.
Explore a Bengali village, marvel at Kolkata’s Victorian treasures, and ride Darjeeling’s Toy Train through mountain villages. Sip tea at sunrise against the Himalayan backdrop and indulge in the aromatic Spice Bazaar of Old Delhi. This curated tour promises a harmonious blend of cultural richness, spirituality, and sensory delights.
It’s a journey for the soul as well the senses – Jain temples, Tibetan monasteries ringed by prayer flags and elaborate prayer ceremonies with Brahmin priests on the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi, where Hindus can achieve moksha, ultimate liberation
We’ll hear the morning flute performance at our hotel in Varanasi, the stories of the wealthy Sheherwali families and the Jagat Seths in the mansions where they once lived, visit a synagogue established by Jewish merchants and trace the sophisticated Mughal court culture that existed under the Nawabs of Bengal
We’ll see life in a Bengali village, the Victorian wonders of Kolkata, ride through mountain villages on Darjeeling’s famous Toy Train, take tea at sunrise watching the first blush of sunlight on the Himalaya peaks and visit the fragrant Spice Bazaar in Old Delhi
A 300-year-old mansion that once belonged to the Zamindars of Bengal, an ornate palace on the banks of the river Ganges, a boutique hotel on the edge of Maidan Park in Calcutta, a historic bungalow on a Tea plantation high in the Himalayas, and two lovely hotels in Delhi – our accommodation is chosen for its charm, character and comfort
We’ll sample the spicy rice-based dishes of the Bengali kitchen and fragrant Sheherwali specialties, considered the pinnacle of India’s vegetarian cooking, have lunch with an art connoisseur and afternoon tea overlooking misty tea plantations in the Himalaya foothills
We’ll walk among tea gardens and mock Tudor bungalows against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, cruise past villages along the mouths of the Ganges, explore colourful markets and open-air bookshops lining the streets of Kolkata, India’s intellectual capital
Generally any reasonably fit person should be able to participate & fully enjoy all that the tour has to offer.
You should be comfortable walking around towns and countryside. The tour will include some optional walks (typically 1-3hrs).
Be able to walk and negotiate stairs and pedestrian thoroughfares
Be able to stand for 30-60 minutes in galleries and museums at a time without a break
Be able to get on and off a coach with stairs, unassisted
Use a combined shower/bath (please note that we cannot guarantee walk-in shower facilities at all hotels)
January 29, 2021
What do the words “tour group” mean to you? Images of a camera-hung horde shuffling along in the wake of a guide with a raised umbrella, racing through the country on a big bus and eating at huge tables in cheesy restaurants? Happily that doesn’t apply too much these days, and let’s face it, organising […]
