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Travel south to explore the healing science of Ayurveda, and beautiful palm fringed beaches and scenery. From cultural entertainment to gourmet sessions, adventure activities and art workshops, there is so much variety to experience in diverse India. Generous living spaces coupled with safety and security give you an amazing feeling.
Visit traditional ashrams, participate in special pujas (ceremonies) in various temples, and, if the gods so desire, meet with great saints. Most of all, you will meet yourself in a new light.
Come. India calls you. You will be greeted at the airport with your driver who will take you to your hotel in an air-conditioned, comfortable vehicle. We have guides speaking major international languages across India, and unlimited supply of bottled water whilst you are sightseeing. Our tours are inclusive of breakfasts and dinners. Our people on the ground will take really good care of you.
Choose from our wonderful tours
Calling all global nomads
I welcome you to discover my birthplace, India, a land teaming with gods and goddesses, in all forms of the divine. The four religions born in India, namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism are followed by 25% of the world's population. Every sixth person in the world today is an Indian. And India has the most post offices in the world
Here you will have insights and unsurpassed experiences as you travel through this revered and sacred land, tapovan bhoomi. Home to more than a billion poeple, the sixth largest country and the largest democracy in the world, India is actually a sub-continent.
The name, India, is derived from the River Indus. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu. The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu. The games of Snakes and Ladders was created by the 13th century poet-saint Gyandev. Originally called 'Mokshapat' , the ladders in the game represented virtues that elevated human beings and the snakes indicated aspects that kept human being grounded or sub-terrestial, and hence interpreted as vices.
Cultural Do's and Dont's
India is a very hospitable country, rooted in tradition. Indians are friendly - sometimes they might seem over friendly. Do remember all those questions about your personal life are pure concern and an attempt to make you a part of our family! It can be quite disconcerting initially, but hopefully you will value the affection and reciprocate.
Always take off your shoes before you enter a holy place. Some traditional homes also require you to remove your shoes outside the home. Also, remember to always cover your head when going to a mosque, temple or gurudwara.
Indians are inhibited about public displays of affection, and it would be wise to respect that.
Dress modestly in public and avoid very short skirts and shorts, plunging cleavages, and revealing clothing.
Try not to get too flustered by beggars you could encounter. It is difficult not to get affected, especially if they are children, but it is best not to encourage them, or they won't leave you alone. If you feel moved to do so, give them something when you are leaving the place. Why not consider travelling with pencils, erasers or pens, or small cakes of soap, or even lollies that you can distribute.
Personal Safety
While India is safe on the whole, it is prudent to be careful, as you would anywhere in the world. Do not leave your belongings unattended and lying around. Keep your passport and travellers cheques about your person, in a waist pouch, or in a handbag, or in a locker in your hotel room. Do not accept food from strangers.
Also, beware of monkeys! outside places of worship, and in hill stations and sanctuaries, they are known to run away with bags, camera and money.
Dial 100 for central Police Control Room in case of an emergency.
Medical Emergencies
All metros and large cities have excellent private hospitals and doctors. You can easily find a well-stocked 24 hour chemist/pharmacy. Your hotel will usually have a doctor on call. The quality of medical treatment is inconsistent in smaller cities and towns. It is best to check this out when you arrive or even before you travel.
Watch out for the "Delhi belly". Malaria is still a concern in some areas, so use mosquito repellant. Do wear a hat and drink enough water and fluids, especially in the summer months.
Food and Eating Out
Speak the Language
India has 22 official languages, 164 minor languages and over 1,576 classified mother tongues. English is widely undersood across the country, because of the influence of the Bristish Raj in India. Hindi is the official language of the Republic of India. Here are some useful phrases in Hindi to help you get by:
7-Day Wildlife Tour in Central India
Summary
Enjoy this 7-day tour, where you can explore the marble rocks of Jabalapur, take a boat ride on the river Narmada, enjoy thrilling safaris in Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks. Also visit the Temple of Goddess at Maihar and the beautiful 8th century temple complex at Khajuraho and enjoy a gala dinner in the lovely home of the former royal family of Ajaigarh.
Activities
Day 1: Jabalpur
Be picked-up Jabalpur at 7:15 AM and transferred to your hotel for check in and breakfast. You will leave at 8:30am for a full-day of sightseeing of Jabalpur, visiting the 76-feet Lord Shiva Statue, Balancing Rock and Dhaundhar Water Falls. In the evening you will take a cruise on River Narmada at Bhelaghat, passing through the incredible marble rocks that lie on both sides of its mighty course. Dinner and overnight stay in Jabalpur.
Day 2: Jabalpur - Kanha National Park
After breakfast you will leave for Kanha National Park, located 240 km from Jabalpur. You will check into this eco-resort and have lunch there. In the afternoon you will enjoy a jeep-safari in the Park. Established in 1955 the Park lies in a horse-shoe-shaped valley and boasts one of the largest tiger population in the country, as well as large numbers of sloth bears, leopards, striped hyenas, wild boars, jackals, monkeys, and over 200 varieties of birds, lizards and snakes. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Kanha National Park
After breakfast you will enjoy a full-day jeep safari in the Park, which is divided into 3 safari zones and a zone which has the highest possibility of tiger-sightings would be selected. Enjoy an opportunity to watch wild elephants bathing. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.
Day 4: Kanha National Park - Bandhavgarh National Park
Leave for Bandhavgarh National Park, which is a 4-hour drive away. Check into this eco-resort and after some rest experience a jeep safari ride in one of the 3 zones. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Bandhavgarh National Park
In the morning enjoy a jeep safari in the Park to see the tigers. The prominent spots where tigers are seen are Sidhbaba Temple
and Charkadhara, a marshy meadow surrounded by hills. Do not miss the chance to admire the 65-feet Shesh Shaiya statue of Lord Vishnu reclining on a 7-hooded serpent. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Bandhavgarh National Park - Khajuraho
After breakfast drive to Khajuraho. Check into a hotel and in the evening you can admire the amazing temples, that include the famous panels of intricately carved statues with erotic theme. See an evening light and sound show in the backdrop of Mahadev Temple complex. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Khajuraho - Maihar - Khajuraho
In the morning enjoy an excursion to Maihar to see the lovely temple of the Devi. Return to your hotel for lunch. In the evening drive to the beautiful home of the former royal family of Ajaigarh for bbq and a delicious dinner. Return to Khajuraho. Afterward you will be dropped-off at your hotel in Khajuraho, as the tour ends.
Inclusions
- 6 nights accommodation
- Hotel pickup in Jabalpur
- Hotel drop-off in Khajuraho
- Entrance fees
- Local guide
- Local taxes
- National Park fees
- Breakfast
- Buffet dinner
- Light refreshments
- Admission ticket
- Evening light and sound show on Day 6
Fee: AUD$2560 per person, twin share
$3840 solo
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7-Day Tour of Colourful Rajasthan: Mountain Resort, Majestic Forts and Udaipur – India’s Most Romantic City of Lakes
Summary
Visit the mountain resort of Abu, marvel at the magnificent Dilwara Temples, take a boat ride on Nikki Lake and see so much more through this seven-day tour.
Day 1: Udaipur [B, D]
We will pick you up from your Udaipur hotel at 7:30am and transport you to our hotel. After breakfast, begin your full-day tour of the city by taking a boat ride on the Pichola Lake, visiting the City Palace, Bagore-ki-Haveli, a private mansion built by the prime minister of Mewar in the 18th century, and much more. After having lunch at the Amrai restaurant, you can enjoy visiting the home of a former royal family, where you'll be treated to dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Udaipur - Mount Abu [B, D]
After breakfast, take a 2.5-hour drive for the mountain resort of Abu. After checking in your hotel overlooking Nakki Lake, have lunch before we continue to the Dilwara Temples. Considered as the most beautiful pilgrimage site of the Jains, the temples are a must-see. Afterward, take a boat ride on Nakki Lake to see the sunset. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Mount Abu - Kumbhalgarh [B, D]
Early morning visit Guru Shikar, the highest point of the resort, and Adhar Devi Temple on the hill. Drive to Kumbhalgarh and check into hotel. After lunch, visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort and take a thrilling jeep safari passing through tribal villages, where you'll see a performance of folk dances and music at your lovely accommodation before dinner and stay overnight.
Day 4: Kumbhalgarh - Dungarpur [B, D]
After breakfast leave for Dungarpur and check into Udai Bilas Palace, owned by the former royal family of Dungarpur. After lunch take a boat ride on the serene Gaib Sagar Lake where you can visit the bird sanctuary. On return, get an Ayurvedic massage followed by sumptuous dinner and stay overnight.
Day 5: Dungarpur [B, D]
After breakfast visit the tribal villages of Dungarpur, the Juna Mahal, Deo Somnath Temple, State Museum and Vijay Rajrajeshwar Temple. Dinner at the Palace hotel and stay overnight.
Day 6: Dungarpur - Udaipur [B, D]
After breakfast leave for Udaipur and check into a resort surrounded by lush greenery and waterfalls. Lunch at the resort. In the evening take a jeep safari to Jhadol. Relax in the beautiful environs of Jhadol Safari Resort situated by a lake that attracts migratory birds from all over the world. Barbecue and dinner at Jhadol. Return to your Aarambaagh Resort and stay overnight.
Day 7: Udaipur - Fort Chittorgarh - Udaipur [B, D]
Take an excursion to Fort Chittorgarh, the largest fort in India. located 62 miles (100 kilometers) away, Chittorgarh has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lunch at Cast Bijaipur. Retun to Udaipur. After dinner at the hotel, you will be dropped off at your hotel in Udaipur for your onward journey.Inclusions
- 6 nights accommodation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Udaipur
- Local taxes
- National Park fees
- Bottled water
- Breakfast
- Buffet dinner
- Light refreshments
6-Day Beaches and Temple Tour of Odisha – India
Summary
On this 6-day tour visit the Sun Temple of Konarak, Odisha State Museum, Ashokan Rock Edicts and Buddhist Caves. Take excursions to Nandankanan Zoological Park to see white tigers, take cruise on Chilika Lake and visit Ekkakula and Garhimata Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Activities
Day 1: Bhubaneshwar (B,L,D)
We will pick you from your hotel in Bhubaneshwar at 7:15am and transfer you to our hotel. After breakfast take a full-day city tour of Bhubaneshwar visiting Mukteswar Temple, Odisha State Museum and the 2nd-century BC Khandagiri and Udaigiri Caves dedicated to Jainism. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Bhubaneshwar (B,L,D)
On this day take an excursion to Dhauli, famous for Ashokan Rock Edicts and the place where the famous Kalinga War took place. Sufferings that the war caused made Ashok turn to Buddhism and spread its message of peace throughout Asia. Visit the Peace Pagoda and the town of Pipli where craftspeople do exquisite applique work. Marvel at the Sun Temple at Konark, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return to hotel in Bhubaneshwar for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Bhubaneshwar (B,L,D)
After breakfast drive 105km to Chilika Lake, Asia's largest brackish water lake spread over 1100 sq km and home to thousands of birds. The hills around the lake are inhabited by wild animals such as porcupines, cheetahs, deer and blackbuck. Cruise along by motorboat visiting some of the islands found on the lake. Return to the hotel in Bhubaneshwar for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Bhubaneshwar (B,L,D)
After breakfast embark an excursion to Nandankanan Zoological Park. The zoo is located in the breathtaking environs of Chandaka Forests and Kanjia Lake and is spread over 30 sq km, consisting of habitats for the white tiger, reptiles, rare birds as well as other animals. The zoo has successfully bred black panthers, white tigers and crocodiles. Take a one-hour safari in the park and later on return to the hotel in Bhubaneshwar for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5 : Bhubaneshwar (B,L,D)
Take a full day tour to Bhitarkanika National Park after breakfast. The park comprises a group of islands in northeastern Odisha and boasts of lushgreen mangroves.thousands of migratory birds, turtles, crocodiles and other wildlife. Carry a packed lunch on a 4-hour motorboat to Ekkakula - an island in the Bay of Bengal. Look out for wildboars, hyenas, jackals and dolphins and visit the Oilve Ridley Turtle nesting site on the beach at Garhimata. See the stunning sunset before returning to Bhubaneshwar for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 : Bhubaneshwar (B,L,D)
Take a full-day tour to Kayam Hill Buddhist Cave and Langudi Giri excavation sites that hold the remains of several 2500-year-old monasteries, stupas and Mahayanic edifices. Return to Bhubaneswar for dinner. Your tour will end in Bhubaneshwar after dinner and we will drop you off at your own hotel.
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Bhubaneshwar
- Entrance fees
- National Park fees
- Bottled water
- Breakfast
- Buffet lunch
- Buffet dinner
- Local taxes
Cost:
$2560 per person, twin share
$3840 single room
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About Shantiji
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Shanti Gowans is the globally recognised author and founder of Shanti Yoga™, Meditation and Ayurveda for the self, family and community. Shantiji has brought the concepts and practices of a healthy body and a still mind to thousands of Australians through her Yoga and Meditation programs on national television... Read more about Shantiji's biography Travel with Shanti & Peter Gowans this November for a trip of a lifetime.  |
