TRAVEL

COVID has now become the new normal. Slowly, the world and especially India is tackling the pandemic. Soon, we will travel again. India will be ready to welcome travellers from all around the globe. And, rightly so. There is so much to see, do and experience that travellers enjoy some unforgettable memories of a lifetime.

While our travel plans will come true soon, there will be new trends post COVID-19. Scroll down to know the travel trends to look forward in India.

Rejuvenate

63% of travelers have promised to never take travel for granted ever again. For all the luxury and leisurely travelers, an R and R (rest and relaxation) vacation is a must. 47% of Indian travelers are planning to make relaxation their supreme luxury while 14% of travelers want to travel to a luxurious villa, five-star hotel, and more.

Healthy Food Affair

People who desire food all the time and travel to taste the cuisine of every destination are inspired to travel again in 2021. Enjoying the local food of a place brings a smile to many travellers’ faces. In fact, 38% of travellers are interested to indulge in culinary delights in India and save money from international travel.

Call of the Wild

In this era of social distancing, nature holidays are becoming more and more fascinating. Wide-open space with natural beauty and scenic views are attracting a lot of Indian travellers to the wilderness.

Being on a conservation holiday and actively taking part in the ecosystem are also becoming more common. This is perfect to explore the wildlife of India while maintaining a gap from people.

Secluded Holidays

2021 will inspire travellers to take isolated breaks without crowds. Private villas, boats and boutique hotels along with quaint coastal, Lakeside Mountains and rural locations are likely to receive a few Indian travellers. For all those travellers who can afford helicopter transfers, hotel takeovers, and island buy-outs this is a great option.

Drivecations

Caravanning and motor homing are the new forms of travelling after this pandemic. The term “Drivecation” has inspired many Indian travellers to take a new toll upon their driveways. This travel trend is what people need to practice more in 2021 to add some fun to their daily lives and reduce the stuck-at-home blues.

Treks to the Mountains

India is a travellers’ paradise and has been one for centuries. The vast country with its extremely colourful diversity has everything that a traveller could desires. Thousands of years of history, colourful heritage & culture, savoury food, pampering hospitality, and incredible experiences.

Be it the mighty Himalayas, lush Ghats, serene backwaters, beautiful beaches, the timeless Thar Desert, royal palaces & opulent forts of Rajasthan, verdant jungles of Central India, unexplored nooks and corners, India has a lot for its travellers to discover. If you are seeking one reason to travel to India, you can find hundreds. Here are 11 of the handpicked reasons to visit India.

1. Architecture

The most stunning piece of India’s incredible architecture, the Taj Mahal is one of the most visited monuments in the world. The ‘Wonder of the World’ is a masterpiece of finesse crafted in stone. Besides the Taj, there is a lot to explore. There are around 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and even more unlisted heritage sites. From intricate South Indian temple architecture, mighty forts of Rajasthan, opulent palaces, ancient caves, and masterpieces of stone.

Be it Ajanta or Ellora Caves, Bhimbetka Caves, Kamasutra-inspired temples of Khajuraho or the majestic ruins of Hampi; witness heritage of hundreds of centuries.

2. Wildlife

India is home to unique wildlife. The country has lush jungles, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which is home to a wide range of species of the animal kingdom.

A wildlife holiday in India is a chance to go on jeep safaris and elephant safaris. Come across the majestic royal Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Lions, one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, deer, gaur, colourful birds and even migratory birds that inhabit the lands only in the winters.

3. Unique Diversity

When it comes to India you come across unique diversity. From beaches to backwaters, hill stations to valleys, jungles to desert, waterfalls to caves, the land is blessed. From the rainiest places on Earth to the places that never get any rain there is an extreme diversity, one that makes you feel blessed to explore India.

4. Spirituality

If 5000 years of civilization has given India something it the rare understanding of spirituality. The ancient ghats of River Ganga in Varanasi is said to be where one experiences the divine. There are ashrams in the Himalayas, and many other rituals that are a treasure of spirituality.

5. Adventure

Adventure is a feeling you just cannot miss on your trip to India. There are mountains with a number of thrilling treks, skiing, camping, river rafting, etc. Beaches have many water sports to boast about. From the secrets of the marine world to excitement to capture the waves or sail over the sea breeze.

6. Indian Food

Indian food is a vital part of the rich culture. Tasting the diverse cuisines is an enriching travel experience in India. With so many cuisines, owing to the diverse geography, culture and unique style of cooking, there is never any shortage of delightful delicacies to try. From the rich spice-filled preparations to meals that adhere to Ayurveda, there are dishes that treat your taste buds. 56 dishes meals, street foods, dessert, feasts and more, get ready to be pampered with soulful preparations.

7. Luxury Hotels

Heritage hotels in India have kept intact the days of glory. While Rajasthan abounds in many properties there are also amazing options all over the country. A stay at heritage hotels in one of must-try experiences in India. Relive the history, marvel at architecture, enjoy being pampered as royalty and have the best time of your life.

8. Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda at an Ashram

Yoga, Ayurveda and other holistic treatments are ancient traditions of India. To experience bliss, harmony and the secrets of wellness stay at an ashram that practice these traditions. The peace you feel is one of the most cherished experiences in India.

A legendary reputation for tigers precedes India. The gorgeous country with its lush forests, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries invest in a safari experience like no other. Tiger safari in India offers a wildlife experience that by far is some of the best in the world. A billion-year-old forest, a thousand-year-old hill fort and the allure of tigers in the wild, to start with jungle safari in India, Ranthambore National Park is a thrilling option. Formerly the hunting grounds of royalty, the national park is a popular wildlife reserve that is sanctaury to wildlife. The popular tiger reserve in Rajasthan lies a short distance from Jaipur and is easily well-connected. Also it is a wonderful extension to a Golden Triangle Tour. Besides the exciting safaris, Ranthambore is well-known for stay at the luxury wildlife resorts. Ranthambore was a number of them.

Why Choose Ranthambore for Tiger Safari in India?

For a start, Ranthambore is one of the largest national parks in Northern India and is widely considered to be one of the best places to see tigers. It’s accessible from Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai making it an easier spot to get to than some other wildlife destinations in the country, and the tourist infrastructure is therefore pretty well established with plenty of hotels etc to choose from.

It’s not just tigers either, you’ll get to see beautiful jungle landscapes as well as having the opportunity to spot all kinds of other wildlife – from bears and leopards to monkeys and wild boars to name just a few of the species that live in the park.

Ranthambore National Park is best known for its high tiger population. The visitors to the park can easily see the tigers roaming freely or playing with their cubs and click wonderful pictures with their camera. Apart from the tigers, the national park has its share of panthers too. Kachida Valley is believed to be the place to sight these rather elusive cats. One can also find Marsh Crocodiles, Hyenas, Jungle Cats and Sloth Bears, Chital, Nilgai, and Chinkara.

The Ranthambore National Park also houses a large avian population comprising of Black Storks, Quails, Bonelli's Eagles, Spur Fowls, Crested Serpent Eagles and Painted Storks. During the winter months, the park attracts a lot of migratory birds, including a variety of ducks. The park is a heaven for the wildlife photography lovers as they can get a wonderful opportunity to capture the enchanting beauty of the nature and amazing wildlife.

Wildlife Safari in Ranthambore

Tourists have an option to enjoy a jeep or canter safari to explore the park. Tiger safari is conducted in a 6 seater jeep and 20 seater open top canters. A very important point to be considered here is that the Jeep Safari in Ranthambore must be pre booked well in advance, since the park authorities limit the number of jeeps entering the Park. Another prominent thing to remember here is that the safari timings may change according to the season. For instance, during winter season, the entry and exit timings tend to vary primarily because of the short daylight hours.

Best Time to Visit

The Park remains open from 1st October to 30th of June every year. The best time to visit Ranthambore would be from November to March as far as the weather is concerned.

How to Reach

By Air: Jaipur is the closest airport to the Ranthambore National Park, which is around 180 kms away from Jaipur city.

By Train: Sawai Madhopur is the nearest railway station connected to all the major regions of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, etc.

By Road: The park is just 11 kms away from Sawai Madhopur and one can hire private cabs or take state transport buses to reach Ranthambore conveniently.

Our suggested itineraries:

• Tigers and the Golden Triangle
• Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore and the Golden Triangle
• Wild Wonders of The North India and The Taj Mahal
• Birds, Tigers and The Taj Mahal
• 4 Days Ranthambore Extension
• Tigers, Leopards and Luxury Rajasthan

India’s most popular beach destination, Goa earns its spot on the popular destinations of the world at the Trip Advisor's Travellers' Choice Award 2020. India’s tropical paradise gets the 11th rank on the elite list. Goa is synonymous with its wonderful beaches, therefore undoubtedly it is India’s favourite beach getaway. Set along the cerulean spread of the Arabian Sea, Goa is the land of sun, sand and sea. The tropical haven is the most-preferred holiday destination in the country. Be it a family vacation, romantic honeymoon, fun-time with friends or any kind of vacation, Goa tours suit all!

Under the rule of the Portuguese till 1961, Goa still retains its colonial past. The Indo-Portuguese character of the culture of Goa is very visible amongst its architecture as well as its people. Churches in Goa are elegant specimens of architecture that has been named among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. On a walk through Old Goa, come across the beautiful churches. Also, a part of the glorious past are the forts of Goa. These defensive structures now serve at beautiful lookouts that still retain the charms of the olden days.

The major tourist attractions of Goa are its sparkling blue of the waters and the sky in contrast of the golden sands, green paddy fields, swaying coconut trees and not to forget the lively spirit of the people. Goans make you feel at home, every moment spent here is nothing like you have experienced before. In the smallest state of India, there are quite a number of big surprises. Cruises that you cherish forever, casinos to try your luck, nightlife that keeps you up till the early hours of the day, food that combines the delicious flavours of the sea and the very different culinary style are some highlights of your holiday in Goa.

Beyond the stretch of the golden coastline that comprise of more than 50 beaches, Goa has much to offer. Watersports add to the pleasure of your dream beach holiday. The lush Western Ghats are close by, where there is much to explore. There are scenic waterfalls, especially the Dudhsagar Falls that is unmissable. The wildlife sanctuaries are blessed with rare flora and fauna, it is also a rare bird watcher’s heaven. If the unexplored backwaters, beautiful villages and best of all history that is fascinating. So, be it relaxation, sightseeing, adventure or whatever your heart desires, Goa has it all.

The allure of Goa is that it remains quite different from the rest of India. While it is small enough to be explored in a way that other Indian states are not, it still has so much to provide you a wonderful vacation. Undoubtedly, Goa's tourism byline of "Goa - 365 days on Holiday" is absolutely true.
 

Indian Architecture has been one of the many reasons that India is a favourite among travellers from all around the world. While Rajasthan and North India, in general, is known for the magnificent royal palaces, forts and other incredible architecture; South India is known for incredible masterpieces of temple architecture.

An extraordinary confluence of art, craftsmanship and religion, temples in South India are a testament of cultural heritage and diversity of India. While there are millions of temples in India, some of the finest architectural creations are a must-visit highlight of tours in India. Dating back to thousands of years, the pride of many rulers and their dynasties, the temples of South India are some glorious creations that to date fascinate visitors with the beauty, devotion and their impressive architecture. Many of the temples in South India are on the elite list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

So, for the incredible craftsmanship or the spiritual bliss or just to awe at masterpieces of cultural heritage, here are a some of the must-visit temples with South India tour packages:

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

One of the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu, built in the 7th century is the astounding seaside pilgrimage site in Mahabalipuram. The temple has been noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 3 major shrines in the temple are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. The best time to visit the temple would be during the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival held on the exterior of the temple complex.

Our tours to visit Mahabalipuram - Glimpses of the South

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

Our tours to visit Madurai - Glimpses of the South

Hoysala Temple Architecture – Belur and Halebidu

Belur and Halebidu towns are home to treasures of Hoysala architecture. The ancient temples that date back to the days of the ruling Hoysala Empire.

Halebid is the local language translates to the meaning of the ruined city. Tough ravaged by the Bahmani Sultanate, the city was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. Here lie the finest examples of Hoysala's workmanship. The beautiful Kedareswara and Hoysaleswara temples are adorned in beautiful carvings that are tales of Indian mythology as well as regular incidents. Walk through history as you walk past these exquisitely-carved temples.

Belur is a small town in Karnataka and a former charming city of the Hoysala Empire. Though small in proportion, the city has a tall reputation worldwide for its Chennakeshava temple. The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala style architecture along with splendid craftsmanship adorning the exteriors.

Ranganathswamy Temple, Trichy

The Ranganathswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was well known as the religious seat of learning as far back as the 11th century. Presently the temple includes a series of walled courts with 21 towers, and the tallest of these towers reaches up to 72 meters. The temple is surrounded by busy streets with some street vendors selling sweets, garlands and holy images to the worshippers and the tourists.

Rock Fort Temple, Trichy

The Rock Fort Temple stands on an 84 m tall rock in the center of the town. In the 18th century, for the possession of the Fort the British fought and defeated the French at Trichy. The cave-shrines and temples are constructed on the rock. The Hall of a Thousand Pillars and the shrine of Shiva are something worth seeing. One can relax and enjoy the panoramic views of Trichy from the top of the temple.

Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

Shravanabelagola is a historic destination of Karnataka famous for its collection of Jain temples. The highlight of the town is the statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali as well as many attractive Jain temples, each exquisitely carved and adorned.

Kaidala, Karnataka

Famous for the two beautiful Hoysala temples, the town of Kaidala include the Chennakeshava Temple and Gangadareshwara Shrine. Master sculptor Jakanachari who sculptured the famous Hoysala temples of Somnathpura, Belur and Halebedu is said to have was born and brought up at Kaidala. Chenna Keshava temple is said to be a fusion of the Hoysala, Dravidian and Vijayanagara styles of architecture. The complete temple complex has a tall fort-like wall or Prakara around it. The Mahadwara or the Gateway Gopuram is a three-tiered massive structure with beautiful carvings and the large doorway is flanked by pillars with beautifully carved relief works of nubile dancing girls, sages, gods and goddesses.  

Kanchipuram Temples

Kanchipuram, in the state of Tamil Nadu, is one of the most sacred cities in southern India and the second holiest after Varanasi. Also known as “The City of Thousand Temples”, Kanchipuram is an important holy pilgrimage for Hindus. People travel from far and wide to admire the magnificent stone cravings, chariot processions and shrines.

The Bull Temple, Bangalore 

The Bull temple is located in the South of Bangalore. The deity is a huge 15-foot Basava or bull, which is the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The reason for curiosity about this huge Bull is that it has been carved from a single stone.