2020 ends in few days and with it the year of lockdown and limitations. 2021 is hopefully the year of the end of the Covid-19 Pandemic. While the world has not yet recovered, it slowly making way on the path of recovery. The travel-bug is also making a buzz. Once things settle down, here is why you must look forward to travelling in India in 2021.
India is absolutely amazing to explore in every way. And post Covid-19, is the perfect time to explore. Over 7,500km of coastline, the mighty Himalayas, lush Western Ghats mountain ranges and verdant forest cover with thriving wildlife offer a lot at your disposal. Besides there is history, culture, hospitality and some incredible experiences. All this and more can easily be your travel plans with Trans India Holidays. We specialize in crafting arranging meaningful travel experiences, specialists with first-hand knowledge of their destinations, and the freedom to change your plans if needed thanks to our flexibility promise, your travel plans are in safe hands.
Though there’s a month to go before 2021; here are reasons why you must make plans of India tour.
Good Food
Indian cuisines are a wide palate of delicacies that differ region to region but are an absoute delight for tatse buds. From the savory parathas of Old Delhi to spicy kachoris of Jaipur, Ayurveda-based dishes of Kerala or the fine-dining at the best hotels across the country, the options are more than you can wish for.
Endless Road Trips
Post Pandemic and 2021 travel plans are mostly going to be road trips. From being safe in your own vehicle with your own comfort is a matchless trave experience. India’s sheer size makes it incredible for road trips of all sizes, be it day-long family excursions and slightly longer drives. From the gorgeous Golden Triangle tour circuit, strectch of the Western Ghats, routes through winding mountains, the surreal journey across the Thar Deser and white sands of the Kutch, the holy grail of road journeys- Manali-Leh highway and more—you’ll be listening to nothing but John Denver.
Value more for your Money
Cost is going to be a major factor in the sustainability of regular travel after COVID-19. Travelling in India means lower costs and is the sensible thing to do considering the present circumstances. Instead of splurging on flight ticket and accommodation costs abroad, why not take an extended break at a boutique homestay in the hills or experience the royal life at a heritage property? Need ideas on how to get more value out of what you spend on travel? Read our post-lockdown bucket list for Delhiites—the idea is to immersive yourself in rewarding experiences.
Incredible Train Journeys
If epic rail journeys is your thing, then India has some amazing rides. Even if you are not a fan you will become one. The opulence of India’s luxury trains that take you through the country’s sweeping panoramas, can make you forget all that. And ever since the Maharajas’ Express and the Golden Chariot slashed their tariffs, we are sure one can start believing in the dream of riding a luxury train again.
The Palace on Wheels, India’s premier luxury train, runs from September through April, taking one from the colourful cities of Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra, covering 2,400km in the process. The Golden Chariot, which covers Karnataka and allows you to choose from among different packages, will resume operation in February 2021. Deccan Odyssey—five-time winner of Asia’s Leading Luxury Train title at the World Travel Awards—offers a wide range of itineraries.
Heed the Call of the Wild
There’s no chance you can see such a large variety of birdlife and wildlife—from wild big cats, rhinoceroses, elephants, and river dolphins—anywhere closer. If Husing Valley in Hemis National Park is where the elusive snow leopard thrives, Rajiv Gandhi National Park is one of the top places in the world to spot leopards. Birders get lost—literally and otherwise—in Rajasthan’s Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which is a premier migratory home for birds from northern and central Asia. Pangolins and Malayan giant squirrels share the thick forest of the Neora Valley National Park with clouded leopards, barking deer, red pandas and Himalayan tahr. The list is long, with 553 wildlife sanctuaries, 103 national parks and 50 tiger reserves in the country. While you’re at it, do read our quick guide to spotting the rarest of the rare in India.
For Heritage Homestays, Houseboats and Treehouses
Isn’t it amazing that you can isolate while on a vacation, living in a treehouse? Perched high on treetops, they not only allow you incredible views of the immediate wilderness and vistas far away but also add a bit of thrill to your stay. And those who’ve always dreamed of caravanning like Shah Rukh Khan in Swades can now actually journey through wild Karnataka in a fully equipped, state-of-the-art campervan, or undertake adrenaline-pumping adventure in the treacherous terrain of the Northeast, driving top-of-the-line off-roaders, pick-up trucks and UTE trucks—all fully outfitted for camping.
With homestays having become a preference over hotels in the immediate post-pandemic future, it is also worth savouring the sense of privilege that comes with staying at a heritage home. For instance, you could stay at Odisha's majestic Belgadia Palace, the once-residence of the Mayurbhanj royal family, or spend a week or two at a pristine heritage retreat in Ladakh. 2021 is also the time to tick off the houseboat stay off your list as you travel not only to Kashmir and Kerala but also Goa, where houseboat cruises on the Mandovi and Chapora rivers are a rage, and Assam.
Lose the Pandemic Blues
While India has always been known as a major wellness destination, the demand for yoga-centric retreats, therapy and holistic treatment in the year following a pandemic is expected to go up. A Global Wellness Institute report has predicted a 7.5-percent annual growth rate for the industry. Prepare to regain the health (mental and physical) lost during the pandemic months with special wellness retreats in the Western Ghats, naturopathy sessions in the lap of Himalayas, Ayurveda treatment in the backwaters of Kerala and sampling the goodness of wholesome mountain produce in Himachal. Uttarakhand, Kerala and Karnataka are some of the most-visited wellness destinations in India but states like Goa are fast catching up with their own austere and luxurious offerings—and we couldn’t be gladder.
