Multifaceted India

“When people think of India, they tend to think of its icons—the Taj Mahal or wandering holy men. But India is a multi-sensory, multi-faceted experience,” says Andy Alpine, Co-Publisher of Specialty Travel Index (www.specialtytravel.com).

“It is impossible to sum up, or indeed, to even describe India: the colors, the sounds, the scents are so rich and so varied, that you can’t decide where to start.”

In fact, with 2,300 miles from North to South, India is so vast that the even an abbreviated list of what India encompasses is shocking: from the Himalayas, the world’s highest and youngest mountains, to beaches, rainforests, fertile plains, and river valleys; cities packed with people in brilliantly colored saris to jungles that hide the last remaining wild tigers; not to mention well over a hundred tribes, some of the world’s most ancient and varied religions, and 18 officially recognized languages.

The Golden Triangle tour is as popular today as it was when India was one of Britain’s most evocative colonies, but India has something to appeal to travelers with a wide range of special interests, as well. “People say India is 25 countries in one, since each of its 25 states is unique. Its cliché, but inescapable. And most Indians you meet speak English” says Alpine. “India has something for everyone.”

At Specialtytravel.com, and in Specialty Travel Index, the magazine/directory, travel agents and travelers themselves can pinpoint the Indian vacation (or any vacation) of their daydreams—no matter what interests fuel those daydreams. Here is a sampling:

Tigers, Rhinos, and Elephants

India has long been the poster child for population growth. But in addition to over a billion people, India is home to 1,250 species of birds, 350 mammals, 130 reptiles, and an astounding array of flora.  It is also the last viable home of the wild tiger. 

“Tigers, Rhinos, and Elephant’s Tour” visits the wilder places of India: Kaziranga National Park, Pench National Park, Kanha National Park, and Bandhavgarh National Park–and includes wildlife viewing by elephant and jeep, and the chance to bathe an elephant in a river.

India through the Lens

Amateur and professional photographers can join photographer Steve Davey (author and photographer of Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die) on a visual adventure through India.

They’ll visit during the Sonepur Cattle Fair–a photographers’ dream event.

They’ll view Indian icons like the streets of old Delhi and the Taj Mahal thorough their lenses. Photography buffs will love the chance to take in sights like Varanasi at dawn or Kolkata at dusk—with like minded travelers who won’t roll their eyes while they set up a shot, or grumble at getting out of bed to see the world through dawn’s unique light.

Stopover Vacation Packages for Business Travelers

According to Incredible India, India’s Ministry of Tourism, India has seen 78 per cent increase in tourism volume over the last five years, and it is growing at 15 percent a year.

One reason is an increased number of business travelers coming from the U.S. and Canada.  For many of those travelers, India is a tantalizing glimpse through car windows during a hectic business trip.

Many would love to extend their stay by a day or two (or a week) but are too busy to plan a trip through in this frankly overwhelming county.

Sky Vacations has the answer—one night stopover packages in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai (as well as an array of longer tours in various regions of India).

When Less is More

Spice Village Resort is located in the Periyar wilderness, high in the western ghats of Kerala. The thatch roofed cottages have no air conditioning or television. What they do have is lots of colonial charm, deep verandas, landscaped gardens, heady spice-scents (natural aromatherapy!) and a deeply ingrained sense of service—guests are greeted with a welcome drink and a jasmine garland. Guests here can take a boat ride on Periyar Lake, trek in the Periyar forest, visit the tiger reserve or a spice plantation, or learn to cook with spices.

Spice Village is just one of CGH Earth’s Indian hotels—properties that epitomize the “the sheer luxury of simplicity and the magic that lies in everyday wonders.”

Fabrics of Enchantment: Gujarat and Rajasthan

Artists, seamstresses, weavers, and shoppers alike will be dazzled by the vivid colors and embroidered costumes of the Kutchi tribes; the glass bead work, vegetable dye printing, and antique textiles of the Banni tribal villages; and a visit to the last family to practice Patola silk weaving (also known as double ikat) during Asian pacific Adventures Fabric of Enchantment tour of India.

Houseboating Kerala’s Backwaters

If Kolcatta’s (previously Calcutta) teaming masses don’t appeal, A& S showcases a more rural facet of India: travelers cruise dreamlike through Kerala’s famed backwater on houseboats, experiencing mangroves, emerald green paddy fields, coconut groves, and enchanting waterways and canals teaming with white lilies—as well as game viewing by boat in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Palace on Wheels (or rails)

One of the world’s top ten luxury trains, the Palace on Wheels allows travelers to live like Maharajas, their onboard accommodations slightly smaller but nearly as the opulent as the palaces they pass as the train chugs through Rajasthan.

But even rabid railroad buffs will want to see more of India than what can be seen along the Place on Wheels’ five day route: so Esplanade Tours wraps this decadent train journey with a first class tour including a trip to Elephanta Island to see the magnificently sculptured cave temples, the Ajanta and Ellora caves, an elephant ride, and a tour of the walled city of Old Delhi, in their “Tribute to Art and History” tour.

STI is easy to use, on the web site with the “Find Your Adventure” search mechanism indexing tours by both interest/activity (Yacht Charter, Wine Tours,) and destination (Costa Rica, France) and in the magazine using similar choices.

Subscriptions to the magazine cost $10 per year (Canada $15; other foreign $25) for two issues: July (Fall/Winter) and January (Spring/Summer).

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Report by The Mole