South Asia
South Asia offers a traveler a complete destination. Travelers are often overwhelmed at the color and diversity, but they see everything from the majestic Himalayas to the sun drenched deserts of Rajasthan, great food, to exuberant festivals. On a typical trip, once can experience an elephant back tiger safari, stay at luxury hotels and dip their toes in the warm Arabian Sea.
Countries: India, Bhutan & Nepal
Mystifying is the only word that persuasively encapsulates the mystery that is India. It is not surprising that this subcontinent has been hailed the world’s most multidimensional with its overwhelming unity in diversity; from powdered mountains to luminous beaches, serene temples to spirited festivals, glowing villages to technologically trendy cities.
Highlights: Click to enlarge
The Golden Temple in Amristar- Crafting a setting of exceptional peace and magnificence, the glistening surfaces of the temple, united with the songs of nature, provide Sikhs and other admirers a place equivalent to that of Mecca.
The Ganges- As you step into a boat, near the steps of Varanasi, observe as the pilgrims flood in the water idle in prayer.
Hampi- Near the village of Hampi, set in a bizarre and awe-inspiring boulder-scattered backdrop that echoes with a mysterious and enticingly charming air sits the captivatingextensive ruins of Vijayanagar.
Jaisalmer Fort- A labyrinth of narrow streets carved from sandstone, this 12th Century fort provides refuge to a palace, and hundreds of deceivingly unadorned-looking havelis, traditional, lavishly ornamented dwellings.
Kashmir- Beneath a multihued canopy gliding on Dal Lake through the lotus leaves, receive the royal treatment as you lounge in a shikara, a gondola-like boat.
Kolkata (Calcutta)- A melting pot of dramatic colors flowing past the laughter of children, the diligent working of women, and the bathing of men. From the markets of rice and bananas to the wallahs and taxis zooming by, a place where chaos and congruity combine.
Kovalam- Striking, serene, and a phenomenal location to surf, yet lively enough to hold you there for longer then anticipated. Mumbai- The countries’ fashion center, financial power source, and a pulsating site of religious friction.
Mumbai- The countries’ fashion center, financial power source, and a pulsating site of diversity.
The Taj Mahal- Strategically located in Agra, India, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is cited as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”
The Thar Desert- While in Rajasthan why not sleep on a sand dune next to a gazelle, meet the desert-dwelling locals, and eat watermelon grown in sand…
Considered the last remaining great Himalayan kingdom, Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a step into another world where an uninterrupted customary Tibetan-style culture thrives. In a profoundly Buddhist land, and the one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, you can find strikingly stunning flora and fauna, extreme trekking, astonishing dzongs and monasteries, and textiles. As visitors observe the loyal preservation of the country’s well-defined cultural individuality during its effort to unite with the ways of contemporary society, one might feel privileged to know that they are experiencing the enchantment of one of the world’s most perplexing countries.
Highlights: Click to enlarge
Trekking- absolute willpower
Taktshang Goemba (‘tigers nest’)- rise in prayer as you scale the sheer granite ravine
Dzong- wander through the tranquility of the paths and gardens of the monastery
Prayer Chakras- find your inner soul amidst the sounds of the wheels turning
Climbers come to test their wits on Everest, and trekkers venture hear to investigate several of the world’s most taxing trails, while some arrive to experience the local charms of Nepalese temples. All set in a backdrop of enchanting creatures, sandwiched between the chilly mountain ranges of the Himalaya and the stifling tropical forests of India make up the pieces for an unforgettable voyage.
Highlights: Click to enlarge
Trekking: For beginners, a day trek to can do just the trick. However, for the more daring sort one way to arrive at Everest Base Camp
Kathmandu- Say hello to a snake charmer, take part in the Festival of Color (Holi), or visit the holy site of Swayambhunath, or Monkey Temple.
Chitwan National Park- As the sun rises travel by elephant on a safari through a mystical land.
