Custom itineraries through India

India is a land of amazing diversity, with a rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and diverse religions. There are forts, palaces, tombs, temples, mosques, churches, all crowding together, creating a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour. In fact, there's so much to see and do that it can be difficult to figure out what to include in your trip, and what to drop!

If you're in India for a couple of weeks or more, it is probably a good idea to break the trip into two or three parts. That way, you can cover all the must-see tourist attractions, but also have time to truly discover the essence of the country - its people, cuisines, art forms and religions.

In North India, you can easily spend a week visiting Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan. Delhi is a city rich in Mughal history. Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahan's memorial to his wife. The desert state of Rajasthan is stunningly beautiful, with its grand forts and palaces and camel safaris. If you have time, you could visit Varanasi, an ancient pilgrimage spot on the banks of the Ganges. If you enjoy wild life, try a visit to Rajasthan's Ranthambore tiger sanctuary, or to Corbett, or Kanha and Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. And if you want to get away from it all, there are spas and retreats in the Himalayas.

South India is home to lush tropical forests, beautiful beaches, temples and ruins. Starting at Mumbai, you could visit Goa (relax on the beaches of this old Portuguese colony), Hampi (the magnificent ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire), Nagarhole (elephant sanctuary), and Kerala (God's own country!) to experience the unique culture of the southern states.

This is just a small sample of the things you can do. Depending on your interests, there are several other options. You can visit the mountain state of Leh-Ladakh, or follow the Buddhist trail that leads to Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. If you're interested in trekking, wildwater rafting and climbing, there are several possibilities in the Himalayas. For food enthusiasts, there are excellent cuisine tours. If you're spiritually inclined, perhaps you'd like to spend a week or two learning yoga and meditation in a quiet ashram. For those who wish to volunteer with NGOs, there are several possibilities in small villages as well as large cities.

Whatever it is that interests you, let us know, and we’ll make sure you have a memorable holiday.

How to plan your tour: Write to us telling us how many days you have, what your hotel budget per night is, and what your special interests are. We’ll design a tour that is specific to your needs. We’ll recommend multiple hotels in each city within your budget; you can review and select the one you want. Apart from hotels, we’ll also arrange transportation and guided tours. If there are festivals or fairs during your visit, we’ll build that into your itinerary. You can choose to travel by plane, train or car, or a mix of the three. For more information, and an itinerary best suited to your interests, write to deepa@magictoursofindia.com / magictours@live.com or call Deepa at +91 98677 07414

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