Acclaimed as India’s oldest city, Varanasi, or “Banaras” is steeped in history that crosses its path with religion at many points. An early morning walk along the ghats to witness the magical sunrise, yogis on meditation and local priests going about their rituals will stand in contrast to the chaos of the night. The constant flow of devotees and pilgrims and the sound of chants that fill the air amidst fire-lit diyas and ceremonial lamps adds to the magic. Get aboard a flower-lined boat accompanied by local musicians and sail downstream with soft Indian classical music and watch fascinating local life scenes unfold every passing moment.

Aim to be the first to pass through the security gates so you get to be alone, even if for a few minutes and soak in the romantic vibe. Our expert guides will facilitate this before-the-dawn trip. When the crowds mill around this great wonder of the world, spend time at the “Baby Taj” (the Itmad-Ud-Daulah) nearby, that in the opinion of some visitors, rivals the Taj for its architectural beauty. The stunning Agra Fort apart, the nature trail a few minutes away from the East Gate allows for excellent views from different vantage points.

Experience a desert camp stay experience at one of the luxury Camps near Jaisalmer. Imagine yourself on a Silk Route journey at the Manvar Desert Camp. Visit a desert community – the Bishnoi, a Hindu religious sect, their belief in not killing animals followed so strictly, they check all firewood for insects before burning it. In Bikaner, every second building seems like a palace; the residence of the last Maharaja of Bikaner is now a luxury hotel. In between Agra and Jaipur is the Ramathra Fort where you can take a 4×4 ride along the Chambal Valley with access to farms and villages.

It is an unmissable stop on a tour of India – Old Delhi’s frenetic atmosphere that takes you to the past. Besides the Jama Masjid – one of India’s largest mosques – local street food like Kachori, Samosas and Parathas are sure to leave the taste lingering on long after you’re back in your home country. Top it with fresh hot Jalebis or with frozen kulfis and the experience is nearly complete. Chandni Chowk is all about shopping indulgences and the ultimate location for clicking pictures of the vibrant local life.

A trip to India without visiting Kolkata is like depriving you of the best. It is afterall a city that’s obsessed with food and boasts the most evolved cuisines. One of the other instant images that crosses the mind on mentioning the name – Kolkata – is sports, the country’s most electrifying sports loving community, be it cricket or football. The best way to explore the ‘City of Joy’ is on foot – enjoy the mixture of colonial architecture and rich culture while enjoying its delicious food. Early mornings before crowds swell on the roads are the best. Idol making workshops, the bustling flower market and a Hoogli sailing trip to spot Gangetic Dolphins are just some of the indulgences apart from an endless supply of Darjeeling tea.

Care for more privacy and exclusive experiences, come, travel in moving luxury hotels in India aboard some of its iconic trains like the Palace on Wheels, Maharajas’ Express and the Deccan Odyssey. Stunningly luxurious comfort on board accompanied by butlers for each bogey (car), set against the traditional royal standard of hospitality and cuisines (with ‘live’ kitchens), and you will enjoy pampering at a different level. These trips are complete with guided excursions off the train on luxury coaches and local experiences.

Discover India’s last village before Pakistan. The Hunderman village which used to be on the path of the Silk Road has seen conflict from close quarters, often being the first point of impact. Authentic remnants of the 600-year old village in the form of old homes, war time collections of defense equipment, daily use material made of sheep wool, local leather and utensils are on display here. The last few people (and they are warm and friendly) who have seen several conflicts live nearby, allowing for interactions from where you can listen to jaw-dropping stories of survival and how they manage to keep their cultural traditions alive and intact. The Tourism Department-mandated local resident guide will narrate interesting insights on warfare he has seen with the help of a powerful telescope showing visuals of India’s last military checkpoint, and even from across the border – electrifying moments, these.

The world-renowned Golden Temple ensures Amritsar is the holiest city for the Sikh community. Seemingly floating on water, non-Sikhs are permitted to walk inside the shrine to view the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book. Each evening the book is paraded before crowds before being put back to bed. One of the most humbling experiences in India is to take part from the ‘Langar’ – food from the world’s largest free kitchen that serves upto 100,000 vegetarian meals a day, irrespective of faith. Miniature versions of the ‘Langar’ made headlines during Covid where food was provided to hundreds of thousands of people. Amritsar’s old bazaar is famed for its red bangles and saris. The nearby Wagah Border Post that showcases an elaborate ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony.

Come January, and temperatures dip to below freezing points in Ladakh. Rivers get still. Trees and vegetation turn white. This is the ultimate trekker’s winter paradise. These are perfect conditions to walk on the frozen river in the Zanskar valley. A guided ‘Chadar’ trek of ‘moderate difficulty’ (with prior preparation) can provide unforgettable insights into the amazing world of raw nature and its survival instincts. Also a chance to closely observe how mountain life is lived by the community. Summers give you the opportunity for riverside meals while lending a ear to real life experiences from the local community.

In recent years, a network of boutique cruises have reshaped how India’ soul can be seen and observed. These take you past villages, heritage structures, wildlife and dramatic nature landscapes – in a sense, the lesser seen India. Assam-Bengal Navigation’s cruises are considered a great gateway into the Northeast that begins in Guwahati (Assam) sailing past the Kaziranga National Park and scores of other storied heritage spots. The 3-night Ganga cruise between Kolkata and Mayapur aboard the MV Bengal Ganga takes you past colonial era ghats and into rural Bengal. Cordelia Cruises help you navigate between Chennai and Pondicherry on the East, and between Mumbai and Goa and Mumbai and Lakshadweep on the western coast.