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India

Journeys through India

From the earliest days of the Harappan civilisation dating back to the middle of the 4th millennium BC, the Indian sub-continent has been developing and refining its own distinct cultures and philosophies.

The home of one of the world’s oldest civilisations and several of the world’s great religions, India has always been subject to invasion: Aryans, Greeks, Scythians, Parthians, Huns, Romans, Turks, Afghans, Dutch, Portuguese and finally the British all passed this way, bringing ideas and influences which India has absorbed and incorporated into its own way of life.

Geographically too, India is a land of kaleidoscopic diversity with the country’s 2.6 million square kilometres harbour, an immense variety of landscapes that range from the palm-edged beaches of the tropical south to the eternal snow of the mighty Himalayas. In between, jungles and forests, lush river valleys and barren deserts, busy modern cities and quiet villages are yours to explore.

Food in India is wide ranging in taste and flavour. Being so diverse geographically each region has its own cuisine and style of preparation.

Occupying this vast and varied country is an intriguing mixture of people whose diversity of race, language, customs, traditions, cuisine, art and religion brings colour to every aspect of life. With such a variety of people, there is an equal variety of festivals. Amongst the most spectacular are Rath Yatra in Puri and the Hemis festival in Ladakh (both held in June or July), Pushkar’s camel fair in November and the nationwide celebration of Diwali in October or November – but virtually every temple across the country has its own and if you are fortunate enough to find your visit coincides with one it may prove to be the highlight of your stay.

The main attractions of Northern India date from the Mughal period – the forts, palaces, mosques, gardens and of course, the sublime Taj Mahal are amongst the most magnificent buildings ever constructed. After the vibrant atmosphere of Mumbai in the west, allow the palm-fringed beaches of Goa to warm your spirit and relax your mind. And in the languid south, amidst luxuriant tropical greenery, are vast sandy beaches, enormous Hindu temples, superb rock carvings, ancient forts, cool hill stations and Kerala’s quiet backwaters. 

The well-travelled author Mark Twain remarked that ‘India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and great- grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India’. His enthusiasm and admiration for one of the world’s most diverse countries is still shared by millions of tourists from the world over.

 

Cities in India

Sightseeing

The awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, the palaces of Rajasthan; ancient monuments and temples; museums and art galleries; cave temples in Maharashtra; hill stations; the backwaters and lakes of Kerala; magnificent beaches on the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal; jungles, rivers, bird watching and wildlife, including the endangered tigers and elephants.

Accommodation
Luxury beach and spa resorts, city-centre hotels and romantic hideaways.

Shopping
What you can buy – Silks, pashminas, cotton, wool, carpets, clothes, jewellery, handicrafts, leather goods, woodwork, brassware, tea, spices, incense and Indian art.
Where you can buy – Department stores, shopping centres and bazaars.

Entertainment
Cinema, theatre, classical dances and music, puppetry, bars, nightclubs and discothèques.

Sports and leisure
Spectator sports – Cricket, horseracing, polo, soccer, kushti (Indian wrestling) and kabadi (a form of tag).
Active sports – Badminton, squash, trekking, golf, windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, canoeing and fishing.

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Associate Hotels

The Oberoi

Located in New Delhi, India’s capital city, The Oberoi reflects the city’s spirit in a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary sophistication.

The Oberoi

Centrally located on Marine Drive in the heart of the city’s shopping district, this elegant luxury hotel overlooks the famous ‘Queen’s Necklace’ and the Arabian Sea.

Le Meridien Cochin Resort & Convention Centre

Located amongst 25 acres of coconut groves and backwater, yet only minutes away from the city centre, Le Méridien brings to Kerala a unique brand of European flair and international hospitality served with a smile.

The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach

Built on a rock-face and cradled between two wide sweeping beaches, this low-rise hotel spread over 44 verdant acres, boasts panoramic views of the famous Kovalam coastline and overlooks the Arabian Sea.

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