India is a land of diversity and deep cultural richness, offering unforgettable experiences to every traveler. Whether it's the towering peaks of the Himalayas or the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, India's allure lies in its ability to cater to every kind of visitor. Here are some unique and memorable ways to explore this remarkable country.
Delhi
Delhi, the capital of India, is steeped in history. Embark on a guided heritage walk through Old Delhi and uncover Mughal-era architecture, bustling markets, and centuries-old mosques. Highlights include Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort, offering a glimpse into the city's royal past and vibrant present.
Jaipur
Known as the Pink City and part of the famous Golden Triangle tourist circuit, Jaipur is renowned for its heritage walks through impressive forts and palaces like Amber Fort, City Palace, and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). These walks provide insights into the grandeur and opulence of Rajputana architecture.
Backwater Cruises in Kerala
Referred to as "God's Own Country," Kerala is famous for its serene backwaters. Experience this unique landscape by taking a houseboat cruise in Alleppey or Kumarakom. These traditional 'kettuvallams' glide through lagoons, lakes, and canals, offering views of rich greenery, rustic villages, and local wildlife from the comfort of your floating haven.
Desert Safari in Rajasthan
Rajasthan's Thar Desert offers a stark contrast to lush backwater cruises. A desert safari in Jaisalmer or Bikaner promises camel rides over golden sand dunes, traditional Rajasthani music and dance performances, and camping under a starlit sky. The romance of the desert is enhanced with visits to amazing desert forts and havelis.
The camel fair in Rajasthan desert, India (Cath Corpuz)
Spiritual Journeys
Varanasi
Varanasi, one of the world's oldest cities, attracts visitors seeking spiritual solace. The ghats along the Ganges River come alive with rituals and ceremonies, including the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. A dawn boat ride offers views of spiritual rituals along the river banks and explores centuries-old temples.
Rishikesh
Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is widely considered the yoga capital of the world. Participate in yoga and meditation retreats along the serene banks of the Ganges, and experience the evening Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, a harmonious confluence of spirituality and nature.
Wildlife Safaris
Ranthambore National Park
Located in Rajasthan, Ranthambore is one of the best places to spot Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. The park is also home to leopards, sloth bears, and a variety of bird species, offering thrilling safari adventures.
Kaziranga National Park
Situated in Assam, Kaziranga is renowned for its population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Jeep and elephant safaris provide great opportunities to observe these creatures, along with elephants, tigers, and diverse birdlife.
Culinary Trails
Hyderabad
Hyderabad’s rich history and royal heritage are reflected in its cuisine. Famous for its Hyderabadi Biryani, the city offers a culinary journey with street food delights like kebabs, haleem, and Irani chai found in its old city eateries.
Kerala
Kerala’s cuisine is a blend of spices, seafood, and coconut. Traditional meals like 'Sadya,' a vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, and fresh seafood like Karimeen and prawn curry enhance your culinary experience, especially with visits to spice plantations.
Mountain Adventures
Manali
For adventure enthusiasts, Manali in Himachal Pradesh offers paragliding, river rafting, and trekking. The Beas Kund Trek and the Hampta Pass Trek provide stunning views of the Himalayas.
Leh-Ladakh
Known as "The Land of High Passes," Ladakh offers dramatic landscapes and Buddhist monasteries. Motorcycle rides along the world’s highest motorable roads, visits to Pangong Lake, and ancient monasteries like Hemis and Thiksey are key highlights.
The scenic beauty in Leh-Ladakh in September, Himalayan Mountain passes. (Cath Corpuz)
Cultural Festivities
Holi in Vrindavan
Celebrate the festival of colors, Holi, in Vrindavan, the land of Lord Krishna. Streets turn into a canvas of colors with powdered dyes and water balloons amid traditional music and dance.
Diwali in Jaipur
Experience the Festival of Lights, Diwali, in Jaipur. The city illuminates with millions of lamps and fairy lights, as beautifully decorated markets offer sweets, gifts, and traditional handicrafts. Fireworks light up the night sky, enhancing the festive spirit.
Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims to bathe in sacred rivers at rotating sites: Allahabad (Prayagraj), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. Observing vibrant processions of sadhus, engaging in spiritual discourses, and witnessing ancient rituals make it a spiritual and cultural spectacle.
Exploring India through these unique experiences provides a deeper understanding of its rich heritage, natural beauty, and cultural vibrancy. India’s diverse offerings ensure a memorable journey, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in its unparalleled wonders.
Our agent Jessica was very helpful with the whole process and always responded in a timely way to all of our questions.
K Van
2 days ago
Chern was very patient snd helpful.
CaBaba
3 days ago
Cruse ship was great. Fantastic food and service. Cruise itinary got changed so not what we expected, but not an major issue. Japan portion was great. Drivers/guides arranged by 80 Days were great. Hotels were mostly ok. Did not know that most hotels outside of major cities do not allow shoes to be worn in the hotel. again a minor inconvenience. Overall a great trip. Adventure Life communications were timely and much appreciated as far as changes/requests.
Peter Goff
4 days ago
We were a group of three that initiated our research by independently searching for the best agency to help us in the somewhat complex experience of traveling to the Galapagos. We chose adventure life because they were the most responsive in the website provided the most comprehensive overview of the trip. Their reviews were also very good.
Adventure, life splits up its booking process in two parts. First Jeff, the booking agent helped us decide which experience best suited are interests. We chose a small 14 to 16 group sized yacht. Once the booking was made with Jeff, we were handed off to Coleene, who oversaw the complex process of assembling all of the necessary documents and making sure we had everything we needed to make the trip go smoothly. The adventure, life website, then becomes your personal place of reference for all things related to your trip from door to door. It’s a lot of information to assemble, especially for three travelers, but the website makes it easy and Colleen‘s gentle reminders kept us on track. In all, from the beginning, we had four months from the time we started our research till the time we departed. We felt that was, a good amount of preparation time and don’t think it would be wise to do it in less than four months. Mostly because I think you have more options with that amount of time. There were others on our trip that took six months and more from the time they started planning.
The trip itself was outstanding. We ended up on an excellent yacht (Galapagos Angel II) with a great group of guests that we were able to connect with and put together a really nice google photos album to share.
Jed
1 week ago
Mary was very helpful. Quick to reply with helpful information and closure on arrangements.
