Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

 

Incredible India-waiting to be experienced 
“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries” - Aldous Huxley

Asia sticks to you - a spiritual space infused with the Gods of past & present: the ancient Spirits of the land & the family, the Deities of Buddhism & Hinduism & the rules of Islam. As dawn breaks in Buddhist Nations, pots of rice bubble over & the thick smoke of Incense wafts from earth to heaven. Barefoot Monks embark on their call to alms, in endless monochrome chains, among the Faithful. In Muslim countries, the Muezzin's call reverberates in a multi-throated chorus above rooftops, from Mosques urging devotees to Prayer & family Altars are flush with fruit & flowers for the guardian Spirits. While Tribal people in remote Villages mark the new day's arrival with arcane animist Rituals. From the nomadic Steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic Streets of Hanoi, Asia is a Continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace & spirituality that it has fixated & confounded Travellers for centuries. Wrapped in lush landscapes, urban Jungles, Rainforests, blissful Beaches edged by golden Sands, crowned by brooding Volcanoes, modernist Architecture & creative Cuisine, all studded with ruins of lost Civilisations: this is Asia seamlessly delivering the accessible, affordable, exotic as you have always imagined.

 

And India is an incredibly varied & exciting vacation destination, pulsating with a spectacular mix of people, traditions & landscapes. With an intoxicatingly rich history, which has spawned a number of exquisite Palaces, Temples & Monuments, your journey through this mind-stirring country will blaze in your memory long after you have left its shores.  Come, discover India with us….

Asia is the largest Continent in the world with the largest Population.  Some of the oldest Civilizations have their roots in Asia - China & India’s ancient Civilizations can be dated back to almost 8000 years BC.

 

The soul of Southeast Asia has been forged by the elements. Mighty Volcanoes have thrust the land up & raging Rivers have carved it down. Coral Reefs have formed Islands & sea spray has sculpted them into surreal karst outcrops. Immense expanses of Desert flow down from inhospitable Mountains, which in turn give way to seemingly impenetrable Forests.

 

The diversity of Asia’s landscapes, fed by the monsoon rains & frenetic Cities fizzling with energy, is mind-boggling with a vibrancy that captivates & enchants. The majestic meandering Mekong River winds its way from the densely packed Mountains of northern Laos to the pancake-flat rice bowl of the Mekong Delta. Wildlife infested Jungles where Tigers still roam free (though far from noisy tourists).

 

Water has sculpted many Asian landscapes. The jungle-topped Islands are fringed by coral reefs that calm the Ocean into turquoise Pools. The languorous Vietnamese coastline greets the South China Sea from tip to tail, while inland dramatic karst mountains soar skywards. The traditional ‘highways’ of Borneo are coffee-coloured, jungle-clad Rivers. And the Volcanoes of Indonesia & the Philippines provide a glimpse into the Earth’s volatile heart.

 

Asia’s great Monuments were wrought from divine inspiration.  Ancient wonders & sacred spaces abound across the Continent. Westerners have long been fascinated with the manifestations of wealth & power to be found in Asia.  Taj Mahal in India dates back to the 1600s & is one of the most visited tourist attractions.  From the 13,000 miles long Great Wall of China & the estimated 7,000 “Terracotta Warriors” discovered in Xian to elaborate Temples of Angkor to Bagan’s shimmering Spires to lesser-known marvels in Vietnam, Nepal & Afghanistan & Sri Lanka are all witness to the spirituality & mysticism that are integral parts of the Asian culture.

 

The spiritual side of life is omnipresent & Travellers can boost their karmic balance at Meditation Retreats or by hiking to a golden Temple atop a sacred Mountain. Every aspect of life here has a spiritual dimension, from the food people eat to the religious geometry that dictates the layout of centuries-old Mosques & Temples.

 

For old meets new, explore the backstreets of Phnom Penh, Hanoi's Old Quarter or downtown Yangon, which have a beguiling blend of traditional Architecture, colonial-era Gems & a contemporary twist. One thing all the cities have in common is a buzz. Each of Asia's Capitals has its own unique character, defined by Religion, Culture, Geography & in most cases, by centuries of Colonialism & feuding Dynasties. Learning the rhythms of each is part of the magic here.

 

Asia's mighty mega-cities are stepping boldly towards the future with one foot planted firmly in the past. For many travelers, the first taste of the region is the urban energy of Bangkok, where gleaming Skyscrapers rise above the roads like crystal Gardens & Sky-trains whisk shoppers from Mall to Mall, while at street level below, Hawkers ply their wares, Traders hustle, Food-hawkers hawk & Temples bustle with Devotees toting their offerings.

 

The Continent has contributed a cast of villains & heroes to global history. Most of the significant achievements of the modern world had their infancy in Asia. Historic Trading Routes sliced across epic terrain as expanding Empires competed to trade goods & ideas throughout the Continent & beyond. Asia’s ambitious Civilisations ultimately gave rise to some of the world’s most revolutionary ideas & important Technology.

 

Trekking in Malaysia’s steamy Jungles or over the Gobi’s arching Dunes & wildlife spotting in India to riding Horses through the Mongolian Steppes, Skiing in Japan’s Alps, dodging falling Coconuts on one of the many sand-fringed tropical remote Islands. Nature continues to be the driving force in many peoples’ lives. Virtually every climate on the Globe is represented here.

 

A frenetic buzz surrounds urban Asia: Fashion, Culture & Business in the Continent’s Metropolises easily challenge the biggest European & American cities for their status as global Hubs.

 

Watch rice paddies flash by from a whooshing high-speed Maglev Train, pick up a shiny new Laptop in a Hong Kong Electronics Market or shiny Smartphones or go to a Robot Cabaret show in Japan - the future is now. China is charging its way into the 21^st century with its Economy developing at a head-spinning pace, while South Korea boasts some of the fastest Internet speeds in the world & India is a Hub of growing Technology. A gleaming testament to Asia at its most efficient. Urban energy of Bangkok or the organised modernity of Singapore but each of Asia's Capitals has its own unique character, defined by Religion, Culture, Geography & in most cases, by centuries of Colonialism & feuding Dynasties. Learning the rhythms of each is part of the magic here.

 

And then, there is the food. Is there any greater place to eat than Asia? The Continent has exported its Cuisines the world over & this is where the flavours melt into one another, throwing up ever more mesmerising combinations. The region's Spices were once valued more highly than Gold & combined with 1 notable import - the South American chilli - they have created a cooking palette that inflames the senses & leaves the taste buds begging for more. Tuck into fiery red hot Indian curries, or China’s juicy dumplings or Vietnam’s steaming bowls of pho soup or Thailand’s heaping plates of pat tai (pad Thai) noodles known & loved across the Globe. With its colours, smells, flavours & personalities, you will find Asia is deliciously rewarding.  

 

Whether settling down for a Michelin-starred meal in one of Singapore’s finest Restaurants or pulling up a plastic Stool on a Bangkok street, hungry Travellers will never be bored by the diversity. This is a region where humble Hawker Stalls come with Michelin stars & a meal at a roadside Canteen or Night Market can be as memorable as a 5* Dim Sum Banquet.

 

The diversity of cultures in Asia is mind boggling.   You can take a course in advanced meditation with a visit to a mountain Monastery in Kathmandu.  Or you can shop till you drop in Hong Kong or Singapore or Dubai & all over.  You can explore the Batu Caves & Waterfalls in Malaysia or take in traditional Kabuki theater in Tokyo.  From jungle wildlife encounters in Sri Lanka & Borneo & India to luxury Beach vacations on the Islands of Bali or Maldives, a travel experience in Asia is sure to be unlike any other Destination you have experienced.

 

And now let us talk about India, one of the oldest Civilisations in the world, a mosaic of multicultural experiences, a rich heritage & myriad attractions,

 

Ancient Civilisations| vast Landscapes |expectedly Unexpected |Soul Warming

Bamboozling. There is simply no other word that convincingly captures the enigma that is India. With its sumptuous mix of Traditions, spiritual Beliefs, Festivals, Architecture & Landscapes, your memories of India will blaze bright long after you have left its shores.

 

India's landscapes are as fantastically varied as its cultural traditions. From the snow-dusted peaks of the Himalaya to the sun-splashed Beaches of the tropical South, the country has a bounty of outdoor attractions. Travel aficionados of the great outdoors, can scout for big jungle Cats on a blood-pumping scenic wildlife Safaris, paddle in the shimmering waters of one of many balmy Beaches of coastal Retreats or Trek high in the mountains or simply inhale pine-scented air on a meditative walk in the Forest. Among all these natural treasures is a wealth of architectural gems, from serene tranquil Temples rising out of pancake-flat Plains to crumbling Fortresses looming high above plunging Ravines.

 

With its in-your-face diversity, feisty Festivals, lantern-lit Villages to Software supremo cities, it is hardly surprising that this country has been dubbed the world’s most multi-dimensional. Love it or loathe it & most Visitors see-saw between the two, India promises to jostle your entire being & no matter where you go or what you do, it is a place you will never forget.

 

Spirituality is the ubiquitous thread in India's richly diverse tapestry, weaving all the way from the snowy mountains of the far North to the tropical shores of the deep South. Hinduism & Islam have the most followers, while Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity & Zoroastrianism are also widely practised. The multitude of sacred sites & rituals are testament to the country's long, colourful, & sometimes tumultuous, religious history.

 

So, for those seeking spiritual sustenance, India has oodles of sacrosanct sites & stirring philosophical epics, while history Buffs will encounter gems from the past almost everywhere - from grand vestiges of the British Raj serenely peering over swarming Spice Bazaars. For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa & the serene backwaters of Kerala. And for fresh air & serenity, India ripples with pristine Mountains & Hills, from the towering beauty & eternal snows of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine Forests, Orchards & babbling Streams.

 

Apart from its ancient spiritual framework, India's vastness also challenges the imagination, being home to one sixth of the world’s population. With more than 1.4 Billion people, the sub-continent bristles with an eclectic melange of ethnic groups, which translates into an intoxicating cultural cocktail for the traveler.

 

A land of myriad cultures, with an intoxicatingly rich history which has spawned a number of exquisite Palaces, Temples & Monuments, it is truly representative of “Unity in Diversity”. India is proud to be home to the Taj Mahal - a majestic architectural creation that Travelers have crossed Continents to visit, in the City of Agra within close proximity to the cities of Delhi & Jaipur connecting the 3 cities to present the “Golden Triangle” a tourist circuit most first time travelers to India choose to tread.

 

Meanwhile, the people-packed cities of Mumbai (Bombay) & Kolkata (Calcutta) have a bustling, colorful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi & the awe-inspiring Temples of Tamil Nadu are rewarding places of Pilgrimage.

 

And not to forget the colorful mosaic of Indian Festivals & Fairs as diverse as the land - an eternal expression of the spirit of celebration. Observed with enthusiasm & gaiety, every season brings along new Festivals - each a true celebration of the rich tradition of India which hosts some of the world's most dazzling devotional celebrations - from formidable City Parades celebrating auspicious events on the religious calendar to simple Harvest Fairs that pay homage to a locally worshipped Deity.

 

And then of course, there is the food! Foodies can look forward to savoring a seductive & scrumptious smorgasbord of regionally distinct recipes, each with their own traditional preparation techniques & presentation styles - from the competing flavours of masterfully marinated Meats & Thalis (plate meals) to the simple splendour of vegetarian Curries & deep-sea delights. From squidgy South Indian Idlis (fermented rice cakes) to zesty north Indian Curries. Here you will fry, simmer, sizzle, knead, roast & flip across a deliciously diverse repertoire of dishes.

 

Spices lie at the heart of Indian cooking, with the crackle of cumin seeds in hot oil a familiar sound in most Kitchens. The country is also renowned for its tempting array of street food, with Vendors selling everything from spicy Samosas & Kebabs to cooling Kulfi (ice cream) & Lassi (yoghurt drink).

 

Once you touch down on sub-continental soil, you will also quickly discover that Cricket - India’s sporting obsession - is one of the most spirited topics of conversation, along with the latest shenanigans in the razzle-dazzle world of Bollywood. However, it is Politics - whether at the National, State or Village level - that consistently dominates news headlines, with middle, lower & upper-class India keenly keeping a track of the world.

 

The destination reflects the rich glories of the past in its culture, tradition & cuisine. Love it or loathe it - & most travelers see-saw between the two - to embrace India's unpredictability is to embrace her soul. A mystical land that presents the guests with an array of unforgettable experiences. From the deserts of the West to the deltas of the East, India truly has it all. .......yep, India is waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 

Come…be inspired & discover the World…

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to India. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore Options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal Preferences…