Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Incredible India - waiting to be experienced   Hello Kashi

The world is a book & those who do not travel read only one page” - Saint Augustine

Asia sticks to you. From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace and spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travellers for centuries. The joss sticks lit for the household shrines in Thailand impart a sweet perfume to the thick air and the heavenly aroma of Indian spices follows you for days.

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've left its shores.  Come, discover India with us……..

Spirituality infused with the gods of past & present with ancient spirits of the land & the family, the deities of Buddhism & Hinduism & the rules of Islam, swirls around Southeast Asia like the thick smoke from incense sticks of the devotees in Taoist temples. At dawn in Buddhist nations, monks flood into the streets to gather alms in endless monochrome chains. In Muslim countries, the call to prayer rises in a multi-throated chorus above rooftops while tribal people in remote villages mark the new day's arrival with arcane animist rituals.

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.

From sublime coastlines to snow-capped mountains, rolling landscapes fed by the monsoon rains, frenetic cities fizzling with energy, the majestic Mekong River to wildlife infested jungle where tigers still roam free (though far from noisy tourists), the diversity of Asia’s landscapes hold an immediacy & vibrancy that captivates & enchants.

Immense expanses of desert flow down from inhospitable mountains, which in turn give way to seemingly impenetrable forests. Trekking in Malaysia’s steamy jungles & wildlife spotting in southern India to riding horses through the Mongolian steppes, skiing in Japan’s Alps & dodging falling coconuts on one of the many remote islands. Nature continues to be the driving force in many peoples’ lives. Virtually every climate on the globe is represented here; take a trek over the Gobi’s arching dunes or sun yourself on the sand-fringed tropical islands of the South China Sea.

Ancient wonders & sacred spaces abound across the continent, from the Great Wall of China & the Temples of Angkor to lesser-known marvels in Myanmar, Nepal & Afghanistan.

A frenetic buzz surrounds urban Asia: the fashion, culture & business in the continent’s metropolises easily challenge the biggest European & American cities for their status as global hubs. Asia's mighty megacities are stepping boldly towards the future with one foot planted firmly in the past.

Watch rice paddies flash by from a whooshing high-speed magnetic trains, 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.

Gleaming Skyscrapers rise above the roads like crystal gardens, while at street level, traders hustle, food-hawkers hawk & Temples bustle with devotees toting their offerings. 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. Urban energy of Bangkok, or the organised modernity of Singapore, each of Asia's capitals has its own unique character, defined by religion, culture, geography & in most cases, by centuries of colonialism & feuding dynasties.

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.

Is there any greater place to eat than Asia? The continent has exported its cuisines the world over: India’s red hot curries, China’s juicy dumplings, Vietnam’s steaming bowls of pho soup & Thailand’s heaping plates of pat tai (pad Thai) noodles are known & loved across the globe. Asia is where the flavours of some of the world's greatest cuisines melt into one another, throwing up ever more mesmerising combinations.

The region's spices were once valued more highly than gold & combined with one notable import - the South American chilli - they have created a cooking palette that inflames the senses & leaves the taste buds begging for more.

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 of Asia’s cuisines. This is a region where humble hawker stalls come with Michelin stars, where a meal at a roadside canteen or night market can be as memorable as a 5*, dim sum banquet.

And now leaving your preconceptions at home, 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 in-your-face diversity, from snow-dusted mountains to sun-washed beaches, tranquil temples to 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, and no matter where you go or what you do, it is a place you will never forget.

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.

India is a mystical land that presents the traveler with an array of unforgettable experiences. 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 billion people, the sub-continent bristles with an eclectic melange of ethnic groups, which translates into an intoxicating cultural cocktail for the traveler. The destination reflects the rich glories of the past in its culture, tradition & cuisine.

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. 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 forest walk. Among all these natural treasures is a wealth of architectural gems, from serene Temples rising out of pancake-flat plains to crumbling fortresses looming high above plunging ravines.

Spirituality is the common characteristic painted across the vast & varied canvas that is contemporary India. 4 of the world’s major religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism & Sikhism - originated here. Hinduism & Islam have the most followers, while other including Christianity & Zoroastrianism are also widely practised. The multitude of sacred sites & rituals are testament to the country's long, colourful & sometimes tumultuous, religious history.

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, to crumbling fortresses looming high above plunging ravines.

For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa & the serene backwaters of Kerala. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty & eternal snows of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards & babbling streams.

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 & travelers have crossed continents to visit the ultimate memorial of love, in the city of Agra, in close proximity to the cities of Delhi & Jaipur connecting the 3 cities to present the “Golden Triangle” a tourist circuit most first time travelers choose to tread. India is a country that holds a deep fascination for the world & is home to some of the most spectacular architecture & monuments, all steeped in rich history.

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.

The destination reflects the rich glories of the past in its culture, tradition & cuisine. 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.

And then of course, there is the food! Indian cuisine is a 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, foodies can look forward to savoring a seductive smorgasbord of specialties. Here you will fry, simmer, sizzle, knead, roast & flip across a deliciously diverse repertoire of dishes.

This 2 night City Break will provide you the opportunity to experience one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, regarded as one of Hinduism's seven holy cities.

And, Varanasi has its own history.

Brace yourself. You are about to enter one of the most blindingly colourful, unrelentingly chaotic & unapologetically indiscreet places on earth. Varanasi takes no prisoners. But if you are ready for it, this may just turn out to be your favourite stop of all.

Pilgrims come to the ghats lining the River Ganges here to wash away a lifetime of sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones. It's a particularly auspicious place to die, since expiring here offers moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death), making Varanasi the beating heart of the Hindu universe. Most visitors agree it's a magical place, but it's not for the faint-hearted. Here the most intimate rituals of life & death take place in public, and the sights, sounds & smells in & around the ghats - not to mention the almost constant attention from touts - can be overwhelming. Varanasi is unique & a walk along the ghats or a boat ride on the river will live long in the memory.

The old city of Varanasi is situated along the western bank of the Ganges & extends back from the riverbank ghats in a labyrinth of alleys called galis that are too narrow for traffic. They can be disorienting, but the popular hotels & restaurants are usually signposted &, however lost you become, you will eventually end up at a ghat & get your bearings. You can walk all the way along the ghats, apart from during & immediately after the monsoon, when the river level is too high.

Alive with colour and activity, it is a magical city where visitors are captivated by the daily rituals of life & death taking place on the bathing ghats that line the River Ganges.

You will also visit the ancient site of Sarnath, filled with the ruins of Buddhist stupas & monasteries.

Come……seek & discover. Match India's rhythms to your heart, its colors to your mind, and let her contrasts & colours come alive - an experience that is yours alone. 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 with us

Incredible India…. prepare to be charmed

Hello Kashi

 What is included: 

*Seat in Coach. Guaranteed departures with minimum 2 people. There may be other participants & group size may vary.  Participants may come from all over the world & most of them will be English speaking. Private Tour with English speaking Guide & vehicle can be arranged with a supplement cost. For less than 10 guests, the Tour will be guided by Tour-guide cum Driver. For 10 +, there will be a separate Tour-guide, in addition.

 

** Please note that the Program highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. The sightseeing tours combine ‘walking’ & driving. Some places you will see from inside, some from outside only. Some Monuments / places may require additional Entrance Fees to be paid for accessing some of the areas.

 

*** It is extremely rare that Programs need to be changed but it can occur.  We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the Itinerary if required, for example occasionally the tour sequence & duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. The Price will not be affected.

 

****Special Conditions, if any, related to specific Tours will be advised in due course.

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible India...time to go is now….
Hello Kashi

 And last but not least:

Departures:

Arrival in Varanasi on Any day (minimum 2 guests)

Validity:

→ December 2022

Prices:

We offer several accommodation choices for this Journey. The price varies by selected accommodations. The itinerary remains unchanged.

Exchange rates fluctuate on a daily basis. Please contact us for current pricing and we will respond within 24 hours.

Some important notes

• Flights are subject to constant modifications / delays and cancellations.  In such cases, we will do all possible to find the best available alternative / solution but will not accept any liability, whatsoever.
• Our rates only include those items which are specified in the Itinerary / Inclusions.
• The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs / conditions and in case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to revise the tour price accordingly.
• Our quotations are calculated on base category of accommodation at each property and are subject to modification, if the same hotel / category of room not available at the time of reservation. In that case, we will confirm a superior category of room at a comparable or better hotel and supplement charges, if any, shall be advised accordingly. Final Itinerary will illustrate updated information and / or it would be furnished at the time of confirmation.
• All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of booking. The from price reflects the lowest available price at time of publication, which is valid for a specific start date or dates and also based on availability at the time of booking.
• Room availability is getting saturated due to heavy demands from the tourism industry, international Fairs and Congresses. Due to these constant sold- out situations the hotels are applying the cancellation rules more stringently. Once the reservation is guaranteed, the booking will be subject to full cancellation charges as per our Terms & Conditions (details will be advised at the time of deposit). We strongly recommend obtaining Insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen scenarios.
• Additional services including Optionals, if any, can be paid directly by the clients to our local offices.

The Journeys strongly recommends that all Guests purchase appropriate Travel Insurance (Trip Cancellation / Interruption & Medical) to cover any eventuality & / or Emergency. Between missed Connections, lost or delayed Luggage, or Medical Emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected. No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a Travel Protection Plan before you travel. Still unsure? Talk to us.