Asian Microcosm

Is it possible to find a country as diverse as India? This question must appear in the mind of every tourist visiting this amazing place. India covers almost the entire surface of the Indian Subcontinent, from the south it is surrounded by the waters of the Indian Ocean, while in the north it is bounded by the highest mountain ranges in the world - the Himalayas and the Karakoram. They are the 7th largest country in the world and 2nd in terms of population, second only to China. More than a billion citizens are divided into over a thousand ethnic groups; over a thousand languages ​​remain in use. In India we will find representatives of all the world's largest religions. Of course, Hindus are in the lead, followed by Muslims, Christians and Buddhists. Important religions also include Sikhism and Jainism.

Golden Triangle – tours and travel in Rajasthan: Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur

In a country so vast and diverse in terms of culture and terrain, it is difficult to single out the most important or most interesting tourist region. However, you can easily indicate the most popular places. These are Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, three cities that make up the so-called Golden Triangle.

The country's capital, located on the Yamuna River, and its surroundings are considered one of the largest agglomerations in the world, home to nearly 30 million people. The most important monuments include Humayun's Tomb, the Red Fort and the Great Mosque, built during the Mughal dynasty. It is also worth seeing the Gateway of India, one of the symbolic buildings in the country's modern history, and visiting Chandni Chowk, a gigantic and probably the oldest bazaar in the capital, where you can buy literally everything.

In Agra we can find one of the seven Wonders of the World, or Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his prematurely deceased, beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb is another structure built during the reign of the Mughals, who ruled northern India for over 300 years, having a huge impact on Indian history. As a Muslim dynasty, they spread the religion in the country, which is today dominant in some regions, they also influenced the development of fine arts, science and shaped local architecture for many years. Your stay in Agra will be incomplete without a visit to the Red Fort, the most famous building of this type in India.

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, the largest state in India in terms of area. It is often called pink city because of the characteristic color of the local buildings. Tourists eagerly visit Amber Fort, the splendid City Palace, as well as Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds, which is a perfect example of the architecture of the Rajputs who ruled the area for many centuries. The impressive beehive-like façade of the palace is one of the most photographed structures in India.

We will be happy to organize individual trips to India and tailor-made luxury holidays for you, especially around the colorful Rajasthan. Unique journeys are the specialty of the travel agency CARTER, and an individually planned and exclusive trip in a small group to the tourist heart of India will remain in your memory for a long time.

Desert cities of Rajasthan

A few days are enough to visit the Golden Triangle, but India has much, much more to offer. It is worth staying there for a few weeks or dividing the visit to individual regions of the country into several smaller trips.

The previously mentioned Rajasthan tempts tourists with its wonderful cities, still remembering the times of powerful maharajas. While in the area, it is worth visiting Udaipur, due to the lakes and canals located within the city called Venice of the East; Jodhpur – the famous Blue City; Pushkar with its holy lake, where crowds of Hindu pilgrims constantly attract, as well as Jaisalmer, a city located in the Thar Desert, with a nearly thousand-year-old fort and charming streets of the old city still inhabited by the descendants of the brave Rajputs.

Wildlife enthusiasts should go to Ranthambore National Park, one of the places in the country where you can observe Bengal tigers living in the wild. It is also worth seeing Keoladeo National Park, inhabited by nearly 370 species of birds.

An interesting attraction of Rajasthan is the Karni Mata Temple - a home for nearly 20 rats, cared for and fed by tourists and volunteers. Rats are considered reincarnations of ancestors, surrounded by cult and protection.

West and South Indies, from Bollywood to the lagoons of Kerala

South of Rajasthan we find the almost equally large state of Maharashtra. Its capital and the second largest city in India is Mumbai. The huge agglomeration covers the entire area of ​​Salsette Island, surrounded by the waters of the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is often referred to as the cultural capital of the country, with Hindu, Muslim, Portuguese and, of course, British influences mixed here. Characteristic red double-decker buses circling the streets, reminiscent of the City of London. It is in Mumbai that the country's largest film studios are based, producing hundreds of films every year. The Indian film industry originating from Mumbai since the 70s has been called Bollywood (a combination of the words Bombay and Hollywood).Adjacent to the district occupied by film studios and inhabited by the city's richest inhabitants is Dharavi, a huge slum, one of the largest in Asia, which was interestingly portrayed in the film Slumdog. The contrast between the districts of poverty and luxury is characteristic of all Indian agglomerations.

Less than six hundred kilometers south of Mumbai lie the golden beaches of Goa. In the 1960s and 1970s, this place was one of the destinations of European and American hippies who sought spiritual balance, freedom and escape from Western consumerism in India. Nowadays, tourists of all stripes and origins, European, American and local, flock to Goa.

The states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu occupy the far south. The former is famous for its beautiful beaches on the Malabar Coast, navigable lagoons surrounded by palm groves, and tea plantations located in the mountains. Kochi is Kerala's largest city and one of India's most important ports. There are many monuments from the times when the Portuguese ruled there; it is worth emphasizing that Kochi was the first European colony in India. There are also many hotels in Kerala promoting Ayurveda, an ancient system of Indian medicine aimed at physical and mental cleansing.

Tamil Nadu is inhabited mainly by Tamils, a people of Dravidian origin. The main cultural and religious center of the Tamils ​​is Madurai, which is home to the impressive Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to Shiva, and his walking companion, Parvati.

Another important city in the region is Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, considered the best and healthiest city to live in India, with 45% of its tourism revenue coming from medical tourism.

The Undiscovered North

All lovers of mountains, spiritual journeys or simply non-obvious attractions should consider a trip to the northern part of the country. In the state of Punjab, you must visit Amritsar, a city located near the border with Pakistan. Its biggest attraction is the famous Golden Temple, the most important object of Sikh worship. Punjab is the birthplace and homeland of Sikhism, a syncretic religion practiced by over 27 million people, combining features of Hinduism and Islam.

In the far north of the country there are the territories of Jammu and Kashmir and the states of Ladkah and Himachal Pradesh. These areas are mostly covered by the Himalayan chains and wide mountain valleys, where first maharajas and sultans, and then the British who ruled the country, found respite from the summer heat. The most important places worth mentioning are:

Śringar - a city located on Dal Lake, in the Kashmir Valley, famous for its floating houses and the mentioned mild climate. It is also a good base for exploring higher areas.

Dharamsala - a town located on the mountain slopes, also called Little Lhassa. Since the 60s, it has been the seat of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. The city is a destination for pilgrims attracted by the atmosphere of mysticism and the promise of finding spiritual balance.

Manali - located in the Kullu valley and surrounded by three mountain ranges: the Himalayas, Pir Panjal and Daura Dhar. Manali is a base for trekking trips to the high mountains. Many trails start here. The atmosphere of the town surrounded by mountains, meadows and forests may be somewhat reminiscent of Polish Zakopane.

Central and Eastern India

In the central part of the country there is the popular Khajuraho temple complex. The temples were built between the 10th and 12th centuries AD. More than twenty buildings have survived to this day, the walls of which are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting very bold scenes from the Kama Sutra. For lovers of monuments and exotic curiosities, this is a must-see.

Varanasi, located on the Ganges, is often considered to be the spiritual capital of India. According to legend, the city was founded by Siwa thousands of years ago. Currently, it is one of the most important places of worship for followers of Buddhism and Hinduism who come to Varanasi to take a ritual bath in the Ganges. Another unusual custom is burning corpses on the ghats, which is watched with fascination by tourists armed with cameras. Near the city there is Deer Park - the place where the Buddha delivered the first sermon, which initiated the creation of one of the largest philosophical systems in the world.

The east of the country can be divided into northern and southern parts. The northern part is probably the least touristic region of India. Although Darjeeling is located here, popular for its pleasant climate and tea plantations, most of the region remains undiscovered for mass tourism. In the state of Assam, animist tribes still live among the mountains and dense forests, while in Nagaland as many as 90% of the population declares the Christian faith, which is an unprecedented result in the entire country.

The southeast can be associated with Kolkata. It is one of the most populous cities in India, full of Hindu monuments and buildings from the colonial era when the British resided here. Kolkata is also the main transfer port for trips to Bhutan and Bangladesh, and a base for exploring the Sundarbans, a region located in the Ganges and Brahmaputra delta, famous for its mangrove forests that are a habitat for crocodiles and tigers.

Luxury trips to India

We organize tailor-made trips around India for our clients. In each of the program locations, we try to choose the best possible hotels, such as the Oberoi and Aman chains; in the Himalayas, we recommend the world-famous Ananda SPA. We also encourage you to travel by luxury trains, including: Deccan Odyssey and Maharajas Express.

India – private sightseeing tours and individual holidays

Sightseeing tours around India with a boutique travel agency CARTER will allow you to explore India without rushing and in very comfortable conditions. Your personal driver and a local guide will be at your disposal, who knows the secrets and places "away from the crowds" like no one else. What unique experiences await you during individual trips to India? A private audience at the maharaja's palace in Rajasthan, a luxurious cruise on the Ganges, rice boat cruises on the backwaters of Kerala and relaxation in the most luxurious hotels offering Ayurvedic treatments - these are just some of the attractions.

Tourist trips that connect India, Nepal and Bhutan

When going on a trip to India, it is also worth considering visiting fascinating neighboring countries such as Bhutan and Nepal. A well-planned trip to Asia can combine three different countries, thus offering diversity and a wealth of experiences. A perfectly planned holiday in India can end in the Kingdom of the Dragon, i.e. in Bhutan or in Nepal, famous for the scenic Himalayas and as many as 72 eight-thousanders.

With which travel agency to India? Tailor-made holidays

Boutique travel agency CARTER has been on the market for 20 years. Since the beginning of our existence, we have focused on individual holidays and tailor-made trips to remote corners of Asia and India. We offer the best guides to India, the most beautiful hotels and ships, and hotels for relaxation on the most beautiful beaches in Goa or the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Trips to India and relaxation in the Maldives

Another interesting option during your holidays in India is to end your trip in the paradise Maldives. Convenient flights from India to the Maldives will make your holiday in India extremely relaxing. Colorful India and the fabulous Maldives are a perfect combination for an individual trip, a honeymoon or an incentive trip.