Impregnable forts and exquisite palaces with accents of rich architecture cannot escape the mind of a traveller, when speaking of India. With history rooted in lores of conquests and dynasties, a tryst with these historic structures can be seldom avoided. These old bastions of strength had several reasons for their presence; projecting influence and might, showcasing set vibrant architectural skills and protecting the citizens. The length and breadth of the country is dotted with these remnants of splendor.
Forts & Palaces
Not only does Rajasthan shine as owning an exhaustive repertoire of these architectural marvels, but other parts of the country like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka draw thousands in a year for a glimpse into their past with magnificent forts and palaces. Whether crumbling or meticulously restored, both stand testimony of a flourishing culture, raging battles and an acute sense of design and cultural revelations.
A mirror to thousands of years of history, India but Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal are also veritable destinations that one can trail through to see forts and palaces. Perched on mountaintops, some of these palaces can be surreally tranquil, giving one a moment of being suspended in awe of these great architectural patrons. Not only do the forts and palaces have unmatchable symmetry and ethereal luminescence, but also every inch of the structures is covered in exquisite detail.
Itineraries

Royal Splendour
13 Nights & 14 Days






Overview
Let this trip be a commemoration to India’s acclaim of being one of the richest countries where forts and palaces are concerned. This journey skirts through North Indian heavyweights like Delhi, Rajasthan and Agra that can immerse you in an atmospheric trajectory of once powerful dynasties. Despite thousands of years of existence, in this trip you will encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary -where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars are juxtaposed with modern metropolises. Your first gateway into India’s history is the capital itself, New Delhi. From here, we wend our way through to Rajasthan, touching a part of Madhya Pradesh and stopping over last to the elegant Taj Mahal in Agra.






Top Places
Delhi | Jaipur | Jodhpur | Jodhpur & Kumbhalgarh | Udaipur | Chittorgarh & Bijaipur | Bijaipur & Kota | Bundi | Karauli | Gwalior | Agra | Delhi






Highlights
Red Fort | Amber Fort | Mehrangarh Fort | Lake Pichola | Gwalior Fort | Taj Mahal


Delhi / Day 1


Jaipur / Day 2 - 3


Jodhpur / Day 4


Jodhpur & Kumbhalgarh / Day 5


Udaipur / Day 6 - 7


Chittorgarh & Bijaipur / Day 8


Bijaipur & Kota / Day 9


Bundi / Day 10


Karauli / Day 11


Gwalior / Day 12


Agra / Day 13


Delhi / Day 14






Deccan India
12 Nights & 13 Days






Overview
Gracing the Deccan with a glorious slice of history are stalwart cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Hampi and Mysore. With this, add the draw of the lesser known Gulbarga, Bidar and Badami for a wholesome trip themed around forts and palaces. The extravagance of Nizams of Hyderabad cast a surreal sheen as one starts the trip. The hypnotic beauty stays with the traveller as he makes his way through Bidar and then crossing over to the state of Karnataka, known for its array of rulers, who left an inedible imprint on the land. Of these impressions, the Vijaynagara Kingdom’s ruins at Hampi are unmatchable. The pale brown bouldery sprawl, when pitched against Mysore’s rich cultural fabric, the result is a deep influence on the travellers’ minds.






Top Places
Hyderabad | Bidar & Gulbarga | Bijapur | Badami | Hospet | Hampi | Hassan | Halebidu & Belur | Mysore | Bangalore






Highlights
Charminar | Bahamani Kingdom Fort | Gol Gumbaz | Badami Caves | Pattadakal | Hampi’s ruins | Halebidu & Belur Temples | Maharaja Palace


Hyderabad / Day 1 - 2


Bidar & Gulbarga / Day 3


Bijapur / Day 4 - 5


Badami / Day 6 - 7




Hampi / Day 9




Halebidu & Belur / Day 11


Mysore / Day 12








South India Tour
13 Nights & 14 Days






Overview
The region where the great Dravidian dynasties rose and fell in India lies geographically in the Southern part of the country. More tropical in nature than the cold lower Himalayan base of North India or the Thar Desert of the Western part, the hues of South are completely different. Food, sights and the warm breeze of the sea combined, make for a balmy ambiance to enjoy the slow paced backwater canals of Kerala, or the eons old temples of Tamil Nadu and ludicrously stunning sunset points along the beaches. What are bound to stand out are the exquisitely carved temples of Tamil Nadu, verdant and soothing surroundings and a peek into the world of Ayurveda in Kerala and a rich repository of varied landscapes as you meander through the region.






Top Places
Cochin | Alleppey | Kovalam | Kanyakumari | Madurai | Chettinad | Trichy & Thanjavur | Thanjavur | Kumbakonam | Mahabalipuram | Chennai






Highlights
Chinese Fishing Nets | Kathakali Dance | Backwaters | Vivekananda Memorial | Meenakshi Temple | Kanadukathan | Brihadeshwara Temple | Shore Temple


Cochin / Day 1 - 2


Alleppey / Day 3




Kanyakumari / Day 5


Madurai / Day 6 - 7


Chettinad / Day 8


Trichy & Thanjavur / Day 9


Thanjavur / Day 10


Kumbakonam / Day 11


Mahabalipuram / Day 12 -13








Majestic Dzongs of Bhutan
07 Nights & 08 Days






Overview
The mountain splendor of Bhutan encapsulates within its boundaries, a sense of intense spirituality and wonder for the travellers. Its ancient Dzongs are steeped in the architectural references of the years gone by and offer an ambiance of tranquility the moment you step in. Relatively untouched by western influences, seeing the local life and culture of Bhutan is an enigmatic inclusion in your itinerary to the Indian subcontinent. Along with structures, this week–long itinerary gives one ample time to meander through the vibrant countryside or a chance to take in the stunning views of the mountains from dazzlingly high passes.






Top Places
Paro | Thimpu | Trongsa | Bumthang | Punakha | Paro






Highlights
Textile and Folk Heritage Museum | Trongsa Dzong | Jambey Lhakhang | Tamshing | Jakar Dzong | Punakha Dzong Ta Dzong | Taktsang Monastery


Paro / Day 1


Thimpu / Day 2


Trongsa / Day 3


Bumthang / Day 4


Punakha / Day 5


Paro / Day 6 - 8






Nepal & Tibet
12 Nights & 13 Days






Overview
A trip that merges the serene vibe of Hinduism and different sects of Buddhism in Nepal and Tibet. The untreated Tibet is the cynosure of all things beautiful. Ringed by towering mountain ranges, like the Kunlun Range in the north and Himalayas to the south, the landscape of Tibet is also dominated by the deserts of the Changtang and the Tsaidam Basin and silvery rivers that flow from China. These offer great diversity in landscape, vegetation, and wildlife in the valleys. Tibet’s unimaginable scapes and difficulty in access has intrigued travellers for centuries. A flourishing culture and unique lifestyle, makes it an emblem of off-beat destinations of the subcontinent.






Top Places
Kathmandu | Gonggar & Lhasa | Lhasa | Gyangtse | Gyangtse & Shigatse | Shigatse, Sakya & Shegar | Shegar, Everest Base Camp, Rombuk & Old Tingri | Old Tingri, Zhang Mu & Kathmandu | Kathmandu






Highlights
Pashupatinath | Boudhanath Stupa | Patan Bhaktapur | Swayambhunath Maha Chaitya | Sera Monastery | Potala Palace | alkhor Chode Monastery | Tashilhunpo


Kathmandu / Day 1 - 3


Gonggar & Lhasa / Day 4


Lhasa / Day 5 - 6


Gyangtse / Day 7


Gyangtse & Shigatse / Day 8


Shigatse, Sakya & Shegar / Day 9


Shegar, Everest Base Camp, Rombuk & Old Tingri / Day 10


Old Tingri, Zhang Mu & Kathmandu / Day 11

