Soul-warming, deliciously unexpected, enchanting India

Stakna Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, India. Image by LUNGMĀR

How does one describe a country that stretches from the 28,000-foot high snow-capped Himalayan Mountains in the north where you can take a quest to find the elusive snow leopard, to the sun-kissed beaches with shimmering water and swaying palm trees in Kerala on the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in the south?

On the edge of the great desert of Rajasthan, one finds the magical cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Agra, renowned for the incredible architectural gems: palaces of their Maharajas, magnificent forts, and temples. On the banks of the sacred Ganges, the city of Varanasi quite simply defies description—the epicenter of spirituality where death, rebirth, belief, and mundane life all meet.

Bada Bagh garden complex north of Jaisalmer in the state of Rajasthan. Image by Getty

Jungles inside Ranthambore National Park and Central India’s national parks are teeming with exotic birds, tigers, elephants, and even rhino, and bordered by sleepy villages where little has changed in the past 100 years. Architectural gems, from serene temples to crumbling forts. You will find stunning natural beauty, peaceful villages, bustling cities, magnificent temples, extraordinary birds, and wildlife. To experience India is to be deeply in touch with one’s innermost being. Take a journey of the senses with us to India…

The allure of the ‘grey ghost’ in one of the most remote places on earth is what brings most travelers to the mountainous, trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. With thick grey, white, and spotted black coats that give them a natural camouflage, snow leopards are almost impossible to see with an untrained eye. And while they have evolved to live in some of the harshest conditions—including India’s Hemis National Park—their numbers are scarce. Not only that, they are incredibly hard to spot and photograph in the wild, which makes our Quest for the Snow Leopard itinerary even more appealing to big cat enthusiasts and culture-seekers alike. Read the full Q&A with our favorite India expert + wildlife safari extraordinaire, Amit Sankhala on the blog.

Itinerary: India’s Tigers and Beyond

A tiger inside of Pench National Park in Central India. Image courtesy of Jamtara

From golden sand dunes to central India’s national parks, from ancient forts to legendary shining cities, from tracking tigers to bathing with elephants, explore the highlights of India on this two-week journey.

Delve into India’s rich jungles on the search for both iconic wildlife and lesser known species with the aid of experienced guides and 4×4 jeeps, before unwinding from your safari under a canvas tent at Jamtara Wilderness Camp. Indulge in luxury in the remote desert and in the bustling cities of Delhi and Mumbai, so that you can feel relaxed and rejuvenated in some of the busiest and culture-rich places in the world. From music and traditions centuries old to stunning natural wonders, take in all that India has to offer.

Sleep under the stars at Jamtara Wilderness Camp near India’s Pench National Park.

Have questions? Reach out to Jamie, our India expert via email.

Don’t forget to join our next Passports Webinar focused on exploring Patagonia on November 17th

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