Indus Experiences unveils new river cruise, wilderness and culture tours to India and Bhutan

HARROW - Adding to their colourfully diverse India brochure, Indus Experiences, the tailor-made holiday specialist, have broadened the options with a new supplement – India and Bhutan Living Cultures & River Cruises. Combining cruising along the mighty Brahmaputra River with heady Himalayan explorations and trips into the fascinating Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan; exclusive cultural encounters with the locals in Northern India and Rajasthan; and, ideal for first-timers, India’s Golden Triangle with a cruise, it offers five new itineraries.

The only navigable river in the world from which one can soak up breath-taking views of the Himalaya, the Brahmaputra River is also the only river, apart from the Zambezi in Africa, from which elephant, jeep and boat safaris are conducted.  Thus offering holidaymakers the opportunity to visit more remote wilderness, ancient temples and palaces, tribal villages, monasteries and tea estates throughout Assam.

Conducted aboard the luxuriously appointed MV Mahabaahu, the new tours along the Brahmaputra offer an alternative way of exploring off the beaten track through a well planned combination of cruise and excursions. Described by the National Geographic as the “Serengeti of India”, highlights include wildlife watching on elephant-back for single horned rhinos, elephants, wild buffaloes and tigers in the UNESCO World Heritage Kaziranga National Park; exploring the fusion of faiths at Kamakhya Temple, Sibsagar and Majuli Island; wandering though manicured tea estates; and encounters with local village life.

The tour, Mountains, Monuments and Mighty Brahmaputra, combines the cruise with a tour of the vibrant city of Kolkata (plus Mother Theresa's orphanage), the fascinating hill station of Darjeeling (plus lunch with a local family) and eastern India's soaring Himalayan peaks.  

Bhutan & MV Mahabaahu, meanwhile, merges the cruise with a tour of Kolkata and on to the snow-clad Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan.  Highlights, including visits to medieval monasteries and immaculately preserved dzongs (fortresses), provide ample insight into the rich traditions and spirituality of this remote and beautiful mountain country.

For a holiday offering the best of both worlds, the 16-day Golden Triangle with Brahmaputra Cruise blends the highlights of northern India with a seven-night cruise along the Brahmaputra River. Ideal for the first-time visitor to India, this itinerary takes in the 'Golden Triangle' destinations of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, with some memorable cultural encounters along the way before boarding the MV Mahabaahu.

Ideal for incorporating into any India tour, the MV Mahabaahu is also the fastest river-cruiser on the Brahmaputra allowing for a more compact sightseeing itinerary (most other boats require ten days to cover the distance that the MV Mahabaahu manages in a week).  The most luxurious river-cruiser on the river, it features an onboard spa, swimming pool and just 23 stylishly appointed cabins with a full cultural entertainment programme to complement the simple pleasure of observing life along the riverbanks and the possible sightings of the fresh water Gangetic dolphins.

The brochure's two land-only tours both focus exclusively on the highlights of northern India.  The 15-day Soul & Spirit of Northern India itinerary blends the region's most significant sights and landmarks with a glimpse into local lifestyles - at both ends of the spectrum.  In Jaipur, a day touring the city's elegant forts, palaces and beautiful gardens is crowned by the exclusive experience of dining with a noble family at Sankotra Haveli - a carefully-preserved, 18th Century family mansion.  This is followed by a two-night stay in the desert village of Kalakho to meet colourfully-attired local people and enjoy a performance of traditional folk dancing.  The itinerary also takes in such cultural icons as the Taj Mahal, Varanasi's sacred Ghats (steps) down to the River Ganges, and the towering, 12th Century minaret of Qutab Minar that dominates the Delhi skyline .

Delhi, Jaipur and the Taj Mahal in Agra are also featured on the 16-day discovery of Palatial Rajasthan, along with the Jain temples of Jaisalmer and a visit to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri (once the capital of the Mughal Empire). Particularly noteworthy on this itinerary is the opportunity to stay at the Dera Dune Retreat, built atop of a soaring sand dune in the Great Thar Desert in Jamba.  Here, customers can visit members of the local Bishnoi people, an indigenous tribe famed for their reverence of the natural environment.  The itinerary also includes a visit to Udaipur, with an opportunity to stay at the incredible Lake Palace, which rises like a mirage from Lake Pichola's shimmering waters. 

These exclusive new tours combined with their standalone India brochure showcase all the subcontinent’s key attractions and highlights with exclusive encounters with colourful, local people. From dining with noble families to meeting local villagers or learning about the perfect brew at a hilltop tea plantation, these memorable, behind-the-scenes encounters promise to take clients beneath the fabric of the country to feel its very pulse.

Commenting on the new brochure, Yasin Zagar, Managing Director of Indus Experiences, said, "We are incredibly excited about this new river cruise and touring programmes as we are the first operator to bring this unique kind of product to the UK market.  Here at Indus Experiences, we have used our in-depth  knowledge to bring together the very best of the region's attractions alongside a whole host of exciting, cultural experiences that you just don't find on standard Indian tours.  And with our itineraries being fully flexible - with a huge choice of hotels from such leading, high-end brands as Taj and Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts - we can help customers piece together their ideal itinerary that's as exacting and individual as they are themselves."

Sourced: TravelDailyNews