Travel possibilities within India and the sub-continent are constantly evolving. Events and festivals, either annual or unique, come and go. New options for quality, character accommodation excite and provide inspiration. Information about destinations and sites of interest can provide a focus for planning an itinerary.
Tailor-made holidays are able to incorporate new aspects of development with immediate effect. Our aim is provide you with ideas, inspiration and news relevant to planning your own journey. Please let us know if you would like to include something that you see on our News & Events page when planning your itinerary.
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Visit Mysteries of India at Destinations Travel Exhibition London
The Destinations Holiday & Travel Show, now in its 18th year, is a premier holiday and travel exhibition for discerning, independent travellers.
We invite you to visit our stand at the Destinations 2012 Exhibition at London, Earls Court and meet the Mysteries of India team.
 We are located on Stand AP26. Location: Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London SW5 9TA Fair Hours: Thursday 2 February through Sunday 5 February 10am – 5:30pm Admission Prices: Advance Tickets are £10. Tickets for sale on the door are £12. Please note: Children under 12 are free. For further information on the Destinations Show or to book tickets, please visit www.destinationsshow.comWe look forward to seeing you there! |
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Pushkar Camel Fair
One of the oldest cities of India, Pushkar lies on the banks of Pushkar Lake near Ajmer in the desert state of Rajasthan. Every year in November at the time of the full moon, a camel fair is held which attracts up to 300,000 people and 50,000 camels, cattle and horses.
For visitors it is a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the colour, spectacle and carnival of one of the last great traditional melas, which draws livestock, farmers, traders, pilgrims and villagers from all over Rajasthan.
The fair overlaps the holy festival of Kartik Purnim and Hindu pilgrims come to bathe in the holy waters of Pushkar's lake and be absolved of their sins. Those who bathe on the day of the full moon are said to receive special blessings.
A few days just prior to the start of the fair groups of camels, herders and traders begin to appear from out of the desert and set up camp in the dunes around Pushkar. Each day many more camels, nomads, herders, farmers and traders continue to arrive, many on foot or by camel cart. Most trading will take place during these first few days. It is probably the best time for photography of people and animals, and the time when you may move around and observe the scene most freely.
The 2012 dates for the Camel Fair are 18 to 27 November. If you wish to visit the Pushkar Camel Fair, either as a destination on its own or as part of a longer itinerary, now is a good time to start thinking about it. Accommodation generally fills up quickly. Contact us to discuss a tailor-made itinerary and for further details of the full Pushkar program of events.
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Maharajas’ Express - Award & A New Journey
Maharajas’ Express operates luxury train journeys between Delhi and Mumbai, and through parts of northern India. This year they received the first runner-up Conde Nast Readers’ Travel Award in the Specialist Train Operators category. No mean achievement considering the competition and that it is a relative newcomer.
From this October Maharajas’ Express will introduce a new journey to discover the heritage, history, architecture, wildlife and rich culture of Rajasthan called “Royal Sojourn”. Starting in Delhi it will travel to Jaipur, Kota, Ranthambhore National Park and Agra, returning to the capital after 8 days.
From its luxurious “travelling palace” base the journey will include a diversity of attractions and activities.
- The legendary Taj Mahal
- Searching for Tigers
- The Amber Fort
- The Garh Palace
- Nahargarh Biological Park
- An elephant polo match
- A boat cruise on the Chambal River
- Fine dining throughout the journey
A luxury “hotel” that moves, enables much to be included in a relatively short duration. For those with limited time the Maharajas’ Express provides a very comfortable way to discover India’s wonders. Contact us for full details.
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Samode Safari Lodge, Bandhavgarh
Open since October 2010, the Samode Safari Lodge near Bandhavgarh has already been awarded a coveted place on the Conde Nast Traveler’s 2011 Hot List. The Safari Lodge embodies the same meticulous attention to detail, outstanding personal service, unique character and local sensitivity that have been the cornerstones of the Samode Group’s reputation.
Located in the heart of tiger country on the edge of the 450 sq km Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, 12 individual local style villas are set in 11 acres of open grassland. Two main lodges with spacious lounges on the top floor open onto wooden decks offering an almost spiritual relaxation in a tree-top setting. Machans or observation towers provide opportunities for bird and wildlife sightings.
The Samode Safari Lodge has been designed and built with the lightest possible environmental footprint. The aim was to create luxury in the most sustainable manner. The adjoining villages of Mardari and Gohori are the inspiration for the architectural language of the Lodge. The walls are constructed with the traditional hand moulded bricks and building materials have been locally sourced. The Lodge also uses solar energy and does extensive rain-water harvesting to recharge ground water levels.
Guests enjoy morning and evening safari’s into the game park. April to June is the best time for tiger spotting but the hotel is open all year.
Contact Mysteries of India to discuss an itinerary including a stay at the Samode Safari Lodge.
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India’s Tiger Numbers Increase
According to a July article by Telegraph S. Asia editor Dean Nelson, the latest census of India’s tigers published in 2011 shows an increase of 300 cats since the last count in 2006. Considered to be on the brink of extinction this increase is excellent news.
Although some of this increase is probably the result of more thorough counting, it is a seeming reversal of a continued decline. A century ago there were thought to be some 40,000 tigers in India. Since then hunting, poaching and habitat loss have seen the numbers diminish dramatically.
Project Tiger, and other conservation groups, have worked ceaselessly to protect these magnificent and iconic creatures. There is a long, perhaps insurmountable, road ahead to restore numbers to a sustainable level. However, this small increase is very encouraging and means that visitors to India’s many superb wildlife sanctuaries have an increased chance of observing tigers in their natural habitat.
Of the country’s 27 tiger reserves Khana and Bandavgarh in Madhya Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan and Corbett in the Himalayan foothills are currently considered to have some of the best chances of tiger sightings.
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