India is a subcontinent of surprises. A cauldron of cultures, of climes, of people. Desert and tropical rain forest. Remote villages and restless metropolis. Mysticism and mural paintings, Ayurveda healing and paragliding. A hundred cliches and then a hundred faces you never knew existed. India can offer almost anything you want, whether it is adventure, beaches, hill stations, wildlife, forts and palaces, amazing travel experiences, fantastic spectacles or even a search for yourself.

ADVENTURE
India's wide choice of adventure sports ranges from the daring to the exotic. A test of skill, toughness, endurance... and always exciting. The spectacular variety of India extends to the range of adventure and sporting activities available. There are plenty of activities for the adventurous and the not so adventurous. Choose your kind of adventure - the perennial challenge of the Himalayas for mountaineers, the coniferous forests and flower meadows for the trekker, the rapids of snow-fed rivers for white water rafting, and the lonely stretches of the Thar desert for camel safaris. From the ski slopes of Kashmir to the water sports centres of Goa and Andamans Islands. Whatever the season, you will find a sport to suit your taste. Try driving off from the fist tee of one of the country's beautiful golf courses, or casting for trout or salmon in the clear mountain rivers of the north. Or perhaps watch a skillful game of hockey; venture a few Rupees while mixing with the fashionable race-goers at any of India's elegant racecourses; or combine elements of both by enjoying the spectacle of a game of polo.

The Golden City

AYURVEDA
Around 600 BC in India a new system of medicine evolved. A system that in addition to treating an ailment stressed on its prevention. A system that came to be called Ayurveda or the 'science of longevity'. This tradition of health care was followed by the Dravidans and Aryans alike and has been practiced ever since. Today it's a unique, indispensable branch of medicine - a complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of the body's humours - vatha (air), pitha (fire) and kapha (water) - to achieve the right balance. It believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but the individual as a whole. Making it the natural way to refresh one's self and eliminate all toxic imbalances from the body and thus regain resistance and good health. It is known to promote positive health, natural beauty and long life. The State of Kerala is the only State in India, which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication and offers a host of Ayurvedic Resorts

Rejuvenate Yourself

BEACH RESORTS
India's coast is decked with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From endless stretches of golden sand to palm-fringed coves, India offers the visitor the ideal beach holiday. On the West Coast, at the southern end of Kerala there's Kovalam and Varkala; farther north, Goa has a whole collection of beautiful beaches complete with soft white sands, gentle lapping waves and swaying palms. If you find these a little over commercialized then head for the tiny ex-Portuguese island of Diu off the southern coast of Gujarat, or to southern Karnataka. Over on the East Coast you could try the beach at Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu. In Orissa the beach at Gopalpur-on-sea is clean and quiet. Some of the beaches in the Andamans Islands are straight out of a holiday brochure - white coral sands, beautiful corals, gin clear water and multi-coloured fishes and corals. Similarly the beaches of Lakshadweep, a series of coral atolls off the West Coast are pristine.

Sun, Sea & Golden Beaches

CULTURE / HERITAGE
Ancient monuments dating back to the 1st century AD and earlier reflect India's rich past. A variety of indigenous traditions, rites, customs and ceremonies prevail in the country from the ancient Dravidian to modern Hinduism; from Islamic to Christian centres. The ruins of the Harappan civilization, the wonder of the world Taj Mahal, the sculptures of Khajuraho, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan, the frescoes of Ajanta and the Shekhawati, ghats of Varanasi, the temples of South India, the monuments of Karnataka, the colourful fairs and festivals, the religious ceremonies… the destinations are endless, yet all are unique in themselves.

The Lost Kingdom

ECO / NATURE TRAILS

The natural wealth of the Indian subcontinent has remained unique, mysterious and fascinating for nature lovers. An unending stream of rivers, lakes, lagoons and beautiful hills, mountains, valleys and spice plantations dot its landscape so as do the tropical forests and rich flora and fauna. In Indian philosophy life in any form is deemed sacred and the worship of nature in all its different forms is an essential part of our cultural legacy. Come and explore the natural beauty and ecology of this subcontinent. Let the experience spoil you, but please take care to leave the nature unspoiled.

A Date With Nature

HILL STATIONS
Hill stations are popular as resorts among both Indians and visitors, providing a relaxing and salubrious retreat from the heat of the plains. Bracing weather, verdant surroundings, spectacular views and - solitude - hill stations are perfect for quick getaways from the bustling cities as they are within easy reach by rail or road. They are also wonderful for longer holidays to really unwind and explore the joys of nature. Apart from the famous Himalayas and its foothills in the north, other parts of the country do have their share of hill stations like in the Western Ghats, the Satpura Ranges of the centre and the Nilgiri Hills in the South.

Hills & Spices

PILGRIMAGE
The ancients understood the urgency of providing centripetal forces, and of establishing tenets deep within the racial unconsciousness that made possible a unitary feeling for the land and its contours. From the time of the Puranas, pilgrimage was regarded as a necessity for the regeneration of the spirit and the quickening of cultural exchange. Considered practically obligatory pilgrimage became a milestone in man's life. Every Hindu is expected to go on tirtha yatra (pilgrimages). Pilgrimages are undertaken for many reasons: to implore the gods to grant some wish, to take the ashes of a cremated relative to a holy river, to seek good health and fortune or to gain spiritual merit. Holy sites were established at the cardinal points of the country - to the north were the snow peaked highlands of Badrinath, Kedarnath and Amarnath. To the east is Puri, to the south is Rameswaram and Kanya Kumari, to the west is Dwaraka and in the centre Kashi or Benares (Varanasi), Prayaga (Allahabad) and Mathura. Apart from these there are thousands and thousands of holy sites of almost all religious groups - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Jews, Christians.

Spiritual Experience

TRIBAL TOURS
Although there is some controversy regarding the advisability and morality of visiting Adivasi or tribal areas, tourism does bring much needed funds to these already developing regions and organized tours are becoming increasingly popular. Such tours provide an insight into the life of the tribal communities with a chance to attend interesting festivals and markets. Although many of the areas are still virtually off limits to tourists some places are becoming less restricted. Areas where such tours are organized are - Orissa, Gujarat, Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh

Tribal Orissa

WILDLIFE
The Indian peninsula is a continent in itself, whose geographical diversity has encouraged the flourishing of a whole range of wildlife and birds in the country. The rich and fascinating variety of India's wildlife can be seen in the 80 national parks, 440 sanctuaries and 23 tiger reserves established by the Government of India in an attempt to conserve this vital resource. India harbours 60% of the world's wild tiger population, 50% of Asian elephants, and 80% of the one-horned rhinoceros and the entire remaining population of the Asiatic lion. While there is an overlap in the habitats of many species, each region has something special to offer - the Hangul is restricted to the valley of Kashmir in northern India, the Rhino is found in the North East States and pockets along the Brahmaputra River. The Black Langur is found in the Western Ghats and Western India is the home of the last remaining Asiatic Lions. Two of India's most impressive animals, the Bengal and Indian Tiger and the Asiatic Elephant are found in most regions. Today, most of India's wildlife finds refuge in over two hundred sanctuaries and parks around the country.

On the Trail of the Tiger