INDIA & THE SUBCONTINENT
KERALA BACKWATERS, INDIA Explore the captivating landscapes and enchanting rural life of Kerala’s backwaters aboard a traditional houseboat. Stop off to explore local villages amongst the paddy fields.
AMRITSAR, INDIA The holiest shrine of the Sikh religion, the Golden Temple is visited each day by thousands of pilgrims.
GWALIOR FORT, INDIA
One of the biggest forts in all of India, the stunning Gwalior Fort overlooks the town from an isolated rock.
BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER, INDIA
Cruise on an elegant river boat along one of the largest rivers in the world. The Brahmaputra flows from the glaciers of Tibet to the sparkling waters of the Bay of Bengal.
INDIA & THE SUBCONTINENT GUIDES ADITYA NATH, INDIA
“It has been said, it is always inspirational to travel. There is so much to India, as every state is a country and each has its own culture. It is this facet of my country which encouraged me to learn and explore. Due to my academic background in History with Travel and Tourism, I am open-
minded and like to explore different places and pick up different influences. Today I am blessed and happy to share my 15 years of expertise with every traveller, as I join them in their journey to demystify India.”
PANKAJ SHARMA, INDIA Holi Festival HOLI & DIWALI
Experience the Festival of Colours (Holi) in March and Festival of Lights (Diwali) in October during special departures of the Classic India tour.
EVEREST FLIGHT, NEPAL A morning flight over Mt Everest will be remembered forever.
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK, NEPAL A designated rhino sanctuary, lying in Nepal’s subtropical lowlands, Chitwan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take an elephant ride to view the tiger, deer and up to 450 species of birds.
THIMPHU, BHUTAN Bhutan’s capital, the Thimphu Valley is home to the immense 17th-century Taschicho Dzong and a landscape festooned with prayer flags.
“I, Pankaj Sharma, am a tour manager and guide and come from a traditional Indian middle class family. I chose to be a tour guide because somewhere in my heart I had a desire to be associated with a profession like guiding. I love my country and I am extremely proud of my culture; so
what more could I ask for, than the chance to be a tour guide, where I can show my culture and my mother land to travellers from all around the world. I’ve had the best of experiences with every group I have taken around.”
SANJAY VOHRA, INDIA ”I work as a Tour Manager for Bales Worldwide specialising in their South India tour. I qualified as a guide in 1996, having worked in tourism since 1986 and have a keen interest in Indian Art and culture. I have led groups all over India including around the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan and North India. I love my job and the opportunity it gives me to show people more of my fascinating country.”
PARO, BHUTAN
Graced with some of Bhutan’s oldest dzongs, Paro is home to the remarkable Taktshang Monastery, the famous ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
SIGIRIYA, SRI LANKA Sigiriya is famed for its rock’s outstanding frescoes, amazing views and impressive archaeological heritage.
MULTI COUNTRY OPTIONS Cross from eastern Nepal into Sikkim, India and continue into Assam and Bengal. Overland from eastern Bhutan you have access to the Brahmaputra River and various cruising and wildlife options.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL Conditions across the regions in India can vary appreciably; in general the climate is tropical, but major factors to consider are heat and the monsoons. Much of the north is a dry, desert climate which is at its best between October and March. The monsoon is generally between June and September. Southern India experiences much higher humidity, but generally October to March is best, with monsoon rain in June and July. Travelling during the Holi festive period in March or for Diwali in November, adds another dimension to any visit.
In Sri Lanka, November to February is the most pleasant time to travel. The months of March to May bring higher temperatures but July and August have slightly lower rainfall. Visit in August and you will be able to marvel at the spectacle of the Perahera festival.
The vast ranges of the Himalayas strongly influence the climate across Nepal and Bhutan and temperatures in the mountains themselves can vary greatly. The ideal time to visit Nepal is October to April, although during December and January you should be prepared for cooler nights.
Spring, early summer and late autumn are the best times to visit Tibet with mid-July to end of September best avoided with the onset of the monsoon.
Visit our website for further information –
www.balesworldwide.com
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