Essential India - Venture Magazine Issue #2 Pages 18-19

Vital Attractions

India boasts some of the world’s greatest sights and experiences. Guidebook writer Matt Phillips suggests 10 of his favourites that should be included on your itinerary, where possible…

• THE TAJ MAHAL
  From a distance, the Taj Mahal is everything you’ve ever imagined… a symphony of symmetry, flowing lines and gleaming white marble. Move a little closer and you see that this monument to love, built by the Emperor Shah Jahan for his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is even more remarkable: thousands of semi-precious stones and pieces of coloured marble, all inlaid perfectly into the facade, transform this masterpiece of Islamic Mughal architecture into a stunning work of art. Several of our Indian itineraries take in the Taj Mahal.
• JODHPUR
  Standing on one of the world’s most imposing fortresses and gazing down over the imperial city of Jodhpur, you’ll soon realise why it’s dubbed the “Blue City”. The melange of facades you observed while navigating the streets suddenly gels into one great blend of blue. Amazing. The entrance gate to the Mehrangarh Fort is famed for the handprints of Raja Mansingh’s widows. They famously threw themselves on Mansingh’s funeral pyre rather than fall into the enemy’s hands. Kumuka’s “Mystical Rajasthan” and “Splendours of India” tours both spend time in Jodhpur.
• UDAIPUR
  Thanks to several stunning palaces, one of which seemingly floats on Pichola Lake, Udaipur is commonly known as the “Venice of the East” and it’s undoubtedly one of India’s most attractive and romantic cities. Whether climbing the surrounding hills to take in the vistas, strolling through town or cruising on the lakes, you’ll enjoy your time here. For an adventurous preview, watch the James Bond classic Octopussy that was partly filmed here (in the Lake Palace Hotel). Kumuka’s “Mystical Rajasthan” and “Splendours of India” tours both take in this intriguing city.
• GOA
  Usually sunny, fringed by long, sandy beaches, and washed by the Indian Ocean, this small state’s reputation as an Indian getaway is well founded. Lie low and soak up the sun, join in the legendary raves or wade into the fascinating remnants of Portuguese colonialism. Hinduism still takes a back seat to Roman Catholicism in Goa and whitewashed churches are almost as abundant as coconut palm groves. Optional four-day excursions into Goa are possible on Kumuka’s “Temples and Backwaters” tour.
• KERALA BACKWATERS
  Turn down the incessant background noise for which India is famous and wade into the peaceful backwaters of Kerala aboard a traditional rice-boat. Kerala’s lakes, canals and rivers spread across the country’s southwestern tip and provide a peek into an India that few visitors experience. Besides palm trees, lush fields and colourful local villages lining the banks, you’ll witness ingenious cantilevered fishing nets hovering over the shallows. Once your ears have adjusted to the drop in decibels, you’ll delight in listening to everything from the punter’s bamboo pole gently breaking the water’s surface to children playing along the banks and distant rumbles of thunder. Kumuka’s “Temples and Backwaters” tour, which spends eleven days exploring India’s southern heartlands, includes an overnight exploration of the backwaters aboard a rice-boat.
• KHAJURAHO
  Much like the Taj Mahal, the Chandela dynasty’s 10th- and 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site temples at Khajuraho reveal much of their majesty only on close observation. Yet, from a distance these multi-tiered temples are still outstanding examples of Indo-Aryan architecture, each rising gloriously skyward. At sunrise and sunset they’re even more dramatic, glowing in the fading light. But when you step closer, it’s the remarkable bands of intricate carvings encircling each temple that takes your breath away. These carvings depict countless scenes of Indian life a millennium ago, ranging from farmers and gods to warriors and Tantric sex (the Chandelas believed that gratification of the earthly desires was a step towards reaching ultimate liberation). Kumuka’s “Wildlife and Culture” and “Splendours of India” tours both take in Khajuraho.
• PUSHKAR – CAMEL SAFARI
  Pushkar, a diminutive city huddled around the semicircular shores of its namesake lake, is one of India’s holiest locations. Bathing in Pushkar’s waters is reputed by Hindus to have similar powers to those of the river Ganges in Varanasi. Each November the town erupts when thousands of camels are herded in from across Rajasthan to take part in the week-long Pushkar Camel Fair – it’s mayhem and a must-see if the timing is right. However, there are some camels here all year round, offering travellers the chance to camp under star-studded skies on a camel safari. All Kumuka’s “Mystical Rajasthan” and “Splendours of India” tours take in Pushkar and nearby camel safaris, while a few are timed to coincide with the cacophonous camel fair.
• RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
  Have you not stopped dreaming about tigers in India since experiencing The Jungle Book? Here’s your chance to see the real thing. Few places in the world give you a better opportunity to see tigers in the wild than Ranthambore National Park. Nestled between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges and covering nearly 400sq km, the park is also home to jackals, sloth bears, leopards and mongooses. A game drive through Rathambore is part of each Kumuka “Wildlife and Culture” tour.
• VARANASI
  Visiting Varanasi, which is set on the shore of the river Ganges and one of India’s most sacred cities, can only be described as a trial by ordeal. This massive two-footed leap into Hindu culture will see your senses immersed in everything from religious pageantry to Varanasi’s omnipresent funeral pyres (dying in Varanasi is considered a passport to nirvana in Hinduism). During Kumuka’s boat trips on the “Wildlife and Culture”, “Highlights of India” and “Splendours of India” tours, you’ll be able to slide along the shore and observe vibrantly clad pilgrims who’ve flocked here to bathe and wash away their sins in the Ganges’ holy waters. At night, you may also witness lighted candles dancing on the river’s surface, floating downstream on flower petals.
• MEENAKSHI TEMPLE
  Although relatively unknown outside India, this temple complex in Madurai is one of the country’s most impressive. Its twelve towers, each laden with thousands of vibrant Hindu sculptures, climb out of the city and dominate the skyline. Devoted to the Hindu god Shiva, the area has been the site of religious rites since the 7th century. The Meenakshi Temple is explored as part of Kumuka’s “Temples and Backwaters” tour. n

KUMUKA IN INDIA

What does Kumuka offer that’s different?
Kumuka’s Indian itineraries have received great praise from travellers since we started running trips there in the late '90s. Unlike some operators, we ensure there are no hidden extras, with most entry fees and local taxes included in the basic price and no unwelcome surprises.
What kind of transport do you use? Like India’s restaurant menus, Kumuka’s transport options run the gamut, from short hops on camels to long transits by overnight train. Most journeys are covered by private mini-bus, with local trains, 4x4 jeeps, boats, Cantas (open-top vehicles), rickshaws and your trusty feet filling in the gaps when needed.

Sounds like quite hard work. Is it? No – you’re on holiday. There's lots of activities, but it’s always fun. And with your tour leader making the arrangements, rest assured that overnight train berths, for example, are always reserved for you. Besides ensuring your night's sleep, this service means more exploring and less queueing. Our goal is to give you the best experience while removing all unnecessary stress. Group sizes never exceed 16 people and accommodation is set in small, friendly hotels and lodges, chosen for comfort, location or character.

Who are the leaders and guides? We pride ourselves on the experience, knowledge and understanding of our local drivers and guides, whose understanding of Indian culture can transform your trip.

Is there any time off?Absolutely. It’s another aspect of what makes Kumuka different. We’ve not only gained a strong reputation for the quality and integrity of our services, but also for knowing when to let go, allowing you time to relax and explore independently. This is, after all, your adventure.

KUMUKA’S INDIA
Kumuka offers five different tours of India, each taking in several of the nation’s greatest treasures. Go for as little as nine days on our Highlights of India trip, or combine the two North India itineraries into one superb, month-long “Splendours of India” tour, that will give you deep and lasting memories of one of the world’s greatest civilisations.

WHY NOT TRY:

HIGHLIGHTS OF INDIA 9 DAYS
Jaipur, City Palace, Amber Fort, Palace of the Winds, Fetehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal, Varanasi city tour, Boat trip on the Ganges, Delhi, Red Fort

MYSTICAL RAJASTHAN 15 DAYS
Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur, Kuchaman Fort, Pushkar, Chandelao, Jodhpur, Ranakapur, Udaipur, Delhi

WILDLIFE AND CULTURE 14 DAYS
Delhi, Varanasi, Chitrakoot, Khajuraho, Orchha, Chanderi, Ranthambore NP, Agra (Taj Mahal)

THE SPLENDOURS OF INDIA 27 DAYS
Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur, Kuchaman Fort, Pushkar, Chandelao, Jodhpur, Ranakapur, Udaipur, Delhi, Varanasi, Chitrakoot, Khajuraho, Orchha, Chanderi, Ranthambore National Park, Agra, Delhi

TEMPLES AND BACKWATERS 11/15 DAYS
Chennai (Madras), Pondicherry, Trichy, Madurai (Meenakshi Temple), Periyar Nartional Park, Kerala Backwaters, Cochin, Plus Goa (optional 4-day extension)

FLIGHTCHECK:
For flights to connect to all our tours to India from the UK or Australia, contact your local Kumuka office.