Travel Category

Monsoon Getaways in India

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India welcomes monsoon. Every year the rainfall is a blessing to the country. The entire length and the breadth of India has a special feeling for monsoon. While the Indian monsoon is not traditionally a favored time to visit, it is undoubtedly an experience of a lifetime. Exploring India in monsoon is a fresh breath of air, one that weaves magic. And. when it comes to best places to visit in monsoon in India you have a wide range of destinations to choose from. The rains transform the beauty of the hills with verdant greenery, bring life to the waterfalls, the lakes and backwaters flood with shimmering water, and even the parched desert is a bliss to discover.

To help you plan your holiday with best monsoon getaways in India:

1. Ladakh

Pangong Lake in Ladakh

If you want to give the rains a break and yet plan your holiday, Ladakh is one of the best places to visit in monsoon in India. While the entire country is getting drenched, Ladakh is rainless. From June to September, the region enjoys throngs of tourists. The 'Land of High Passes'  as Ladakh is called, is a land of unique beauty nestled in the high altitude region in the Himalayas. The weather in the monsoon is bearable as the snows have melted. It is the best time to explore the colourful Buddhist Monasteries and the many vibrant celebrations, try out the adventure sports including trekking, river rafting, camping and even motor biking, and enjoy the treasures of Ladakh.

2. Goa

Goa in Monsoon

There is no second though to the fact that Goa is a great place to visit in India. And, when it is the monsoon it is an absolute delight. Yes, the best party destination in India also happens to be one of the top monsoon getaways. Though the sun is amiss, there is still the sea. It is a calming experience to stroll on the beaches. Besides, there is the thriving marketplaces, the churches, forts and not to forget the roaring Dudhsagar Falls. It is compelling to enjoy the pictursque views from the top of the Aguada Fort. A pampering treat for an Ayurveda break or a yoga holiday suits the monsoon.

3. Shillong

Synonymous with stunning rains, Shillong is a treat to the senses and the soul. Bestowed with paradisiacal beauty, Shillong is rightfully known as the ‘Scotland of the East’. The monsoon season in Shillong turns this place into a mystical beauty, straight out of a utopian novel. The upper Shillong Forest and Umiam Lake are two of the most stunning places to visit in monsoon, when in Shillong.

4. Alleppey

Alleppey backwaters in monsoon

Alleppey in Kerala looks absolutely spectacular in the monsoons. Lush green fields and hills with beautiful rivers and backwaters makes this place a real treat. It’s truly blissful to enjoy a boat ride in Alleppey through the backwaters, canals and lakes with the refreshing misty rain caressing you. The abundance of natural beauty here will refresh your mind and soul and monsoons are also perfect for Ayurveda which is very popular here. The closest airport is Cochin while you can also ride a train to Alleppey.

5. Orccha

A istorical town in Madhya Pradesh turns into a golden delight during the monsoons. Since it remains dry for the most part of the year in the Malwa Plateau, the rain really brings out the liveliness and beauty of the place. The Betwa River running beside the town flows full of life and the town gets painted in vibrant greens which makes it look serene and romantic. The historical monuments, temples, buildings and forts return to their old glory after the first shower and the picturesque hilly backdrop truly looks like a living painting. The drive to the town is itself very soothing and enjoyable. 

6. Udaipur

Udaipur in monsoon

Reckoned to be one of the most romantic cities in India, Udaipur enjoys a pleasant monsoon season as well. The rains in the monsoon enhances the beauty and charm of this already super scenic destination. The landscape that turns greener along with the pristine lakes and palaces offer breathtaking views of the city during the monsoon season. And since the weather remains pleasant, it becomes easier to visit different places in Udaipur as well, so it is not only the nature but the royal architecture that will enamour one during the rainy season here.

7. Periyar

Periyar in monsoon

Periyar is one of the most well-known national parks in southern India that extends around the banks of a vast artificial lake. This is place among the list of places to visit in India in monsoon is recommended to visit for people who love to explore wildlife safaris in india during the best possible weather in the country. known for its beautiful elephants, and you can take the 30-minute elephant rides through the jungle.

So, if you are making plans to visit India, monsoon is a good time. There is lots to see, do and experience. Savor the rains and collect memories of a lifetime.


Top 11 Reasons to Travel to India

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India is a travelers’ paradise and has been one for centuries. The vast country with its extremely colourful diversity has everything that a traveller could desires. Thousands of years of history, colourful heritage & culture, savoury food, pampering hospitality, and incredible experiences.

Be it the mighty Himalayas, lush Ghats, serene backwaters, beautiful beaches, the timeless Thar Desert, royal palaces & opulent forts of Rajasthan, verdant jungles of Central India, unexplored nooks and corners, India has a lot for its travellers to discover. If you are seeking one reason to travel to India, you can find hundreds. Here are 11 of the handpicked reasons to visit India.

1. Architecture

Taj Mahal

The most stunning piece of India’s incredible architecture, the Taj Mahal is one of the most visited monuments in the world. The ‘Wonder of the World’ is a masterpiece of finesse crafted in stone. Besides the Taj, there is a lot to explore. There are around 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and even more unlisted heritage sites. From intricate South Indian temple architecture, mighty forts of Rajasthan, opulent palaces, ancient caves, and masterpieces of stone.

Be it Ajanta or Ellora Caves, Bhimbetka Caves, Kamasutra-inspired temples of Khajuraho or the majestic ruins of Hampi; witness heritage of hundreds of centuries.

2. Wildlife

India is home to unique wildlife. The country has lush jungles, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which is home to a wide range of species of the animal kingdom.

A wildlife holiday in India is a chance to go on jeep safaris and elephant safaris. Come across the majestic royal Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Lions, one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, deer, gaur, colourful birds and even migratory birds that inhabit the lands only in the winters.

3. Unique Diversity

When it comes to India you come across unique diversity. From beaches to backwaters, hill stations to valleys, jungles to desert, waterfalls to caves, the land is blessed. From the rainiest places on Earth to the places that never get any rain there is an extreme diversity, one that makes you feel blessed to explore India.

4. Spirituality

If 5000 years of civilization has given India something it the rare understanding of spirituality. The ancient ghats of River Ganga in Varanasi is said to be where one experiences the divine. There are ashrams in the Himalayas, and many other rituals that are a treasure of spirituality.

5. Adventure

Adventure is a feeling you just cannot miss on your trip to India. There are mountains with a number of thrilling treks, skiing, camping, river rafting, etc. Beaches have many water sports to boast about. From the secrets of the marine world to excitement to capture the waves or sail over the sea breeze.

6. Indian Food

Indian food is a vital part of the rich culture. Tasting the diverse cuisines is an enriching travel experience in India. With so many cuisines, owing to the diverse geography, culture and unique style of cooking, there is never any shortage of delightful delicacies to try. From the rich spice-filled preparations to meals that adhere to Ayurveda, there are dishes that treat your taste buds. 56 dishes meals, street foods, dessert, feasts and more, get ready to be pampered with soulful preparations.

7. Luxury Hotels

Heritage hotels in India have kept intact the days of glory. While Rajasthan abounds in many properties there are also amazing options all over the country. A stay at heritage hotels in one of must-try experiences in India. Relive the history, marvel at architecture, enjoy being pampered as royalty and have the best time of your life.

8. Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda at an Ashram

Yoga, Ayurveda and other holistic treatments are ancient traditions of India. To experience bliss, harmony and the secrets of wellness stay at an ashram that practice these traditions. The peace you feel is one of the most cherished experiences in India.


The Best Offseason Travel Experiences in India

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India is welcoming and wonderful all through the year. But, there is a traditional season for travellers. The pleasant months from November to March are generally preferred. But, that does not mean that the offseason is to be avoided. The lean tourist season is a time which has been relatively unexplored. Offseason travel experiences in India are just a break from the tourist tracks. In the vast diversity of the country, the summer months and even the monsoon is not same at every place. Different places offers different experiences.

So, if you have missed the window of the peak season, fret not, the offseason too is amazing even better. Choose to enjoy pleasant summers in the hill stations or get soothed by monsoon or brave the thrill of the Himalayas.

Here are some handpicked option from the best offseason travel experiences in India.

Summer wildlife safari in India

Summer wildlife safari in India

Wildlife safaris are one of the best highlights of India. Summer is relatively offseason for wildlife tours in India but that only makes it an enjoyable experience.  In summer, as the water holes start to dry up, the animals come out into the open making sightings absolutely fantastic. Also, summer is the best time to get away in the cool jungles. Stay at the well-facilitated luxury wildlife resorts in India. Opt for early morning safaris or the ones at evening.

Whether it’s the Royal Bengal Tiger or the Indian Elephant or the One-Horned Indian Rhino, the majestic beasts can be easily spotted. Without the winter fog, it is a magical time to capture some memorable experiences.

Most of the wildlife sanctuaries and national with few exceptions are open until July 1. Kerala’s Periyar National remains open even in the monsoon along with few other zones of the other national parks.

The options for summer wildlife safaris India are also abundant. Be it Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park or Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Kanha or South India’s Nagarhole, Bandipur and Periyar or the Himalayan National Park or North East’s Kaziranga, there is a lot on offer.

Monsoon Ayurveda Session

Indian Ayurveda in Monsoon

Ayurveda massages are a must try on any tour of India. The ancient science of health and wellness does not have a particular peak season or an off-season. It can be tried any time you would like to feel relaxed, rejuvenated and revived.

Dating to almost 5000 years back, Ayurveda till date offers holistic solutions for wellness. Removing pollutants, stress and other maladies of today’s era it brings you back to the natural. Ayurveda massage or treatments soothes your weary body, mind and soul.

The summer months in India make you produce copious amount of sweat, opening up the glands which help you detoxify. The best time to surrender your body to Ayurvedic treatments is during the summer, as the Ayurvedic oils soak into one’s skin. The light diet, detoxifying treatments and soothing philosophical approach, make you feel uplifted, calmed and pure. Even the monsoon in Kerala, is a right time for a pampering Ayurveda session. The humid weather works like magic for the natural therapies to work.

An Ayurveda session or rather an Ayurveda treatment for days or weeks is one of the best offseason travel experiences in India.

Getaway to the Mountains

Bike trip to mountains

India is blessed with the mighty Himalayas and the lush stretch of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. The peak travel months from October to March is a time to check out the other amazements of India, which makes most travellers miss out on the mountains. For the offseason travel in India, a getaway to the mountains is a must try.

Come summer and the hill stations in India are bustling with activity. Be it the charming Shimla or the tea-paradise Darjeeling, the scenic Munnar or the quaint Ooty, there are many favorites. Besides spending time in the bliss of mountains, there are options to try out a motorbike trip to the “Land of High Passes” Ladakh or some scenic treks to Himalayas. For the unexplored there is the holy town of Dharamshala or the entire North East.


Plan Post Pandemic Travel with World Travel Trade Council’s “Safe Travels” Stamp

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Trans India Holidays is delighted to share receiving of World Travel Trade Council’s “Safe Travels” Stamp – this allows travelers to recognize travel companies that have adopted standardized  Global Health and Hygiene Protocols.

Trans India Logo

This is the stamp for the ‘New Normal’ and we, as one of the trusted destination management companies in India, have adopted the globally standardized protocols of health and hygiene. This stamp and safety protocols will help the tourism industry to thrive again and to the tourists who wish to travel without worrying about their safety.

Now, tourists can travel with us safely during and post-pandemic times. We have tie-ups with hotels and restaurants that are following the protocols of WTTC for #SafeTravels. This ensures safety during traveling. The protocols align the travel companies and hospitality sector behind common standards to corroborate the protection of its workforce and travelers as the sector shifts to a new normal.

On signing of #WTTC Travel Stamp Protocol and Rules and Regulations, we are associated with the Safe Travels protocols. We have outlines and responsibilities, which we will follow meticulously for the benefit of the travelers. As a responsible destination management company, we are aiming towards providing a safe travel experience to everyone. We are working towards a future of travel that is safe, secure, seamless, and provides an authentic and meaningful experience to the travelers across the journey.

The protocols we have taken into account are the current WHO and CDC guidelines. They are living documents that we will update as new information becomes available about COVID-19. We are contributing to sustainable economic growth and supports the livelihoods of millions.

We now specialize in crafting arranging meaningful travel experiences, specialists with first-hand knowledge of their destinations, and the freedom to change your plans if needed thanks to our flexibility promise, your travel plans are in safe hands.


Best Yoga Retreats in India

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Yoga is not just exercise but a way of life. The ancient science of health and wellness is centuries old but with time has evolved to suit the needs of the modern day. People from all walks of life choose yoga as the ultimate secret of rejuvenating the body, mind and soul. In the current scenario, post-COVID vacations means getting away from cities and breathe in the pure bliss of nature. India is the holy land of yoga. Yoga retreats are calling with ancient healing techniques amid nature’s bliss. India abounds in yoga retreats where one can learn yoga. Whether it’s a simple ashram experience or luxury getaway, here are our handpicked options.

ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS, RISHIKESH

Yoga in Ananda in the Himalayas
Nestled in the lap of Himalayas, the palatial Ananda in the Himalayas’ is a relaxing yoga retreat. With daily yoga programmes along with customized diets and a host of amenities, the resort enjoys tranquil vistas. Equipped with luxurious Garden Suites, there’s a temptation to simply curl up with a masala chai and enjoy the view.

THE HAVELI HARI GANGA, HARIDWAR


Dodge the crowds thronging around Haridwar’s holy Har Ki Pauri ghat and sink into The Haveli Hari Ganga’s private bathing area instead. It’s said that a dip in the Ganges rinses away negative karma. Morning yoga is instructed in a serene studio adjacent to the holy currents, with a havan, or fire blessing, to follow.

ANAND PRAKASH YOGA ASHRAM, RISHIKESH

Yoga in Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram
Lotus-posed in Rishikesh’s quieter Tapovan is Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram, whose 90-minute morning and evening classes are as popular with residents as they are among those who flock to its broad rooftop studio from further afield. Accommodation is spartan, but the food is sublime and the teachers are excellent.

DEWA RETREAT, RISHIKESH
A swimming pool in Rishikesh is worth its weight in crystal malas, and Dewa Retreat’s is flanked by the exceedingly popular Pure Soul café, offering precious raw cacao-based and maca-laced delicacies. Perched above the Ganges, views from the rooms’ private balconies are spectacular, and if the in-house yoga classes aren’t up to scratch, there are plenty more to choose from in the surrounding ashrams.

THE LEELA PALACE, UDAIPUR
The Leela Palace’s five-day Sojourn into Self programme offers a heady tasting menu of holistic treatments served up at its in-house ESPA—the largest in India. Add in a Vedic astrology reading, daily yoga and blessings at the local Shiva temple, and this is ascetism of a highly decadent order.

THE OBEROI UDAIVILAS, UDAIPUR
Sun salutations facing the sparkling Lake Pichola as dawn lights the horizon is a spiritual experience worth photographing. Chase a morning class with a dip in the infinity pool gazing out the distant throb and pulse of Udaipur.

SIDDHARTH YOG SEVA ASHRAM, VARANASI
Varanasi is one of India’s holiest pilgrimage sites and, with its soaring temperatures and burning ghats, one of its most arresting. Yoga offers a welcome respite, and classes on Yogi Siddharth’s Ganges-facing terrace are one of the most peaceful experiences you’re likely to have at this frenetic destination. That is, if the resident monkeys don’t interfere!

TAJ EXOTICA RESORT & SPA, GOA

Yoga in Goa
Sink into Goa time on Benaulim Beach in the quieter south, where the on-demand yoga menu stretches to whatever appeals, from a gentle session tailored to beginners to a challenging set for more experienced practitioners.

SWASWARA CGH EARTH, GOKARNA
Draw away from the opulence of SwaSwara for a moment to meditate in its private hilltop meditation perch. With sprawling views across the aptly named Om Beach, this is where an open-eyed meditation practice comes into its own.

CARNOUSTIE AYURVEDA & WELLNESS RESORT, KERALA
Panchakarma—an intense revitalising Ayurvedic cleanse—is especially popular at the luxury beachside Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort. With rigorous daily massage treatments, delicious dosha (body type)-specific Indian fare and morning yoga and pranayama (breathwork) by the sea, it’s easy to see why.

NIRAAMAYA RETREATS SURYA SAMUDRA, KERALA
Perched atop a dramatic cliff above Kovalam Beach, days at Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra slide by with hypnotic serenity. Punctuate them with yoga: an invigorating session at sunrise gazing out at the Arabian Sea, and a soothing restorative class as the sun sinks beneath the horizon.

SOMATHEERAM AYURVEDIC HEALTH RESORT, KERALA
This is a place that takes its Ayurveda very seriously, with skilled doctors and a fastidious team of therapists set on restoring burnt-out city types. The sprawling oceanic views from the yoga terrace at Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort’s hill perch certainly complement the artful instruction.

WILDFLOWER HALL, SHIMLA
It’s rumoured that Hindu god—and itinerant yogi—Shiva abides in the Himalayas, so it follows that mortal practitioners take his lead. Classes at Wildflower Hall are instructed one-to-one with yawning views across the soaring peaks of India’s dramatic north.