Introducing Rajasthan
Watch our video to see why our specialists love Rajasthan...
Introducing India
Watch our video to see the highlights of India...
Imagine Asia Guidebooks
We have a selection of guidebooks to some of our most popular countries in Asia. Written by our specialists, they detail destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send this via a PDF to your email.
Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is a great starting point for anyone visiting India for the first time. The journey is made up of three of the most visited cities in north India – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, offering a fantastic combination of history and culture.
India's cuisine
Only after stepping foot in India will you realise that Indian cuisine, as you know it, just doesn’t exist. To paint both the delicate and punchy flavours of India with the same broad brushstroke overlooks the smorgasbord of dishes on offer from north to south. Tried and tested recipes balance coriander, cumin and cardamom with almost scientific precision, guaranteeing a culinary experience you will never forget.
Homestays & Havelis in India
Enjoy a sneak peek into daily life in India by staying at a haveli or in a homestay. If only for a few nights, you will be shoehorned into a family, enjoying traditional Indian hospitality, sampling home cooked food and exploring the path less travelled. Staying at one of these unique lodgings will give you an incredible insight into real India, and you will be welcomed with open arms by hosts whose wealth of local knowledge knows no bounds. Coming in all shapes and sizes, from plantation bungalows to historic houses, majestic forts and charming cottages, a short stay in one of these unique properties allows you to immerse yourself in India rather than simply visit it.
Indian festivals
India is a magical country which welcomes travellers with a chaotic and colourful assault on the senses. Never is this more prominent than during one of the many festivals. Below we have listed the dates for the major festivals in India in 2017. Speak to one of our specialists about incorporating one of these into a tailor-made itinerary.
Toy Trains of India
With millions of passengers on the move every day, travelling on some 71,000 miles of track, India's intricate network of railways are the arteries of the country, connecting its bustling cities with its sleepy villages and everywhere in between. The sprawling rail network reaches the nooks and crannies of India which are otherwise impossible to find. Amongst the country's miles of train tracks are some of the most picturesque rail journeys in the world, most notable of which are its famed toy trains. Whilst perhaps not the most efficient way of getting from A to B, the experience is an absolute must to add to your India itinerary.
Evolve Back Chikkana Halli Estate
Coorg, India
Best for: Hideaway, Honeymoon, Spectacular scenery
Evolve Back Chikkana Halli Estate in Coorg is a serene and tranquil hotel set in its own enormous plantation grounds. The resort has excellent restaurants and offers a wide range of room options, each with their own private pool and courtyard.
To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8916
Formerly Orange County Resort, Evolve Back Chikkana Halli Estate sits in its own lush 300 acre plantation paradise where the aromas of coffee and spices waft through the air. The plantation features four elegant and relaxing accommodation types in their ‘Lily Pool’ series. There Kodava style villas are spread out in clusters around the plantation. The Heritage Pool Villas are Kodava architecture blended brilliantly with luxury, with a separate living room, en-suite and private courtyard with a private swimming pool and deck chairs.
Evolve Back Coorg has a number of dining options and experiences on offer. The restaurants have excellent stunning settings around the plantation. Peppercorn is a kebab and grills restaurant overlooking the lake; Plantain Leaf is fine dining for vegetarians set amongst the lush green coffee and spices plantations; Granary is a gourmet restaurant serving abundant amounts of Indian and International food with a strong Kodava flavour. The Machan is a restaurant exclusively for two people in a romantic treehouse setting up in the treetops. Guests can also choose to have a romantic candlelit meal by the lake, or by the infinity pool or by the private pool in their room.
Evolve Back Coorg has an infinity pool, a family pool and a reading lounge, as well as a coffee lounge and an Ayurvedic spa offering a full list of treatments. There is plenty to do around the resort such as plantation walks, nature walks, bird watching and visiting local villages.
When to go
Southern India’s tropical climate means the area isn’t as dry as much of India, though temperatures stay pretty consistent all year round. You can expect a light sprinkling of rain any time of year but the beaches are best visited during the months of November to February with warmer temperatures and minimal rainfall. The hot season between March to June brings high levels of humidity making it best to visit the hill stations which provide relief from the hotter lowlands. Monsoon season begins in July lasting until September, bringing marginally more rain than other times of the year. Once the monsoon subsides in September, the stunning emerald landscape marks an exceptional time for hiking or visiting hill stations.
To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8916
Things to do
Mysore Palace and local markets
Explore Mysore Palace, the former home of the Wodeyar family and experience Mysore specialities in the local markets.
Mysore cycle tour
An early morning cycle tour of Mysore to watch the city waking up and coming to life, by cycling through busy markets and residential areas.
Inlay artists and stone carvers tour
A tour to meet the inlay artists and stone carvers of Mysore, famous for their impeccable artistic skill.
Belur and Halebid Excursion
Explore the architectural marvels of Belur and Halebid on this full day tour. These ancient towns were once both powerful capitals of the Hoysalas rulers of Southern India. Today they hold two of the greatest monuments of medieval art in the world.