India
Few countries in the world have a tradition, culture and variety as diverse as this multi-faceted land called India. Enriched by successive waves of migration and marauders from distant lands, every one of them left an indelible imprint which was absorbed into the Indian way of life. It is this variety which provides a breathtaking ensemble for experiences that is uniquely Indian. Its physical, religious and racial variety is as varied as its linguistic diversity. Underneath this diversity lies the continuity of Indian civilization and social structure from the very earliest times until the present day. Modern day India represents the largest democracy in the world with a seamless picture of unity in diversity unparalleled anywhere else. Here we have attempted to catalogue everything Indian be it religions, festivals, rituals, artefacts, monuments, different attires, music and dance, language and literature. Come and let us help you discover a little more of fascinating India.
Facts at a Glance :
Full country name : Republic of India
Area : 3,287,590 sq km (1,229,737 sq mi)
Population : 1 billion
Capital city :New Delhi
People : 72% Indo-Aryan, 25% Dravidian, 3% other
Language : Hindi Religion : 80% Hindu, 14% Muslim, 2.4% Christian, 2% Sikh, 0.7% Buddhist, 0.5% Jains, 0.4% other
Government :Federal Republic
GDP :US$1.7 trillion
GDP per head : US$1,720
Annual growth : 5.4%
Inflation :14%
Major industries : Textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry, fish
Major trading partners : US, Hong Kong, UK, Japan, Germany, Belgium, Saudi Arabia Culture : Religion seeps into every facet of Indian life. Despite being a secular democracy, India is one of the few countries on earth in which the social and religious structures that define the nation's identity remain intact, and have continued to do so for at least 4000 years despite invasions, persecution, European colonialism and political upheaval.
Sikkim Darjeeling Tour
Spread below the Mt. Kanchanjunga (8534 m), the third highest mountain in the world and revered by the Sikkimese as their protective Deity, Sikkim shares her borders with Tibet in the north; Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west and state of Bengal in the south. Kanchanjunga's five snowy peaks soar high above the Himalayan landscape of Sikkim, sometimes wrapped in mists and wreathed in clouds, sometimes blazing while against a brilliant blue sky. Below Sikkim unfolds its magic and its charm : a garden state with rich green tropical forests; brilliant birds and butterflies; an amazing variety of orchids, rhododendrons and wild flowers; rushing tumbling streams and torrents; and endless vistas of snow-crowned peaks.
Ladakh/Dharamsala
On this tour, we will discover the Ladakh and the Nubra valleys, which have been a crossroad for commercial activities between India, Tibet and Central Asia. Those two valleys are linked together by the highest motorable roads in the world, passing over the Khardong la pass at a height of 5400 m. In Ladakh, we will discover the ancient kingdom of Sham, the main Ladakh monasteries and the wonderful sites surrounding them: Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spitok, Phyang, Lamayuru and Alchi… The second valley was an important stage for caravans following the Silk Road, which where swapping their mules for the famous camels of Bactriane. It is only since 1995 that the restricted area of the Nubra opened its doors to foreigners.
Sikkim Kanchenjunga
Sikkim, located in the eastern, Himalaya, sits between Nepal and Bhutan, while to the north lies eastern Tibet.Sikkim is a mountainous kingdom, well known for providing stunning views of Kanchenjunga (8598m), the world’s third highest mountain which straddles the border with Nepal. It is also a land rich in flora and fauna and has diverse ethnic mix eighth rich cultural traditions. The people are predominantly Buddhists and there are many active monasteries where traditional and ancient rituals are practiced in an atmosphere of peace and serenity.
High Rupshu Platue
Southeast of Leh this high altitude cold desert is the western extension of the Tibetan Plateau. Previously closed to visitors, this region offers some of the most amazing scenery to be found in Ladakh. It is a land of monasteries and high passes, dissected by numerous mountain ridges and traversed by a number of ancient trading routes. We will venture in a mineral wilderness where only a few nomads live, totally reliant on their yak and sheep herds for their subsistence.
North Sikkim High Altitude Trek
Sikkim, located in the eastern, Himalaya, sits between Nepal and Bhutan, while to the north lies eastern Tibet. The North Sikkim Trek is a high altitude trek with the trail leading through mostly alpine vegetation consisting of beautiful alpine flowers and plants of medicinal value only the first 2 days of the trek is covered with forest area consisting of mainly of different species of Rhododendrons, Silver Fir. There are no villages, lodges or trekkers hut along the trails, it is a purely camping. At places temporary bridges have to be built across rivers as there are no permanent bridges along this route.
