Imprint's India

We are very excited about the tour of India we are currently developing. Watch for next month’s newsletter for a final itinerary and dates. While some details remain to be sorted out, the basic structure of the tour is already in place. We are visiting northern India including Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. The tour will begin and end in Delhi, India’s capital. Delhi is currently getting a facelift as it prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in October this year. Construction projects and road works were everywhere last month when we visited. The city is putting its best foot forward and next year will be an ideal time to visit. Best of all, Delhi’s brand new metro system will be operational, allowing easy, efficient, inexpensive transportation across the city’s vast expanse. Delhi’s main sights include the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid (mosque), the tombs of Humayan, Safdarjang, and the Lodi rulers, the Qutb Minar, and a number of wonderful temples, both ancient and modern. After Delhi we’ll plunge into romantic Rajasthan.
In all likelihood, the images you have in your mind of India come from the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan boasts magnificent hilltop forts, Maharaja’s palaces, deserts, beautiful temples, camels and elephants, women in bright saris and men in multi-colored turbans. We will visit Jaipur with its famed Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), city palace, and Jantar Mantar. The Jantar Mantar appears to be a collection of giant, modern sculptures but is in fact an 18th century astronomical observatory. Near Jaipur is the magnificent Amber Palace. As much fortress as palace, Amber commands a dramatic hilltop in a nearby valley. We’ll ride elephants up the zigzag approach road.
We will also visit Udaipur, one of India’s most romantic destinations, and our personal favorite. The setting itself is breathtaking with the town built on the hills surrounding lovely lake Pichola. Twin “floating” palaces adorn tiny islands in the lake, making this one of India’s most picturesque locations. We’ll visit the multi-tiered city palace, have a sunset cruise on the lake, and dine lakeside. Nearby is Ranakpur, one of the most magnificent and important Jain temples in India. The temple boasts a number of halls supported by a forest of intricately carved, white marble columns (1444 or them), no two alike.
One unique connection experience we are excited to include is a visit to Rohetgarh, a heritage hotel in a small village south of Jodhpur. While the hotel itself is quite luxurious it is connecting with the Bishnois tribal peoples of the region that is our goal. Our host family has a unique relationship with the Bishnois, allowing us special access. The Bishnois have been called the premier ecologists of the world with a centuries-long record of responsible stewardship of their environment. We’ll visit one of their villages, learning about their customs, ceremonies, and relationship to the land. We’ll journey to the Black Buck antelope preserve, a rare species that owes its survival to the Bishnois. We’ll also visit the homes of shepherds, farmers, and weavers to learn about their way of life.
Before we leave Rajasthan we will be sure to visit mighty Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. Still owned and operated by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, this is Rajasthan’s signature fortress. We will also arrange for a night in the desert. We’ll explore the desert from the back of a camel, enjoy a desert sunset, and have an evening of Rajasthani food, folk music, and dancing.
The state of Uttar Pradesh is full of delights but the two destinations we have selected are perhaps the most significant stops on our itinerary. We’ll visit Agra and Varanasi. Agra is home to the sublime Taj Mahal. Some say the Taj is the most beautiful building in the world. It has been described as “a teardrop on the cheek of eternity” and “the embodiment of all things pure.” Our local guide will make the story of Shah Jehan and his beloved Mumtaz Mahal come alive as we hear the history of this storied building. Varanasi is India’s most holy city, an impressive claim in a nation of such ancient and storied mysticism. One of the world’s oldest cities, situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, Varanasi is host to an unending stream of Hindu pilgrims. They come to perform ritual ablutions in the sacred waters, accessing the river at any of the dozens of ghats that line the river. It is a unique and mystical city and not to be missed. Our guide will explain the intricate and intimate rituals that are taking place publicly while helping us to understand the foundational philosophies of Hindu faith. Varanasi is also a center of Indian music and we have an opportunity to make another connection. We are able to arrange an evening with some local musicians, meeting them and learning about their music. Lastly, the important Buddhist site of Sarnath is a mere 45 minute drive from Varanasi. We’ll visit this historic site of the Buddha’s first public sermon and learn about this great religion.
We hope it is obvious from the brief description above that we are trying to get the most diverse taste possible in 2 ½ weeks. We’ll also visit an ashram, enjoy classical entertainment, provide cooking demonstration and/or lessons, and participate in important festivals. From the classic experiences of famous temples, forts, palaces, the Taj Mahal and Varanasi to desert camel treks, village visits, and musicians’ homes we hope to experience a significant portion of the mosaic of India. Stay tuned in the months to come as this story continues to unfold.

*At the time of writing we were unable to guarantee certain experiences. However, we are quite confident we’ll be visiting Pushkar and the world-famous temples of Khajuraho.

Intro to India

“India, incredible India” proclaims the advertising slogan for the Indian National tourist bureau. For once the hype is matched by the reality. India is a truly incredible destination. In describing travel destinations I have often referred to various countries as diverse. But India brings new meaning to the expression. She has been called the world’s most multidimensional country. India is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-cultural nation of varied geological landscapes. One can hope to do little more than scratch the surface in a single visit. In its introduction, the Rough Guide to India describes her in this way: "It is impossible not to be astonished by India. Nowhere on Earth does humanity present itself in such a dizzying, creative burst of cultures and religions, races and tongues. Every aspect of the country presents itself on a massive, exaggerated scale, worthy in comparison only to the superlative mountains that overshadow it. It is this variety which provides a breathtaking ensemble for experiences that is uniquely Indian. Perhaps the only thing more difficult than to be indifferent to India would be to describe or understand India completely. There are perhaps very few nations in the world with the enormous variety that India has to offer. Modern day India represents the largest democracy in the world with a seamless picture of unity in diversity unparalleled anywhere else."
In three decades of international travel I have frequently been asked my favorite travel destination. The answer to that question has always and unequivocally been India. India is, simply put, the richest travel destination I’ve had the privilege to visit. But I have always struggled to explain my preference. India defies easy explanation, perhaps any explanation at all. I am again reduced to relying on someone else’s eloquence. Keith Bellows of the National Geographic Society has expressed the experience of India better than any other I’ve encountered. He wrote: "There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won't go. For me, India is such a place. When I first visited, I was stunned by the richness of the land, by its lush beauty and exotic architecture, by its ability to overload the senses with the pure, concentrated intensity of its colors, smells, tastes, and sounds. . . I had been seeing the world in black & white and, when brought face-to-face with India, experienced everything re-rendered in brilliant technicolor."
Lest we get carried away with richness of the Indian experience, it bears noting that India is a difficult place to travel. Beyond the fact that India is the archetypal non-western experience the abject poverty and lack of cleanliness are unavoidable. Beggars, open sewers, and garbage are a part of every street scene. Furthermore, the touts, merchants, vendors, and rickshaw drivers are ubiquitous and relentless in the pursuit of your Rupees. In short, India is for real travelers – those who can look beyond the unpleasant veneer and embrace the richness within.
Here at Imprint Tours we have always sought to connect our travelers with the cultures we visit. We work very hard at removing anything that insulates us from authentic local experiences. But India creates her own rules of engagement. This is a country that requires some insulation. And although we generally encourage and facilitate independent travelers, India is a country that necessitates an organized tour (whether Imprint or another tour company). Therefore, our challenge as we create our India tour (in process right now) is to strike a balance between creating authentic connection experiences and providing sufficient buffers from the excesses of Indian society to insure a enriching but still comfortable travel experience. We encourage you to check out the newsletter in coming months as we describe how we plan to accomplish this goal.