DISCOVER INDIA “An extraordinary adventure ...”
Overseas
Adventure Travel Since 1978
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Dear Traveler, India is a country of color, chaos, and contradictions—a place that expands the mind, stimulates the senses, and captures the heart. It is magical, magnetic, and mystifying and, once visited, will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Over the years, India has become one of my favorite destinations, and has become popular among our travelers as well— particularly those who choose to explore the world solo. In fact, Heart of India is our top adventure for solo travelers. Of course, India is not the right destination for everyone. If you’ve been considering an India adventure, I’ve included a few resources that will help shed light on the type of experience you’ll have in this incredible country—from recipes for local cuisine to stories from fellow solo travelers. I hope the contents of this e-book give you a glimpse of the magic awaiting you in India. If you have any questions about our Heart of India trip, please call our Adventure Specialists at 1-800-955-1925. Warm regards,
Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman Overseas Adventure Travel
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10 reasons to discover India
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“Pure Magic” Solo woman traveler charms snakes, achieves life goals on Heart of India
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Journey through four cities Discover four of the destinations you’ll visit on Heart of India
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Leaving her comfort zone How India changed one OAT associate
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Recipe: Chicken kebabs with coriander chutney
10 REASONS TO DISCOVER
India Simply put, there is nowhere on Earth quite like India. Below, you’ll find our top 10 reasons why every traveler should venture to this bewitching (and sometimes bewildering) country.
1. Unimaginable diversity—With towering mountains and lush jungles, exuberant wealth and extreme poverty, and a fusion of languages, cultures, and religions, the impressive diversity of India is hard to match. For centuries, this diversity has intrigued travelers, beckoning them to explore the land that, all at once, clings to tradition and plunges into the future.
2. Deep spirituality—Travelers would be hard pressed to find a destination as spiritual as India. Here, you can watch pilgrims cleanse themselves of their sins in the holy River Ganges, sit in the spot where Buddha gave his first sermon, and find your spiritual center during a yoga or meditation class. No matter how you choose to refresh your soul, the options in India are endless.
3. Mouthwatering cuisine—Serving far more than aromatic curries, India offers an incredibly diverse (and incredibly flavorful) cuisine. From the succulent grilled tandoori chicken you’ll encounter in the north to the juicy mangos you’ll sample on the coast, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your taste buds.
4. Warm hospitality—Indians are among the most hospitable people in the world, and often strive to follow the ancient Sanskrit adage Atithi Devo Bhava, or “the guest is god.” If you ask a local for directions, don’t be surprised if they offer to personally guide you to your destination—or even invite you into their home. They’re simply giving you a sample of the famous Indian hospitality.
5. Excellent shopping—As a haven for travelers in search of some retail therapy, India’s many shops and bazaars sell an endless assortment of eye-catching handcrafts, fragrant spices, handmade carpets, and glittering jewelry. For an avid shopper, India is a treasure trove of goods just waiting to be discovered.
6. Vibrant festivals—Indians love to celebrate, so naturally, they hold an impressive array of festivals and celebrations every year—like Pushkar and Nagaur, the spirited cattle fairs of Rajasthan.
7. Fascinating history—Housing some of the oldest cities in the world, India’s history stretches back several millennia. In this time, the country has seen the rise and fall of great civilizations, epic invasions, and the birth of powerful world religions—an enthralling past that has slowly become a vibrant present.
8. Impressive architecture—India’s long history has led to the rise of temples, palaces, and monuments that draw from Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Persian, and Western influences to create a style all their own. Here, you can find some of the most breathtaking buildings in the world, including the iconic Taj Mahal, as well as Agra Fort and the Khajuraho temple complex.
9. Exceptional value—For years, India has been renowned as a great value destination for adventure travelers. In fact, among all of our OAT adventures, Heart of India has one of the lowest per diem costs—from just $156 per day.
10. Endless surprises—One of the best parts about India is that it simply cannot be predicted. It is a destination where adventures abound, and an unexpected discovery awaits at every turn. It is a land of magic, mystery, and spontaneity that begs to be explored.
“PURE MAGIC” Solo woman traveler charms snakes, achieves life goals on Heart of India
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ometimes being on the other side of the world inspires travelers to overcome fears. Rosalyn “Roz” Toper, a 4-time traveler from Fort Myers Beach, Florida, has had the ambitious goal to travel somewhere new each year since retiring. Though she hadn’t necessarily thought of India as a bucket-list destination, Roz was interested in seeing the Taj Mahal up close ever since receiving a book
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on the iconic memorial and other world wonders as a child. The book sparked a wanderlust and curiosity that ultimately lead her to 16 days of adventure on Heart of India. Referring to herself as tabula rasa— literally a “blank slate”—when it came to India, Rosalyn was open to experiencing anything and everything, she says. “I tend to do things spontaneously, while taking
cost into consideration. India fit my budget, my solo mode, and offered lots of experiential opportunities off the beaten track.” The result was a series of “firsts” that will remain in her fondest travel memories. An exciting opportunity for a first came in the form of a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Amber Fort ridge in Jaipur. When her group’s Trip Leader, Shailesh Chauhan,
asked for any interested participants in the balloon ride, Roz’s hand shot up without hesitation. Of her former fear of flying, she recalls a trip with her late husband to drive a car to Florida—which meant they had to fly back home to Connecticut. She conquered her fears and got on the airplane with her husband: “I loved it so much that I decided to take flying lessons.” A recreational, small-plane pilot for more than 20 years, Roz had never been in a hot-air balloon and even convinced a couple of other wary travelers to join her. As for Roz’s most powerful new experience on Heart of India, that goes all the way back to her days reading as a child in Connecticut. The first time she took in the pink, glowing Taj Mahal at sunset was an emotional experience for her, she says. “It was a pinch-me moment, frankly, with tears that stung my eyes as I fought to not show it. I can’t explain that, other than to say it was something I had thought about so many times, and had never really expected to happen, and when it did happen, it was pure magic.”
was given the creature to hold, an experience I found mesmerizing— not at all unpleasant,” she said triumphantly. Some of her experiences were less momentous, yet still had quite an impact on her. Though she grew up in a rural environment, she had never before camped out in a tent, which she found comfortable and wellappointed. It was also during what would have been a forgettable moment on a bus that Rosalyn began to learn more about India’s culture and beliefs from an insider’s perspective, which she found enhanced her understanding of the place she was discovering. “The day I prepared to swat a pesky fly showed me how seriously reincarnation is
taken. Shailesh said not to kill it, but rather take it in a cloth and let it go free outside the bus.” In a land of contrasts, where every experience is a carnival of sensations, Rosalyn managed to overcome fears and have a series of firsts that allows her to reflect on her adventure in India with reverence and awe.
A surprising treat that Roz couldn’t wait to tell family and friends about was her encounter with a snake charmer. Shailesh had arranged an unexpected visit to a nearby village, where a performance filled with music, dancing and snake- charming entertained crowds. After the public performance, one of the charmers approached Roz, asking if she would like to hold the writhing cobra. Once again, a fear was overcome in a faraway land. “Despite a lifelong fear of snakes, I held out my hands and
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JOURNEY THROUGH FOUR CITIES Discover the vibrant colors of India by delving into the culture of its most fascinating cities—Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho, and Varanasi—which you can visit on our Heart of India adventure. Here, you’ll see what makes these cities unique, as well as what makes them destinations worth exploring.
JAIPUR A Rajasthani proverb asks, “What have I accomplished in my life if I have not seen Jaipur?” This is, indeed, a city worth seeing. Jaipur’s chaotic avenues—cloaked in the pink glow of opulent temples and palaces—represent a masterpiece of architecture. In fact, founded in 1727 by warrior/astronomer Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, Jaipur is praised as one of India’s first planned cities. Today, it is this enthralling history, coupled with the city’s majestic sites and creative spirit, that make it one of India’s most hypnotic destinations.
AGRA As the former Mughal capital and part of India’s famed Golden Triangle, Agra ranks among India’s most famous cities. With its throngs of rickshaw wallahs, bustling markets, and labyrinthine networks of alleyways, Agra emanates a
modern energy that’s hard to match. Yet, it is the reminders of Agra’s past that draw travelers from around the world—including the iconic Taj Mahal, which was built by Shah Jahan upon the death of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Today, more than 360 years after the Taj Mahal was completed, it still stands as a monument to Jahan’s eternal love.
KHAJURAHO Between AD 950 and 1050, the Chandela dynasty built a series of 85 elaborate temples covered in some of the world’s finest temple art. For years, these Jain, Vaishnava, and Saiva temples operated peacefully, showcasing the local belief in religious tolerance. Then, mysteriously, the temples were abandoned for almost a millennium, until they were rediscovered in 1838 by a shocked British officer. Today, as visitors gaze in awe at the beautiful—and bawdy— carvings found on Khajuraho’s
ancient temples, they can only imagine what it would be like to unexpectedly stumble upon such a site.
VARANASI Mark Twain once said that Varanasi “is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” However, the city’s age does nothing to dull its shine. Here, Hindus believe they can earn moksha, or salvation from the endless cycle of death and rebirth, by bathing in the River Ganges, while Buddhists search for enlightenment at Sarnath, a neighboring city where Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon. With its colorful chaos, deep spirituality, and unapologetic display of both life and death, Varanasi has earned its place as one of India’s holiest—and most fascinating—cities.
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LEAVING HER COMFORT ZONE How India changed one OAT associate
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passion for travel tends to come with the territory when you work at OAT— but before she traveled to India, associate Lauren McIsaac wouldn’t have called herself an adventure traveler. “I haven’t always had the travel bug,” she says. She had been to a couple of international destinations, but none that really challenged her. So after joining OAT in late 2014, as soon as she was able, Lauren decided she wanted to “go big or stay home,” as she puts it. For her, that meant going solo to India: a place that both frightened and fascinated her.
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India is well known for being a destination for adventurers—those looking for an experience that is radically different from the ordinary. She recalls being nervous and scared before the trip, and even calling up friends and family and expressing her apprehension about it. “I didn’t really know how it would work out,” she says, thinking back. “But it was the best trip.” She pauses for a second, and then adds: “Life-changing. It was life-changing.” Lauren traveled on OAT’s Heart of India, a trip that took her to the country’s famed Golden Triangle—
Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—as well as destinations like Ranthambore National Park (a hub of India’s national tiger conservation program) and the holy city of Varanasi. The trip is an introduction not only to the modern metropolises, natural beauty, and world wonders (like the Taj Mahal) for which India is renowned, but also its storied culture. Lauren said there were so many moments on the trip that were incredible, but a couple stand out for her. The first was in Delhi, the country’s capital and one of its most visually intense experiences. Lauren
soaked it all in, and had to remind herself where she was at times. “I remember on the first day in Delhi, taking a rickshaw through a marketplace,” she says. “We were going through these tiny alleys, and there were people everywhere. There were so many different colors and smells. It was so exciting, so stimulating. And I thought: ‘Wow. I’m in India.’ It was a place I never thought I would have gone on my own, yet here I was, right in the middle of it.” Then there was her time in Varanasi, which was one of her favorite spots on the trip. Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is also India’s most sacred city—believed to be where Shiva and his consort Parvati stood when time first began. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over India come here to bathe in the Ganges, and it is believed that if you die on the banks of the river you will be freed from the cycle of birth and death. There was sadness there, but also so much hope, Lauren says. “It was really beautiful. It was toward the end of the trip, and I was there with all of my fellow travelers. I felt close to them after all that time together. I got very emotional, and I think some of the other travelers did as well. ” Lauren is part of the Product Marketing team at OAT, so her job is to make sure that the communications about OAT trips look, feel, and read well. She says that her trip to India, while endlessly enriching for her personally, also helped her do her job better.
For one thing, things that were once only words and pictures became something more. “When you see an image or read a sentence about a place, it’s difficult to truly absorb it. When I was in India, I was really experiencing it. It makes a big difference.” Lauren also gained an invaluable perspective on OAT travelers. “I got to really learn who our travelers are,” she says. “I met and interacted with them, and immediately related to so many of them. By the end, it was like we were family.” She learned that traveling solo isn’t as scary as she thought—and in fact, it opens up new possibilities. “Since I was on my own, I was worried about making friends,” she says. “But it was so easy. I ended up meeting so many great people, including a woman who was also traveling solo for her 60th birthday. We bonded immediately, and we still email each other regularly. I can understand now how easy it is to become part of the OAT travel community.”
Ranthambore National Park,” she says. “Honestly, though, everyone did their job so well.” Whenever she talks about her trip, Lauren gets visibly excited and animated, as if she can’t wait to take her next one. She’s already looking into OAT’s Morocco Sahara Odyssey and, while she’d like to travel with a friend, she’s open to going alone as well. “I would go by myself again,” she says. “I guess in part because you’re never really alone. If you want to be by yourself, you can. But it is so easy to make friends.” Plus, she says, traveling alone was good for her own growth. “It feels good to know that I took a chance and did something that scared me. And it turned out to be even better than I would have expected.” Solo or not, adventure travel is going to be a part of Lauren’s life now. “I’ve got the travel bug now,” she says, smiling. “I’ve got it really bad.”
OAT travelers consistently comment on how our Trip Leaders are the best part of any trip, and Lauren understands better than ever how true that really is. “Our Trip Leader, Addy, was phenomenal,” she says. “He was so smart and so caring, and was always thinking about what could make the trip better for everyone. He really went above and beyond.” And it wasn’t just Addy—Lauren was amazed by how consistently excellent the staff was everywhere she went. “I remember how knowledgeable and skilled the naturalist was at
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EXPERIENCE THE FLAVOR OF
India
Chicken kebabs with coriander chutney Ingredients 2 skinless chicken breasts,
Ingredients for coriander chutney
cut in 1-inch cubes
1 sprig coriander, cut coarsely
1/2
1 medium tomato
Tbsp. curry powder
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 cloves of garlic
1/2
1 green chili (or 1/2 jalapeĂąo)
cup plain yogurt
Dash of salt
Dash of salt
Preparation
Preparation
Blend all of the ingredients in
1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate for 4-5 hours to marinate. 2. Put 5-6 chicken cubes on
a mixer with 1 Tbs. of water. Servings 4
wooden or metal skewers. 3. Grill the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side.
Visit Harriet’s Corner to find more recipes from India.
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“India is not just another country—it is an extraordinary adventure. Nowhere else has the same power to ravage the senses, strain the credibility, expand the mind, and open the heart …” ALISTAIR SHEARER
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Want to learn more about our Heart of India adventure?
VIEW ITINERARY WATCH TRIP VIDEO
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Or, call our Adventure Specialists at 1-800-955-1925
37 Adventure, Value & Discovery on the Road Less Traveled