For a total assault of your senses and to see a different side of India’s most cosmopolitan city and financial nerve center, Mumbai, you must explore the city when it wakes up. There is no better wake-up call than that of Mumbai by dawn. Take our word for it – we promise you it is well worth the effort! Interestingly, if you walk the same lanes a few hours later, you won`t find any evidence of the morning’s flurry.

Appropriately the name ‘Madhya Pradesh’ literally means “The Central State” as Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring Chhattisgarh make up the geographic heart of India. From exquisitely carved stone temples, rich tribal heritage, mighty rivers, jungles teeming with wildlife and character laden cities, the state is sure to enthrall you!

In the days of today when we are inundated with heavily filtered discoveries on Instagram and unlimited check-in suggestions from Google, the Northeast of India offers a glimpse of a part of India often neglected by visitors and its existence is unknown to many. A region of rugged beauty adorned with magnificent hills, glistening lakes, ancient monuments, exotic wildlife and a collision of indigenous cultures – the northeast region of India is a holiday destination just waiting to be explored.

Lucknow is infectious. Steeped in checkered history, the best way to get acquainted with its rich Nawabi history, culture and tehzeeb (etiquette) that it is renowned for, is to set out on an informative heritage walk through the old quarters of the city. The heart of the old city or chowk (intersection) is the quintessential “small town India” with its maze of narrow alleys that sell everything under the sun, bicycles and motorbikes vying for space with humans, monkeys jumping on rooftops; women haggling with shopkeepers for a good deal and the distracting yet, mouthwatering smells from the local food stalls.

Sri Lanka parked perilously close to India is the jewel of the Indian Ocean that will enchant you with a bounty of treasures. After the end of its brutal civil war and the 2004 tsunami devastation that raged the island, Sri Lanka is now bursting with optimism (but not crowds). A visit to this island should be on the bucket list of all travellers!