India has been described by many as a melting pot of cultures - a grand mixture of ethnic groups, religions and race. The Indian Himalaya, flanking the country’s northern reaches are a composite of isolated kingdoms with a blend of Hindu, Buddhist and Animist religions amongst others.

India’s temples and religious sites are incredible in their magnitude and detail, with famous sites such as the Taj Mahal alongside lesser known but equally important temples and cultural sites. The Himalaya are home to much of India’s heritage, and are the source of India’s great holy rivers such as the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. India will assail your senses in a potpourri of incredible sights, smells and chaotic cultural blends.

The Himalayan portion of the Indian subcontinent is comprised of a number of ancient kingdoms including Sikkim and Ladakh, containing some of the most interesting and remote cultures in the region. Ladakh lies across the Himalaya from Kashmir. It is situated on the Tibetan plateau and the clear Tibetan influence in Ladakh customs and religion has led to it being known as “little Tibet”. Ladakh’s incredible barren landscape, a result of the high Himalayan barrier which prevents rain clouds from climbing across, has also given it the name “the moonland.’ Many visitors wishing to experience untouched Tibetan-style culture will choose to visit Ladakh.

Sikkim, located in the eastern Himalaya, sits between Nepal and Bhutan, south of Tibet. Sikkim is a mountainous Kingdom, well known for providing stunning views of Kanchenjunga (8598 m)- the world’s third largest mountain. Kanchenjunga straddles the Indian border with Nepal. To the south of the Himalaya lie the great plains of the Ganges, the deserts of Rajasthan and cultural treasures beyond imagination.

Holy cities such as Varanasi (Benares) attract pilgrims from allover India and the Ganges, a sacred river, is lined with important historical and religious monuments dating back thousands of years. Visit magical places such as the Taj Mahal, Samode and other vestiges of the Maharajas. Take in the amazing desert landscape and activities of Rajasthan, while you mix with camels, bicycles, trains, motorcars and ox-carts - a plethora of cultural excitement in an amazing land. India - truly one of the world’s most exotic and adventurous places to visit.