To make a reservation or for additional information on these journeys or planning a custom option, please email us at [email protected] Excellence in input, discretion in planning, subtlety in delivery - these have defined experiential travel at Creative Travel since 1977. We are proud to be family owned, and professionally managed with over 200 family members across our network. Globally awarded & recognised, with a network all over India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet & the Maldives, we offer experiences matched by few. Our relationships across the sub-continent that make up this labyrinth of a destination allow us to get priority over the others. Our 40+ year family legacy of fine service has made us the most awarded Destination Management Company in South Asia, a responsibility we take very seriously, today making us South Asia’s largest privately owned destination management company in our industry. Tel 91 124 4567777 Email [email protected] Web www.creative.travel, www.junglesutra.com unique interest based departures Creative Travel has a network of sales teams around the world to assist you in your region. For details please visit www.creative.travel/contacts the essence Unique itineraries - exclusive, carefully crafted interest-based Journeys. All special journeys are led by an expert resource, celebrated in their field of expertise. Small intimate groups of like minded people from across the world. Never more than12 couples in each journey. Guaranteed journey operation with minimum 2 guests. Comprehensive inclusions including cultural interaction with real locals & authentic local cuisine experiences. C O N T E N T S Accommodation in personally selected deluxe properties. YOGA / MIND, BODY & SOUL OF INDIA / JULY, 2018 / 04 Surprise gifts and group photographs to all guests. CULINARY / THE EMPEROR’S TABLE / SEPTEMBER, 2018 / 06 ARCHITECTURE / INDIA'S ARCHITECTURE MARVELS / OCTOBER, 2018 / 08 TEA / TALES OF THE INDIAN BREW / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER, 2018 / 10 FESTIVAL / THE CAMEL & CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA / NOVEMBER, 2018 / 12 WEDDING / THE BIG FAT INDIAN WEDDING / NOVEMBER, 2018 / 14 GLAMPING / GLAMPING AND THE ROYALS / NOVEMBER - DECEMBER, 2018 / 16 ART / AN INDIAN ART AFFAIR / JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2019 / 18 KUTCH FESTIVAL / ARTISTS OF THE WHITE DESERT / FEBRUARY, 2019 / 20 KUMBH MELA / HERITAGE OF HUMANITY / FEBRUARY, 2019 / 22 HOLI / MULTI HUES OF INDIA / MARCH, 2019 / 24 MIND, BODY & SOUL OF INDIA JULY, 2018 KOCHI / PERIYAR / KUMARAKOM / KOLLAM / TRIVANDRUM 11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS It is no secret that happiness and contentment are a by-product of investing actively in one's personal health and wellness. Yoga and Ayurveda both have their origins in the Indian subcontinent, and aspects of both disciplines are still regularly practiced. Take this journey to unwind and unleash while you learn yoga and meditation, and experience ayurvedic therapy sessions. DAY 01 05th July 2018 (Thursday) DAY 05 09th July 2018 (Monday) From cycling your way through the coastal lands to cruising the backwater cruise, Arrive Kochi Periyar there will be numerous ways to unwind. Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. Start your day by visiting Periyar sanctuary and spend your afternoon The journey will only be complete when The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and at leisure. In the evening, experience Kalaripayattu, a martial art you taste the local delicacies with locals and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with performance that originated in Kerala. indulge in a gastronomic delights. the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you. DAY 06 10th July 2018 (Tuesday) DAY 02 06th July 2018 (Friday) Periyar / Alleppey / Kumarakom Kochi Drive to Alleppey, an approximately 3 hours and enjoy a Heritage Start your day with a cycling tour along the coastal road and enjoy Walk of the city with local lunch conducted by the Preserve Alleppey local delicacies. Spend your afternoon taking a tour of the city. In the Project. Drive to your next destination - Kumarakom (approx.1 hour). evening, enjoy the traditional Kathakali dance show and experience the backstage preparation. DAY 07 11th July 2018 (Wednesday) (Note: In case it rains, we would provide an alternate tour of visit to Kumbalangi village by boat / tuk tuk for half-day with lunch instead of cycling tour.) Kumarakom Enjoy a day cruise with lunch from Alleppey to Alleppey in DAY 03 07th July 2018 (Saturday) Kettuvallam, a house boat widely used in Kerala. In the evening, soothe your senses with therapy-based yoga. Kochi Your day begins with a refreshing Yoga session followed by Ayurveda DAY 08 12th July 2018 (Thursday) treatment at an authentic Ayurveda treatment center. You will also learn the guided Pranayama or breathing technique. Learn the art of Kumarakom / Kollam Indian traditional cooking and relish local cuisine at a local's home. Drive to Kollam, an approximately 3.5-hour drive. Check in to Fragrant Nature yogic retreat, a rural backwater setting, amidst DAY 04 08th July 2018 (Sunday) authentic Keralan culture. Start with an interactive session and enjoy a therapy session with an Ayurveda expert. Kochi / Periyar Drive to Periyar, an approximately 4-hour drive and enjoy the spice DAY 09 - 10 13th - 14th July 2018 (Friday-Saturday) plantation tour, designed exclusively for you. Later, unwind and relax Creative’s Expert Resource for the Journey with a refreshing foot massage and sunset restorative yoga. Kollam Mini Thapar Shastri is the owner of Om Yoga Shala in Delhi and Enjoy ayurvedic meals on both days along with one yoga and one is trained in Hatha Yoga. Her class structure has traditional outlines Ayurveda therapy session every day. Relax in the resort while indulging in recreational activities. On one of the evenings, of sequence methodology and are creatively structured and enjoy boat ride in the lake. modified for all levels of practitioners. This is her 18th year of • Led by Mini Thapar, one of India’s best-known (Note: Normally yogic meals are vegetarian but other meals can also be continuous teaching. The philosophy of her teachings and the served on request and consultation.) celebrity yoga experts offerings have a well-rounded approach to healthy living. It includes • Yoga & meditation sessions DAY 11 15th July 2018 (Sunday) workshops on Food / Nutrition and tips to further the purifying • Explore India’s authentic ayurvedic history effects of Yoga. She is the author of ‘Yoga for kids’, a columnist with through therapies Kollam / Trivandrum Hindustan Times and wrote a bi-weekly yoga article titled • Cooking interaction and meals with the locals In the morning, drive to Trivandrum, an approximately 2-hour drive. ‘Yoga Journey’. You can study and practice with Mini on her Spend half the day doing sight-seeing of Trivandrum. • Group photograph at yoga session Wellness retreats. The focus is on techniques of Daily yoga, DAY 12 16th July 2018 (Monday) • Backwater cruise on a houseboat Pranayam, Meditation, Cleansing Kriyas and Curated diet to • Surprise gift during the journey Leave Trivandrum heighten the health benefits of the vacation. • Yoga mats and other accessories After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to leave India. Mini Thapar Shastri One of India’s Best-Known Celebrity Yoga Experts / 04 / / 05 / THE EMPEROR’S TABLE SEPTEMBER, 2018 DELHI / JAIPUR / AGRA / LUCKNOW / MUMBAI / NASIK / MUMBAI 13 NIGHTS / 14 DAYS DAY 01 08th September 2018 (Saturday) Arrive Delhi Be welcomed at the national capital of India - Delhi. Get insights about the tour during the briefing session with Salma Husain, the tour expert and enjoy your dinner. DAY 02 09th September 2018 (Sunday) Delhi Start your day with a tour of Old Delhi & the spice market. DAY 07 14th September 2018 (Friday) Taste the street food of Old Delhi and enjoy lunch at an old haveli. Spend your evening at leisure. Your dinner will be at Masala Library Agra / Lucknow restaurant, which will be a gastronomic experience. Visit the Agra Fort and drive to the city of Nawabs, Lucknow, an Note: The dress code to be followed by men at Masala Library restaurant is approximately 4-hour drive. Here, you will gain insight on the smart casual (no shorts) and closed footwear. Awadhi Cuisine. In the afternoon, take the guided street food trail and taste the delicacies. DAY 03 10th September 2018 (Monday) DAY 08 15th September 2018 (Saturday) Delhi Start your day by visiting New Delhi and Humayun's Tomb. Lucknow India is synonymous with spices and In an exclusive meeting with the family who invented Butter Chicken, Spend your day taking a tour of the city. 'curry' but its cuisines are as varied as its hear their story while enjoying the delicacy. Spend your evening at people. Led by the food historian, leisure and enjoy dinner at Bukhara, a globally recognized DAY 09 16th September 2018 (Sunday) consultant and author Salma Husain, Indian restaurant. you will visit different cities in India, and Lucknow taste authentic local delicacies from DAY 04 11th September 2018 (Tuesday) Start your day by visiting the La Martiniere College and spend street food to the food of the royal your afternoon at leisure. In the evening, learn the art of cooking meal. In this tour, you will learn about Delhi / Jaipur Awadhi cuisine and enjoy dinner with Muzaffar and Meera Ali, various cuisines, the art of cooking them Drive to Jaipur and get an insight about the Rajasthani cuisine. renowned designer and movie producer. and enjoy them with the locals. You will Learn the art of cooking authentic Rajasthani delicacies and have visit the “Wine capital of India,” dinner with the local royal family in their Durbar hall (Diggi Palace). DAY 10 17th September 2018 (Monday) Nasik to take a tour of a vineyard to enjoy wine tasting and pairing. DAY 05 12th September 2018 (Wednesday) Lucknow / Mumbai Fly to Mumbai and spend the afternoon taking a tour of the city.