Summer in the tropical India may not sound like an obvious choice for a vacation, yet the subcontinent has a lot to offer. Beyond the sun, and sand, the Indian subcontinent offers a range of destinations from scenic towns nestled in the mountains to Central India’s forests, from Himalayan trekking adventures to Buddhist monastery festivals! Beat the heat with Travel Scope’s 10 reasons to visit the subcontinent this summer, that we promise will reawaken your wanderlust!Travel Scope’s 10 reasons to travel this summer!

Summer on the Subcontinent:

A PASSAGES OF DISTINCTION NEWSLETTER • WINTER 2015 • VOLUME 3

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Caitlin Tours India in Style

Reason 1: Ladakh – The Land of High PassesLadakh, a name that signifies a land of high passes, is a region in the northernmost stretches of India with a blurred boundaries of culture and traditions between neighboring countries like Tibet and China. During Summer, Ladakh offers a wide range of adventure activities like trekking and white water rafting. This is also a great time to visit the monasteries dotting the landscape and witness the Buddhist festivals and ceremonies.

Reason 2: Ladakh - The Ultimate Travelling CampSummer may not seem like the ideal season to camp in the wilderness, except if you’re Glamping! The new concept of glamour camping has captured the imaginations, and India has been quick to jump onto the bandwagon. The Ultimate Travelling Camp is a mobile super luxury camp that introduces the discerning traveler to a different adventures in carefully selected exceptional locations.

Reason 3: Srinagar, Kashmir – City of LakesSrinagar, the capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir has long been a retreat from the harsh Indian summers – with a pleasant cli-mate and a picturesque location on the banks of the Jhelum River. Srinagar is known for its handicrafts and its dry fruits, the latter making their way into the traditional Kashmiri cooking and offers a range of activities from cultural experiences to adventure.

Reason 4: Himachal Pradesh – The Abode of the SnowThe word “Himachal” means “abode the snow” and the summer months are the perfect time to enjoy milder climates in the moun-tain towns of the state. Known best for its trekking trails that cover various mountain passes, scenic lakes and tiny hamlets, Himachal Pradesh is a paradise for thrill seekers.

Reason 5: Annapurna Circuit, Nepal – One of the World’s Most Scenic TreksConsidered to be one of the best treks in the world, the Annapurna Circuit, depending on where you start spans, 99 – 142 miles and could take trekkers between 8 and 25 days to complete. This is an anti-clockwise trail that crosses two river valleys while encircling the Annapurna massif, reaches over 17,700 feet and touches the edge of the Tibetan Plateau.

Reason 6: Dibru Saikhowa, Assam – A Biodiversity Hot SpotWhile the plains of Kaziranga in Assam, with its rhino population has become famous on the tourist circuit across north-east India, Dibru Saikhowa covers a wider swathe of grassland and forest. Dibru Saikhowa national park lies on the island resting between the Brahmaputra and the Dibru rivers, and with no roads that run through this wilderness, it must be explored by boats along snaking water channels. Reason 7: Tsechus – Buddhist Dance Festivals, BhutanThe world’s last, lost kingdom, Bhutan is only just opening its doors to tourism. What better stage for your next summer than in a long forgotten land, unspoiled by civilization, steeped in mythology, mysticism and magic, enraptured by the pristine beauty of an untrammeled country? The summer months in Bhutan, are marked by dance festivals starting on the 10th day of the month and lasting 3-5 days. The “tsechus” are celebrated across the country to highlight the deeds of Guru Padmasambhava, where the dances conform to a religious context and are an absolute privilege to watch, as they are neither pageants nor for tourist entertainment, but centuries-old sacred traditions.Reason 8: Gap Year VolunteeringWith a plethora of civic society groups and NGOs emerging all over the country, there are numerous opportunities to make your travel count. This summer, travel across the Indian subcontinent with a philanthropic heart and an altruistic spirit. From wildlife volunteering opportunities to teaching at local schools, from contributing to rural welfare projects or working with the marginalized segments of society. Reason 9 : Jungle Book – Wildlife Parks in Central India If summer spells long, languid siestas and cool afternoon baths for you, it does so for the wildlife in India too. During the summer months, from March to June, the forest undergrowth dries up offering intimate views into the forest watering holes and glimpses of the otherwise elusive wildlife. Central India’s mixed forests like Kanah, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Pench, Panna, and Tadoba form the largest protected network for the Royal Bengal Tiger. Reason 10: Incredible Escapes and Exotic VacationsEvery Summer, from April to September, Taj and Oberoi Hotels slash rates on many of their palatial properties across the country. Could there be a better reason to travel than hearty discounts on room rates, with numerous value-adds and reductions on food, beverage and spa treatments? Incredible Escapes by Taj HotelsExplore the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur or live the regal life at the palaces of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Hyderabad, or explore the southern states of Karnataka and Kerala!Exotic Vacations by Oberoi HotelsExplore iconic destinations like Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, take respite from the chaotic metropolitans of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru, or find a retreat in the Himalayan foothills of Shimla or in the mixed forests of Ranthambore.

Day 1 - 05 SEPT - Saturday - Arrival in Mumbai

Touch down in Mumbai! After two flights with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, we've made it, and what a beautiful airport it is. After being greeted by Turkish Airlines representatives we were whisked away by a golf cart to the visa desk. Once we arrived to baggage claim, we had a warm and exciting (albeit at 5AM!) welcome from Mohan and his Travel Scope team.

Due to the traffic in Mumbai, Travel Scope arranged 3 vans for us to be trans-ported throughout the city. Our first experience was a glimpse into the "Mumbai at Dawn Tour" offered by Travel Scope. Across the street from the famous UNESCO World Heritage Victoria train station, we watched with fascination as the locals assembled seven different cultural newspapers to be distributed for the day. As we piled back into our vans, the sun was beginning to rise over the beautiful train station. Not a bad way to kick off our trip.

From here we went to check-in to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, established in 1903, and Taj's first hotel. After a few hours of rest, we reconvened and set out for some afternoon activities. We visited the Gateway of India, Mani Bhawan, which houses a diorama on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. My favorite site was the Dhobi Ghat, a huge open air laundry. The Travel Scope team guided us all around it and we were immersed with the locals. This was definitely a highlight for me! I found it amazing how organized and efficient the locals are consid-ering the large amounts of laundry they handle in a day. Our evening concluded with a dinner at a local Mumbai restaurant close to the hotel.

Day 2 - 06 SEPT - Sunday - ChennaiWe were escorted by our excellent guide, who was with us from the beginning of our trip to the very end, to the domestic airport for our two hour flight to Chennai. Upon arrival, we boarded our luxury mini-bus and toured the city of Chennai. After a drive around the city, we took a walk in Mylapore, a neighborhood within Chennai that houses the Kapaleeshwar Temple. This is a must visit! After exploring the grounds of the temple, we visited St. Thomas Cathedral, followed by tea and shop-ping at a lovely café called Amethyst. It is here that I tried my first traditional masala chai. We ended the night with a lovely dinner at our hotel, ITC Grand Chola, a property in the Travel Scope Luxury Collection that exemplifies opulence while still

embracing the destination.

Day 3 - 07 SEPT - Monday - ChennaiAfter a lovely breakfast and a site inspection of the hotel, including their 23,000 sq. ft. spa, we set off for Mahabalipuram, approximately 1-hour drive away. A small seaside village, which includes beautiful archi-tecture, temples, caves, and a perfectly balanced boulder that made me have visions of Indiana Jones. Alas, this boulder is not rolling anywhere. It was left behind by the glaciers of the last Ice Age.

Nearby is the Taj Fisherman's Cove hotel, where we had a seafood lunch on the water. This hotel is a great escape from Chennai, and a nice option for those that

want to stay closer to Mahabalipuram.

On our way back to Chennai, we stop at Dakshinchitra where we were able to do some shopping for local handicrafts, or choose to get mehndi art (henna) done like I did! The Dakshinchitra Art Museum also features reconstruction of traditional homes from various parts of Southern India and we are free to explore and walk around.

In the evening, we had a special dinner at a local home in Chennai. This was such a unique experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with our hosts and getting an insider's take on culture and lifestyle in southern India.

Day 4 - 08 SEPT - Tuesday - Chennai/TiruchirapalliOn the morning of the fourth day, we took an hour flight to Trichy. With an additional one hour drive, we arrived in Thanjavur where we checked-in to Hotel Svatma, a newly opened 38 room boutique hotel. This unique property blends Tamil Nadu's art, culture, culinary traditions, and architecture.

The afternoon brought us to the workshop of a veena maker. He demonstrated how he creates this indigenous stringed instrument by hand, followed by how to play it. It was fascinating to witness a tree transformed into a beautiful instrument.

After our visit, we embarked on an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Brihadeeshwara Temple. One of India's largest temples, the grounds and architecture were simply amazing. This was truly one of the highlights of this trip for me and it was made even more magnificent by a spectacular sunset.

Upon our return to the Svatma Hotel we received a special Bharatnatyam dance performance which is India's oldest dance form, and originated in Than-javur. We conclude our magical evening with drinks on the rooftop of the hotel, followed by a delicious dinner.

Day 5 - 09 SEPT - Wednesday - Thanjavur/Chettinad/MaduraiI woke up not wanting to leave our hotel, but Chettinad awaited us. After saying goodbye to our lovely hosts at Svatma and their wonder-

ful staff, we departed on a two hour car ride to Chettinad. Here we visited a small village where we

were shown the art of mak-ing handmade terra-cotta tiles. The artisans not only create the tiles, but they also create the painted designs on the tiles. No trips to Home Depot here! Everything is created from the imagination of the designer, even the paint.

After the demonstration we arrived at a unique property called CGH Visalam for lunch. Visalam has 15 heritage rooms and an interactive kitchen. We were treated to a tra-ditional lunch served on a banana leaf. This boutique property embraces nature and the environment in which it resides. CGH, as a whole, focuses on community, history, and well-being and should be a consideration during your stay in India.

After lunch we proceeded to walk around the local neighborhood ogling over the mansions of Chettiars as we went along. Afterwards, we returned to our vans and drove another two hours to Madurai where we checked into the Gateway Hotel Taj Pasumalai. During the drive I couldn't help but think back to my time in Vietnam. I found the tropical land-scape to be similar with big rice fields. The colors were so vivid and the air was pristine.

The Gateway Hotel Taj is perched above the city of Madurai with a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Upon ar-rival the staff warmly greeted us and we had an early dinner before retreating to our rooms.

Day 6 - 10SEPT - Thursday - Madurai/HyderabadOn day six after breakfast, we proceeded to the Meenakshi Temple, the place to visit while in Madurai. We took an extensive tour of the grounds, and even witnessed a wedding parading through the halls. The bright colors on the inside of the temple were outstanding leaving us with a real sense of the spiritual history that surrounded us. After the tour, a few of us stayed back to shop at the markets where you can buy local textiles and jewelry. Perfect for gifts!

We enjoyed our final meal at the hotel before departing for the airport. We had a two hour flight ahead of us to the City of Pearls, Hyderabad. After a short drive through the city, we pulled into the Taj Falaknuma Palace. It is a beautiful entrance that offered an extravagant welcome. We were escorted by horse and carriage from the gorgeous entrance to the actual palace where we were greeted by the staff with showers of rose petals and a personal escort to our rooms. We truly felt like royalty as we enjoyed cocktails and appetizers in an outdoor area overlooking the city. This was an once-in-a-lifetime experi-ence, and I'm feeling so grateful to have experienced it.

Day 7 - 11 SEPT - Friday - HyderabadAfter waking up refreshed, we ventured out to the Gol-conda Fort where our wonderful guide walked us around the grounds to view the gardens, palaces, mosques, and lovely architecture. Afterwards, we visited the awe in-spiring tombs built by Qutb Shahi Rulers. We also toured a local weaving center where we saw first hand the dedi-cation and patience it takes to make rugs and fabrics from start to finish. Of course, we had some time for shopping afterwards. I don't think anyone left without buying beautiful shawls, blankets, table runners, or jew-elry for their loved ones.

Lunch on this day was at the Taj Krishna, an elegant Taj property in an excellent location of the city and close to the days's attractions. Both the food and service were excellent.

We then headed into the city center where we had the opportunity to shop for bangles, one of the products that Hyderabad is known for. After improving on our negotiating skills, we all left happy and satisfied with our purchases.

The day concluded with a tour of the Falaknuma Palace. Before dinner at the hotel, we were pleasantly surprised by when our Travel Scope team left a sari in our room. With the assistance of a staff member, we learned how to properly wear these traditional dresses and then commenced with our group dinner in our beautiful Indian attire. It was such a memorable experience for all of us and we have Travel Scope to thank.

During our stay at the hotel, we were also treated to a musical performance by a group of young men. who performed Sufi music. I was entranced and moved to tears by their performance which further emphasized what a special place we were at. Falaknuma Palace is a wonder and should be on everyone's bucket list.

Day 8 - 12 SEPT - Saturday - Hyderabad/MumbaiI was sad to leave the Falaknuma Palace but knowing we were returning to the original hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace, kept me from clinging to the Falaknuma Palace doors and forcing security to come get me. Sigh.

Once we were back in the lovely city of Mumbai, I had a completely different perspective of the city than when we first arrived. Mumbai seems more vibrant, and much more cosmopolitan then I gave it credit for originally. Our Travel Scope team surprised with yet another wonderful treat, a Bollywood Dance class! We were all so excited as we entered into a local dance studio and learned an authentic Bollywood routine. We had so much fun!

Later that day, we had lunch at the St. Regis in a lovely part of town. Afterwards, we all dispersed to our various activities. Some went shopping, one visited the slums, and I chose to visit the spice market which was adorned with decorations for the upcoming annual Ganesh Festival. I did purchase some cinnamon and now regret not buying turmeric. Next trip I guess. I then proceeded to where they manufacture enormous statues of Ganesh for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi Festival.

Once we all returned to the hotel, we had a lovely farewell dinner at the rooftop restaurant Souk. Where we were treated to a lighting storm over the city as we dined on Mediterranean cuisine. We capped off the night in Mumbai's first licensed bar, which is located within the hotel, before retreating to our rooms for an early wakeup call for our flight back to the U.S.

Day 9 - 13 SEPT - Sunday - Depart MumbaiEarly on the morning of our last day, we departed India and I was filled with sadness to be leaving our Travel Scope team, our guide, and this lively destination behind. India really opened my eyes with its diverse culture, landscapes, cuisine, architecture, and history. None of this could have been possible without the services of Travel Scope India. Transporting around the cities was seamless, and not once did we have to touch our luggage. The staff was there to whisk everything away, and were proactive in providing us with whatever we needed. Our guide really made the trip for us as well. He was knowledgeable in everything that is India, easy to understand, and pleasant to have along on the trip. It was the ultimate luxury experience of India, and I could not recommend their services enough. I understand now why they differ from other companies. We experienced a completely different side of India that is unique and off the beaten path. We were completely immersed into the culture and treated like royalty at the beautiful, exclusive boutiques properties and palaces.

Mohan and his Travel Scope team really love what they do and it shows in their service and everyday life which only en-hances an already amazing experience.