Audley in Mumbai, Goa & The Deccan
With Bombay and Bollywood on the coast and the history-stuffed Deccan Plateau inland, the centre of India is one of the country’s most enticing regions.
Ancient Temples
Religion plays a key role in the majority of Indian’s lives and for centuries devotees have displayed their beliefs in architecture. India’s Deccan plateau is dotted with numerous examples of religious devotion ranging from small shrines to vast sprawling temple complexes. Over the years some of these holy villages or towns have waned in importance and been abandoned while others have seen their fortunes rise; a shift of interest that has left a wondrous history in its wake.
The Deccan is visited by only a fraction of the travellers who venture to India each year making this region a very different experience to the bustling towns and cities of Rajasthan. Although the facilities and infrastructure are relatively limited the opportunity to explore the incredible religious architecture without large tourist numbers makes this a fascinating region to visit.
Wildlife Watching
Seeing tigers is always a thrill however with increasing human pressures on park boundaries and a worryingly high demand for animal parts in the traditional medicine trade the tiger’s future is in the balance. Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks as well as Pench Tiger Reserve provide a reasonable degree of protection and these parks afford the greatest chance of seeing tigers in their natural environment.
To maximise the likelihood of a successful sighting our India wildlife specialists generally recommend visiting two of these parks with a few nights at each. Aside from tiger all three reserves boast healthy prey species, numerous birdlife and a stunning landscape. For specific wildlife itineraries please ask our wildlife specialists for details.