Asian holidays are perennially popular affairs, but never more so than now. This fabled continent contains more wonders than you could shake a joss stick at and more variety than Sunday Night at the London Palladium.
From the Middle East to southeast Asia, from island hopping to checking out the myriad modern cities, the holiday possibilities are strewn like jewels in a Maharajah's hoard. You just need to reach out and pluck one. But be warned - it pays to seek advice. Let's get started.
Taking care out there
For some, part of the fun when going to the best travel destinations will be to abandon yourself to the winds and let fate steer your vessel hither and yon. To others, that sounds like a guaranteed recipe for vacation disaster.
If you'd rather a steady hand on your tiller, you might be better advised to engage the services of a company that specialises in tailoring holiday experiences around you, either individually or in a group. They also offer a wider vareity of Special Interest groups ranging from Geology, Architecture, Astrology, Wildlife Photography all led by expert Trip Scholars in their field. The groups are welcoming of both Amateurs and Professionals – all that’s required is a passion and love of learning and an adveturous spirit! A company like Indus Experiences takes the guesswork out of your next holiday but leaves the adventure in.
Whatever the vacation, from temple touring in the Indian Subcontinent to voyages of discovery in Far East, Indus can unroll the chart and see your course safely plotted from one treasure to the next. Their specialist consultants listen to what's important to you so that the Asia holidays you take with them are all tailor-made to your dreams.
Holidays are carefully shaped by travel experts so as to ensure that the highlights are covered, as well as some of the lesser-known but richly rewarding parts of Asia that holidays can all too easily miss. And, throughout, the best accommodation and travel are assured, as well as expert guides to give that all-important background to the marvels you encounter.
Covered by their ATOL & ABTA Licenses means your monies are fully protected.
Indus doesn't just take excellent care of its holidaymakers. It also takes care of the destinations it visits too. The possible impact of travel is minimised by having small groups only, and the company is actively seeking ways to ensure that the whole operation can be carbon neutral as soon as possible. It's on track to being paper-free by 2025.
Let's take a jaunt around a few of the experiences you can treat yourself to.
Creature feature
Asia has more than its fair share of wonderful wildlife among its jungles, plains, seas and skies. If you're never happier than when encountering the kind of creature you're unlikely to bump into in your back garden, you'll find much to delight you here.
You can earn your stripes by venturing into the marshy Sunderbans in search of the elusive tiger. Take a jeep safari in the Nepalese jungle to spot the one-horned rhino. Or how about some monkey business with the gibbons of Thailand? It's all out there waiting for you.
Birds in Bhutan
Here's a fabulous 24-day bird discovery trip to get you twitching with enthusiasm. Bhutan's one of those countries that's only recently opened up to tourists, so it has retained a pristine appeal, unspoilt by over-exploitation and still replete with natural riches. Chief among these is its bird population, and anyone whose fancy is tickled by feathers will be all in a flap on the Birds of Bhutan tour.
Flights take you from London to Kathmandu, from where you're transported to Thimphu, the Bhutan capital. Your quest will start with outings to find the magnificent Ibisbill, and slightly less impressively named (but no doubt lovely in its own way) River Lapwing.
Then it's onward, all around the incredible avian hotspots that pepper this region, from subtropical Yongkala to mountainous Chelela, all the while being treated to commentary from a UK-based bird expert and professional ecologist.
Birds of Bhutan departs London on Friday 26th April 2024 and is Led by Richard Baines.
Richard is a professional ecologist and lifetime birder who has worked in wildlife tourism and nature conservation all of his life. He is pationate about sharing his knowledge and devoting large amounts of his time working as a volunteer to improve habitats for birds and wildlife. Richard is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and Director of Yorkshire Coast Nature.
This tour can also be arranged with a local guide if you wish to Tailor-make a private tour.
Try Thai
This is a terrific 16-day trip to Thailand, ideal for those who would like a mix of city wildlife and jungle wildlife. Memories of Thailand immerses you in Bangkok, the perfect place for a city break with its vibrant energy and enlivening mix of old and new.
Culture fans will thrill at the layers of history and religion in evidence here among the golden temples and picture-perfect palaces. Take a tuk-tuk ride through streets filled with life and excitement, and be sure not to miss the floating market - talk about a buoyant economy!
Batteries can then be recharged on arrival at the Elephant Hills camp, one of the elephant sanctuaries set amid the tropical verdancy of Khao Sok National Park. The titular titans will make an appearance, and you can learn all about the care and upkeep these princely pachyderms require in order to keep in tip-top shape.
Memories of Thailand is a tailor-made itinerary – choose your own date or departure and style of hotels. Use the itinerary as guide – why not make it a multi-destination holiday by combining, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Bhutan?
Culture caper
Asia can lay claim to being one of the cradles of civilisation, and as such, has a preponderance of ancient sites, as well as fascinating arts, crafts and other activities wherever you look. From cuisine to dance scene, the East has a plethora of possibilities just waiting for you to enjoy... and maybe take part in!
Man Oman
The Middle East is a fantasia of fascination, with competing civilisations and cultures vying for millennia and producing a tapestry of interwoven creeds and peoples that has to be seen to be believed.
Oman is a great example of this thriving hotbed of history and culture, and the Taste of Oman holiday gives you an array of Arabian attractions you'll love, from Salalah in the Land of Frankincence to Muscat with its mosques, museums and souks. Drives over desert mountains and dips in deep blue wadis are included in a trip that shows off the very best of this wonderful corner of the world.
Tailor make your own Oman Tour, or use the Taste of Oman Itinerary as a guide.
The right (royal) track
There’s no better way to appreciate the majesty of Rajasthan than viewed from the first-class comfort of the Luxury Trains Palace on Wheels or Maharaja Express. The opulent express trains takes you from Delhi all around Rajasthan's pearls, including Jaipur, Jodhpur and - a place you simply must see, in a country of simply must-sees - the desert city of Jaisalmer, that rises from the sand like a mirage. Yes, that's a bit of a cliche, but no other expression will do. And as for the Taj Mahal... well, no words.
The trains themsleves are sumptuously bedecked in ornamentation, with gloriously uniformed staff, exquisitely polished wood and brass, and comfort surpassing pretty much all other modes of transport. This is not just an A to B service. It's heaven on a train. You'll be treated like royalty all the way, and you'll have marvellous memories of a life of luxury to take home with you, in your journal or in your head. The food's good too (a sight better than Traveller's Fare).
Request a quote for the Royal Train Journeys by calling a specialist consultant on 020 8901 7320 or sending an email to holidays@indusexperiences.co.uk.
Dune roaming
If you're thinking to yourself, all that sounds fabulous, but what I really want from my holiday is peace and quiet, on beautiful beaches with sand and sea right out of a Bounty ad, then you're in the right place. Asia has an incredible array of the best beaches in the world for you to enjoy. Goan beaches are, of course, legendary, but there are so many more you can try out. Asia is a terrific choice for beach breaks: it's a shore thing.
Island idylls
This trip takes you to the isles of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, giving you a dream holiday, incorporating all the culture you crave and all the history you can handle before you sink back into utter relaxation, bathing in beach bliss.
The Island Odyssey is a 14-night Asia holiday, taking you from London to Sri Lanka, where you can roam the temples of Kandy and visit an old plantation (if that's your cup of tea) before whisking you to paradise in the shape of the Maldives, where you can learn to dive, windsurf or water ski. Or just stretch out under that glorious sun. Perfect.
Swap the miserable UK Winters for balmy breezes, golden sand and azure waters. It’s the best time to be away.
Vietnam ease
For a fully-rounded experience of this fascinating part of southeast Asia, you can't beat the 18-day Vietnam Discovery multi-centre holiday. You'll fly into Hanoi, the ‘Paris of the East’ where you can tour the backstreets and discover new tastes in the fabulous street food on offer.
Then on to a remote fishing village in the Gulf of Tonkin, where you can take in the sights while sailing serenely by on a private junk. After stopping in at Ho Chi Minh City - to see temples, markets and even take a Vespa tour! - the trip culminates with a visit to the simply stunning beaches of Con Dao Island.
Pair Vietnam with Cambodia, & Laos for a longer exploration. See our Grand Tour of Indochina as a guide.
Roots routes
Many people have family stories that stretch overseas, and Britain's historic links with India mean that there are connections that extend right the way across the subcontinent for numerous UK holidaymakers.
Those who are interested in delving back into their ancestors' time in various parts of India can choose such holidays as the 14-day East India Heritage Tour, taking in Kolkata (the old capital of British India), or Splendours of South India, a 20-day trip which includes explorations of old Chennai.
Indus Experiences can tailor the trip around your family's story, so you can be sure of experiencing some of the same sights and sounds that your forebears did, all those years ago.
You can request a quote for the East India Heritage Tour or the Splendours of South India by calling a specialist consultant on 020 8901 7320 or emailing holidays@indusexperiences.co.uk.
Whatever floats your boat
In recent years, cruising's taken off (if you'll forgive the malappropriated metaphor). And it's not tricky to see why. Drifting calmly from one marvellous experience to the next? Avoiding all the traffic and stress that bedevil some holidays? And all while enjoying levels of comfort that would seem to belong to a bygone era of travel? Not forgetting something cold and delicious from the ship's bar? Aye aye. Totally on board with all that.
River cruising is something you can try out with Indus Experiences. You can go take the 14-day Mekong Voyage of Discovery through Vietnam and Cambodia, getting to witness the majesty of Angkor Wat, perhaps the most impressive temple complex in the world.
You can also try out a Canal Cruising in the lush tropical waterways in one of the 10-day Explore Kerala holidays.
Take a river cruise holiday in India; sail down the Hugli River between Calcutta on the Brahmapurtra and the Ganges Rivers, along the way take in wildlife viewing, village walks, visits to tea gardens, exploring country towns in cycle rickshaws, barbecues on deserted river islands, dance performances, and visits to craft workshops.
There are a variety of dates to choose from – reach out to a specialist consultant on 020 8901 7320 for a quote designed just for you.
Uzbekistan
Step into the enchanting realm of Uzbekistan, where blue-domed mosques weave a tapestry of history and charm. Wander through atmospheric Silk Road cities, where history whispers through ancient alleyways, and vibrant bazaars transport you to an ancient era.
And here's the cherry on top – if you're a British citizen, a Visa-free stay awaits you, making your exploration of this cultural gem even more convenient. Uzbekistan stands out as the crown jewel among the Central Asian republics, drawing travelers with its magnetic charm and unbeatable value for money.
Embark on a tailor-made tour or join scholar Chris Aslan and a unique community of art enthusiasts with a shared love for textiles, exploring the rich landscapes of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. As well as the stunning architecture of the Silk Road cities, Chris will take you off the beaten track and introduce you to artisans, craftsmen, and help bring the Silk Road alive in fresh ways.
You can follow the itinerary for your journey through Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan & Kyrgyzstan and contact 020 8901 7320 for your tailor-made quote.
Holidays that are a break from the norm
Asia holidays can be thrilling, eye-opening, even life-changing, whether you're travelling in a group or going solo. So richly endowed is the continent with excitement, culture and adventure that it can be difficult to take it all in. This is why it makes sense to engage the services of true travel experts. An ATOL-protected outfit like Indus Experiences can take all the headache out of holidays, but make sure that you miss nothing else.
Whatever destinations you're interested in, from modern cities to wondrous desert islands, the incredible ingredients of Asia, from the near to the far east, are all within your reach. Go explore.
Image Credit: Julian Yu at unsplash
