The hills are alive...

The majestic Himalayas. For many, going to the Himalayas means taking on Everest. Luckily, this need not be the case for those who want a holiday in the high hills. A regular trip to the Himalayas is all about stunning landscapes, with fragrant pine and rhododendron forests, vivid-green rice paddies, cascading waterfalls, colourful Sherpa villages and out-of-the-way Buddhist monasteries. And amid the lofty mountains and charming flower laden valleys are a large number of retreats, comfortable, luxurious and welcoming. And if you'd prefer the more serious business of higher-altitude climbing, you'll find options aplenty. Either way, you can look forward to a journey that is sure to take your breath away.

Shimla - The British empire may have ceased to exist, but its echoes linger on in Shimla (2130 m). As the summer capital of British India, this was the country's focus for the better part of every year and now, it is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. Today, its well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of India's most popular hill resorts. Enjoy riding on the enchanting Shimla-Kalka narrow gauge railway line and a quaint toy train. Or go on the various treks to the Kullu valley or indulge in trout fishing at the Pabbar River. For the more adventurous, there's skiing at Narkanda and Kufri from January to mid-March. The nine-hole golf course at Naldehra is also a major draw for the tourists.
Dharamshala - Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Dhauladhar Mountain ranges, Dharamshala (1,700 m) is perched on the high slopes in upper reaches of Kangra Valley. It is a charming town with elegant bungalows nestling in thick conifer forests.
Mcleodganj - near Dharamshala, this is also the home of the Dalai Lama, spiritual head of the Buddhists. Sometimes known as 'Little Lhasa' after the Tibetan capital city, Mcleodganj is an enchanting world where spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony.
Other places of interest - Dalhousie, Manali, Nainital, Mussorie, Srinagar and Gulmarg. Contact your nearest Mercury Travels office for more...

A sense of adventure

India is blessed with an unprecedented diversity of topography and climatic conditions. From the dizzying heights of the Himalayas to the expanse of the North Indian plains, from the sands of the Thar desert in Rajasthan to the raging torrents of rivers like the Ganga and the Bramhaputra, from the saltlands of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to the barren mountains of Ladakh, India has it all. With this incredible range of adventure possibilities, soft as well as challenging, there is something for everyone.

Climbing in the Himalayas is, for most, the ultimate adventure challenge. While mountain climbing expeditions can be organized for the serious climber, treks, hikes and mountain jeep safaris are ideal for those looking for thrills without the demands of high adrenaline sports. Treks run into regions of Ladakh, Zanskar, Markha, Nubra, Himachal, Lahul, Spiti and Kinnaur, Garhwal and Kumaon in the northern Himalayas. In the Eastern Himalayas treks run in Sikkim, the Darjeeling region and Arunachal Pardesh, while in the south they run into the lush green Nilgiris. Himalayan safaris can be timed to coincide with a ritual or festival in that part of Himalayan region.

Desert safaris are a great way to explore the colourful land of Rajasthan. You could opt for a short camel safari through a typical Rajasthani village or a long-distance expedition in open jeeps lasting a few days. The best times for traveling are the cooler parts of the day, the mornings and evenings. Of course, you can also combine camel and jeep safaris for a unique experience.

India is also prime white-water rafting country. High quality rafting can be experienced on the Ganga, Zanskar, Brahmaputra and Alaknanda rivers. Rafting on the Ganga is easily accessible from Delhi. The facilities are good and the guides and equipment are top-class.

Quality options also exist for scuba-diving, skiing, mountain biking, wildlife safaris and much more.

The wild life in India

The vast heritage of wildlife in India comprises of more than 70 national parks and about 400 sanctuaries including special enclaves for birds. And that's not all - most parks and sanctuaries have numerous accommodation options, ranging from luxurious tents to forest bungalows and eco-friendly resorts, making it possible for you to explore the hidden depths of the wild. A paradise for the nature lovers, these forest areas are crucial for the conversation of the endangered species like the Bengal tiger, leopards, lions, Asiatic elephants and Siberian cranes. There are seasons that are best for animal-spotting, so be sure to ask your travel agent for the perfect time to watch the wild life!
Tiger - found in Uttarakhand - Corbett Tiger Reserve, Assam - Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan - Ranthambhore and Sariska, Uttar Pradesh - Dudhwa and Katerniaghat, Madhya Pradesh - Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Park.
Elephant - found in Assam - Manas National Park, Kerala - Periyar Widlife Sanctuary (Thekkaday), Karnataka - Bandipur, Nagarhole Wildlife Park, Tamil Nadu - Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
One-horned rhinoceros - found in Assam - Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park.
Migratory birds - found in Rajasthan - Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur).
Asiatic Lion - found in Gujarat - Gir Widllife Sanctaury, Sasangir National Park & Lion Sanctuary.
Indian Bison - found in Uttarakhand - Corbett Tiger Reserve, Assam - Manas, Kaziranga National Park, Rajasthan - Ranthambhore and Sariska tiger reserves, Uttar Pradesh - Dudhwa and Katerniaghat, Madhya Pradesh - Bandhavgarh, Kanha National Park, Kerala - Periyar Widlife Sanctuary (Thekkaday), Karnataka - Bandipur and Nagarhole Wildlife Park, Tamil Nadu - Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.

The food of India

India is a foodie's perfect destination, boasting not one or two, but about as many cuisines as the countless communities that call the country home. It's all very well to broadly categorise the foods of India into North Indian and South Indian for the purpose of simplicity. But that is a simplistic division, you'll realise, for even within every state in India you can find great culinary variation.

The Punjabis have created a combination of the northwest frontier cuisine and Mughlai recipes to present rich poultry and mutton dishes. The ubiquitous 'tandoori chicken' is a great favourite!
Goan cuisine, on the other hand, is the result of the blending of local Konkani and Portuguese food styles. This culinary amalgamation and adaptation has created fiery coconut based curries and stews using pork and beef and rich cakes and pastries, as well as an interesting range of port and red and white wines.

While the coastal regions display a preponderance of fish and fish dishes, the northern regions favour chicken and mutton. In the northernmost state of Jammu & Kashmir, mutton is the piece de resistance in the formal banquet called 'wazawan', which includes a spread of over 36 courses cooked all night long by a team of chefs called 'wazas', descendants of the cooks of Samarkand.
The three states of Kerala, Goa and West Bengal constitute the fish loving populace. The culinary delights of Goa and Kerala differ from that of West Bengal in that they rely more on coconut in their preparations. In sharp contrast are the states of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, which display a clear penchant for vegetarian food.

Go to Goa!

In no other place in the world do two contrasting cultures - Indian and Portuguese - come together as magically as in the sun-drenched state of Goa. The magic and mystery of Goa lies in the fact that it is not one place at all, but two.

On one hand you have the Goa of swaying palms and white-sand beaches, Portuguese mansions, a number of fascinating medieval churches and Hindu temples, bike rides among shimmering rice paddies and walks through lush spice plantations. It's a languid retreat, where time crawls by and cobbled alleyways lead you to quaint villages. A Goa that is filled with the romance of an era gone by. Filled with lush green forests, abundant sunshine and the legendary warmth and hospitality of the Goan people. The great churches of Old Goa including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Se Cathedral, the Church of St Cajetan and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi stand testimony to the Catholic influence.

Then there is another Goa. Sauve and urbane. Fun and sexy. Full of hedonistic parties, colourful festivals, spectacular pageantry and exhilarating adventure. A Goa that buzzes with energy and entices you with secrets. One of which is its distinctive cuisine spicy, delectable and totally unforgettable. With a nightlife second to none, Goa is indeed the party headquarters
of South East Asia.

And there's no telling which Goa will enthrall you, but rest assured that enthrall you, it will.

A capital time

Delhi is a city that blends the dynamism of a booming urban civilization with memories of a grand past, of overwhelming passion, of quiet culture, of Mughal spendour and a colonial past. It is the seat of political power and a city of myriad contradictions. Delhi is so much more than it seems to a first glance, a sum of parts far greater than anything that can be described on a single page in a guidebook.

Hardly surprising, since Delhi has been the capital of seven empires through Indian history and has over 60,000 recognized monuments built over several millennia. As per the Archaeological Survey of India, it is believed to be the site of Indraprastha, founded by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata more than 3000 years ago.

Delhi is a city that has moved forward with the rest of the world while keeping its roots firmly planted deep in the past. The capital of India and the nerve centre of Indian politics, it is now a throbbing metropolis, with everything a visitor may be looking for - history and culture, architectural marvels, the best of Indian and world cuisine, traditional bazaars offering a unique shopping experience, flamboyant restaurants and nightclubs, polo grounds, imperial gardens and much, much more.

The historic architecture of Delhi is one of its main tourist attractions. The majestic Red Fort, the towering Qutub Minar, the unique Jama Masjid and the Rashtrapati Bhavan are some of the most popular monuments visited by tourists. However, it is along the wayside, within bazaars and at almost every curve of any road in Delhi that there are fascinating ruins of tombs, palaces and mosques, unnamed and unmarked, waiting to be explored. With as many facets as a kaleidoscope, you can rest assured that you'll find a little bit of every part of India in this city.

Gateway to India:Mumbai

This is indeed India! The land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendour and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence, of genii and giants and Aladdin lamps, of tigers and elephants, the cobra in the jungle, the country of a hundred nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of traditions, whose yesterdays bear date with the smoldering antiquities of the rest of the nations - the one sole country under the sun that is endowed with an imperishable interest for alien prince and alien peasant, for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor, bond and free, the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse would not give that glimpse for the shows of all the rest of the globe combined.

MUMBAI: Love it or hate it, you can't ignore it. Mumbai is a temptress. Ravaged by time, history and circumstance, she has risen above it all with an easy grace. She is a city of dreams, despair, drama and dazzle, with heartbreaking poverty set within staggering grandeur. A city that sparkles with promise and glints with tears of desolation.

Mumbai is India's capital of finance. It is also India's capital of glamour. A Victorian townscape more reminiscent of a prosperous 19th-century English industrial city than anything you'd expect to find on the edge of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai bustles and buzzes.

It is the headquarters of the Indian film industry, known to Indians as Bollywood. It is a city of starlets, slum-dwellers, dancing girls, crusading activists and poets, all of whom drift into the city to make it big. It is also the ideal hub from which to explore the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, Elephanta Island and the charming hill resorts of the Western Ghats.

Complex and interesting, being in Mumbai with its vibrant streetlife, India's best nightlife and thousands of open-air and enclosed bazaars is like being smack-bang in the middle of a Bollywood masala potboiler movie. Addictively filled with drama, absurdity, pathos, wonder and lots of fun.