The Malabar House
Kerala, India
10% off
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Vast India stretches from snow-tipped Himalayan peaks to sun-bathed Goan shores. So, where to start? Well, for most, Rajasthan – with its forts, palaces and tiger-roamed parks – is an exotic entry point, teamed with a trip to Delhi and Agra’s white-marble mausoleum, the Taj Mahal. Next, cosmopolitan Mumbai or the laid-back more Sri Lankan-like tropical beach scene in Karnataka, Kerala or Tamil Nadu. For those who love it, India becomes a lifelong obsession – prepare for return visits.
Destinations in India
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India's capital can be bamboozling, but once you look beyond the chaos and colour, you'll find an ancient city that’s rapidly modernising, with one foot in the past and the other careening towards the future.
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Lapped by the Arabian Sea and set along the shore in India's sultry south, Goa claims some of India's most beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and a rich Portuguese-tinged past.
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Part of India’s remote Andaman archipelago, Havelock Island is a jungle-swathed refuge ringed by a halo of caster-sugar sand.
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Set in an area of unparalleled natural beauty, the Himalayas are India’s spiritual centre: lush Sāl forests dot the banks of the sun-spangled Ganges, and the ancient holy towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar nestle in the foothills.
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Millennia ago, Karnataka was the seat of ancient empires. Today, follow in their rulers’ footsteps though Dravidian temples, Vijayanagara ruins and the royal city of Mysore… or just lounge on the pristine beaches by the Arabian Sea.
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Coconut-studded coastlines, canal-like backwaters, and undulating evergreen hills – the tropical beauty of this south-west swathe of India is unrivalled.
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Madhya Pradesh in central India is liberally dotted with carved temples, stupas, forts and hilltop palaces.
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As an introduction to India, massive Mumbai can be overwhelming, but you’ll soon be swept up in its fascinating history, eclectic culture and cosmopolitan elegance
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As Pench National Park’s most-protected residents, the tigers burn especially bright in this green expanse, teeming with life. Set in the central Indian highlands, below Madhya Pradesh, this tropical spot will fascinate aspiring Attenboroughs and Mowglis.
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With its maharaja’s palaces, dazzling sari fabrics and swathes of russet-red desert, Rajasthan and its hubs of Jaipur, Jodhpur and tiger-toting Ranthambore National Park is the stuff of fairy tales.
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A remote and rugged district on India’s Konkan Coast, Sindhudurg is sought for its unspoiled beaches, pristine forest and crumbling island forts.
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Srinagar is the lake-dotted and valley-surrounded summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Intricately carved temples, colonial forts and serpentine urban beaches are a handful of Tamil Nadu’s highlights.
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Lively West Bengal is rich with memories of its colonial and ancient past: this former capital of the British Raj is home to iconic palaces, temples, mosques and ruins dating back thousands of years.
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Malabar Escapes: Purity at Lake Vembanad
Kerala, India
Smith Exclusive: 10% off with breakfast
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The Lodhi
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Smith Exclusive: 30% off when you book at least 60 days before arrival
From the blog
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