About Travel in India

Namaste India

For years, maybe even centuries and probably right since the Neanderthals, people have associated India with the land of elephants and poverty beyond extremes. While that does still hold good, that isn’t all this magnificent country’s about. And while we do have the Taj Mahals (a breath-taking structure, now one of the 7 wonders of the world), Qutb Minars and Red Forts on the one hand and the mysterious, shadowy caves of Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta on the other, India is a whole lot more. Our secular and democratic nature set us apart from the rest and undeniably, our food is to die for! We, at Quest, aim to break that stereotypical view of elephants walking on the roads and monkeys scratching their buttocks at every nook and cranny, and expose India in a completely different light. A light that not many of you even knew existed. So, it’s time to take those horse blinkers off and open your minds! India’s located in the southern hemisphere of the Asian continent and shares its borders with China, Nepal and Bhutan to the north, Pakistan to the west and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. Enveloped by the seas of the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Arabian Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the south, India boasts of a coastline of 7,517 kilometers and lies in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia. Other than being the 7^th largest country by geographical area, India is also infamous for its tearing-at-the-hem population, being the 2^nd most populous country, after China. But don’t fret just yet, family planning methods and initiatives are well under way! With its history dating back eons with the Indus Valley Civilization, and the Golden Age of the Mauryas, to name a few, this country has seen it all and has come a long way. The flora and fauna contained within this country is expansive. From the peacocks, camels, tigers, koyal birds and our friendly neighbourhood heroes, the elephants, to the majestic King Cobras and snow leopards that roam the king-size ranges of the Himalayas, India has been there, done that and can now blow its own trumpet! With mighty rivers of the likes of the Ganga, the Indus, the Brahmaputra and the Yamuna flowing through it’s 28 states coupled with its luscious greenery as can be validated by the Aravalli and Sahyadri Ranges, Nilgiri, Khasi-Garo, Naga and Mizo Hills, India, contrary to popular belief, makes for the perfect adventure destination for the ever-ready, eager, risk-taking traveller. Every dimension, north, south, east and west, all have plenty to offer a Quest traveller. If you go up north, states like Delhi and Rajasthan will let you take in its history, which one can never know completely, simply because of how old this nation actually is, while hill stations like Nainital, Manali, Leh and Ladakh, to name a few, will let you truly experience India in it’s raw, rugged, natural state. The picturesque foliage and vegetation that one sees here cannot be replicated or witnessed elsewhere in the world. Down south, states like Kerala will leave you positively breathless with its incomparable backwaters and scrumptious coconuts! Goa, a hotspot for every second Tom, Dick and Harry to visit India is also an unmatched destination with its acres of palm trees, mouth-watering seafood, drop-dead-gorgeous, make-you-want-to-laze-around-in-your-bikini/bathing costume-all-day beaches and quaint little churches. Yet again, you’ll get the opportunity to travel to hill stations like Ooty, where all you’ll breathe in is fresh, untainted air and all you’ll see is miles and miles of greenery galore! Head east and you cannot miss states like Assam, Meghalaya, Shillong and Manipur, all of which are world-renowned for their tea gardens and blinding scenery with hills and mountain ranges as far as the eye can see. Don’t miss the Sunderbans in West Bengal; marshlands where the infamous Bengal Tigers lurk ready to pounce out at you at any moment, skinning you alive. Travel west where the state of Maharashtra has plenty to boast of too. As stated earlier, hill stations like Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Khandala and Lonavala greet you with their umpteen valleys and scenic beauty that is sure to hold your attention for longer than you would’ve imagined. So, you definitely do not want to miss out on any of these! If you’re still unsatisfied and a bit jittery, head straight down to the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea or the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. These untouched, isolated islands make for the perfect getaway if you’re up for some snorkeling or scuba diving and aren’t exactly the “let’s get down and dirty” sort! Though the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were previously tormented by the vicious Tsunami waves back in 2004, this island has recovered brilliantly and is definitely of a “ 1000 Places to Visit Before You Die” material. What we, at Quest, have presented to you is a brief overview of what this fantastic country could have in store for you and what you could be missing out on and shouldn’t. Hence, we’ve chosen a few well-known places to aid you in understanding this marvelous country just a teensy-weensy bit better, because it’s virtually impossible to understand this splendid land in its entirety and at one go. However, this, we assure you, is not all India has to offer. India experiences all 4 seasons- Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter- it depends where you travel to and what time of the year you decide to head out. Quest promises you a fun-tastic, bombastic time; with tads of adventure, culture and delicious food all tossed and thrown in to cook you up the perfect meal so that you’re able to appreciate this country a whole lot more. We aim to make you’ll experience India in all its magnificence, be it via hiking, trekking, mountain-climbing, rafting or kayaking sessions, biking or anything else- you name it and we’re up for the challenge! Indian hospitality is amazing and unique and we intend on sticking by that tradition. We strive to tailor-make our adventures for you, depending on your likes and needs, and we aspire to help you absorb as much of India as you possibly can, in the short span of time that you’ll spend with us. That said and done, we do hope that you join us on our quests to the deep, dark recesses of forbidden caves and the bumpy, pothole-filled rides to unexplored and maybe even unchartered territories. Here at Quest, we hope to make your experience with us a memorable one; one that leaves you longing to come back for more. As of now, we’re all strapped in and geared to go. The real question is, are you?:) If you are, then let’s get ready to rumble, and if you aren’t, well then we hope this has made you think twice.