Sri Lanka, otherwise known as the “Pearl in the Indian Ocean”, may be small but the attractions of this tropical island are vast. With a history dating back as far as the 4th century BC, the country is home to numerous religions and within its varied landscapes can be found a rich array of animal and bird life as well as friendly people and excellent food. When planning a trip to Sri Lanka, the country can easily be divided into four distinct regions and the time spent in each depends on your thirst for culture, scenery, wildlife or time relaxing on the beach.
Less
More
Articles in the 'Indian Subcontinent' Category
“Put the kettle on and we’ll all have a nice cup of tea”. A common suggestion in households across Britain. It’s easy to take the soothing effects of a decent cup of tea for granted, but tea has a far more complex and fascinating history than this simple act would suggest.
Download this article as a pdf (648 kilobytes)
We asked our specialists which destinations offer particularly good value for the coming year. We see plenty of offers in the newspapers and on the web for low-priced tours, but these invariably cut a lot of corners, so we also stressed that the trips needed to be the ‘complete experience’ and not less than two weeks. Here are some of their suggestions.
Download this article as a pdf (444 kilobytes)
Nothing draws people together like food, whether it’s the preparation or sitting down to taste local delicacies, barriers are broken down and conversation flows. We asked our specialists to choose some of their favourite culinary experiences from around the world.
Download this article as a pdf (797 kilobytes)
‘Gross national happiness’ is a truly unique and very Bhutanese idea drawn from the Buddhist belief that the ultimate purpose of life is inner happiness. Here, Camilla Brent-Smith explores the origins of this rather unique idea and explains how this focus on people permeates throughout Bhutanese society.
Download this article as a pdf (478 kilobytes)
The sheer diversity of people in India is what makes it such a fascinating place. It would be impossible to feature all of the many faces that constitute India, but here we give a snapshot of some of the more colourful, remote or just simply striking people from this vast country.
Download this article as a pdf (848 kilobytes)
Rajasthan is India’s most visited state and for good reasons: not only is it home to some of the most iconic monuments but the state is full of colour and life. Whether you want to explore the bustling streets of its famous cities or escape the crowds for a more relaxed pace of life in the countryside, Rajasthan has it all.
Download this article as a pdf (620 kilobytes)
Audley’s specialists pick out some of their favourite music, dance and drama performances from around the world.
Download this article as a pdf (539 kilobytes)
Warmed by the waters of the Malabar Coast and sheltered from the bustling interior by the mountainous range of the Western Ghats, Kerala is a fertile rural paradise that bills itself as ‘God’s own country’. It’s a land ruled by nature, with an easy-going ambience and sense of ease: ideal for a complete restorative getaway but with plenty to do and see. Here our Kerala specialists share some of the reasons why a visit to this state should be top of everyone’s wish list.
Download this article as a pdf (748 kilobytes)
The hidden kingdom of Bhutan preserves Asia’s cultural past in secretive isolation, but most tours concentrate on the west. Emma Shaw explores the scarcely-visited east of the country, a wild and rugged land where few travellers tread.
Download this article as a pdf (606 kilobytes)
The forts of North India and Rajasthan have always played a crucial role in this region’s history. Fort cities such as Jodhpur and Jaisalmer are well known and are impressive icons of a bygone age, but here five members of our India team provide a different insight into the forts of North India, concentrating on smaller ones with a more personal history, where you can stay and experience them restored to their former glory.
Download this article as a pdf (693 kilobytes)
India is changing fast. In the south of the country a range of hotels are pioneering standards for social, cultural and environmental responsibility. Here our specialists choose some of their favourites.
Download this article as a pdf (696 kilobytes)
Being immortalised by Kipling hasn’t been enough for the tiger: the king of the jungle no longer lives in a monarchy. Tiger numbers have been dropping fast in India but Harsha Ogale finds that the national parks are now throwing a lifeline to this highly endangered predator.
Download this article as a pdf (925 kilobytes)
Responsible travel is not only about minimising the environmental impact of travel, but also about improving the social and economic infrastructures of host destinations. Ultimately, we strive to ensure that a visit from Audley clients leaves a destination better rather than worse off. The nature of our ground operations lends itself to the ethos of responsible travel – we use, wherever possible, locally owned accommodation options, locally managed grounds agents and local guides and drivers. One of the vital parts of our country specialists’ research trips is to unearth new initiatives. Here are a few of our favourites.
Download this article as a pdf (224 kilobytes)
Stephen Fisher finds a part of India far removed from usual expectations of the country.
Download this article as a pdf (278 kilobytes)
Beatrice Bowen explains why trekking in Nepal is not the preserve of backpackers and mountaineers.
Download this article as a pdf (648 kilobytes)
In 1968, attracted by the teachings of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, The Beatles left England behind and retreated to the solitude of an ashram at Rishikesh.
Download this article as a pdf (259 kilobytes)
Enticed by the anniversary, our specialists uncover their connections to a bygone era.
Download this article as a pdf (508 kilobytes)
Our specialists familiarise you with some feline inhabitants of the Subcontinent.
Download this article as a pdf (782 kilobytes)
Beatrice Bowen and Emma Shaw guide you through the best of Bhutan.
Download this article as a pdf (202 kilobytes)
Harsha Ogale and Rupert Cue reveal the best ways to immerse yourself in the wilder side of India.
Download this article as a pdf (309 kilobytes)
Graeme Evemy discusses the aspects of Pakistan that keep tugging him back.
Download this article as a pdf (126 kilobytes)
Rogier Westerhuis discusses his aerial impression of the damage caused by the Boxing Day tsunami to the beaches of tropical Sri Lanka, and how the country is recovering.
Download this article as a pdf (117 kilobytes)
Beatrice Bowen visits Nepal for a sophisticated stay in the Himalayan Kingdom.
Download this article as a pdf (117 kilobytes)
Sarah Wells explains her special connection with India.
Download this article as a pdf (85 kilobytes)
Five places in India that you may never have thought of visiting before.
Download this article as a pdf (536 kilobytes)
Travelling like a king along the rails of northern India.
Download this article as a pdf (188 kilobytes)
Experiencing the best that the Indian Subcontinent has to offer in the ‘low-season’
Download this article as a pdf (229 kilobytes)
A guide to some of the quality items you can buy in India and Sri Lanka.
Download this article as a pdf (182 kilobytes)
Elephants are part of life in the Indian Subcontinent.
Download this article as a pdf (210 kilobytes)
Sri Lanka may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of tea but if we use the island’s older name, Ceylon, instead it becomes a much more familiar name to the connoisseur of a good cuppa.
Download this article as a pdf (172 kilobytes)
The Tastes of the Indian Subcontinent merit the trip alone.
Download this article as a pdf (157 kilobytes)
Staying in a Palace adds an additional dimension to a tour of Rajasthan.
Download this article as a pdf (236 kilobytes)
Our India specialists choose some of the highlights to be seen in the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Download this article as a pdf (491 kilobytes)
The most exciting and colourful times to visit the Indian Subcontinent.
Download this article as a pdf (202 kilobytes)
The best of India’s little hotels.
Download this article as a pdf (163 kilobytes)
Charlie Read reports back from his favourite island, Sri Lanka.
Download this article as a pdf (135 kilobytes)
A grand tour of this captivating Indian state.
Download this article as a pdf (149 kilobytes)
The Subcontinent once again welcomes tourism after disputes over Kashmir. Our specialists recommend some itineraries.
Download this article as a pdf (103 kilobytes)
Susie Brand takes a journey through the south of India.
Download this article as a pdf (149 kilobytes)
Craig Burkinshaw, Managing Director, shares with us the highlights of his recent trip to Sri Lanka.
Download this article as a pdf (86 kilobytes)
Rail travel is a memorable way to discover Asia. Our specialists compare two contrasting styles: the fun nostalgia of India’s toy trains, and the absolute luxury of the Eastern and Oriental Express train from Singapore to Bangkok
Download this article as a pdf (78 kilobytes)
