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Subscribe and receive our travel inspirations and practical advice twice a month.
Wanting to share your trip with a group?
Discovering North India off the beaten path means opening yourself up to a world of extraordinary experiences, reserved for travelers seeking authenticity and rare emotions. After more than 20 years crafting unique tours for our clients, we know that North India reveals its mystery to those who dare to stray from the well-trodden paths — whether through photography, road travel, horseback, or waterways.
North India is a paradise for photographers: vibrant colors, countless smiles, unexpected scenes, landscapes straight out of magical novels… providing endless opportunities to practice and capture your best shots. However, caught in this whirlwind, it is not always easy to know where to point your lens. And although photography can create a special bond with locals, it can also be a delicate task.
To discover authentic scenes, dare to explore the Spiti Valley, a jewel of Little Tibet, where monasteries perched on cliffs reveal themselves in the slanting light of dawn, and where village life unfolds during Buddhist festivals. The temples of Orchha and Khajuraho, far less visited, offer sublime architectural perspectives.
In Amritsar, use your lens during the evening ceremony at the Golden Temple: the spirituality is palpable and conducive to powerful photos. Also pay attention to the corners of Madhya Pradesh, in holy cities along the Narmada or Ganges rivers, where religious fervor is experienced away from the hustle and bustle.
At Shanti Travel, we offer photo tours guided by professional French-speaking photographers. They will lead you to these secret spots and help you compose your images with respect and inspiration.
Are you passionate about motorbikes, and for you, travel means adventure and crossing vast spaces? North India is like no other place for motorized exploration. Discover the legendary route from Manali to Leh, a 480 km trail across the Himalayas, crossing the highest motorable passes in the world like Rohtang and Tanglang La. Thrills guaranteed, between breathtaking panoramas, glaciers, perched villages, and the vast lunar plateaus of Ladakh.
Rajasthan’s routes alternate between dazzling deserts, pink sandstone palaces, and unexpected encounters in small villages where the Royal Enfield, the emblem of Indian motorbikes, makes a strong impression. Forest roads in Madhya Pradesh will charm lovers of wildlife and less traveled paths.
What makes these journeys unique? The richness of exchanges with the locals, the extreme diversity of landscapes, the possibility to camp under the stars after a busy day, and the camaraderie among riders sharing the road and unforeseen events with joy.
From adrenaline-fueled raids to cultural rides, our tours guarantee safety, experienced guidance, and carefully mapped routes far from classic tourist trails.
For those dreaming of adventure at the pace of hooves, North India offers horseback experiences that are both historic and magical. Riding a Marwari, the proud horse with crescent-shaped ears, immerses you in the tradition of Rajputs and Maharajas. The rides traverse the Rajasthan countryside, oscillating between legendary fortresses and forgotten villages.
Some of our finest rides connect the hamlets of Shekhawati, Ajitgarh, Mandawa, and Bikaner, revealing a sincere rural India. The horse opens doors inaccessible otherwise and connects you, with mutual respect, to the soul of the country.
For a rare moment, join us during the Equestrian Festival of Pushkar (Pushkar Fair) or the great fair of Nagaur, where Marwaris parade to the great excitement of the crowds. This participation helps preserve a living heritage, directly linked to breeder families.
Shanti Travel is a pioneer in equestrian tourism on the subcontinent: initiation, multi-day raids, or tailor-made programs, our Franco-Indian team supports you for an authentic and safe “mane-height” journey.
At Shanti Travel, as our name suggests, we truly praise walking. North India, far from classic itineraries, offers an exceptional choice of unusual hikes.
Explore the Spiti Valley and its high-altitude desert, monasteries clinging to rocks, and Buddhist villages with lives paced by the seasons. The high plateaus of Ladakh and Zanskar promise spectacular crossings framed by snow-capped peaks, punctuated by encounters with hospitable Lamaist communities.
More discreetly, Northeast India (Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland) unfolds superb forest trails, primary jungles, sacred lakes, and preserved tribal villages. Here, discovery passes through exchange, surprise, and openness to unknown rituals.
Nature lovers can also roam the Gir National Park in Gujarat, tracking the rare Asiatic lion, or walk around Chilika Lake in Odisha, an exceptional bird sanctuary.
For all these expeditions, the support of an experienced local guide is essential, both for safety and for the cultural interpretation of each step.
Experiencing North India from the water means embracing the rhythm of the river and sacred traditions. The Ganges remains a living vein, a cradle of spirituality and unique encounters. In Varanasi or Allahabad, embark at dawn in a boat to respectfully observe the colorful rituals of the ghats, or drift along to holy towns usually inaccessible.
Multi-day cruises, sometimes aboard restored traditional boats, reveal a floating world, between flower markets, ancient temples, stops in forgotten villages, and exceptional wildlife (birds, freshwater dolphins). Less known, Chilika Lake (Odisha) is also a secret paradise for bird watchers and lovers of vast spaces.
At Shanti Travel, our on-the-ground expertise and selection of tailor-made experiences allow us to offer these authentic cruises, far from crowds, for a contemplative and intimate adventure with the river cultures of North India.
If exploring India appeals to you, discover tailor-made tours for an exceptional trip to India and an unforgettable cultural immersion.
Prepare to live, breathe, and feel North India differently, in confidence with its unusual territories and at the pace of your desires. Our traveling team is at your service to craft the rare itinerary that suits you, whether with your camera, helmet, riding boots, walking shoes, or oars!
