It is not difficult to find luxury experiences in India. With a rich history of royalty that enjoyed grandeur and opulence, India is no stranger to providing the ultimate luxury experiences. From destination spas to luxury train rides, here are the top 8 luxury experiences in India.
Luxury train ride:
India’s extremely crowded trains may feel scary, but India is also home to some of the most luxurious trains in the world. If you are looking for a luxury experience in India, you must travel by a luxury train.
The Maharajas’ Express has been voted “The World’s Leading Luxury Train” in the World Travel Awards seven times in a row. A ride in this train is one of the most exclusive experiences. With 14 guest carriages with deluxe rooms and presidential suites accommodating over 80 passengers, two multi-cuisine restaurants, and two bars, Maharajas’ Express operates between October and April. The train has five different routes through scenic cities and villages of India.
India’s first luxury train, the Palace on Wheels, has 14 salons named after the princely states of India. They can accommodate up to 88 guests. The train has two restaurants serving delectable Rajasthani cuisines. Palace on Wheels operates between September and April and travels through 7 cities.
Another luxury train is The Deccan Odyssey, which includes coaches for fine dining, spa, massage, and other facilities. It takes you through the heritage places in Maharashtra.
Luxury Adventure Activities:
If you want to add a hint of adventure to your luxury experiences, you should definitely take a hot air balloon ride in Rajasthan during the Pushkar Camel Fair or over the city of Jaipur. The hot air balloon ride, operated by Sky Waltz, takes you on an hour-long journey across different areas of Rajasthan from as high as 12,000 feet off the ground. The balloon accommodates 4 to 8 people in a single ride, one at sunrise and one at sunset.
Water babies can try scuba diving in Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea and Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Explore the exotic marine life underwater. The best time for scuba diving in Andamans is from January to May.
You can rent a private yacht in Goa for a luxurious experience. You can enjoy the yacht cruise with other water sports such as jet skiing, snorkelling, diving, and kayaking.
You can also go for luxury camping in Rishikesh and enjoy white water rafting on the Ganges river.
Luxury Wellness Experience:
Wellness centres and spas are well and good, but have you heard of a floating spa in the middle of the lake? At Taj Lake Palace, the floating hotel in Lake Pichola, the Jiva Spa Boat offers a unique experience. It takes you on a special boat where you are provided with the ultimate relaxation with therapeutic massages and beauty treatments, all while enjoying the pristine blue water around.
The award-winning Ananda in the Himalayas is India’s first destination spa. Set in Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world, Ananda overlooks green hills and valleys. Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedanta are combined to give you an immersive and luxurious yoga experience.
Luxury Holiday in the Wilderness:
India is home to over 80 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and a wildlife safari is an experience you should definitely have in India.
Aman-i-Khas, near Ranthambore National Park, is surrounded by Aravalli Hills. The camp has luxury tents with all the modern amenities along with the best views of many wildlife species.
Sujan Sher Bagh is another wildlife camp that offers all the luxuries as you go on wildlife safaris to spot the Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, sloth bears, and other animals.
Some of the other luxury wilderness camps around India include Taj Banjaar Tola Camp, The Serai Desert Camp, and Oberoi Vanyavilas.
Private Wine Tasting at India’s Wine Country:
Known as India’s Napa Valley, Nashik in Western India is known for its high quality wines. With many gorgeous vineyards in the region, you should experience luxury wine tasting in Nashik.
Start with a tour of the lush green vineyards and the process of grape plucking and end with a personal wine tasting session and a dinner. The best time to visit is in February, during the grape picking season. Sula Vineyard is one of the most famous vineyards in the country.
Stay at a luxury hotel:
India is one of the best countries when it comes to hospitality. And for the ultimate luxury experience, you have to stay at one of India’s many, many luxury hotels. The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, The Leela in Goa, or the Raj Niwas Palace in Jaipur, to name a few, radiate opulence and grandeur fit for royalty.
You can experience the peak of luxury with a private dinner at Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, as you dine under the stars with a view of the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world!
Luxury cruise:
A luxury cruise across the backwaters, rivers, and oceans of India is an experience you shouldn’t miss. With delectable cuisines, top-notch facilities and entertainment, India has many options for a relaxing cruise vacation. While the Sunderbans Luxury Cruise takes you through one of the biggest mangrove reserves in the world in West Bengal, the Oberoi M.V Vrinda sails through the backwaters of Kerala. The Empress by Cordelia Cruises and MV Ganga Vilas are two other luxury cruises that take you across states in India.
Luxury houseboat:
If staying in a regular hotel is too mainstream for you, why not live on a houseboat?
Kashmir, called Paradise on Earth, is home to the gorgeous Dal Lake, which has a plethora of luxury houseboats for the perfect relaxing vacation. With 5-star amenities, from local cuisines to access to a shikara at all times, you can consider yourself royalty in the true sense.
Another place where you can live like royalty on luxury houseboats is the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Enjoy gourmet dishes or get a spa treatment while lazing on the beautiful backwaters.
With so many luxury experiences in India, you will be spoilt for choice. Which one do you want to experience first? Let us know and we will plan the perfect trip for you!
