
Adventure
Adventure
If you’re familiar with the Maharaja Drinks story, you’ll know that meeting our suppliers face-to-face is a matter of great importance (and not only because of the personalised tasting sessions). These meetings serve as a way to truly get to know our brand partners - the people behind the drinks, and their stories.
So right from the get-go, we were keen to meet our suppliers at the sites where their products were grown, brewed, distilled or produced rather than in plush offices. We’d pinpointed partners all across the country: from Indian teas grown in the Himalayan foothills near Dharamshala and whiskies distilled near Goa, to wines from grapes in Nashik near Bombay and exotic liquors manufactured near Bangalore. Our challenge however came when we had to start planning our travels to these far-flung and out of the way places. The thought of creating an itinerary and booking all the travel ourselves was a tad overwhelming, given everything else on our plate (or in our glass).
While there are several UK-based travel agents who ‘do’ India and do it well (and charge accordingly), we decided to hand the reins over to our friends at India Someday, a bunch of travel enthusiasts in Bombay, whose friendly disposition and attention to detail ensured that our trips flowed as smoothly as expertly-poured glasses of wine. For us, their near 24/7 availability and the ability to speak directly to a person without endless automations made them an ideal partner to work with.
If inspiration for your next trip is what you’re after, here are just a few things to consider when thinking about travelling to India.
Given the sheer number of meetings we had to pack in while on our Maharaja Drinks mission, we opted for speed and flew between cities. This meant extensive use of India’s various domestic airlines (and our practised expertise in swiftly loading and unloading our belongings into trays at security came in very useful).
But if time is on your side and you’re keen on the scenic route, the motherland’s many rail options provide ample opportunity to take in the diverse landscapes. Or, take to the road in a very affordable chauffeur-driven car (invariably a Toyota Innova) to take in the bustling cities, the lush greenery, and everything in between.
And within cities, auto rickshaws – or ‘autos’ as the locals prefer to say – are always an exhilarating sensory experience. With their open sides, autos are a sure way to really immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the place. In some places you can even opt for a cycle rickshaw (thankfully the hand pulled version is by and large now in the past).
We love how convenient it is now, with both autos and taxis available on Uber and local app Ola (though we must admit to jumping into the cabs a tad more often – particularly when we need that aircon on blast).
For a more bespoke experience, hiring a local driver for the duration of your time in each region gives you a lot more flexibility. Plus, the added benefit of insider recommendations of where the locals hang out for a truly authentic experience.
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Our tips for India travel extend far beyond our points here. But alas, our time runs short today. Perhaps we’ll return with tips for specific parts of India on another occasion.
For now, we leave you with a final thought: Whatever you’re looking for when it comes to your India trip – whether it’s backpacking or a more luxurious experience – choosing the right travel agent to ensure you maximise your time without compromising your comfort can make all the difference.
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