This Travel Magazine invites readers to join a one‑of‑a‑kind voyage crafted by Viajes Azul Marino to uncover the secrets of a culture rich in history and wildlife.
A route designed to unveil sacred cities, enduring traditions, and exotic fauna from November 2 to 14, 2023.
The expedition will be guided by writer and screenwriter Javier Moro, a celebrated Spanish author and Planeta Prize winner in 2011. Moro’s fascination with India spans decades, stemming from his first visit in the 1970s and guiding his four books on the country, including Indian Passion translated into more than 20 languages.
city of contrasts
The journey starts in Delhi, the capital of India. Within Old Delhi, travelers will immerse themselves in scents, colors, and sounds that define the nation. They will explore a 17th‑century quarter where the Great Mosque, Jama Masjid, sits alongside the monumental Red Fort, a symbol of imperial aspiration and national heritage. The group will wander the winding lanes to discover Dariba Bazaar with its silver and jewelry stalls and Konari Bazaar with traditional dowry goods, theater costumes, and relics that speak of a storied past.
A visit to Raj Ghat honors Mahatma Gandhi, while the Lutyens District reflects the city’s colonial design and evolution into a modern capital.
Experience the contrasts of a living metropolis where history breathes through every corner, from bustling markets to grand monuments.
travel to the past
Next, the group moves to a place that feels suspended in time, where art deco interiors and morning concerts amid peacocks evoke the era of British colonial grandeur.
Mandū, one of the most romantic and picturesque locales in India, is famed for housing the country’s largest ruin complex within the Narmada Valley. Its elevated setting with palaces and mosques coexisting alongside sacred waters mirrors the fusion of culture and nature, while the art of fragrance reaches its peak here.
Beyond Indore, travelers will explore traditional villages still dominated by adobe houses and ox‑drawn carts, stepping into rural life. A visit to Maheshwar offers temple steps leading to the holy river, a place beloved by pilgrims and visitors alike.
biodiversity
The itinerary continues to a forested region where mountains weave through deep gorges, sand dunes, streams, and cascading waterfalls. It is a haven for wildlife, ideal for bird enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.
The area is rich in biodiversity, with medicinal plants and exotic species such as teak, ebony, currant trees, bamboo, and a variety of wildlife including leopards, antelopes, bears, flying squirrels, monkeys, wild boars, and tigers.
culture everywhere
Leaving behind flora and fauna, the group returns to urban life in Bhopal, the capital of central India, known for its poetic spirit and vibrant public squares where recitals echo through the streets.
There, contrasts unfold between the harsh realities of urban slums and the opulent lifestyles of historic nobility that once governed large swaths of the country.
Orchha presents a gentle charm, with its palaces and temples inviting contemplation in a place where time seems to slow. Khajuraho enchants with its world‑famous temples adorned with intricate sculptures, each garden and breeze offering a moment of quiet reflection.
A stop in Allahabad highlights the birthplace of Nehru, a pivotal figure in shaping modern India and the country’s journey toward independence.
cradle of Hinduism
The trip concludes in Varanasi, the holy heart of Hinduism. A river cruise on the Ganges offers a chance to witness prayers and purifying rituals that remind visitors death is part of life.
During this season, Diwali fills the city with color as lamps and offerings to Lakshmi and Ganesh create a radiant tableau. A final stop at Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment, rounds out the spiritual itinerary.
the journey of your life
Thus, the India Center becomes a fresh destination for Viajar Expeditions by Viajar magazine, inviting experienced historians, archaeologists, and travel writers to share an unforgettable exploration of a country where history meets living culture.
Other destinations such as Japan, Peru, Bolivia, South India, or South Africa appear on future expeditions in 2023, each promising a deep dive into local history and tradition.
All details about flights, accommodations, prices, itinerary, and the full schedule are available on the official site. Prospective participants can also inquire via the magazine’s communications channels, with a dedicated support line for expedition questions. Please note that this information is provided for reference and is not a live booking source.