
A diverse mix of climates and terrain has blessed India with some of the most varied and distinctive wildlife on the subcontinent. With around 80 National Parks and over 440 sanctuaries the country is home to more than just the iconic Indian tiger and with a range of accommodation available ...

Bales Worldwide are involved in an initiative for the developments of pre-schools in the Hambantota region of Sri Lanka, which was effected by the Tsunami.
Since 2007 Bales Worldwide has the Tsunami Schools appeal has launched 2 new pre-school projects, each headed by 2 teachers. With the assistance of the local ...

The Indian government have introduced a bill that will secure India’s women one third of the seats in National Parliament and State Legislatures if it gets passed.
The proposal has lead to many comments of outrage and protest within the Indian government. However it has also gained many supporters. Although there are ...

South India is a wonderful mix of dance, traditions, religious diversity and spectacular temple complexes, where India’s rich Dravidian heritage has created a vibrant culture of beautiful temple towns such as Madauri and Tiruchirapalli. The diversity is further enhanced by the colonial charms of Pondicherry lying on the Bay of ...

The diversity of India’s wildlife is spectacular in the extreme. With Ranthambore, Bandavgarh and Kanha parks representing some of the finest tiger habitats in India and with new areas, such as Pench and Panna, opening up under Project Tiger, the opportunity to include a park within your itinerary is compelling. Why ...

Bales Worldwide is featuring a new and unique rail adventure through Southern India, aboard the decadent Golden Chariot. This new 88 berth luxury train is the latest to launch on the sub continent and joins other great Indian rail experiences, such as the ‘Palace on Wheels’ in Rajasthan, and the ...

November is definitely a good time to high tail it out of rainy and cold Britain for somewhere hot and sunny, quite frankly anywhere really! The only flaw in my plan was a need to negotiate a way through Heathrow airport. Let’s face it if Christopher Columbus had to start ...

Hungry to hike but not sure where to head first? Mark Bennetts and Paul Taylor give the lowdown on Nepal's highs, and tell us about some of the world's great walk.
When it comes to sheer size and number of mountains, Nepal is tough to beat. The Himalaya dominate the entire ...

Four years ago I had the pleasure of cruising on the Brahmaputra , one of the largest rivers in the world, charting a course from the glaciers of south western Tibet to the Bay of Bengal. Our 7 night cruise started from Jorhat.
To embark on the Sukapha we cross over ...

From the taj to tigers, Bhutan to backwaters - we have launched our new ‘India and the Subcontinent’ programme continuing throughout 2010 with particular focus on experiences that are ‘off the beaten track’ and opportunities to really get under the skin of this fascinating area. New options include tailor made ...

India expert Paul Taylor sings the praises of both sides of the subcontinent.
Cities & Towns
NORTH: The north claims the capital – buzzing, energetic Delhi. Zip around in an auto-rickshaw and see crumbling forts, bulbous mosques and Raj-era grandeur. Massive Maharangarh Fort dominates the vivid blue city of Jodhpur (pictured below), ...

Product Manager Kirsty Bennetts tells us of her birds eye view of Jaipur...
It was still dark, at 5 o’clock in the morning, as I was picked up from my hotel in Jaipur. As we headed out of the city into the Rajasthani countryside the excitement and anticipation rose. Around 20 ...

Operations Executive Daniel Mills enjoys a long weekend in Oman.
My love for the Middle East has substantially grown since my recent visit to Oman. Before arriving in the capital city of Muscat I had envisaged a rapidly expanding tourist destination similar to Dubai; to my surprise what I actually found ...

Dreaming of a trip to the Indian subcontinent? Then check out the latest discounts from Bales Worldwide and Oberoi Hotels and Resorts of up to 25% off. Three of the most popular itineraries have savings of as much as £1,600 per person throughout the high season October 2009 – April ...

India and Orient Sales Executive Steve Lidgey tells us of his recent Indian adventure with a journey on the luxurious Golden Chariot…
The motto of the Karnataka state tourist board is “One state, many worlds”. Indeed this definitely is the case with game drives in national parks, majestic temples and ruins, ...

June 24th is set to play host to the second largest festival in South America, the Inti Ryami – Festival of the Sun.
Hundreds of thousands of people converge on Cuzco for a week long celebration, marking the beginning of a new year. Every day has its events, from daytime expositions, ...

Paul Taylor, Orient and India sales executive tells us of his love for Gujarat...
My Gujarat
In 2001 a catastrophic earthquake rocked Gujarat. Six years on, the west coast state is back up and running – yet remains largely untouched by visitors. And that’s why I love it. Sitting on a pristine ...

This month sees the start of the annual Tiger census in Ranthambhor. Already fourteen tiger cubs have been spotted in the reserve in north India.
This month sees the start of the annual Tiger census in Ranthambhor. Already fourteen tiger cubs have been spotted in the reserve in north India. (BBC ...