Indian Subcontinent

Charaidew II on the Bhramaputra River, India

A family of elephants, Kaziranga National Park

Cruise the stunning Kerala Backwaters in comfort

Sailing towards the lovely Waagali | Deb Wilkinson

Villagers fishing in the backwaters near Kerala | Richard I'Anson

One-horned Rhino, Kaziranga National park

Majuli Island, where life remains remarkably unchanged

Felidhe Atoll The Maldives | Deb Wilkinson

Tea is a major commodity in Assam

Charaidew II on the Bhramaputra River, India

Cruise the stunning Kerala Backwaters in comfort

A family of elephants, Kaziranga National Park

Sailing towards the lovely Waagali | Deb Wilkinson

Villagers fishing in the backwaters near Kerala | Richard I'Anson

One-horned Rhino, Kaziranga National park

Majuli Island, where life remains remarkably unchanged

Felidhe Atoll The Maldives | Deb Wilkinson

Tea is a major commodity in Assam

Charaidew II on the Bhramaputra River, India

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More about Indian Subcontinent

Things to do in Indian Subcontinent
Indian Subcontinent highlights
Why travel with us
Responsible travel
Accommodation
Leaders in the field
Custom made itineraries
Related articles
Trip reviews
Videos

Indian Subcontinent destinations

Why travel with us

Leaders in Responsible Travel

World Expeditions is committed to responsible travel and true sustainability. Over decades we’ve honed our responsible travel philosophy and the initiatives we have in place on the subcontinent and beyond to ensure we minimise our impact and leave behind positive impressions. When you book one of our adventures you’re supporting a program that is committed to safety and sustainability.

World Firsts

We proudly pioneered the first ever cycling and camel trek adventures in India (1978), as well as a sailing trip down the Ganges River. We’ve developed trails that had never before been used commercially, including a traverse from Kashmir to Ladakh through Zanskar (1983), and we were also one of the first companies to offer cycling adventures around Sri Lanka.

Innovative Active Itineraries

Our range of adventures reflects the diversity of the Indian subcontinent, its contrasting landscapes, artistic treasures and the vibrant cultures of its people. From exploring the romantic palaces and temples of the Golden Triangle to trekking the hidden valleys of Ladakh, from boarding a traditional Dhoni and sailing around the atolls of the Maldives to cycling along the Sri Lankan coast—be inspired by our diverse range of Indian subcontinent adventures.

Great Value, Highly Inclusive

Quality services at the best prices make our adventures great value for money. Our trip costs cover valuable inclusions like local crew who’ll go the extra yard to enhance your experience, all meals while trekking or sailing, private transport and drivers on touring journeys, porters who’ll transport your luggage, park entry fees and internal flights, enabling you to budget for your adventure well in advance. We hand pick well-located, character filled hotels so you can get the most out of your experience.

Create Your Own Adventure

With World Expeditions, your adventure can take any form you desire. We love to use our 40 years of experience arranging adventures on the subcontinent to create outstanding custom itineraries just for you. Whether it’s for individuals, couples, families or special interest groups, we know the region and can help you get the most out of your experience.

Accommodation

Hotels

In cities and larger towns across the Indian subcontinent, you stay in carefully selected 3 to 4 star properties chosen for their comfort, character and consistent reliability.

Hotels are typically centrally located or well positioned for easy access to major sights and cultural highlights, allowing you to explore with ease. Each property is selected based on a strong track record of traveller satisfaction and dependable service standards over many years.

Lodges

In national parks across the Indian subcontinent, accommodation is often in wildlife lodges located within or close to the park boundaries.

While not luxury properties, these lodges provide comfortable rooms and welcoming common areas that are clean and well maintained. Their location allows you to maximise time in the park, with early starts and close access to wildlife viewing areas.

Each lodge is chosen for its practicality, atmosphere and suitability for exploring the surrounding natural environment.

House Boats

In parts of the Indian subcontinent, you may stay aboard traditional carved timber houseboats moored along tranquil lakes or waterways, often framed by mountain or rural scenery. Cabins are twin share with private bathrooms, and a communal lounge and dining area offers a relaxed space to unwind on the water.

In Kerala, a local houseboat provides a memorable way to cruise the backwaters near Cochin. While more modest in style, cabins are twin share with attached bathrooms, allowing you to experience life along the waterways at an unhurried pace.

Dhoni

In the Maldives, you travel aboard a traditional dhoni, a motorised sailing vessel adapted for small group cruising.

We operate several types of dhoni depending on group size and season, typically hosting around 10 travellers per departure. Cabins are twin share, with shared bathroom facilities, along with a galley and open sun deck for relaxing between island visits.

Travelling by dhoni allows you to move easily between atolls, anchoring close to reefs and remote islands while enjoying a relaxed, on board atmosphere.

Camping

While trekking in the Indian subcontinent, you enjoy fully supported camping in scenic wilderness settings.

Quality two person tents with good ventilation are erected for you each day, along with a dedicated dining tent where your crew prepares freshly cooked meals. All camp logistics are managed on your behalf, allowing you to relax and recover at the end of each day on the trail.

Camps also include a private toilet tent with a sit toilet. Operations are designed to minimise environmental impact, with all waste removed and careful practices followed throughout. Your experienced local crew is always on hand to ensure a comfortable and well organised camping experience.

These treks feature in our Classic Adventures range.

Leaders in the field

Wangchuk Samshu

Since 1985 Wangchuk has managed our operations in India and has a real knack for developing programs centred on discovery of the regions using active travel as the vehicle. This philosophy is reflected in our trekking, cycling and camel riding holidays in northern India. Wangchuk, who himself lives and breathes adventure, ensures that our itineraries are at the cutting edge of tourism development.

Greg Lee

There’s nothing Greg enjoys more than setting out in search of adventure. This passion shines through in the breadth of unique adventures reflected in the fantastic line-up of trips on offer. Greg is drawn to the beauty of the region's scenery, fascinating history, varied cultures and most of all, its people.

Dr Ross Anderson

Dr Anderson lives with his wife in a small town near the Lakes District in the north of England. He is a family doctor and spends much of his spare time travelling as an expedition doctor. He has more than 10 years of altitude and travel medicine experience. Previous treks and expeditions have focused on the Himalayas, with others in the Scandinavian Arctic and mountainous areas of Africa. He also enjoys trail running, cycling and open-water swimming.