India and Indian Ocean Adventure Travel & Expeditions
A feast for the senses, India and its namesake ocean present a cornucopia of adventure travel opportunities. By land or by sea, the attractions are many and the experiences vast in their scope. Perhaps your India adventure tour will encompass the rich cultures of vibrant cities and remote villages: think Mumbai’s bustling bazaars; the seaside fortress of Galle in Sri Lanka; private boat excursions along Kerala backwaters in Kochi, the “Venice of the East”; or the splendid sights of Old and New Delhi. For those who seek a true India expedition, head inland in search of wildlife; typically, these adventure tours encounter more than 200 bird species and over 20 species of mammal. Visit Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Kaziranga National Parks and meet Asian elephants, one-horned rhinos, wild water buffalo and, if you’re very fortunate, the increasingly elusive Bengal tiger. Or soak in the sugar-sand beaches, underwater riches, and endemic flora and fauna on an Indian Ocean expedition—from world-class snorkeling in the Maldives and the Seychelles and lemurs and baobab trees in Madagascar to spice-infused Zanzibar and wildlife-rich Mozambique.
Comprehensive India eco travel requires flexible modes of transportation—and with Zegrahm, you’ll have your choice of travel style: the luxurious 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey for cruising along the coastline and dropping in on smaller ports of call, or 4x4 vehicles and elephant-back treks in the wilds of the sub-continent. It’s this in-depth nature of adventure travel that allows us to introduce you to endemic swamp deer in Kanha or Kandy’s Buddhist Temple of the Tooth in the highlands. A dedicated team of leaders and lecturers—from anthropologists to photography experts to geography professors—will accompany you, recapping each day and leading you further into the culture, history, and intrigue of India.
The itineraries we offer vary from year to year; below please find our upcoming India adventure travel expeditions.
Expeditions to India and Indian Ocean
Back to India: Wild Western India with Mark Brazil
Join wildlife expert Mark Brazil on this inaugural Western India expedition to discover the treasures of this intriguing region. Prolific wildlife is revealed as you visit several national parks and reserves—including a Gir National Park tour and visits to Velavadar and Little Rann of Kutch. Through a variety of landscapes, from wetlands to desert, we seek unique species such as Asiatic lions, Indian wolves, and the elusive khur, a rare wild horse.
Upcoming Departures
Bay of Bengal & the Andaman Sea: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore
Our Bay of Bengal expedition is perfect for history buffs, nature enthusiasts, birders, snorkelers, and photographers alike. After touring the bustling city of Chennai, set sail for the Andaman Islands for two days of exploration above and below the warm waters. In Myanmar, visit ancient Bagan, home to over 2,000 pagodas and temples, and Yangon, to see the Shwedagon Pagoda. Snorkel in the Mergui Archipelago and discover idyllic islands off the coast of Thailand.
Upcoming Departures
Classic Seychelles with the Comoros & Zanzibar
Enjoy eight full days of Seychelles adventure travel followed by a visit to the fascinating Comoros and Zanzibar. This Seychelles expedition has it all—from spectacular snorkeling and diving, including two days at magical Aldabra Atoll—to beautiful beaches and endemic flora and fauna, such as the giant Indian Ocean tortoise. Our exploration of the rugged, volcanic Comoros Islands includes spotting brown lemurs and endemic bird life, and experiencing a delightful blend of cultures.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
India & the Maldives with Sri Lanka & Lakshadweeps
A potpourri of natural and cultural highlights, our new Southern India and Maldives adventure travel expedition features sublime scenery, time-honored traditions, and dazzling undersea wonders. Aboard the 110-passsenger Clipper Odyssey, we embark from Chennai, en route to Sri Lanka, where our Southern India tour includes three World Heritage Sites. We search for wild elephants on a 4x4 safari at Minneriya Eco Park and seek the 400 bird species found here. In Kochi, our Southern India expedition includes a houseboat tour, lending insight into traditional daily life.
Upcoming Departures
Madagascar: The Eighth Continent
A must for nature-lovers, Madagascar adventure travel is ripe with botanicals, birds, and land animals, including the island’s icon—lemurs. The island’s isolation and size (it’s the world’s fourth-largest island) has made for striking biodiversity: 90 percent of all forest flora is endemic and more than half of the 250-plus bird species are found nowhere else.
Upcoming Departures
- October 1, 2012 - October 18, 2012
- September 2013 (Exact dates TBD)
Southern India by Sea with Sri Lanka
Our India expedition explores the melting pot of language, architecture, and religion that define Southern India and Sri Lanka. We navigate the region aboard the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey, from the bustling streets of Mumbai to the serene fishing villages of the south. Our India tour takes us to the World Heritage Site of Elephanta Island; to Kochi, the “Venice of the East”; and to rubber processing plants in Trivandrum.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Splendors of India with Sri Lanka
From the high Himalayas to lush rain forests and far-reaching deserts, to the World Heritage Sites and Buddhist temples of Sri Lanka, this India expedition highlights the vast geographical and cultural riches of the region. We explore by sea aboard the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey, taking us from the peaceful villages of the south to the cacophony of Mumbai. Our Sri Lanka tour includes stops at the fortress of Galle, the Temple of the Tooth and the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Splendors of India with Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Our India expedition takes us from Mumbai’s bustling streets to the charming former Portuguese trading center of Goa and the emerald landscapes of Mangalore. A two-day tour of Cochin reveals a mélange of international influences; we board local houseboats for a cruise through Cochin’s backwaters. In Trivandrum, cultural travel opportunities include a visit to the village of Pongumoode and a traditional martial arts demonstration. Our India tour continues to Sri Lanka, where we discover the Temple of the Tooth and the port of Galle—both World Heritage Sites.
Upcoming Departures
Ultimate Seychelles with Aldabra Atoll
Zegrahm’s Seychelles expedition takes you all the way from the stunning granitic islands of the north to the remote and rarely visited coral atolls of the south. Our comprehensive Seychelles adventure travel tour to this untouched Eden, led by expert guides, offers spectacular snorkeling and diving, including a two-day Aldabra Atoll tour; beautiful white-sand beaches; and endemic flora and fauna, with rare Seychelles paradise flycatchers, coco-de-mer palms, flying foxes, and giant Indian Ocean tortoises.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Wild India
With more than 5,000 years of human history to its name, India is the perfect setting for adventure travel on a grand scale. Our 19-day India and Delhi tour reveals the dramatic landscapes, varied wildlife, and rich culture of the region, from 1,000-year-old Hindu temples to the increasingly rare Bengal tiger. An in-depth Delhi tour, including sights of both Old and New Delhi, kicks off our India expedition.