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Insider's Choice: India by Ship

by Scott Fitzsimmons, October 2006

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Even though I've traveled to India recently, I am not what you might call an insider—I suppose you could call me more of an India admirer. Admittedly, it would take several years of exploring this vast subcontinent, and living among its interesting people, to only hope to qualify for insider status. After all, it was the great Mark Twain who wrote:

India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, grandmother of legend, and great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.

Lofty prose from a famous author who was not an India insider either, but an India admirer who brought world attention to this fascinating country.

What I simply advocate, from my humble admirer perspective, are the many delights and benefits derived from visiting India by small ship. Getting your arms around India is difficult because the statistics are staggering: India is the world's seventh largest country in geographical area; has 4,720 miles of coastline; boasts 28 distinctive states; and contains the world's second largest population (after China) at 1.1 billion. Remarkably, India has a middle class population that numbers about 300 million—larger than the entire U.S. population. Add to that the multitude of diverse cultures, landscapes, architectural masterpieces and historical monuments, countless villages, colorful markets, and, of course, the spiritual centers of a country that has no fewer than seven major religions. How do you even begin to explore and understand such a mesmerizing place?

Traveling by expedition ship, with 75 fellow travelers in Zegrahm style, can be an excellent way to disentangle the complexity and enormity that is India. It certainly is a convenient and comfortable way to cover a long distance: unpacking and packing only once, avoiding lengthy and arduous cross-country treks, and eliminating the down-time spent in multiple airports. Aboard a ship like Le Levant, you are able to return from each day's shore activities to an oasis of tasteful comfort and fine dining, while the ship moves to the next intriguing port during the night. Sailing along the coast, you experience a sense of voyaging as the adventure unfolds before you, linking the landscapes and cultures together. The best sites—in India's west, south, and east—are reachable from most ports, and whenever they are situated a bit farther inland, we take excursions overland, with travelers more refreshed and energetic than if they were on a full land program.

Another major benefit of investigating India by expedition ship is the educational aspect. An accompanying team of lecturers provides insightful presentations and interpretations, preparing you for each stage of the adventure and bringing a sense of cohesion to the learning process. With this knowledge you can fully appreciate the sights, sounds, and intricacies of India—those intangible qualities that help make the subcontinent one of the most intoxicating travel experiences available today.