Gay India - Temple tour with exotic beaches

Gay Tour of India - Temple Tour with Exotic Beaches

We at Out Journeys always come up with something new for our Gay and Lesbian guests from across the world. This time we are offering a Temple tour along with some exotic beaches in South India. As you know India is a country where there are people of many religions like Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Janis, Zoroastrians etc. We will take you to some of the amazingly beautiful places in South India where you will experience the architecture and spirituality. Some of most amazing beaches will also be covered in this tour. We know the requirements of our Gay and Lesbian friends so we create tour keeping in mind their privacy and we also put in some surprise LGBT elements in these tours. Out Journeys is popular brand among Gay and Lesbian travellers. We hosted the 1st Asian Symposium on LGBT Tourism in New Delhi. We are also IGLTA ambassadors to India and India’s first International Gay Travel Company.

Wonders of Ladakh

Ladakh Gay Tour

Ladakh, open to tourism only since 1974, is a land of high passes, bounded by the Karakoram and the mighty Himalayas. The Indus with its tributaries acts is the lifeline for Ladakh's scanty population.

Ladakh covers an area of 97,000 sq kms, and has an average elevation of 3,500 m. It is often called 'Little Tibet', because of its topographical and cultural similarities with neighbouring Tibet. In the early days, Ladakh played an important role being strategically placed at the crossroads of important trade routes to Central Asia. This now remains in the past, with China having sealed off the borders of Tibet and Central Asia. 

The rugged, arid Ladakh mountain-scape has been the subject of many a photographer and destination of world-class mountaineers. Its brackish lakes at high altitudes, picturesque peaks, charming mountain villages, expansive meadows, wildlife, monasteries, rich heritage, awesome physical features, and remoteness sets it apart from other favourite holiday hot-spot.

Ladakh provides great opportunities for adventure sports such as river rafting, trekking, mountaineering and mountain biking. Adventure tourism has contributed in a big way to Ladakh's economy.

Ladakhis are sweet natured, hard working and fun loving people marking every occasion with festivities. There are a number of Monastic festivals held through out the year, whose dates are decided according to the Tibetan calendar. During summer, most villages hold colourful archery festivals and contests, while most of the religious and scio-cultural events are held during the winter.

The Ladakhis are largely dependent on cattle. They comprise a predominantly Buddhist population with the only exceptions of Kargil and the Suru Valley which is inhabited by Shia Muslims and share cultural similarities with Baltistan, now in Pakistan.

The main languages spoken are Ladakhi, Purik, Tibetan and English. Being in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, it is generally dry, with hot and dry temperatures during summers, and cold and dry during winters. Its winter season is long with temperatures dropping to minus zero, and summer, warm with cool nights. Temperatures of -60 have been recorded in Drass.

The best time to visit Ladakh is between May and October.

Goa and the Western Coast

Bombay - Aurangabad - Goa - Badami - Hospet - Dandeli

If the call of the sea beckons, come down to Goa, where you can spend your days lazying on a sunny beach and pass the nights away in celebration and revelry till the sun comes up again. The three days in Goa, you are free to roam about on your own and explore this charming place just like you'd want to.

Lesser Known Gems of Kerala

Bombay - Vythiri - Cochin - Alleppey - Murinjapuza - Marari

Your first night in India will be in the lively city of Bombay. After an overnight stay, you're introduced to the diverse heritage of this city throbbing with life. It has much to offer you, be it the beaches, the bustling markets or the diverse mix of people around. Once having experienced this multicultural city, you fly to the coastal down of Calicut and after a picturesque drive, arrive at Vythiri.

Highlights of North India

Delhi - Lucknow - Varanasi - Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho - Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Bombay

You now move to the mighty Indian deserts, your first stop being the pink city, Jaipur. Here you can explore the vibrant markets, forts etc. Your next stop, Udaipur is also famed for its palaces and havelis bringing a nostalgic ring to the trip. After that you journey to Bombay, the coastal metropolitan full of life and a great deal of hubbub and is also the epicenter of gay life in India. Sprouting with life, this city has much to offer its tourists be it beaches, architectural feasts or monuments. The last stop of the trip, it is sure to be a perfect end to a completely Indian experience.

Classic South India

Chennai - Mysore - Coonoor - Cochin - Kumarakom - Periyar - Madurai - Tanjore - Pondicherry - Chennai

An exhilarating and unique ride on the Toy Train takes you through the natural beauty of the Nilgiri 'blue mountains from Ooty to Coonoor. There's more of nature's bounty amidst the scenic beauty of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary that slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake, with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries that weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web around the countryside. Cruise the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages. Pause at Western Ghats, and watch elephants, samber, tigers, gaur, lion tailed macaque and Nilgiri langurs. You can watch them frolic at the edge of the lake from the safety boat. It would not be far from the truth to assert that vast diversity that is South India cannot be encapsulated in one itinerary.

Golden Triangle with Varanasi

Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi 7 nights 8 days

Classic Rajasthan

Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Osian - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Deogarh - Samode - Agra - Delhi

Starting from Delhi, the capital of modern India, this itinerary takes you across the state, bringing alive the vibrant colors of the desert state. Visit Osiyan on the sand dunes and the great kingdoms of the Rajputana- Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur, and Jaipur where even so many years after democracy handed power to the people, the old ways live on. In most places, erstwhile rulers are still addressed as 'father', 'protector, 'provider of the food', and command both respect and loyalty and though the pomp of ceremony many not compare with what it was in the old days, just a glimpse of the shadow of a royal lifestyle can be a fascinating and memorable experience.

Ayurveda and Yoga Tour

South India Yoga and Ayurveda Tour (33 Nights and 34 days)

In India Kerala, Goa and the Himalayan region are very attractive destinations which attracts many travelers to spend a few days relaxing in the Ayurveda and Yoga centers Meditating and Rejuvenating themselves.

Indian Heritage

Best of Heritage sites in India

The ancient land of India portrays a landscape of vibrant cultural heritage and spiritual mysticism. This particular section invites you to lose yourself in a journey through the fascinating lanes of the country, which reflect its numerous national traits, such as art, national identity elements, cultural extravaganza, and so on. Living up to its name, this section houses information on all the elements that go on to shape this splendid nation called India, and is an enlightenment zone for anyone who wants to know all about this spiritual country.

Upto the Himalayas (SUV 4x4)

Delhi - Leh - Delhi Expedition in a 4x4 SUV (2012)

There are many ways to reach Ladakh. Some brave souls do it by motorcycle. There are even more noble spirits, who manage it by cycling. I cannot say much about these, apart from that it will provide excellent opportunity for photography, whatever may be the hardships.

Chasing the Tiger

Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra - Bandhavgarh - Calcutta - Sunderban - Calcutta - Delhi

Criss-crossing across the breadth of North, Central and Eastern India; this tour will bring the mystery and glory of the Royal Bengal Tiger alive for you. Starting from the nation's capital Delhi where you will see the experience centuries old culture, svour delightful cuisine and experience a happening gay nightlife scene the tour will take you to Ranthambore where it is a near certainity to spot not one but a few tigers in their natural habitat. Bandhavgarh will be your next tiger haven where Rudyard Kipling wrote his famous Jungle Book - watch the magic come alive in these famous jungles. Having experienced the majestic beauty of Taj Mahal and the palaces of Jaipur in between, we will take you over to the culturally rich metropolis of Kolkata - The Bengali cuisine is something you will not want to miss out on. Our final stop in this tour will be at the Sunderbans - the giant mangrove forests where the tiger is almost mythical. The Tigers at the Sunderbans swim like a fish and have a aura around them. This will surely be an experience that you will not like to miss. Experience the land where the Tigers now feel the safest with a small group of like minded people.

The South African Safari

Gay South African Tour for our LGBT friends

We welcome you with open arms and hearts and the warmest, widest of smiles, excited to invite you to our shores, homes and braais. 

Australia - Gay Travel Down Under

International Gay Tour

Visit Australia once - and you're sure to come back to this land of friendly people and natural beauty Australia is one of the great treasures of the Earth -- immense, primordial, fascinating. With just under 20 million inhabitants, the place has a truly virgin feel to it, unspoiled and unmarred by humans, like the world before we were here.

Wellness and Spirituality

Delhi - Rishikesh - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Agra - Delhi

India is the land which gave birth to Yoga, Ayurveda and many believe; spirituality itself! What better way to rediscover yourself in the company of other likeminded gay men than to explore the heart of India’s spirituality and historic healing traditions of yoga and ayurveda. This is a journey which guarantees to bring about a change in the way you have lived your life thus far, it will raise many questions but will provide you answers to most questions that you may have lived with. Start with a overnight stay in Delhi to soothe the tired body after the long flight, move on to the sacred towns of Haridwar and Rishikesh where the times seems to have stood still for thousands of years. Further on, live in opulence and luxury at the award winning wellness spa “Ananda In The Himalayas”. Rejuvenate your body and soul through the many therapies, massages and yoga sessions facilitated by our experts. Visit the legendary Taj Mahal at Agra and experience romance in the stone. The next stop is Varanasi where you will spend time a spiritual guru, experience the magnificent religious ceremonies and see the law of karma coming alive right in front of you. The majestic temples of Khajuraho with their erotic sculptures make for the perfect end to your tour across this magical land. Truly, a journey that you will never forget.

Heritage Himachal and The Golden Temple

Delhi - Shimla - Palampur - Paragpur - Dharamshala - Amritsar

A round of golf would be just the thing to do after a day of sightseeing in Shimla. Blow off all your extra steam from work by teeing off on the lush golf course of Naldhera. The next day you drive to another fascinating hill station; the beautiful town of Palampur. This lush town with numerous streams running all around is a perfect combination of greenery, mountains and water streams. To soothe the senses you get a whole day to relax here. A visit to Andretta a lovely village known mostly for the art gallery there, would be ideal. Located below a thickly wooded hill it is the perfect artists escape. From Palampur take a scenic drive to Paragpur, exploring the heritage village there. The way from Paragpur to Dharamshala is yet another experience worth cherishing. Sights of the Kangra valley are breathtakingly beautiful.

In the footsteps of Buddha

Delhi - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Patna - Kushinagar - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Sravasti - Agra - Delhi

The Himalayan Sojourn

Delhi - Corbett - Nainital - Ranikhet - Almora - Ramgarh

Jeeps and elephant safaris take your around this beautiful enclosure before you depart for the cool hills of Nainital. Once in the beautiful little town you have much time to enjoy walks along the mall and the serenity that surrounds Lake Naini. A short drive away from here lie the beautiful meadows of Ranikhet offering a treat to the eyes with views of the mighty Himalayas.

Indian Maharaja

Delhi * Agra * Jaipur * Sawai Madhopur * Udaipur* Aurangabad * Mumbai

The Indian Maharaja – one of the world's great trains This incredible train really is one of the world's great travel experiences with 21 coaches of sheer luxury; it carries just 96 guests from Delhi to Mumbai. On boarding you will go straight to the beautifully styled passenger coaches each of which has just four deluxe twin or double cabins with private bathroom. With fine bed linen and tasteful wood panelling you will already be immersed in the atmosphere of a bygone age and for the ultimate in attentive service each carriage even has its own butler. Within the train's royal blue carriages there are two beautifully appointed wood-panelled restaurant cars serving superb mouth-watering international and Indian cuisine created by Taj Hotels, one of the most prestigious hotel groups in the world. This, plus crisp table linen, fine china and superb service ensures dining on the Indian Maharaja compliments your travel experience admirably.

Colours of India and Happiness of Bhutan

India-Bhutan Tour

This is a tour combining two majestic countries, India and Bhutan. Bhutan- The land of the thunder dragon kingdom is a trekker’s paradise and an environmentalist’s dream. With 72 percent of the country under forest cover, Bhutan’s pristine ecology is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. This spiritual land is the last bastion of the Vajrayana school of Mahayana Buddhism which provides the essence of a unique identity for the 750,000 people. Bhutan is a unique blend of the old and new. Here is a country that is slowly opening up to the modern world in a fine balance with its ancient traditions. Those fortunate enough to visit Bhutan describe it as a unique, deeply spiritual and mystical experience. This kingdom is an adventure like no other. India- Bounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges in the north and edged by an endless stretch of golden beaches, India is a vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, magnificent historical sites and royal cities, misty mountain retreats, colorful people, rich cultures and festivities. Modern India is home alike to the tribal with his anachronistic lifestyle and to the sophisticated urban jet-setter. It is a land where temple elephants exist amicably with the microchip. Its ancient monuments are the backdrop for the world’s largest democracy.