An inquiry and the successive communication is worth sharing to highlight one of the many things Ashoka Holidays is not capable of doing. Here we admit, 

enquiry:
...We also recently watched a documentary on Dharavi and found it very interesting and eye opening that tours are available (http://www.realitytoursandtravel.com/slumtours.html).Clearly we won’t be in Mumbai to be able to visit this area but is there somewhere else in India where we may be able to do something similar?

our response:
"Very honestly Ashoka Holidays do not operate such tours. Putting it in perspective of for or against, we are more towards the latter.Putting very briefly reasons we feel:
  • Do what we are good at and can do with comfort and pride.
  • Poverty Tourism/ Slum Tourism/Grief tourism/Death Tourism et al – are few things not our cup of tea (so why offer our guests one that we do not make good :))
  • Suchlike tours a little towards contemporary reality-tv-shows that run on talent, ads and emotions which contribute in more-or-less the same proportion.

Yes, there is a very thin line of intention and objective that makes the purpose, but problem is the line is too thin, or say the rope is too tight to walk and maintain a balance. If reality tours and travels are maintaining that balance, hats off. Best thing, they do not allow photography. One bad, one of the owners initiated with a ‘market and scope’ of such offerings. Good, they say 80% profit to go to the NGO that ‘Gives’. Ashoka holidays still has to check their tour execution from the perspective of ‘slum dwellers life’ and ‘image india’ before we suggest them to anyone.

Our advice 
  • Get in direct touch with any organization that is into the real ground level work and do not offer voluntourism packages. And join them as a volunteer/member/student/a mute spectator. And keep tourism and tour-operators (including us) out of it.

Yes, there are small slums in and around many cities in India but they are too small compared to this Russia-sized Dharavi. However, no one in our suggestion as of now.Check these two organization/projects (not slum based though) which, this writer, has been and seen and certainly not from a business point
http://www.tarunbharatsangh.org – for natural resource conservation – get in touch and learn simple yet sustainable technologies of conservation. Based in Alwar, Rajasthan
http://shishyasociety.org/dyc.html - see this new side of India with motto of ‘youth empowerment’ and which too is very real and inspiring. Based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

No Ashoka Holidays is not a dull fellow. More on it later. As of now check www.ashokaholidays.com
http://issuu.com/ashokaholidays/docs/wedding-tour-india-ashokaholidays
http://issuu.com/ashokaholidays/docs/gourmet-tour-in-india or http://www.ashokaholidays.com/gourmet-tour-in-india.html
and much more!
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Ranthambore – An adventurous stay in a jungle

This year had been an exciting year, not only I got to see two National parks in distinct  parts of India, (Read:Bandipur) but also in two discrete terrains with different adventure altogether.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India along with Federation of Associations of India Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) is organising the first India Tourism Mart (ITM) – 2018 from September 16 – 18, 2018.

When I first thought of writing on the subject – Offbeat Destinations in India, I had somewhat structured my blog in my mind - picking one place from every corner of incredible India that I have visited, writing about it; Keeping it simple without making it too lengthy.

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean. It's diverse landscapes range from rain forest and arid plains to highlands and sandy beaches. It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes.

Luxury Holiday in Rajasthan

Rajasthan was earlier called Rajputana meaning the country of the Rajputs. Later after India gained independence in 1947 all its princely states integrated into India one after the other and the state was names as Rajasthan which means the Abode of the Rajas (Kings).

Buddhist Sector Tour in India

ABOUT BUDDHISM IN INDIA  

Indian subcontinent is the place where Buddhism originated and later became a major world religion.

Jaipur Literature Festival 2015

An outsider who has never been part of the Jaipur Literature Festival wonders what goes on for five days in the Diggi Palace, a 16th century palace part of which has been turned into heritage hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

There is something so mystical and exciting about being in a forest that for many of us, a visit to the wilderness ranks as one of our best holiday experiences. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that we are in a land where the rules are different, where a day is marked with sunrise and sunset.

Indulge this festive season with our special Durga Puja holiday packages in various holiday destinations in India. October being the best time of the year to visit Rajasthan when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, Rajasthan tour then is a great idea.

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A short trip to Amritsar, Dalhousie and Dharamshala (6 Nights and 7 days)

Dharamshala Tour:

Whether it's the incessant spinning of Buddhist prayer wheels, the splendour of the surrounding mountains, or simply the divine presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (who holds public lectures few times i

Best Gangtok itinerary

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is by far the most sought after holiday destinations in India. It is one of the hottest selling North East India Tours. A lot of Indians as well as foreigners seek holiday in this beautiful valley of Gangtok.

India today has established itself as round the year destination – a destination for all seasons and for all reasons.

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Jaisalmer Desert Festival, 2014

Rising out of a vast, barren desert, Jaisalmer—the "Golden City"—is sheer magic.

Is India prepared to welcome disable tourist from other countries in its land? Does India have the infrastructure to accommodate disabled tourists (e.g.

LUXURY TRAINS TOURS IN INDIA:

Redefining Tourism ----------------------------------------------

Luxury tours to India are one of the most sought after travel segment. India has emerged as a fast-growing luxury destination on the world map from the past few years.

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Wedding shopping in India

A cliché goes, “A person who thought happiness cannot be bought…didn't know the right place to shop.”

As a shopping destination the USP of India is that, here you will find good value for money and the variety available would never cease to surprise you.

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Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Rajasthan

Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31st, the world holds its breath and cheers, people all around hold special events, entertaining activities and grand celebrations to welcome the New Year.

Honeymoon in Rajasthan

India is an astonishing country with a mixture of cultures that seem to balance both ancient and modern. Spend your honeymoon touring the ancient monuments of Rajasthan, travel the mesmerising Backwater region of Kerala and take a camel ride through the deserts of Jaisalmer.

Summers in India is usually seen as a dull season for tourists, with most tourist destinations in India  offering little to the outside world, hotels lowering down the tariffs, and guides almost jobless.

Whether to travel independent or take packaged tours?

While there used to be a very distinctive difference between those that booked package holidays and those that traveled independently, travel agencies have successfully broadened their horizons in recent years, blurring the line immeasurably.

Pushkar is the only place in the world where one can have the glimpses of Brahma temple. Pushkar becomes particularly alive during the annual Camel Fair in which hundreds of camel dealers from throughout Rajasthan ascend upon this small community to deal their trade.

The Essence of India brings to you the quintessence of the country having rich culture through the journey covering the diverse tourist destinations. Ashoka Holidays brings to you some excellent and best value travel tour packages to India.

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26th March 2013 - Polo Club Ground, Jaipur

The Elephant Festival is held every year at the Pink City of Jaipur or better known to people as the capital city of the colorful state of Rajasthan.

At a distance of 11 km from Jaipur, on the mighty Aravalli's stands the sprawling Amber fort palace. 

Raja Man Singh started its construction in late 16th century but a few additions were made by subsequent rulers later.

Delhi City Tour.......  Taj Mahal Experience.....  Massive fort of Gwalior.....  Elephant Ride at Amber Fort... and on top of that 4 Cricket Matches...!!   Sounds like a lot of fun....

KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL 2013

Dates : 20 - 26 February 2013

Venue : Near western group of temples

Khajuraho Dance Festival takes place at the open-air auditorium in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to the Sun God and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

PUSHKAR FAIR, INDIA

20th – 28th November 2012

Pushkar camel fair is a grand display of Rajasthan's cultural and social spirit - spellbounding folk music and dances, camel races, tug-of-war, camel beauty contests and all.

"Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".

- Mark Twain

Every morning the sunlight bring just one
change in this 3000 year old city… that is the change in date…  and nothing else..

Golden Triangle Tour in India comprises of the three most touristic cities of the country located in the north western area – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. These cities are well connected by road and rail links. On the map, these form a roughly equilateral triangle, some 200-250km along each side.

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Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bundi, etc etc. you would find in almost all the guidebooks on the state of Rajasthan. What you won’t find very easily is this small village called Abhaneri which has something so unique and beautiful to offer.

Delivered in the past, delivering at present and a promise to deliver the same experience in the future...

Yes, we promise to deliver to all our guests an Incredible India experience every time they travel in India with us.

Below are some pictures of Mr.

Green Triangle Tour, India

A Tour that takes you to Kaziranga National Park- to see the one horned Rhinoceros, Guwahati the Gateway City to North-East of India and to Shillong, home of the Khasi Highland tribe, also known as the Scotland of the east.

Many of you would have experienced a stay in a Luxurious Five Star Hotel in India or a Heritage property but what about a Farm House stay and that too in one of the most prominent tourist city of Jaipur.

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  • Ranthambore – An adventurous stay in a jungle This year had been an exciting year, not only I got to see two National parks in disti...
  • Delhi : The country’s biggest travel show, TTF&OTM, was inaugurated today, 24 Feb 2011, at the Ashok Hotel, by Shri Sultan Ahmed, Hon’b...
  • For The Gourmets Wishing To Dig Into India “Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as...
  • Jaipur's Pride - Amber Fort At a distance of 11 km from Jaipur , on the mighty Aravalli's stands the sprawling Amber fort pal...
  • A prized moment of association came for us when Mr. C P krishnan Nair, Chairman of The Leela Palaces, Hotels a  nd Resorts recieved the hono...
  • Wedding shopping in India A cliché goes, “A person who thought happiness cannot be bought…didn't know the right place to shop.” ...
  • Is India prepared to welcome disable tourist from other countries in its land? Does India have the infrastructure to accommodate disabled ...
  • Best Gangtok itinerary Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is by far the most sought after  holiday destinations in India . It is one of the...
  • Rajasthan is the best-selling state of India when it comes to inbound tourist market. A dyed-in-the-wool tourist destination in the wor...
  • PUSHKAR FAIR, INDIA 20th – 28th November 2012 Pushkar camel fair is a grand display of Rajasthan's cultural and socia...
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