LUXURY

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[ OVERVIEW ]

Balancing the historic grandeur of the Maharajas with the simplicity of wellness ashrams, each stay is crafted with quiet precision. From desert sundowners to Himalayan picnics, every detail is designed for ease and restorative comfort.

In experiential travel, exclusivity is not excess but space, privacy, and access—paired with thoughtful design and a strong sense of place. It is the feeling of being fully immersed in a destination while everything flows seamlessly around you.

In expedition journeys, this takes shape through small groups, personalised itineraries, expert guidance, and distinctive lodges or camps. Ultimately, it is about time, access, and authenticity—travel that feels effortless, even in the world’s most remote places.

PALACES AND PALANQUINS

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A journey through palaces and palanquins evokes the timeless romance of India’s royal past—where ornate architecture, regal traditions, and ceremonial modes of travel come together in a seamless tapestry of heritage.

Staying in grand palaces once home to Maharajas offers a glimpse into a world of intricate craftsmanship, courtyards, and storied halls, while the experience of travelling by palanquin recalls a slower, more graceful era of movement and ceremony.

Together, they create an immersive passage through history—where every detail reflects elegance, legacy, and the enduring spirit of royal India.

  • It moved silently but surely, through quiet, banks, trees and bushes, hoping to be inconspicuous. At the edge of the forest clearing, or near a fruiting tree, sat the most delightful Hornbill. Dressed in subdued colors, walking slowly, the bird watchers captured some amazing sights.

    The Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary near Agra boasts of being one of the finest heronries in the world with rich aquatic plant and animal life in the freshwater shallow marsh along with its resident and migratory birds. It is nominated by the United Nations as a World Heritage site.

    IBEX uses trained ornithologists to guide you in spotting brilliant and unusual species in North India in the Himalayas, Rajasthan, and in the lakes and reservoirs in Karnataka in South India or even Orissa on the East coast of India.

    Birding tours are tailor-made upon request and both geographical locations and time can be fitted to individual requirements. Naturally, nearby cities and cultural sights are woven in.

    Salim Ali’s books have a wealth of knowledge of areas and species and work as a wonderful guide. ‘Indian Hill Birds’, by Salim Ali, `Birds of India’ by Martin Woodcock and `Birds of India’ by Bikram Grewal are worth consulting and using as pocket guides.

    We are Members of the most respected ornithology club of India – Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

SPA - BREATH AND ESSENCE

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Breath and Essence is envisioned as a sanctuary of stillness and renewal, where wellbeing is guided by simplicity, balance, and a deep connection to place. Treatments are designed to restore harmony through mindful therapies, natural elements, and time-honoured healing traditions.

Rooted in the philosophy of slowing down, the experience focuses on breath, presence, and gentle restoration—allowing the body and mind to unwind fully. Natural oils, subtle aromas, and calming spaces come together to create an atmosphere of quiet clarity.

More than a spa, it is a space to reset—where wellness is not rushed, but experienced as a gradual return to equilibrium and ease.

  • Journey through tropical Kerala at a relaxed pace, visiting plantations, sandy beaches, rice fields, spice plantations, verdant hills and palm fringed beaches. The historic port city of Cochin and the tranquil backwaters, a maze of canals and waterways provide the right balmy atmosphere. Accommodation is in small enchanting places that have been especially chosen based on their character and service. CGH Earth, Malabar House, Farm home stays are just a few.

    Ayurveda- a traditional spa treatment

    Ayurveda is an intricate, holistic system of medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago. In Sanskrit, Ayu means life, and Veda in a simplified sense, means “knowledge”. Thus, to know about life is Ayurveda.

    Experience the deep healing within the universe’s five basic elements that are in you: earth, air, fire, water, and ether or simply rejuvenate your body and spirit through this special Ibex journey and return home feeling healthier than before.

    Ibex invites you on a journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation, where the focus is on restoring health, vitality, and a renewed sense of well-being. Our spa experiences are rooted in the principle of creating harmony through wellness, fitness, and relaxation therapies.

    Inspired by their natural surroundings, these spaces draw on the healing presence of nature to cultivate a calm, restorative atmosphere — one that gently elevates the senses and encourages a deeper, more meditative state of balance.

    In the Wellness Centre of all places visited, the cosmic rhythms of yoga help you to unwind and heal while Ayurvedic therapies address every biological system in the body to enhance immunity and health. Western spa treatments integrate water, massage and Aromatherapy to bring a special bliss to your mind, body and senses. You can rely on the confident energy of nutritionists, physicians, and Spa Therapists and their knowledge of ancient Indian sciences and modern western treatments in your quest for the path to a better lifestyle.

    Start with a morning session of activity and choice between yoga, meditation or aerobic classes. Overlooking the majestic Himalayas and forts in the far-flung desert setting, have professionally run spas offering non-clinical programmes for relaxation and beauty. Treatments incorporate the use of Ayurvedic principles of holistic health maintenance, herbal treatments and aromatherapy.

BUTLERS ON TRAINS

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Butlers on trains elevate rail travel into a refined, highly personalised experience where attentive service meets the romance of slow journeys through changing landscapes.

From boarding to arrival, guests are cared for with discreet attention—cabins prepared, meals served with precision, and every detail seamlessly managed—creating a journey defined by ease and continuity.

India by Luxury Rail

Discover India aboard iconic trains such as the Palace on Wheels, The Golden Chariot, Deccan Odyssey, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, and the Royal Orient Train—each reflecting the grandeur of a regal era while travelling through India’s rich cultural and historical landscapes.

  • Chimes Aviation:

    Ibex can arrange Seneca aircraft, a twin engine development of the Cherokee Six with services four times a week between Nagpur, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Khajuraho. Ibex assists with booking these flights and assisting a smooth journey between lodges.

    On horseback, we travel through these wonderful foothills, now a wildlife sanctuary dotted with lakes, temples, and monuments, including the famous marble Jain temples of Ranakpur.

    The horses are thoroughbreds from the stables of Mewar and are dresses in rich saddlery. Travelers on a horse safari would stay at heritage forts, castles and palaces and all meals are provided for. The journeys range from 4 to 7 days.