Delhi-based CaperLux says property was at one time a Maharaja's palace
Central India’s The Taj Lake Palace hotel can truly claim to have hosted the (very) rich and the (very) famous.
The onetime Maharaja’s palace that’s hosted the likes of actor Vivien Leigh and Queen Elizabeth appeared in the Bond movie Octopussy, which dates back to the 1980s but continues to have a following, says Roopa Tuli of Delhi-based CaperLux.
“Sometimes people recognize it,” she says of the structure, found in the city of Udaipur and which reflects the fabulous wealth the Maharajas once enjoyed.
And, Tuli continues, the likes of The Taj Lake Palace underscores many intriguing sides to India, which she says vary dramatically from region to region.
“Each destination has its own distinct rhythm, culture and aesthetic,” she says. “Rather than offering standard, cookie-cutter trips, we [CaperLux] curate every journey to reflect the specific identity, design, gastronomy and local craft of the location. While the standard of service and operational execution remains consistent everywhere, no two itineraries, or destinations ever feel the same. India is both nature and culture simultaneously. Nature and culture are deeply intertwined. A landscape is never just scenery. It is truly a living canvas, shaped by centuries of heritage, craft and rituals.”
Much of India’s tourist trade has traditionally revolved around The Golden Triangle, Delhi; Agra, home to the storied Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, which has numerous intriguing structures, including a massive hilltop palace.
But Tuli says The Golden Triangle “is just an introduction – a single chapter in a multifaceted story. To stop there is to miss the tranquil backwaters of the South, the pristine Himalayan wilderness, the rich textile routes of Gujarat. India isn’t a single circuit. It’s a living continent of micro-destinations that need to be explored.”
The Taj Mahal has become an iconic Indian symbol but Tuli says the country is “not just monuments,” citing the likes of national parks and wildlife reserves that may provide sightings of tigers for wildlife enthusiasts. The western state of Gujarat, in turn, has a sanctuary that’s designed to safeguard lions, cats that most outside India don’t realize that can be found in the country.
Tiger-sighting safaris in India sometimes have people ride elephants in search of those predators but CaperLux doesn’t have clients atop animals, a move that aligns it with many other tour companies in a time of heightened concern over animal rights.
Tuli also is eager to promote India as a destination for wellness enthusiasts, citing the likes of “amazing” and “very upscale” spas.
The country is also seeing what she labels a “huge influx” of people studying yoga.
“We do a lot of yoga retreats,” she continues. “You’re studying in its birthplace. It’s very spiritual.”
Yoga can be practiced in a variety of settings, including on beaches or from points showcasing the “beautiful landscapes” of the Himalayas, she continues.
CaperLux offers itineraries in “very scenic” Nepal, popular with trekkers but which Tuli adds is interesting culturally, and Bhutan, known for its very visible Buddhist influence.
Another option is Sri Lanka, which she reports is seeing a robust tourism trade, and offers beaches, wellness resorts, and is a “very lush” country in which wildlife includes leopards and elephants.
Another CaperLux destination is the Maldives, which is primarily a beach destination and is a “very relaxed” part of the world, Tuli reports.
CaperLux also features Egypt, which Tuli says has remained quiet despite regional conflicts and is certain to appeal to those interested in the ancient world. “If you are an archeology enthusiast, you’ll be in seventh heaven.”
Tuli concedes that some CaperLux destinations have a relatively low profile in this country, adding “which is precisely where the opportunity lies. In Canada, destinations like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan are still largely undiscovered. Most people associate Nepal strictly with trekking or Sri Lanka with coastlines, unaware of their high-design retreats, serene mountain sanctuaries, and ancient wellness traditions.
“Our focus is bringing those quiet layers to light-Showing that for travelers seeing mindful, uncrowded, and deeply authentic journeys, these regions offer something truly extraordinary.”
Meanwhile, Tuli says having grown up in Toronto means she is attuned to Canadian travel wishes.
“I understand the Canadian perspective very well. Our understated approach to travel, appreciation for authenticity, and standard for ease and comfort. Combined with my deep ground presence across India and the Indian subcontinent. I’m able to bridge both worlds seamlessly, curating journeys that resonate naturally with how Canadians like to explore.”
Tuli can be reached at [email protected]. More information can be found caperlux.com and capertravelindia.com.
