Elite Traveler Spring 2019

elite traveler SPRING 2019 81

INDIA REAWAKENING INDIA

Combining wellness with charity, Niquesa Travel’s Sensory Reawakening trip begins before you’ve even stepped foot on the jet. Meet with expert nutritionist Sarah Macklin, who will share expert advice on how to eat and live well, and how to optimize health when you travel. You will have a series of follow-up consultations over the telephone during your trip, or Macklin can accompany you if you wish. Then embark on a journey through India where, over the course of 14 nights, you’ll partake in yoga and meditation; join a sacred aarti ceremony at a Hindu temple in Delhi; cycle through the streets of Jaipur; visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise; have afternoon tea at a Maharaja’s palace in Jodhpur; discover the intricate marble carvings at the Ranakpur temples; and board an antique barge for a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola. Rest your head in the most opulent palaces, from Taj Lake Palace to The Oberoi Amarvilas. While this itinerary certainly caters to all your well-being needs in complete luxury, there’s no greater sense of contentment than helping those less fortunate. The percentage of the population living in poverty in Delhi has seen a decline in recent years, yet there are still those in desperate need of assistance. You’ll volunteer with a nonprofit organization and help serve nutritional meals to those in need at a mobile kitchen. From $26,250 per person for 14 nights. Contact Mark Allvey, managing director, travelteam@niquesa.com, +44 203 829 8080, niquesatravel.com

BUSHTO BEACH MALAWI

If you’ve done all the big safari locations already, Malawi should be next on your list. As a less obvious choice, you can be sure of a unique, tourist-free adventure: There’s untouched grasslands, outstanding national parks and enormous, pristine lakes. This eight-night journey from Black Tomato begins in Majete Wildlife Reserve, where you’ll spend three nights at Mkulumadzi Lodge. The reserve covers Africa’s Great Rift Valley and is home to the Big Five, as well as creatures lurking in the Shire River; go in search of them on game drives and boat safaris. You’ll then head on to Liwonde National Park, where you’ll float down the Shire River past herds of hippopotami. Lake Malawi accounts for a quarter of Malawi’s territory, and this enormous body of water is brimming with dreamy beaches and islands. During your time at the lake, fish for your dinner like a local (it has the most species of fish in a single lake in the world), kayak into the sunset to discover a hidden beach, and dine by the light of the moon. Black Tomato works with various charities and donates a percentage of the trip’s price; It recently concluded a partnership with Charity: Water, a nonprofit organization that bring clean and safe drinking water to developing countries. From $5,940 per person. Contact TomMarchant, co-founder, tom@blacktomato.com, +1 646 558 3644, blacktomato.com

WILDAID MEXICO OR SOUTH AFRICA

In a partnership between luxury tour operator Blue Marble Private and environmental organization WildAid, you have a choice of two philanthropic journeys. The first sees adventurers getting up close to enormous whale sharks with a swim off the coast of Mexico — glide through the turquoise waters and become acquainted with these magnificent creatures. The second option is a journey through South Africa with WildAid executive director, Peter Knights. Track rhinos and gain insight from the WildAid team on the future of wildlife conservation, and learn more about the company’s environmental projects. In both instances, a large donation is included in the price of the trip to conservation initiatives. Swimming with whale sharks $17,500 per person including $7,500 donation, WildAid in South Africa $62,850 per person including $25,000 donation. Contact Elizabeth Ellis, founder, discover@bluemarbleprivate.com, +44 203 411 2191, bluemarbleprivate.com

Photo Dana Allen www.PhotoSafari-Africa.com