A remarkable tea and culinary expedition through India is being launched next spring, March 17 – 31, 2013, with Tea Master Daniela Cubelic of Silk Road Tea and organized by Richmond BC’s Indus Travels.

Silk Road’s India Tea & Spice Journey is a 14-night/ 15-day tour led by Cubelic. The one of a kind journey starts in Delhi and ends in Udaipur, encompassing India’s famous Golden Triangle. The itinerary takes guests to the tea capital of Darjeeling, and includes private tours of world renowned tea estates, monasteries and UNESCO World Heritage sites across India. In collaboration with Indus Travels, Cubelic has also chosen to highlight local farm communities so guests can experience first hand sustainable organic farming practices, and meet local families while sharing tea and meals. Darjeeling is one of the world’s premiere tea producing regions, equally famous for its unique terroir, known to produce superb teas, as well as its majestic beauty. The region is surrounded by hilly terrain, with incredible mountain vistas.

“As a tea master, I wanted to provide a journey that offers my own unique perspective on one of the most important tea producing regions in the world,” says Cubelic. “As well as visiting the many spectacular destination gems and attractions India is famous for, we will taste some of the world’s most remarkable teas, enjoy local cuisine and discover opportunities to interact with local communities.”

Destinations visited along the way include Delhi, Darjeeling, Agra, Jaipur, Deogarh, Udaipur, and staying at a choice of deluxe and luxury hotels chosen for their attention to detail, level of service and location. Prices for this specialty guided tour are CAD $4495 per person (deluxe hotels), based on double occupancy. Single supplement is available upon request.

Included within the tour package are all breakfasts, 13 lunches and dinners; transportation as per the detailed itinerary within India; special experiences like a rickshaw ride in Delhi; elephant ride in Jaipur; walking tours; some entrance fees; coach transfers; and the guidance of a fully experienced local tour director throughout the tour. Extra costs include round trip airfare to India, camera fees, some entrance fees and meals not included within the itinerary.  A full description and more information on the choice of hotel accommodation may be found at www.industravels.ca and by calling 1-866-978-2997.

Cubelic chose Indus Travels based on their reputation and high percentage of repeat guests. In 2007, 2008, 2010 & 2011 Indus was voted as India’s Ministry of Tourism’s Best Tour Operator to India from America’s and Indus was also recognized as one of the top adventure tour operators in Canada by Canadian retail travel agents. Also important to Cubelic was Indus’ commitment to supporting local businesses and giving back to local communities. Partial proceeds from every tour payment go toward sponsoring street children in India. To do this, Indus works closely with the Salaam Baalak Trust, which operates five 24-hour full care shelters for children.

“We worked with Daniela to design this tea, cultural and culinary expedition so that guests will truly uncover the soul of this ancient civilization,” says Praveen Syal, founder and managing director of Indus Travel. “With Daniela as our guide, guests will experience Indian tea like never before, while learning about the inspiring ecologically sustainable practices and passion of the producers who are truly world leaders in tea production. We then enhanced the itinerary with off the beaten path and traditional experiences that embrace the essence of India.”

A native of Victoria (Canada’s tea capital), Daniela Cubelic’s love for tea, tea culture and wellness is, well, steeped in her veins.   A childhood aspiration to travel, work in the Foreign Service and eventually become an ambassador led her to where she is today –an ambassador for the global, dynamic culture of tea. After 10 years of intensive training in her early 20’s with Chinese and Taiwanese tea masters and herbalists, Cubelic achieved tea master status in 1995. This was just a few years following the opening of Silk Road Tea in Victoria’s revitalized Chinatown , which today  is celebrating 20 years of creating a devoted following  of tea lovers in BC’s capital city as well as from across Canada. Cubelic has been named Canada’s Queen of Tea (Globe & Mail, Jan 2012), Canada’s Tea Master and identified as a key influencer in Canada’s culinary scene (Western Living’s top 40 Foodies).

Enhanced by her intensive training, Cubelic’s world wide network allows her the ability to source the world’s finest organic, rare, single-estate and exotic teas. Today, Silk Road offers over 100 blends, hand chosen by Cubelic based on her clients’ changing tastes and her own creativity. Cubelic blends her own teas with names like Angelwater, Philosopher’s Brew, Seamist, Canton Orange, Sublime and Silk Road Chai, and recently added a new organic blend inspired by the teas of Vietnam, called “Monsoon” and a tribute tea for Victoria’s 150th anniversary. For more information, visit www.silkroadtea.com.