Indians have a saying, ‘atithi devo bhava’ (‘guest is god’), and you’ll be warmly welcomed whether you’re staying in a converted palace, jungle camp or Keralan family home. This remains constant wherever you are, be it the deserts of India, Nepali mountains, Bhutanese monasteries or the tropical idylls of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. And, as a home to more than 2,000 ethnic groups, here you’ll encounter a range of cultures in a subcontinent where traditions remain strong and religion is part of day-to-day life.