Island Tour Packages

1. About Islands in General
2. The Existential Threat to Islands
3. Island Tour Vacations Offered at GT Holidays
4. Indian Island Tour Packages Offered by GT Holidays

There are about 67,000 islands in the world some owned by countries, and some, like Antarctica, are claimed by all but owned by none. However, these numbers are constantly changing as new islands continue to be formed while small uninhabited islands may erode.

Greenland is the world’s largest island country, although Australia is three times larger than the latter and is considered a continent mass. That is why Australia is sometimes called an island continent.

Just Room Enough Island, or Hub Island, is the smallest inhabited island in the world. As the name suggests, it is only 3,300 square feet, with just enough room for a house, a tree, and a porch. The island is owned by the Sizeland family, who have converted it into a family retreat. Just Enough Room Island is part of the Thousand Islands archipelago, off New York.

Narau is the world’s smallest island country, covering around 8 square miles and the third smallest country.

Some islands are prohibited for the general public to enter to protect the environment or the island’s original inhabitants. For instance, the North Sentinel Island is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is home to the Sentinelese tribe. They are one of the world’s oldest indigenous tribes, having lived on the island for over 60,000 years and could have been direct descendants of tribes emerging from Africa.

Devon Island in Nunavut, Canada, is the largest uninhabited island in the world, as it is too cold and windy to be inhabited. Tristan da Cunha Islands are among the remotest islands in the world and home to over 250 families. It is around 2,787 km from Cape Town, South Africa.

An estimated 730 million people, or around 9% of the population, call the islands home. They are also home to unique and fragile flora and fauna, some of which have existed since prehistoric times. For instance, the island of Grimsey in Iceland is home to over a million.

Islands also play a huge role in the evolutionary process. For instance, islands like Madagascar were created when landmasses broke away millions of years ago, forcing the animals on the island to develop unusual traits to survive in their new home. They even transformed into a new species altogether. Some animals, like the leaf tailed gecko, became masters of disguise to protect themselves from the snakes that inhabited Madagascar.

Yet scientists claim that several islands, such as the Maldives, Micronesia, Fiji, and Tuvalu, will be completely submerged in water by the end of this century. Some islands in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific have already disappeared, with their inhabitants relocating to bigger islands within the country. Marine life is also disappearing – the Solomon Islands’ famous non-stinging jellyfish have all but disappeared.

Climate changes, including rising sea levels and increased ocean temperatures, slowly but steadily push marine species, including corals, into extinction. Many of these islands are experiencing increasing high tide floods.

Rising ocean temperatures are causing corals to bleach and putting some of the vulnerable marine life depending on these corals in danger. While nations across the world and international environmental bodies are fighting to save islands from sinking, ordinary people like you and me can prevent climate change by making conscious choices like switching to renewable energy resources, recycling whenever possible, buying sustainable products and encouraging sustainable tourism.

The Maldives is an archipelago of 1,190 coral islands in the Indian Ocean. However, only 200 islands are habitable and home to luxurious resorts. Some islands are so exclusive that there’s only one resort, allowing you to enjoy the entire place for you and your loved ones. Maldives is also a great place to experience marine life up and close. You can swim with manta rays, reef sharks, angelfish, clownfish, and barracuda. The islands are also the perfect place to enjoy watersports, you can enjoy kayaking, surfing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, parasailing, or jet skiing. Check the GT Holidays’ Maldives tour packages if you’re planning an island holiday.

Sri Lanka, or Ceylon, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, just off the southeast coast of India. It is famous for its endless beaches, delectable cuisine, incredible wildlife, and colourful festivals. Sri Lanka is also famous for its verdant tea plantations and amazing watersports. You can stay at one of the many luxury eco-hotels, enjoy an elephant safari, or book an Ayurveda spa to relax your mind and body. The Uda Walawe National Park is home to elephants, sambars, spotted deer, and giant squirrels. The Sigiriya rock fortress is another popular attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check the GT Holidays Sri Lanka tour package if you’re looking for budget vacation packages close to home.

Mauritius is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean and part of the African Continent. It comprises 16 islands and islets and is home to world-class luxury resorts. The island country is also famous for its sugar industry, especially speciality sugars like Demerara, Muscovado, and brown sugar. Mauritius has incredible wildlife, including iguanas, Aldabra tortoises, bullfrogs, and pink pigeons. The beautiful waters and coral reefs provide the perfect setting for watersports, including scuba diving and underwater walking. If your idea of a dream vacation includes tropical forests, world-class cuisine, wild waterfalls, and adventure sports, check out our Mauritius tour packages.

Reunion Island is a French Department in the Indian Ocean famous for its beautiful scenery and lush forests. While it is not as famous as the neighbouring Mauritius or Seychelles, Reunion Island offers plenty of vacation opportunities, ranging from trekking and hiking to scuba diving, surfing, and snorkelling. The forests of Reunion Island are free from carnivorous animals, making them ideal for overnight camps. The magnificent waterfalls are also the perfect playground for canyoning and rappelling. Check out our Reunion Island tour packages if you plan to visit this beautiful island.

Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island on the southeastern coast of Africa. It was once part of the African continent until it split from the mainland an estimated 160 million years ago. Apparently, 89% of plant life (including seven species of baobab tree) and 92% of animal life are endemic to Madagascar and found nowhere else. Some critically endangered species, like the silky sifaka lemur and the rare Ploughshare tortoise, are now found only in Madagascar.

Madagascar is home to lush rainforests, dry forests, plateaus, and deserts. Some activities you can enjoy on the island include hiking, diving, climbing, biking, and trekking. It is also home to some impressive world heritage sites, including the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, the rainforests of Atsinanana, and the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. To book Madagascar tour packages at the best prices, check GT Holidays.

Seychelles is one of the smallest African countries, lying in the northeast of Madagascar. It is famous for its pristine beaches, abundant marine life, and ultra-luxurious resorts that host the rich and famous. The island is surrounded by warm, turquoise waters lined by palm trees. It is also home to Vallee de Mai, often considered the Garden of Eden and home to unique plant species like Coco-de-Mer and the jellyfish tree. Seychelles is home to an array of animals, including the world’s smallest frog, the heaviest land tortoise, and the Aldabra rail, the last flightless bird in the western Indian Ocean islands. If you plan to visit the island, check the Seychelles tour packages from GT Holidays.

Bali is a province in the Republic of Indonesia and one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations. It is a part of the Lesser Sunda islands and includes the eponymous island and smaller islands like Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida. Also called the Land of Gods, Bali is famous for its Hindu temples, pristine beaches, colourful ceremonies, verdant rice fields, and luxury resorts. Some popular spots in Bali include Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Kuta. If you are looking for budget Bali tour packages, call GT Holidays.

Hongkong is a Special Administrative Region of China and one of the world’s most important financial centres. It is a shopper’s paradise with plenty of options, ranging from luxury malls to street markets selling everything from electronics and antiques to fashion accessories, cosmetics, clothes, watches, and even home goods. Hong Kong is Asia’s culinary capital, where you can sample the best Chinese and continental cuisine. However, the island’s most popular attraction is undoubtedly Disneyland, which has attractive rides and games. If you plan a vacation on this island, check out our Hong Kong tour packages.

Japan, or the Land of the Rising Sun, is located on the east coast of Asia. It consists of a string of islands with a history that dates back to 660 BC. Japan is famous for its ancient traditions that coexist beautifully with modern innovations. Some of its iconic attractions include Hanami, the centuries old cherry blossom festival, traditional tea ceremonies, exquisite temples, and the ubiquitous Mount Fuji. It is also one of the world’s most technologically advanced societies where high-tech robots help people in their daily lives. To explore this beautiful island nation, check out the Japan tour packages from GT Holidays.

The Republic of Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, comprising over 17,000 islands, including prominent ones like Bali, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. It is also the world’s largest Muslim and fourth most populous nation. Besides Bali, Indonesia’s most popular tourist attraction, the country is famous for its dense tropical forests, abundant wildlife, ancient temples, and stunning beaches. The cuisine is equally popular with food like nasi goreng, satay, and rendang. Check out the Indonesia tour packages from GT Holidays to visit this beautiful country.

It is one of the four Asian tigers and one of the world’s most densely populated countries. It is also one of the cleanest countries in the world, where littering can earn you a fine of up to $10,000 and even imprisonment. Singapore is famous for its modern architectural marvels like Gardens by the Bay, Chiang Mai Airport, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park and heritage places like Little India, Chinatown, and various Chinese and Tamil temples. To visit this beautiful island country, check out the Singapore tour package from GT Holidays.

The Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia, comprising over 7000 islands, of which only 2000 are inhabited. It is the third largest English speaking country in the world with a rich history that combines its Spanish and American colonial past with its unique Asian heritage. From bustling cities and stunning beaches to sumptuous cuisine and ancient cities, the Philippines has a lot to offer. The country is famous for popular destinations like Boracay, Palawan, and the unique Banaue rice terraces that are now UNESCO World Heritage sites. Check the Philippines tour packages from GT Holidays to explore this beautiful island.

Taiwan is one of the Asian lions, i.e., a country that experienced exponential growth until the 1990s, making it one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The country is a melting pot of different cultures, including the Hakka, Minnan, and Mainland Chinese people, as well as the Portuguese, Dutch, and Japanese. Taiwan is famous for its cultural attractions, vibrant city life, and epic natural attractions. If you’d like to visit the country, check out our Taiwan tour packages customised for your budget.

Greenland is geographically part of the North American continent but is geopolitically considered Europe as it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The island has been inhabited for over 5000 years by the paleoeskimos, who migrated from the Arctic. Other indigenous people of Greenland include the Kalaallit, Nunaat, and the Inuit. The island’s most famous attraction is undoubtedly the northern lights, one of the best places to observe aurora borealis. Other attractions include massive glaciers, icebergs, fjords, and amazing wildlife, including polar bears, different species of whales, muskox, and arctic hares. Check out our Greenland tour packages if you plan to explore the northern lights.

Iceland is a small Nordic island famous for its hot springs, dramatic scenery, and active volcanoes. It is one of the world’s oldest parliamentary democracies and is often voted among the safest and happiest nations. The northern lights are Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions, along with the stunning landscapes of glaciers, hot springs, and majestic waterfalls. It is also a great place for whale watching and catching a glimpse of the midnight sun. Check out our Iceland tour packages if you plan to explore the island.

The Republic of Ireland is a part of the island of Ireland and is known for its wide expanse of green fields and rugged landscapes. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1921 when the Anglo-Irish treaty was signed. Ireland is famous for its natural attractions like the Giant’s Causeway, the Mourne Mountains, the Cuilcagh Lakelands, beautiful castles, and many other archaeological sites. If you’d like to explore the Republic of Ireland, check the Ireland tour package from GT Holidays.

The United Kingdom is an island country with several constituent countries, viz., England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is notable for being one of the world’s greatest empires and home to several architectural buildings, natural landscapes, and historic cities like London, Oxford, and Bath. London alone is one of the most visited European cities, with millions looking to visit historic buildings like the Tower of London and the Buckingham Palace. To explore the United Kingdom, check out our UK tour packages.

The Republic of Fiji is a part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago comprises 333 islands and is famous for its beautiful beaches and tropical weather. Fiji is one of the few countries in the world that have gone plastic free to help save the island’s marine animals. This multicultural country comprises Indian, Chinese, European, and Indigenous Fijians. It is also famed for its brightly coloured reefs and colourful marine animals, making them ideal for watersports like snorkelling and scuba diving. To learn more about our Fiji tour packages, call +91 9940882200 to speak to a GT Holidays travel expert.

New Zealand is an island in Oceania comprising two main islands, the North and South Islands, and 700 other small islands. The country is famous for its beautiful landscape, including deep glacier lakes, fertile valleys, sandy beaches, and snow-capped mountains. People visit the island to experience its unique wildlife, indigenous Maori culture, and adventure activities. To learn more about our New Zealand tour packages, call +91 9940882200 to speak to a GT Holidays travel expert.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory comprising 572 islands, of which only 38 are inhabited. The government has prohibited Indians and foreigners from entering the North Sentinel Islands to protect the Sentinelese tribe, an uncontacted indigenous tribe that has rejected all contact with outsiders. The islands are famous for their pristine beaches, historic buildings, and national parks. Some of its popular tourist attractions include Radhanagar Beach, Cellular Jail, Elephant Beach, Ross Island, and Havelock Island. Most notable among these is the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, comprising tropical wet forests and unique flora and fauna. Call GT Holidays for a customised Andaman & Nicobar Islands tour package.

Lakshadweep is a group of islands in the Arabian Sea and India’s smallest union territory. The archipelago comprises twelve atolls, three reefs, and thirty-nine islands. The island is famous for its lagoons, which are home to abundant marine life and sun-kissed beaches. Some of its other attractions include Kavaratti, Agathi, Ameni, and Androth. If you are looking for affordable watersport activities like sailboats, windsurfing, snorkelling, canoeing, and kayaking, check out our Lakshadweep tour packages, customised to your budget and taste.

Diu is a small island off the Kathiawar peninsula. It is part of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu union territory. The island was a Portuguese colony until 1961 when India finally took control of the territory. It is famous for its colonial architecture, historical forts, pristine beaches, and museums. To visit the island and explore tourist activities in Diu, call GT Holidays.