Holidays to India
India has so much to offer it can be hard to know where to start! On a holiday to India you will find a land that has much to explore. From wildlife, spiritual and cultural heritage to dramatic scenery from lush jungles to arid deserts, snow-capped mountains and excellent beaches, India has it all!
Spice Map of India
Luxury India Tours
We work with India specialists who know this amazingly diverse country inside out. From the foothills of the Himalayas, through deserts dotted with fortresses and holy rivers and festivals to the humid tropics of the south, we can tailor make your perfect itinerary.
Holi, India
Jules' India Travel Blog
Having taken my first trip to Northern India in 2013, I've been lucky enough to return again a few times since. Read more about Jules' travels in India in our travel blogs.
Palace Hotels in India
This amazing destination really does feature a continent within one country. The culture, food and experiences are completely different in each of the states and regions. We work with some of the best ground handling companies and top operators in India to craft tailor made holidays & tours to India. These contacts will ensure that you are treated like royalty and everything runs smoothly!
Udaipur, India
India wellness retreats
Spiritual inspiration has always been at the heart of India and with thousands of temples everywhere and the high Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas, this is a cultural journey like no other. Spas and yoga retreats can be found all over India. Make sure you at least make time for one massage or treatment during your journey!
Holy Men, India
When is the best time to travel to India?
Mid September to Mid April is a best time to visit the majority of India when the weather is normally warm and dry. North India has a dry heat throughout the year ranging from searing heat to freezing cold. Our favourite time to visit Southern India is between mid December to March. April and May are hot and humid. June to August is monsoon season. Kashmir and Ladakh are good July - September as they have very little rain.
Camel Train, India
Wildlife and Tiger parks of India
If you want to visit the wildlife parks of India plan in advance as they are closed for several months of the year. Tiger reserves are best visited in October -November or February - March.
Tiger in India
Popular holiday destinations in India
On a holiday to India it's not just the sights but the interactions you will have with local people and the way you travel. One of the highlights is taking a rickshaw ride and walking through the chaos of Old Delhi. The smells of the spices, incense and the noise of the traffic and chatter all around make for a completely absorbing assault on the senses! You can travel by road, air, rail, rickshaw, tuk-tuk, camel or cow cart! The Indian train network is amazing and in addition there are several luxury trains such as the Maharajah's Express or the Palace on Wheels.
Taj Mahal, India
Rajasthan
The deserts and forts of this region are like entering a different world. For instance, travelling down the road you might be surrounded by motorbikes carrying at least 3 people as well as ox carts and polished tractors. You will see dramatic mountains and hill forts, dotted with medieval ruins and places of worship. Above all, experience the wealth and majesty of the 'maharajas' as well as meeting local villagers and farmers along the way.
Rajhastan, India
Udaipur is an attractive town on Lake Pichola. There is also Jodhpur which gained its wealth due to the location of the 'Silk Road'. Jaisalmer is home to the golden fort where camel safaris are popular. On a holiday to Rajhastan, you can include some of the desert camps. For example stay at Amanbagh which is a simply stunning North African style luxury hotel - a true oasis in the desert!
Water Temple, Rajhastan
If you are looking to join an escorted group, a good place to start is the Golden Triangle. This comprises of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra with other stops in the deserts around Rajasthan. The Taj Mahal at Agra is the most iconic site in India. On a visit here, it is advisable to try and arrive at first light, before the crowds, when the best views are to be had of this incredible piece of architecture.
Taj Mahal, India
Northern India - Himalayas
Experience the tea estates and toy trains in the Himalayan foothills. On a holiday to Northern India, this can also be combined with other countries such as Nepal and Bhutan. It is possible to arrange 'village to village' hill walks with a local guide who takes you through rural villages and forests. You will be able to watch how they weave textiles from Yak hair, gather food and crops from the forests and create their homes in the hills.
Experience an adventure tour deep into the mountains, and maybe search for the elusive Snow Leopard!
Snow Leopards
Shimla in the Snow
Alternatively, head north to Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs or into Himachal Pradesh and explore Shimla. Here you will find the old British summer capital where you can see snow capped mountains. If you want to stay in the town of Shimla, head to the Cecil Oberoi or in the cool forests at Wildflower Hall which has a beautiful setting and an outdoor hot tub!
Golden Temple, Amritsar
Experience other diverse locations in Northern India such as Lucknow, Varanasi on the banks of the sacred Ganges river and Khajuraho, the wildlife of central India. Gujarat is a real off the beaten track experience in the far north west bordering Pakistan. Here there are famous textiles produced in the area of Kutch and a museum of textiles in Ahmedabad.
Central India
In the heart of the country is where you will find places that are least touched by the modern world. For example, you will find tribal groups of people, ancient forests and historical sites. Furthermore, forts and palaces survive at Mandu and Ahily and there are cave paintings and archaeological sites in places like Pachmarhi.
Gateway Arch, Mumbai
Bangalore is known as the garden city and a fast growing business centre. In addition, ancient forts and rock hewn temples can be found around Badami, Hyderabad and Hampi.
Eastern India
Flying into Calcutta, it is recommended you spend a few nights here to experience the diverse culture. From here you can head into the far Eastern regions such as Darjeeling with its tea plantations and colonial heritage or Gangtok with its Tibetan Buddhist culture. Alternatively on the other side of Bangladesh is Assam and the regions of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Southern India
Did you enjoying watching 'Exotic Marigold Hotel' and 'Good Karma Hospital' on TV ? Both are based around Cochin on the shores of Kerala in Southern India. With its spice gardens, tea plantations and the tropical coastline full of seafood, this is a great 'foodie' holiday choice! Visit the backwaters and homestays to experience the rural charm and real side of Kerala and combine this with other parts of the south such as Cochin or Mysore.
Kerala Houseboat
Explore the old French coastal town of Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu. The colonial buildings here as well as the baguettes and bakeries remind you of the colonial past but mixing with modern Tamil traditions. Here you can enjoy spices and croissants watching over the Bay of Bengal!
Old town Haveli in Pondicherry
India has an amazing range of terrain and habitat from the huge central plains and rivers to the mighty Himalaya mountains . On a holiday to India, experience the natural forests and reserves which are home to an amazing variety of wildlife including tiger safaris. For instance, Corbett National Park which lies in the Himalayan foothills was the birthplace of 'Project Tiger' set up to preserve natural habitats in India. In addition it is home to over 600 species of birds, wild elephants and hundreds of plant species.
Kaziranga National Park
Visit the oldest National Park in Assam which sits on the Brahmaputra river and protects the Indian one-horned Rhino. The park with its marshes and grasslands protects the Bengal tigers and is home to wild elephants and many birds.
One Horned Rhino
The Little Rann of Kutch
Situated in Gujarat, visit here and see a spectacular coastal wetland for amazing birding holidays. The area was proclaimed a wildlife sanctuary in 1973 and protects the Indian Wild Ass, not found anywhere else in the world. Sasan Gir National Park is the last natural home of the endangered Asiatic lions. There are also leopards, hyenas, wild boar and over 250 species of birds.
Central India is a great place to visit several of India's wildlife parks and reserves. Panna National Park is home to Bengal tigers, leopards and sloth bears and is full of lush forests, gorges and waterfalls.
One of the best populations of tigers in India can be found in Bandhavgarh National Park. Once a hunting reserve for the Maharajas this park now has large grasslands and also has Indian Bison, wild dogs and hyenas. One of India's largest and most famous parks is Kanha which was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.
Experience a unique walking safari in Satpura National Park which is home to tigers, leopards and sloth bears. Near the Satpura hills is a beautiful park rich in flora and fauna at Pench National Park.
Food and drink of India
Food is a major attraction in India. You can enjoy cookery classes, shopping in markets and a mouthwatering range of local and regional specialities. If you enjoyed Rick Stein in India on BBC then get in touch and see where you can sample some amazing Indian food. For example, a homestays in Kerala with cookery classes will allow you to experience authentic regional Indian food. You'll be surprised to find that India also makes its own wine and it's pretty good too!
Thaali, Rajhastan
Roti Bread Making, India
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