We recommend a minimum of 10-days for a visit to India. If you've only got a week, you can still see the main sites of the Golden Triangle; Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. As India is vast, we do recommend that you focus on one part of the country for holidays under 2 weeks, though you could just about see the main highlights of both North and South India within two weeks.
India offers an amazing choice of hotels, from simple authentic heritage type properties to opulent 7-star hotels fit for royalty. Our recommendation is that you mix things up a bit, so you get to experience different sides of the country through the accommodation you stay at. If visiting Kerala or Kashmir, staying on a traditional rice boat or houseboat is a novel experience while Rajasthan serves up charming havelis (stately homes) and converted forts for your stay too.
We always include the services of qualified English speaking local guides from India at each of the places you visit. These guides know their cities and towns inside and out and are best placed to ensure you get the most out of your holiday. We can also arrange for a national guide/escort to accompany you throughout your holiday, so if you would prefer this option, please ask us for associated prices.
Distances can be quite large in India, so for longer journeys we do recommend that you fly. India has a number of professional scheduled airlines like Jet Airways, Indigo and Spice Jet and their national domestic carrier, Indian Airlines. Travelling by road in India is a great way to see more of the country and it's an opportunity to stop off at local villages to experience the rural side to life in India too. And for something truly authentic, we suggest building in at least one journey by train.
This is fairly important as it will impact on how many places you visit on your holiday. When you are touring India, there will be a fair bit of hotel check-in and check-out with the usual unpacking and packing that goes with the territory. We'll advise you on how long you need to explore each place you visit at a comfortable pace, but do request you let us know if you would like to build in a few spare days or free afternoons for a bit of poolside R&R.
Beyond the classic sites, there's so much more to India - fabulous food and restaurants, lots of wildlife, a rich and varied history, amazing crafts and fabrics, a thriving local arts scene, colourful markets, top trekking & nature walks and a sublime palm fringed shoreline with beaches galore. And we are here to design that special tailor-made holiday to suit your particular interests and preferences.
The type of accommodation you choose will significantly affect the price of your tailor-made holiday in India. Not just the hotel, but the particular category of room as well. We therefore request that you give us a clear steer on your budget so that we can ensure we deliver the best value for your holiday. Other key factors on price include the time of year when you travel; the peak seasons such as Christmas and New Year in India often carry supplements, particularly in coastal locations like Goa and Kerala. On the flip side, there are usually amazing deals available at top hotels if travelling during the summer and monsoonal months of June through August.