India travel

From the Himalayan vistas of the north to the majestic deserts and maharajahs’ palaces of Rajasthan; from the Moghul and British grandeur of Delhi to the quiet waterways of Kerala, India is a nonstop, ever changing feast for the senses.

Arriving in one of India’s gateway cities, travellers are inevitably greeted by chaotic traffic, an onslaught of noise and an intense palette of colours. But travel to India with us and you will also discover a land of ancient traditions, spectacular landscapes and astounding diversity. We take you beyond the crowded cities to timeless rural towns, stunning national parks and masterpieces of architecture and spirituality.

What to expect

First time visitors to India are usually struck by the chaotic and fast-paced nature of daily life. Traffic, over-crowding, noise and colour are often a traveller’s first impressions of India as they arrive in the busy hubs of Delhi or Mumbai. With time, each of these fast-developing and modern cities will share their unique culture. Leaving the cities and heading out into rural area is likely to reveal an entirely different side to India. In fact, a deeper exploration of this incredibly diverse country can divulge an array of scenery from stark desert vistas, majestic mountain ranges, verdant jungle backwaters and endless beaches. It is this wild diversity in terms of both geography, culture and history which draw visitors back to India again and again.

India has now recovered from her turbulent past and whilst rural areas remain much as they have done for centuries, the larger cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Cochin are modernising at an exceptionally rapid rate. Here it is common to find mobile phones, burgeoning technology industries, a nascent cafe culture, creature comforts and large shopping malls - although fascinating elements of tradition are always close at hand. By contrast, rural India is a world away from this - it is a rewarding blend of agricultural village life and traditional mores.

Of course, India still offers some confronting and challenging sights for the traveller, but the images of squalor and poverty which have been so associated with the India of last century are these days a small part of a fascinating, complex, welcoming and often stunningly beautiful nation.

The travel industry in India has been well established for several decades now and India boasts some of the world’s finest hotels, as well as offering some good value options. Off the beaten track however, tourism is still in its infancy and a degree of patience and flexibility will be required concerning accommodation, service standards etc. Road travel is comfortable in the more developed and popular areas but can be more basic in others. Flight schedules are usually reliable but do encounter the same operational problems that all airlines face and it is a possibility that flights may cancel outside of our control. The same can be said for India’s rail service, although for the most part it is comfortable and reliable.

Our top 5 most popular India tours:

1.   Highlights of Rajasthan - 14 days
2.   Taste of India - 7 days
3.   Iconic India - 17 days
4.   Spice of the South - 14 days
5.   Pappadoms & Palaces - Family - 8 days

View our full list of India tours.