India is a place that overwhelms your senses in the best possible way – nowhere else delivers quite the same barrage of sights, sounds and sensations as this continent-sized country at the heart of Asia. It's a fabulous place with an incredible variety of landscapes, cultures, traditions and cuisine.
When to visit. In general, northern hemisphere winter (December to March) is the best time to visit India to make the most of its leading attractions. However, this is also peak travel season, so be prepared for tourist crowds and higher prices, particularly in Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala. The shoulder season from October to November is a better option, particularly if you want to go trekking in the Himalayan foothills or experience the festival of Diwali with lights and fireworks or if you'd like to visit Pushkar for the annual Camel Fair. Most festivals in India follow the lunar calendar and dates change every year, so check before planning your trip.
How to travel around?
You have 2 main options for your holiday to India - an escorted group tour or a tailor-made trip where you tour around the privately, travelling from place to place with your own driver/guide. For many people, the appeal of a group tour is the prospect of meeting new people and the camaraderie that comes with travelling in a group. Group tours can be the better value option - the tour operator can negotiate good air fares and accommodation rates based on more people travelling. But not all escorted tours are created equal - you need to consider the maximum group size - because trailing around locations as part of a group of 40 can be wearisome. And group tours tend to pack a lot into a relatively short period of time - so you can find yourself staying just one or two nights in destinations. The advantage of a private journey is that it can be designed specifically for you - reflecting your particular interests and at the pace that you feel comfortable with.
Where to visit? There are so many different regions in this fascinating country - all with something different to recommend them. Here's some information about a few of the more popular options.
Rajasthan. This is India's archetypal land of maharajas and medieval forts, palaces and tigers, and kaleidoscopic festivals. Rajasthan really is the jewel in India's crown - and this will be where most first-time visitors head for. You can opt for a short Golden Triangle tour that combines Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal and the vibrant city of Jaipur with its amazing Amber Fort and Palace of the Winds. But I’d suggest visiting for longer and expanding the scope of the trip to include other places that are really worth seeing such as the blue city of Jodhpur and the impressive Mehrangarh Fort; the lovely city of Udaipur set on Lake Pichola and Jaisalmer – surrounded by sand dunes – and with its sandstone buildings that gleam in the sun. And you can add to the magic of your trip by staying in one of the many lovely hotels that have been converted from former forts or maharajah’s palaces.
The Western Himalayas. By Himalayan standards, it’s not particularly high here, but the rolling green hills with a backdrop of the higher peaks are perfect for exploring. Every town and village could be a base for a gentle walk, passing through thick evergreen forests and highland meadows. Just a few hours north of Delhi is Kalka, the start of the 60-mile-long Kalka-Shimla toy trainline. Shimla is where the 19th-century British colonial government ruled during humid Indian summers. It’s a bit like a Surrey village with its half-timbered hall and mock-Tudor frontages. Farther into the hills is the town of Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj which is the Dalai Lama’s home in exile with a large Tibetan population, including many maroon-robed monks and nuns. This region's also important to the Sikh community, who regularly pilgrimage across the Himalaya to visit Amritsar’s Golden Temple, their most sacred shrine. For many people, the first sight of the Golden Temple, with its gilded walls reflected in the water, is more impressive than the Taj Mahal.
Kerala. There’s an unhurried pace of life in this southern state which provides a gentle introduction to India for first-timers, or a contrast if you’ve already visited the north. Cochin is the region’s main town - a historic port, that grew due to the spice trade, attracting dealers from across the world. Their mansions, churches, synagogues and mosques line the streets of the old Fort Cochin district to this day. To escape the heat, it’s worth considering a stay in Munnar, a former British hill station that sits in the middle of south India's largest tea-growing region, on the edge of the Western Ghats. It’s about 3½ hours east of Cochin, and where the weather is refreshingly cool and ideal for walking. No trip to Kerala would be complete without exploring the region’s backwaters - rivers and canals that weave through forests, spice plantations and paddy fields. If you want to end your trip with a beach stay, northern Kerala's beaches are among the best in the state, and relatively undiscovered. But be prepared for a long drive!
In Search of the Bengal Tiger in Central India. There are hundreds of national parks and sanctuaries across India, many set up to protect the country’s most remarkable beast: the Bengal tiger. But it's the parks of central India that offer the most diverse landscapes and most successful tiger safaris. The network of national parks spread across India’s three central states, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, are well set up for wildlife spotting. The lodges and hotels have honed their skills, employing enthusiastic staff and knowledgeable naturalists. When I was planning my trip to India in February, I opted for 2 different parks - Kanha and Tadoba - both of which have reported good sightings of tigers in the past year. Kanha is well-known for its flourishing tiger population and you stand a good chance of sightings here. Tadoba has a limited number of places to stay which keeps visitor numbers low. The park boasts the highest density of tigers in India, although the dense forest can make sightings a bit challenging. But I've decided to take my chances! If you want to combine tiger-spotting with a bit of culture, you can do as I'm doing in February and continue your trip with a visit to the fascinating state of Tamil Nadu in South East India. The heart of the ancient Chola Empire, there’s so much to explore here – numerous temples, bustling markets and fascinating towns and cities such as the former French colonial town of Pondicherry.
Amazing hotels. There’s accommodation to suit every budget and taste in India, but here are a few suggestions if you’re looking to stay somewhere a bit special.
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. One of the most photographed hotels in the world, this gorgeous property has a unique location on a tiny island on Lake Pichola. There are magnificent views of the City Palace across the lake and the décor is absolutely amazing. I was lucky enough to stay here a few years ago and it was a highlight of my trip.
Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra. Located only 600 metres from the Taj Mahal and with every bedroom facing the monument, this has to be one of the best situated hotels in the world. The grounds are beautiful, the service is impeccable and the food absolutely delicious. It's one of my favourite hotels in the world.
Imperial Hotel, Delhi. One of Delhi’s finest heritage hotels, the Imperial is something of an icon. Built in 1931 during the British colonial period, it's considered one of the best hotels in Asia and is renowned for its first-class service. I really enjoyed my stay here.
Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur. 8 miles outside Jaipur, this stylish hotel is designed in a traditional style and set in 32 acres of gardens. There are excellent facilities - and there's even a 250-year old Hindu temple in the grounds.
Malabar House, Cochin. On the picturesque island of Fort Cochin an 18th century colonial house has been converted into a characterful hotel. The rooms are located around a small leafy courtyard where there's also a plunge pool to cool off in. It's a great boutique option in the heart of historic Cochin.
Palais de Mahe, Pondicherry. In the historic French quarter of Pondicherry, this boutique property is just a short walk from the lively promenade and Bay of Bengal seafront. Aside from the ideal location, it has a relaxing ambience, top quality food and friendly staff within its colonial walls.
Oberoi Wildflower Hall, Shimla. With a prime location on a clifftop this luxury property has incredible views of Shimla below. It used to be Lord Kitchener’s estate, and in the transformation process, this luxury retreat has maintained both its grandeur and its regal character.
Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. This grand heritage palace hotel on the harbour near the Gateway to India is enormous and internationally acclaimed. The palace itself was constructed in 1903, inspired by Moorish, Florentine, and Oriental architectural styles. There's a wealth of luxury facilities as well as a number of restaurants. I enjoyed my stay here and particularly recommend dinner in their Indian restaurant where I was served at least 8 different types of poppadum!
Villa Palladio, Jaipur. This boutique hotel, 20 minutes outside Jaipur, is a former mansion and has been given a total refurb and extended to include a new pool house, veranda and garden layout. Aside from its intricate architecture, the most striking thing about this property is its amazing use of colour - think pink!
Festivals in India. Sometimes it's great to organize a trip to coincide with a festival in the country you're visiting. The two main crowd-drawing festivals in India are Diwali (the festival of lights) celebrated at the end of October or early November and Holi which is celebrated in March and marks the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is actually a 5-day festival and the biggest festivities are across Rajasthan and West Bengal. Reams of lights hang down from the buildings and entrances sparkle with diya (oil lamps) and flowers. Floors are decorated with rangoli, patterns of concentric circles, dots and lines made with bright powders and petals.
Holi is marked predominantly in Rajasthan. It starts at night-time, when you can watch statues of deities paraded through the streets to singing and drumming. In public squares, people gather around fires to dance and perform religious rituals. The following morning everyone gathers in the streets to throw the trademark powder at each other. Now, Holi isn’t for everyone. It’s difficult to avoid a dusting, as everyone is fair game, including strangers.
There are many smaller festivals around the country that are less full-on - so if you'd be interested in attending one of these, make sure you let me know before we start planning your trip.
Indian Cuisine. Indian food has a richly deserved reputation as one of the world’s great cuisines. Stereotyped abroad as the ubiquitous "curry”, the cooking actually covers a wealth of different culinary styles, with myriad regional variations and specialities, from the classic creamy meat and fruit Mughlai dishes of the north through to the banana-leaf vegetarian thalis of the south. The basic distinction in Indian food is between the cuisines of the north and south, but there are many different regional variations across the country. North Indian food (which is the style generally found in Indian restaurants in the UK) is characterized by its rich meat and vegetable dishes in thick tomato, onion and yogurt-based sauces, accompanied by thick breads. South Indian food is largely vegetarian - with spicy chilli and coconut flavours and lots of rice, either served in its natural state or made into one of the south’s distinctive range of pancakes, such as the dosa, idli and uttapam, although coastal areas serve plenty of fish dishes.
North Indian cooking has been heavily influenced by the various Muslim invaders who arrived in the Subcontinent from Central Asia and Persia. They gave Indian cooking many of its most popular dishes and accompaniments, such as the biryani and the naan bread, as well as its greater emphasis on meat compared to the south. The classic north Indian fusion of native and Central Asian influences is called Mughlai cooking, the creation of the Mughal dynasty. Mostly non-veg, the food is mildly spiced but extremely rich, using ingredients such as cream, almonds, sultanas and saffron – the classic korma being the best-known example. The other big northern style is tandoori. The name refers to the deep clay oven (tandoor) in which the food is cooked. Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt, herbs and spices before cooking. Boneless pieces of meat, marinated and cooked in the same way are known as tikka. Breads such as naan and roti are also baked in the tandoor.
The food of south India is a world away from that of the north. Southern cooking also tends to use a significantly different repertoire of spices, with sharper, simpler flavours featuring coconut, tamarind, curry leaves and plenty of dried red and fresh green chillies. Rice is king, not only eaten in its natural form, but also made into regional staples such as idlis (steamed rice cakes), idiyyapams (steamed rice-noodle cakes) and dosas (fermented rice-batter pancakes), such as the delicious masala dosa, a potato curry wrapped in a crispy lentil-flour pancake. An alternative to the dosa is the uttapam, which is thicker, often with onions or another vegetable fried into its body. The lavish breads that are such a feature of north Indian cooking aren’t usually available, apart from the fluffy little puri. Meat is comparatively uncommon in the temple towns of Tamil Nadu, but is available throughout Kerala, where there are sizeable Christian and Muslim minorities.
Wherever you travel in India - you're in for a treat when it comes to food. The range of delicious dishes is astounding, and a world away from what you'll find in your local Indian Restaurant.
FIVE REASONS TO BOOK YOUR INDIA HOLIDAY WITH ME.
Your holiday is protected. I only use reputable and trustworthy suppliers who are ATOL and ABTA bonded. What's more, booking all your arrangements with one company means your holiday is protected legally and financially because of Package Travel Regulations.
You’ll save time and aggravation. Pulling together a complex itinerary is confusing and time-consuming. You’re going to spend hours online scanning hotel reviews on Trip Advisor and elsewhere from people you don’t know and whose standards may be different from yours. And if you've decided on a group tour, it's very time consuming trying to sort out the sheep from the goats. I can select the right itinerary and tour company dependent on the style of trip you're looking for. There are numerous providers out there - and I only work with the best.
You’ll have peace of mind that your arrangements will work. Although India has a reasonably good infrastructure it’s easy to be seduced by cheap tours. It’s essential that the ground arrangements and logistics are booked through a reputable operator – with transfers that you can feel comfortable will turn up, in vehicles that are roadworthy and with guides that speak good English.
Nothing trumps destination expertise. Although the web is a huge source of information on hotels, tours and places to visit, there’s really no substitute for specialist knowledge, based on up-to-date feedback. I will select the right supplier for your trip dependent on the style of holiday you’re looking for. I've arranged numerous holidays to India and have travelled around the country myself - so I'll bring my own extensive knowledge of the country into the process, to advise and recommend on the best itinerary for your needs – and to make sure that the pace and rhythm of your holiday is right. India is a large country, and it’s quite easy to end up with a multi-centre itinerary where you’ll be spending many days just travelling from place to place.
One Point of Contact. I provide the highest levels of personal service - you’ll see that all my Google reviews are 5* - and I'll look after you from our first phone call until the day you arrive back home in the UK. You can call me direct on my mobile – there’s no waiting on the phone to speak to someone at a call centre when you have a question or need more information.
Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s a Google review from one of my clients, recently returned from India:
"Sue organised a brilliant 28 day trip to India. It was complicated, including a stay in Kajnpur organised by University, an 8-day stay in a luxury hotel in Lucknow and a 15-day guided tour of Rajasthan, Amritsar, Udaipur, Jaipur and the golden triangle . All went smoothly and was much enjoyed. Sue supported me with excellent advice throughout the planning phase and afterwards. I would highly recommend her for any kind of trip, long- or short." Diana Kornbrot
So, are you ready to start planning your dream trip to this fascinating country? Get in touch to discuss your ideas and we can get the ball rolling.
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