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Houseboat on the Backwaters, Kerala

India tours

Houseboat on the Backwaters, Kerala

These itineraries are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel in India, and they showcase some of the routes that we've found work particularly well.

India tours

India tours

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  • Mumbai (Bombay)

    City & beach: the contrasts of Mumbai & Goa

    India
    • Visit the bustling, entrepreneurial Dharavi slum with a local.

    • Relax on the palm-fringed beaches of Goa.

    • Sample freshly-caught seafood in Goa's old town.

    • Explore Mumbai's historic sights and unique cultural experiences, including a Bollywood dance class.

    10 days from £3,850pp

  • Tea plantations outside Darjeeling

    Tea & Buddhism in West Bengal & Sikkim

    India
    • Explore the capital of the British Raj.

    • A relaxing stay in an operational tea estate.

    • Visit Darjeeling, the former colonial hill station and ride the Toy Train.

    • Admire the stunning architectural beauty and charm of the monasteries at Pelling.

    12 days from £4,280pp

  • Houseboat, Kerala

    South India's temples & backwaters

    India
    • Soak up the view of the Shore Temple at sunset.

    • Enjoy France in India in the former colonial enclave of Pondicherry.

    • Stay in a village of 19th century merchants' homes.

    • Witness the ceremonies in Sri Meenakshi temple with hundreds of pilgrims and the smell of incense.

    15 days from £4,490pp

  • Leh Monastery, Ladakh, India

    Ladakh explored: Leh, Alchi & Nubra Valley

    India
    • Explore the monasteries around Leh, and admire their stunning locations.

    • Drive to the top of Khardung La, one of the world's highest driveable passes.

    • Ride a camel through the high altitude dunes of the Nubra Valley.

    • See the life of the monks who live at 4,000 m.

    14 days from £4,685pp

  • Rajmahal boat

    Cruising in west Bengal

    India
    • Explore Calcutta on an unusual walking tour.

    • Watch the world go by from the comfort of a river cruiser.

    • Discover the colonial French and Dutch settlements dotted along the riverbank.

    • Travel by boat, cycle rickshaw and train, avoiding the chaos of Indian roads.

    12 days from £4,785pp

  • Dharamshala, India

    Western Himalaya explored

    India
    • Enjoy a ride on a 'Toy Train' to the colonial hill station of Shimla.

    • Visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

    • Enjoy the spectacular 'Closing the Border Ceremony' at the Wagah border.

    • Explore Tibetan culture at Dharamshala.

    • Witness an evening aarti ceremony in Haridwar.

    • Stay at a beautiful tea estate nestled in the Kangra Valley.

    • Spot a diverse mixture of wildlife at Corbett National Park in the foothills of the Himalayas.

    17 days from £5,275pp

  • Lions in Sasan Gir National Park

    Lions, asses & blackbuck: wildlife in Gujarat

    India
    • Visit the beaches of Portuguese influenced Diu Island.

    • Go on safari in the Gir Forest, tracking the rare Asiatic lion, only found here.

    • Spot blackbuck and wolves in the Velavadar National Park.

    • Go to the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary to see flamingos and pelicans.

    • Take a safari to see Asiatic wild asses in Dasada.

    12 days from £5,400pp

  • Taj Mahal

    North & south India: Rajasthan & Kerala

    India
    • Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal.

    • Guided tour of the 'Pink City' of Jaipur.

    • Spend the night on a houseboat in the peaceful Keralan Backwaters.

    • Visit a family-run spice farm in the village of Kumily.

    • Enjoy a cooking lesson and meal with a local family at Udaipur.

    21 days from £5,400pp

  • Mysore Palace, India

    South India: from western Ghats to coast

    India
    • See one of India's most astonishing palaces at Mysore.

    • Take the Blue Mountain Railway through the Nilgiri Hills from Ooty.

    • Enjoy tranquil Cochin and its colonial heritage.

    • Explore life in the Backwaters.

    • Relax for a few days on the beach.

    • Spot elephants and other wildlife in the wild at Nagarhole National Park.

    14 days from £5,790pp

  • Majuli Island, Assam

    Cruising in Assam

    India
    • Explore the old colonial capital of Calcutta.

    • Experience a relaxing cruise on the Brahmaputra.

    • Discover the fast disappearing Majuli river island.

    • Stay in a traditional Assamese tea bungalow.

    • Safari in Kaziranga National Park.

    14 days from £5,795pp

  • Alleppey Backwaters, Kerala

    Kerala & the Maldives

    India and Maldives
    • Fort Cochin's colonial atmosphere and architecture.

    • Tea tasting in the high hills of Munnar.

    • Stay overnight on a traditional rice barge.

    • Snorkel, scuba and swim in the Maldives.

    • Stay at a family run hotel in the beautiful countryside with several onsite activities to explore the surroundings.

    13 days from £5,995pp

  • Bhutan mountain scenery

    Central Bhutan tour

    Bhutan and India
    • Climb up to Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro.

    • Experience rural life in Bhutan in the remote Bumthang Valley.

    • See the endangered black-necked cranes at Phobjikha Valley.

    • Visit Punakha's Dzong.

    • Experience Bhutan's unique culture.

    16 days from £8,875pp

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Some of our favourite travel guides

Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur

Palaces and regal stays in India

Private butlers, priceless chandeliers, and gilded furniture: life as an Indian royal was the epitome of opulence. With many royal residences now palatial hotels, you can taste life as a maharaja or maharani. We’ve chosen the best regal experiences from Rajasthan to Varanasi.

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Varanasi, India

River cruises in India

Take in the history, wildlife and culture of northeast India on a river cruise. Our India specialist Sarah shares some of her favourite things to see and do while cruising along the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Hugli rivers.

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Cooking demo, Dewalokam

Choosing the right Indian experience for you

Would you rather relax in the cool mountain breeze with views of the Himalaya, or cruise the languid backwaters of Kerala? Admire the Taj Mahal, or seek out a little-visited temple on the banks of the Yamuna River? Our India specialists share their knowledge to help you decide.

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View from Leti, Almora

Walking in India: on foot through the Himalaya & the Western Ghats

Exploring India on foot, you pass through remote villages, stop for tea with local people and stumble upon hidden temples. Our India specialists suggest routes through the hills of the Western Ghats, tea plantations of Darjeeling and foothills of the western Himalaya.

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Indian sweets for sale in Amber village

Family holidays in India

From spending time with a local family for a real immersion into Indian culture, to creating a traditional thali meal from scratch, India offers an eclectic mix of experiences for all ages. Country specialist, Sophie, discusses some of the main highlights for a family holiday in India.

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Keralan Backwaters

Homestays in Kerala

The concept of the homestay was first developed in Kerala and the naturally friendly Keralites continue to welcome visitors to their homes. Our specialists have visited many homestays and can suggest the best places to stay.

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Hawa Mahal in Jaipur

Touring India’s Golden Triangle

The Taj Mahal is just one of many impressive sights on a tour of India’s Golden Triangle. For first-time visitors, the region offers a tempting taste of the vast range of cultures, historical sites, architecture, religion, food and landscapes that India boasts.

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Cycle rickshaw, Calcutta

Calcutta & The East

Calcutta and the East of India retains much of its wonderful colonial architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Visit places like Darjeeling, famous for its tea, or Assam, where it is possible to take a cruise along India’s longest river, the Brahmaputra.

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Local family in rural Rajasthan

Rajasthan & the north: beyond the Golden Triangle

While the Golden Triangle hosts some of India’s best-known sights, India specialist Katherine says you shouldn’t limit yourself to this popular route. Instead, visit north India’s remote desert camps and border-post cities, and tour mural-painted towns or a collection of (truly) unique temple carvings.

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Holi festival

An expert guide to experiencing festivals in India

If you want to time your trip to India with a traditional festival, we tell you what’s taking place where, and when. Our specialists lend their thoughts on how best to enjoy Diwali and Holi, and suggest some lesser-known festivals to experience.

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