Skip to content
Please select your location:
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

Filter tour ideas

India tours

India tours

Filter by destination

Filter by category

Summary  |  Detail
  • 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

  • Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park

    India's wildlife treasures

    India
    • Undertake jeep safaris in search of tigers and other wildlife.

    • As well as the key mammals, learn about the incredibly varied birds, insects, flora and fauna.

    • Visit the central fort in Bandhavgarh National Park.

    11 days from £4,655pp

  • 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

  • Temples at Khajuraho, India

    North India uncovered

    India
    • Enjoy a Bollywood dance class and meet the dabbawala’s of Mumbai.

    • Visit the holiest city in India and be a part of the evening worship by the River Ganges.

    • Experience the deeply rooted artistic heritage and rich culinary legacy of the Nawabi era.

    • Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise.

    • Explore the magnificent sandstone fort and the regal, European-style palace at Gwalior.

    • Visit Orchha, a hidden gem on the banks of the River Betwa.

    • Experience the artistic brilliance at the temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    16 days from £5,485pp

  • 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

  • Azamara Journey

    Indian Ocean cruise: Singapore to Mahé

    Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and India
    • Explore Singapore’s diverse culture through a guided tour of the city’s many districts.

    • Spot elephants and other wildlife in Sri Lanka’s national parks.

    • Marvel at cantilevered Chinese fishing nets and witness Kerala culture in Cochin.

    • Snorkel the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and the vibrant coral reefs around the Seychelles.

    • Relax on board your cruise from Singapore to the Seychelles.

    24 days from £8,540pp

100%

Some of our favourite travel guides

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.

View this travel guide
Step well, India

Top 10 trips to India

Would you prefer to cruise along the Lower Ganges, soaking up India’s heritage and culture, take a train through the heartland of Rajasthan, or combine a stay in the Himalayan foothills with time on Kerala’s palm-fringed coast? We’ve curated our specialists’ top India tour ideas to help you plan your next trip.

View this travel guide
Thiksey Monastery in Leh, Ladakh

Summer in India: Ladakh

Considering India between June and September? India specialist James explains that, while much of the country is too hot or wet to visit, it’s the ideal time of year to explore mountainous Ladakh, a region of high-altitude deserts, Buddhist monasteries and sheer-sided mountains.

View this travel guide
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.

View this travel guide
Alleppey Backwaters, Kerala

What to do in Kerala: our highlights guide

Kerala’s slow pace of life is a gentle introduction to India, with tranquil backwaters, manicured tea plantations and fishing villages to explore. India specialist Tara lends her advice for how to make the most of your time there.

View this travel guide
Toy train on the route from Shimla to Kalka

India’s toy trains: Shimla, Darjeeling and Ooty

The toy trains of India cross valleys, ravines and rivers to access some of the country’s most scenic landscapes. India specialists share their experiences of riding on mountain railways from the Himalayan hill stations of Darjeeling and Shimla to the tropics of Ooty.

View this travel guide
Indian street food vendor

Food highlights of India: 6 of the best culinary experiences

India specialist John talks about his love of Indian cuisine and picks six food experiences for you to try. Take a street-food tour in Delhi, dine on a Keralan houseboat or learn to make Indian breads with an expert.

View this travel guide
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.

View this travel guide
Agra, Agra

Luxury holidays in India

From opulent pleasure palaces-turned-hotel and indulgent tented camps to private games drives looking for tigers, India specialist Jason discusses the best way to immerse yourself in luxury fit for a royalty.

View this travel guide
Tiger drinking

Activity holidays in India

India is ripe for outdoor experiences. Discover walking routes in the backdrop of tea plantations, track tiger on a game drive in one of many national parks or take to the water to explore via the waterways.

View this travel guide