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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.

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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

  • 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

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Sunset in the Keralan Backwaters

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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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Gwalior Fort

The best of Rajasthan: why stay in an Indian fort

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