India Holidays
Difficult to sum up in words, India is an extraordinary amalgamation of cultures, languages and religions. The result is an intoxicating, endlessly enchanting country, best described by the word diverse. Find yourself astonished and inspired by incredibly rich cultures, mouth-watering cuisine, serene notes of spirituality and breathtaking landscapes. Wherever you wander, know that you are in for the adventure of a lifetime on a holiday in India.
India is a captivating world of contrasts. It’s the frenetic chaos of Delhi and Kolkata. It’s the unmatched serenity of the Himalayas and the untouched beauty of the Andaman Islands. On your India holiday, you’re likely to experience both sides - discover India’s wholly unique charm and charisma.
Nature has bestowed a splendid diversity to India’s landscape - and much to explore on an Indian holiday - from the rust-hued deserts of Rajasthan to the golden stretches of Goa’s south coast. Glide across the holy River Ganges on a boat; hike through the green stretches of the Himalayan valleys; spot tigers through the leaves of one of Kerala’s many wildlife sanctuaries.
India travel: a dazzling delight for the senses
India’s cities offer an abundance of heritage, culture and architecture. Stay in a Maharaja’s Palace and experience life like Indian royalty; get lost in the hustle and bustle of sprawling markets; roam incredible colonial architecture and extravagant forts.
Then there’s the food. Aromatic, ample and sumptuous - and deserving of a holiday to India in itself. Each region has a distinct style and flavour, each colourful and enticing. From sizzling seafood to creamy coconut curries, prepare to enter a world of exotic (and often spicy) gourmet-heaven.
One of the world’s most beguiling and captivating countries, there’s a reason so many fall in love with India. To really understand the country, you’ll have to visit yourself. Roam India’s dynamic cities and quiet villages, and visit undiscovered countries like Bhutan and Nepal on one of our incredible India guided tour holidays.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
From the multi-coloured hues of Rajasthan to the languid Keralan backwaters, a remarkable world awaits your holiday to India. Browse a selection of our spectacular India tours below.
India and Sri Lanka Multi Centre Holiday
Guide Price £3,699 pp
Combining exhilarating city stays with plenty of time to relax and unwind, our India and Sri Lanka multi centre holiday is a trip of perfect contrasts. Exotic, intriguing and full of surprises, this India and Sri Lanka multi centre holiday...
Escorted tours
India’s Golden Triangle Deluxe 8 Night Tour
Guide Price £1,799 pp
Our India Golden Triangle Tour is one of the most spectacular ways to experience India, allowing you to really get to know this magical part of the world. The eight-day tour takes you on a whirlwind journey to India’s most...
Cultural holidays
Indian Splendour Maharajas Express
Guide Price £7,099 pp
The Indian Splendour tour takes you on a journey to see India’s most wonderful and famous places. Aboard the Maharajas' Express train, this seven-day tour stops to visit the cities of Agra, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur , and Mumbai ...
Wildlife holidays
Taj and Tigers Tour
Guide Price £1,899 pp
Our incredible Taj and Tigers tour introduces you to some of India’s most mesmerising sights. Dive into this wild and wonderful world with an elaborate India itinerary and expert guides that allow you to really get to know this diverse...
Cultural holidays
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Delicious Indian Cuisine
Indian cuisine has a spectacularly diverse range of regional dishes. With explosive flavours running the gamut from spicy to tangy to sweet to sour.
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![India's Gate]( "India's Gate")
Forts, temples and monuments
From the infamous Taj Mahal to Amber Fort, The Red Fort, Golden Temple and Fatehpur Sikri, the list is endless, with so many places to explore. Here are a few of our favourite spots.
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![Andaman Islands]( "Andaman Islands")
India's beaches
India's vast coastline offers miles of white sand beaches backed by mangrove forests.
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Rushing cities
Experience the new India in a bustling city centre. The way of life, its culture and authenticity are soon personified as you navigate through the streets of old and new.
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Barbara
Destination Specialist
“Travelling through India and visiting its vibrant cities is the only way to begin exploring India’s enormous diversity. There are a wide array of different itineraries and tours you can choose from. The beaches in India are incredibly beautiful and after a tour in India, no matter how well-paced, a few days of relaxation is always welcome! Add a stay in Goa or Kovalam to the end of your trip.”
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Harriet
Destination Specialist
"The Golden Triangle tour, where you visit Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, is the perfect way to introduce yourself to India if it’s your first time visiting. If you’re feeling like it might not be enough, I would recommend extending it. There are countless options you can add, from the Toy Train in Shimla to a visit to India’s spiritual capital, Varanasi.”
Events & Festivals in India
A deeply religious country, and one prone to spirited celebrations, there are myriad events and festivals that take place in India each year. Joining one during your India trip is the perfect way to understand local culture and truly experience the heart and soul of this magical place. From devotional religious festivals to celebrations of dancing and mischief, India’s festivals are guaranteed to enchant.
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Diwali
Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in India during October by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. A five-day celebration, coinciding with Hindu New Year, the festival celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali is a time of vivid colours, huge firework displays, twinkling lights and an excess of incredible food. A wonderful time for an Indian holiday.
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Holi
Holi - The Festival of Colours - is one of India’s most popular festivals, celebrated all over the country with much colourful paint, mischief and dancing. The festival takes place in March, marking the coming of spring and good harvest and commemorating good over evil. Rajasthan, Mumbai and Goa are popular Holi destinations for tourists. Come with paint and expect to end the day dressed in colours!
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Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage that happens once every 12 years, where Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred river to cleanse their sins and help them achieve moksha (enlightenment). Thought to be the world’s largest gathering, the festival sees around 120 million people coming to bathe in the Sangam in Uttar Pradesh - the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers.
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Pushkar Fair
The Pushkar Fair, or Camel Fair, is an annual, multi-day livestock fair and culture fete held in Pushkar in November. Thousands of camels litter the desert-town of Pushkar, beautifully decorated in patterns, jewels and colours. The camels are traded, entered in beauty contests, raced and paraded. A huge carnival is held with musicians, magicians, dancers, acrobats and snake charmers - all-in-all a very fun festival!
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Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is held annually in February, a Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva and marking his marriage day. Temples are decorated, feasts are held, and the streets see processions of dancing, drums and singing. Wherever you are in India, join the revellers for their celebrations and get lost in the excitement.
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Jaipur Literature Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival takes place each January in India’s cultural capital, Jaipur. It is the world’s largest free literary festival, celebrating literature, creativity and ideas. Expect lively, dynamic debates and discussions, readings and speeches.
Local Cuisine in India
Indian cuisine is a heady mix of spices and aromas. Akin to its cultural and linguistic diversity - and the size of the country - flavour and style varies between different regions. Wherever you wander and taste, expect colour and deliciousness.
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Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is an iconic Indian dish, named after the tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven in which the food is typically prepared. The chicken is roasted with yoghurt and spices and often served with naan flatbread.
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Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is an authentic Indian sweet delicacy - sticky-sweet, deep-fried dough balls. Khoya (milk solids) are kneaded into a dough and then shaped into small balls and deep-fried in ghee (butter). The balls are then soaked in a sugary syrup, flavoured with green cardamom and rose water, kewra or saffron.
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Dal Baati Churma
A traditional Rajasthani recipe, Dal Bathi Churma is a popular three-in-one delicacy in Jaipur. The platter consists of a sweet fried Churma, a spicy Dal curry and a deep-fried Baati. It is typical of the Rajasthani sweet and savoury cuisine combinations.
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Dosa
Rice is a steady staple of south Indian cuisine, and dosas are a popular and delicious variant. Dosas are prepared by soaking rice and lentils in water for a few hours to make the batter and then frying it on a skillet. The result is a papery roll, often filled with potato and onion and served with dahl.
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Vada Pav
Vada Pav is a vegetarian fast-food dish, consisting of a deep-fried potato dumpling, served in a bread bun with spicy garlic and green chutney. It is one of Mumbai’s most well-known dishes, found in street stalls all over the city.
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Keralan Fish Curry
Originating in Kerala’s south coast, Keralan fish curry is widely popular and a must-try when you’re in the region. Coconut infused and spicy, flavoured with local fish, shallots, tamarind and tomato, this curry is one of the region’s ultimate authentic dishes. Enjoy with a serving of rice.
