India tour highlights
India: a maelstrom of color, noise and flavor. Rose pink palaces, vast deserts, dense jungle, sprawling cities, India’s contrasts are magnificent and widely ranging. On our small group journeys to India you’ll not only get to experience its landmark buildings like the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and the Amber Fort, but also its wonderful wildlife, such as the tigers of Ranthambore National Park, and the leopards and sloth bears of Satpura on our
Indian Wildlife Adventure.
Discover some of our top highlights of India below:
Taj Mahal
Built as a monument to love by Emperor Shah Jahan to honor his beloved wife Mumtaz, this colossal building is hewn from creamy white marble and adorned with exquisite inlay work. A symbol of purity, it took over 20,000 men to construct its vast dome and soaring towers. Watching the sunrise at the Taj Mahal is the best way to enjoy the peace and serenity of the monument – something that can be felt even on the busiest of days. You can rise early to view sunrise peeking over the Taj on our
North India Explorer vacation, after which you’ll get to enjoy the other sites of Agra.
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Kerala
An unhurried contrast to many of India’s other popular destinations, Kerala is a tropical antidote to the dry and desert-blanketed north, and the cold and mountainous Himalaya. Carpeted in tea, coffee and spice plantations, Kerala is the perfect destination for a
food tour in India (especially for vegetarians!). The backwaters of Kerala are best explored by traditional houseboat or by bicycle – the roads are much quieter here. Our
Kerala Backwaters adventure travels from the colonial city of Kochi (Cochin) to the waterfront villages of Allepey, the spice plantations of Munnar and the wildlife of Periyar National Park.
Golden Triangle
The cultural heart of Northern India, the Golden Triangle refers to the three most famous cities, beloved for their historical intrigue, stunning sights and cultural marvels. Join our
Golden Triangle vacation to travel between the jumbled markets of Delhi by rickshaw, walk around the mesmerizing Taj Mahal at sunset in Agra and spend time in quiet contemplation among the painted and mirrored palaces of the Amber Fort.
Rajasthan
Wander where the maharajahs once roamed in the vast and beautiful province of Rajasthan, tracing the routes of the ancient camel caravans past magnificent forts, charming market towns and the rose-pink walls of Jaipur. A comprehensive tour, our
Rajasthan – Land of the Maharajahs vacation visits the blue-toned city of Jodhpur, the lakes of Udaipur and the desert city of Jaisalmer.
Solo travel in India
Every single one of our small group journeys has been designed to suit solo travelers: it varies depending on the trip you choose, but you can bet that around half of the travelers on your trip will be traveling alone. So, if there’s a trip you’ve always wanted to take but haven’t had the chance, don’t let being a solo traveler be the thing that puts you off.
Best time to go to India
Generally speaking, the best time to visit India is between October and April. During this time the weather is warm (but not too hot), dry, and sunny with clear blue skies. From December to February, Delhi can be a bit foggy but the temperatures are typically cooler.
If spotting exotic wildlife is high on your agenda, head to India in April or May for the best chance of sightings. Water becomes scarce during the dry season so animals tend to congregate around the water holes to drink and bathe.
The monsoon season usually occurs from May to September. During this time it’s generally wet, rainy and humid, but it is a good time to visit the north, especially the desert state of Rajasthan and the mountainous region of Ladakh where roads become passable after the snowy winter.
To witness the spectacular Pushkar Camel Fair, book your Rajasthan trip towards the end of November, or to immerse yourself in the colorful festivities of the Hemis Festival, book a Northern India trip in June.