Travelisto destinations
India holidays
The Golden Triangle for first-timers, Kerala backwaters for slow travel, Rajasthan palace hotels for indulgence — India endlessly rewards return visits.
Overview
Welcome to India
India is the country that most consistently rewards travellers willing to plan around it — vast (1.4 billion people, 28 states, 22 official languages), endlessly varied (the Himalayas in the north, the beach-and-backwater Kerala in the south, the desert palaces of Rajasthan in the west, the green Goa coast, the tea-and-mountains of Darjeeling), and impossible to "do" in one trip. We design quite different India trips for first-timers vs returning travellers.
The headline first-time India trip is the Golden Triangle — Delhi (2-3 nights), Agra (1-2 nights, for the Taj Mahal at dawn), and Jaipur (2-3 nights, for the Pink City and Amber Fort), 7-9 days total. Extend with Udaipur and Jodhpur for the Rajasthan palace-and-desert trip (12-14 days), or with Varanasi for the Ganges spiritual experience.
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For repeat travellers, Kerala (the southern backwaters, the houseboats, the tea plantations of Munnar, the Cochin port culture), Goa (the Portuguese-influenced beaches), the Himalayas (Ladakh, Darjeeling, Shimla), and the wildlife reserves (Ranthambore for tigers, Bandhavgarh for tigers, Kanha for the original Jungle Book) all open different Indias.
The seasonal rhythm is critical because of the summer heat and the monsoon. November to March is the prime travel window for most of India — comfortable temperatures, dry, and the busy peak season. April-June: brutally hot (45°C+ in Delhi, Rajasthan), avoid. June-September: monsoon, the green Kerala season but most other regions are tricky. October is a shoulder month (post-monsoon, before peak season pricing).
India is not the place to budget. Our travellers consistently come home from luxury India trips (Taj, Oberoi, Aman, ITC) saying that's where India shines — the heritage hotels and palace stays are world-class, and the price-per-night relative to similar Europe is significant. The country rewards investing in accommodation, drivers, and guides.
Indian food rewards depth. Regional cuisines vary enormously — North Indian (Mughlai influences — tandoor, biryani, naan), South Indian (rice-based — dosa, idli, sambar), Goan (Portuguese-influenced — vindaloo, sorpotel), Bengali (fish-based — macher jhol, mishti doi). Cooking classes are excellent at the heritage hotels.
Best time
Oct–Mar (cool, dry)
Flight from UK
~9h to Delhi / Mumbai
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Language
Hindi, English widely spoken
From the team
Why we love India
India is the trip I send people on that changes them. The Golden Triangle in 9 days is the right first-time route — Delhi for the chaos, Agra for the Taj Mahal at dawn, Jaipur for the colour. Spend at the top end on heritage hotels; the luxury India experience is worth investing in.
Rossella Rossella, Luxury & Destination Specialist Meet our Travel DesignersMain areas
Where to go in India
6 distinct regions — they pair beautifully two or three at a time.
Delhi & the Golden Triangle
Delhi
Agra (Taj Mahal)
Jaipur
Rajasthan
Jaipur
Udaipur
Jodhpur
Jaisalmer
Kerala & the South
Cochin
Munnar
Alleppey backwaters
Periyar
Varanasi & the Ganges
Varanasi
Bodh Gaya
Sarnath
Goa
Old Goa
North Goa
South Goa
Himalayas (Ladakh, Darjeeling)
Ladakh
Darjeeling
Shimla
Manali
Find your trip
Holiday types in India
Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.
Beach holidays
Beach destinations grouped by resort area — pick the cluster that matches your pace.
City breaks
India's cities reward 2-4 nights each — pair two for a tailor-made multi-centre trip.
Jaipur (Pink City)
Cruises
Mumbai and Cochin are India's main cruise ports — most Indian Ocean and Far East cruises call here. Kerala's backwater houseboats are a category of their own; smaller Ganges river-cruises operate in the north.
Escorted tours
121 escorted tours through India — guided, customisable, fully ATOL-protected.
Every Travelisto tour runs with a small group (max 16), an English-speaking local leader, and is fully ATOL-protected. Most tours are also bookable as private departures — same itinerary, your party only, your dates.
Tailor-made
Everything you see above is a starting point — we'll shape any of these around how you actually want to travel.
Bespoke India itinerary
Pick your headlines and we design the route, brief private guides, and book the hotels and transfers.
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Multi-generational India
A pace and accommodation style that suits three generations.
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India + cruise
Pair the headlines of India with a cruise — booked end-to-end with us.
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Honeymoon or special celebration
A milestone trip with the romantic flourishes quietly arranged.
EnquirePractical info
Knowing before you go
When to go
Jan
24°
Feb
27°
Mar
32°
Apr
36°
May
39°
Jun
36°
Jul
32°
Aug
31°
Sep
32°
Oct
32°
Nov
29°
Dec
25°
November-March is the prime season — comfortable temperatures, dry. April-June is brutally hot. June-September is monsoon. October is shoulder. Kerala uniquely also works April-June (cooler than the north).
Flights & how to get there
Flights from major UK airports to India — typically ~9-10h to Delhi or Mumbai (direct). Internal flights and trains link the main destinations.
Visa & passport
UK passport holders need an e-Visa — apply online 4 days before travel. Validity is 30 days, 1 year or 5 years depending on type. For up-to-date entry requirements and safety advice, check the UK FCDO travel advice for India.
Currency & money
The Indian Rupee (INR). Card payments common in cities; carry cash for markets, taxis and rural areas. Tipping: 10% on a sit-down restaurant meal in tourist-facing places.
Language & tipping
Hindi (national) + 21 other official languages including English (widely used). English widely spoken at hotels and tour operators in major tourist areas.
Health & safety
Discuss with your GP 6 weeks before travel. Routine UK vaccinations recommended; hepatitis A, typhoid commonly advised for South and Southeast Asia. Drink bottled or filtered water only outside top hotels. Buy comprehensive travel insurance before you travel.
FAQs
India — your questions
When is the best time to visit India?
October to March covers most of the country — cool, dry. Avoid June–September monsoon (Kerala in monsoon is good for Ayurveda). Rajasthan is best November–February; the high Himalayas June–September.
Is India safe for solo female travellers?
With sensible planning, yes — most of our Indian itineraries include a driver and ground host. Dress modestly, avoid late-night travel alone, use registered taxis. We brief every traveller before they go.
Do I need a visa for India?
Yes — UK passport holders need an e-Visa (online, around $25, valid 60 days) for tourist travel. We arrange this as part of your booking.
How do I avoid Delhi belly?
Drink only bottled or filtered water, eat freshly cooked food, avoid raw salads and ice in cold drinks. We recommend taking Imodium and oral rehydration with you.
Can I combine India with Nepal or Sri Lanka?
Yes — Delhi–Kathmandu is a 1-hour flight, Mumbai/Chennai to Colombo is 3 hours. Multi-country itineraries (India + Sri Lanka, India + Nepal) are a Travelisto speciality.
Make this trip yours
Plan your India holiday with a Travel Designer
Pick from any of the options on this page or tell us what you have in mind — we'll build it around how you actually like to travel. ATOL protected, flights included, real humans available 9am–7pm.
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