Great India
India
India is a place of contrasts - from the hustle and bustle of the big cities to the relaxing way of life down south. From the luxury of the lake palaces to the poverty of the slums - this country will grab your attention like no other. It is colourful, noisy, friendly, exciting, varied, historic and truly fascinating.
The scenery is hugely varied from the snowy slopes of the Himalayas in the north where you will find national parks hiding the rare Indian tiger to the lush inland waterways of Kerala in the south. There are deserts around Rajasthan where you can ride a camel, visit stunning towns such as Jaipur or Udaipur and marvel at the floating palaces. Or perhaps you would rather relax on a traditional rice barge called a Kettuvallum and float down the backwaters of sleepy Kerala? Or ride an elephant? Or soak up some sun in a luxury beach resort on the coast? You can visit the holy city of Varanasi and the Mother Ganges or get caught up in the buzz of old Delhi. And what about a visit to the world famous Taj Mahal?
Highlights
The scenery is hugely varied from the snowy slopes of the Himalayas in the north where you will find national parks hiding the rare Indian tiger to the lush inland waterways of Kerala in the south. There are deserts around Rajasthan where you can ride a camel, visit stunning towns such as Jaipur or Udaipur and marvel at the floating palaces. Or perhaps you would rather relax on a traditional rice barge called a Kettuvallum and float down the backwaters of sleepy Kerala? Or ride an elephant? Or soak up some sun in a luxury beach resort on the coast? You can visit the holy city of Varanasi and the Mother Ganges or get caught up in the buzz of old Delhi. And what about a visit to the world famous Taj Mahal?
The Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur Visit the lively city of Delhi home to so many important historical treasures before heading off to see the legendary Taj Mahal at Agra. The final point in the Golden Triangle is the fabulous pink city of Jaipur and the unmissable Amber Fort and the Palace of the Winds.
Rajasthan enjoy the desert in Rajasthan combined with the faded colonial grandeur of Jaisalmer and Udaipur. Jaisalmer is dominated by its sandstone fort and the warren of backstreets once home to the caravans on the Silk Route. And of course you cannot miss the stunning lake palaces of Udaipur also known as the Venice of India.
Himalayas: Shimla and Darjeeling watch the sunrise over the eastern Himalayas from Darjeeling, one of the Rajs summer retreats or visit the colonial charm of Shimla another picturesque hill station.
The National Parks look for the elusive tiger from the back of an elephant in one of the national parks such as Kanha or Bandhavgarh.
Kerala Backwaters travel the sleepy backwaters of Kerala and explore the traditional way of life on board a houseboat or Kettuvallum. This area is very lush and great for wildlife.
When to visit India
Rajasthan enjoy the desert in Rajasthan combined with the faded colonial grandeur of Jaisalmer and Udaipur. Jaisalmer is dominated by its sandstone fort and the warren of backstreets once home to the caravans on the Silk Route. And of course you cannot miss the stunning lake palaces of Udaipur also known as the Venice of India.
Himalayas: Shimla and Darjeeling watch the sunrise over the eastern Himalayas from Darjeeling, one of the Rajs summer retreats or visit the colonial charm of Shimla another picturesque hill station.
The National Parks look for the elusive tiger from the back of an elephant in one of the national parks such as Kanha or Bandhavgarh.
Kerala Backwaters travel the sleepy backwaters of Kerala and explore the traditional way of life on board a houseboat or Kettuvallum. This area is very lush and great for wildlife.
October to March