Twenty-eight states, twenty-two official languages, 1.5 billion stories. Here's how to begin reading it.
India runs on a monsoon calendar. The best window for North India and Rajasthan is October through March — clear skies, cool mornings, festivals in every other town.
The classic season for the North, the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Diwali in October–November; the Pushkar fair in November; the Nagaur fair in February.
Lowlands warm rapidly. The Himalayas open — Ladakh, Spiti, the Kashmir valley. Hill stations come alive: Shimla, Mussoorie, Darjeeling.
Kerala's lush, romantic season. Ladakh stays clear. Festivals of green: Onam, Janmashtami, Independence Day. The land breathes again.
Each region is, in a sense, its own country — its own language, its own kitchen, its own gods.
Mughal capitals, Rajput palaces, the Thar desert, the Taj Mahal. The first stop for most. Boutique heritage, marigold welcomes, camel-leather souvenirs.
Ladakh's monasteries above 3,500 metres. Shimla's colonial bones. Darjeeling's tea. Sikkim's silence. Slow travel with thin air and big skies.
Backwater houseboats, Cochin's Jewish quarter, hill-station tea, Ayurveda on the Malabar coast. Greener, slower, gentler.
Living temples that have never closed — Madurai, Thanjavur, Chettinad. Bronze-casters, silk weavers, the most generous food in India.
Portuguese churches, palm beaches, fish curries. Less party than its reputation; more siesta and sunset.
Seven sisters: Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and beyond. Tribal cultures, the Hornbill Festival, Kaziranga's rhinoceros, the wettest place on earth.
Most travellers obtain an e-visa online before arrival — straightforward, two to four days. We'll send you the link and step-by-step guidance once you're booked.
The Indian Rupee. ATMs are widespread; cards are accepted in cities and hotels. We recommend a small amount of cash for markets, tips and rural stops.
No vaccinations are required by law, though several are recommended. Consult your doctor 6–8 weeks before. Bottled and filtered water is provided throughout our tours.
Modest dress at temples; shoes off at thresholds; the right hand for eating and giving. A "Namaste" with palms together is always welcomed.
Some monuments charge a camera fee, payable on entry. Always ask before photographing people; a smile in return is a small but real exchange.
Customary and appreciated. Guidance is provided at the start of every tour — for guides, drivers, porters, hotel staff.
"India is not a country you visit. It is a country that visits you."An old traveller's saying