India Escorted Tours & Guided Holidays

India Touring Holidays Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tours to India?

Where do we start! India is an enchanting country full of diverse cultures, spices, animals and a celebration of colour. It’s also a large country with so much to see, so it’s vital to choose your highlights to suit your length of stay when visiting India. The one thing most travellers want to see is the absolutely stunning Taj Mahal which thankfully all of our tours include!

If you are short on time, say just a week to give, then an introduction to India via our Taj Mahal, Delhi & Amber Fort tour would be ideal. This tour focuses on northern India and gives you the opportunity to discover the highlights of Delhi, including the iconic India gate, the Jama Masjid Mosque and bustling streets of Old Delhi. The 'Pink City' of Jaipur with its Amber Fort. Then on to Bharatpur, and then Agra to see the fort and of course last but not least, the beautiful Taj Mahal.

If you can add on a few more days then it’s worth stepping out beyond the Golden Triangle to enjoy some wildlife sightings on a safari in Ranthambore National Park.

Want the ultimate tour of India, taking you from the Golden Triangle in the north to Kerala's backwaters in the south. With everything above included then you need the Grand Tour of India. The only tour where you'll visit Old Delhi in the company of former street child, who will introduce you to the India that very few travellers get to see.

What are the highlights of India?

Everyone knows about the Taj Mahal and it goes without saying that it’s a highlight of India but there are some other hidden gems you should be aware of:

Animal and Nature lovers should be sure to visit Ranthambore National Park. Covering almost 400 square kilometres, it was once the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur and is now home to an impressive array of wildlife. Its most famous resident is the Bengal tiger, but there are also more than 320 species of birds, more than 40 species of mammals and over 35 species of reptiles! A wildlife lovers dream!

Monarchy, History and architect lovers will revel in the wonders that are Jaipur and the pink palace. The city of Jaipur is one of India's architectural marvels. Its elaborate structures house some of the country's most ornate royal palaces. Built in the 1700s under the order of Rajput ruler Sawai Raja Jai Singh II, it was considered ahead of its time. Jaipur city was painted a romantic dusty pink hue back in 1876 as a welcome to Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert and has retained its status as the "Pink City," ever since.

Most tours of India only take you to the tourist areas and you do not get a real insight into some of the hardships of life for the locals. For a fully rounded view of India you need to visit Old Delhi – a maze of chaotic, ancient alleyways and streets, jam packed with shops, people, street vendors, beggars and the homeless. There are approximately 100,000 homeless people living in India’s capital and half of them are children! Our Grand tour of India includes a walk through Delhi with former street children who now work with our partner, the Salaam Baalak Trust. This charity does incredible work with these youngsters, not only teaching them skills to better their lives but also providing them with a warm bed at night, a hot meal each day and the chance of a brighter future.

What is the dress code for India?

Flowing, loose fitting, cotton clothing are ideal in India as they are cool, comfortable and shows a cultural respect to the locals. In the main however anything goes, unless you are attending a temple, mosque, place of worship or religious ground and then the following items must not be worn; vest tops, sleeveless dresses/tops, mini-skirts, shorts or jeans. Always err on the side of modesty and make sure any décolletage, shoulders and knees are covered. Some religious buildings may ask you to remove your shoes and wash your feet before entering and women may be asked to wear a hair covering for example a scarf. They will usually be provided by the mosque if required.

What is the food like in India?

Indian cuisine in general terms is similar to the food you will have experienced from your local takeaway. A nice selection of curry’s from mild to hot with all the accompaniments. These you will find with ease from Central to North of Indian

However, Indian food is also heavily influenced by region, due to the difference in soil and climate. Cuisines will vary substantially and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits, so an open mind to trying new dishes is wise.

The cuisine on the Southern side of India differs greatly to the Central and North, you won’t find a Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala or Rogan Josh. And nope, not even a naan bread! Instead you’ll find your taste buds tantalised by Dosas, a paper thin pancake filled with delicious treats such as spicy lamb, chickpeas or lentils accompanied with steamed coconut rice and Vadas, a gently spiced, savoury donut.

Religion and cultural choices also play a big part in Indian cuisine and you may find that some restaurants do not offer meat as an option with most Hindu’s and Buddhists following a strict vegetarian diet. Whereas Islamic Indian cuisine will offer Halal only options.

A treat not to be missed is the street food market, where locals cook their dishes in the open air for you to try. It’s cheap, cheerful and extremely tasty! What is better still is that while your taste buds are having an experience of their own you are supporting a local family to survive the poverty that still exists in this country.

TOP TIP – For those of you that like it extra mild or even extra hot – here is a translation in Hindi the most spoken language in India.
Food Heat = bhojan kee garmee
Very Mild = Bahut Halka
Mild = Halka
Medium = Mahyam
Hot = Garm
Very Hot = Bahut Garm

Etiquette - In India, you should finish everything that is on your plate because it is considered a respect for the host, and with food in Indian considered sacred, you don't want to waste a morsel. In South India, where food is usually served on a banana leaf, it is polite to fold your leaf over from the top to bottom ― Do not fold the leaf from the bottom to the top, as this is a sign to the host that you were not satisfied.

What is the best time of year to visit India?

Unless you like it Hot, Hot, Hot, the best time to visit India is from December until early March. April onwards sees soaring temperatures which make touring more difficult and June, July, August and September can be monsoon season in most regions.