India Holidays

India offers a rich tapestry of experiences that span heritage, scenery, wildlife and luxury hospitality, all of which work beautifully for a tailor-made holiday.

Most journeys begin in the north, where Delhi’s Mughal monuments and bustling markets set the stage before moving on to Agra and the unmissable Taj Mahal, best seen at sunrise when its marble glows softly in the light. From there, Rajasthan beckons with the rose-hued palaces of Jaipur, the golden fort of Jaisalmer, and the blue lanes of Jodhpur, all offering glimpses into royal India’s artistry and grandeur. Beyond the cities, rural Rajasthan brings a quieter rhythm of desert dunes, camel safaris, and heritage retreats where local crafts and cuisine take centre stage. To the east, Varanasi hums with spiritual energy along the Ganges, while further south the backwaters of Kerala invite calm with their palm-lined canals and traditional houseboats. Tea estates in the Nilgiri Hills, colonial echoes in Tamil Nadu, and cool Himalayan hill stations offer yet more contrast. For wildlife enthusiasts, India’s national parks such as Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, and Kaziranga promise tiger sightings and jungle luxury, while those seeking the sea can end their journey on the beaches of Goa or the turquoise shores of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In our view the Taj Mahal is very much worth a visit, provided your planning takes its popularity into account. It is globally celebrated and for good reason: the craftsmanship, symbolism and scale mark it out as an architectural jewel.At the same time, it is extremely well visited, which means crowds, surrounding commercial areas and logistical demands come into play. Our recommendation is to include it if you are doing the heritage leg of north India and to do so in a considered way: plan early morning or late afternoon at the monument, use a high-quality guide and pair the visit with other experiences so it doesn’t dominate the trip.

The best time to visit India for most luxury travel interests is from October through to March when much of the country enjoys drier, cooler weather, making sightseeing, safari and beach segments far more comfortable. Summers (April–May) in the plains tend to be very hot and monsoon (June–September) can bring heavy rain, humidity and disruption.That said, if your interest lies in high-altitude trekking or very lush landscapes then the summer months or shoulder seasons might work, but for a luxury holiday built around heritage, nature and beach, the Oct–Mar window is the sweet spot.

For a luxury holiday that does justice to India’s scale, we typically advise at least 10 to 14 days. This gives you time to settle in, explore one or two regions at a relaxed pace and enjoy the transitions rather than rushing. If you are combining multiple regions (for example north India with a wildlife reserve plus beach time), then 14 to 21 days is much more comfortable. A shorter stay of 7 to 10 days can work if you focus on a single region (for example the “Golden Triangle” of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) and accept a more compact schedule.

For a luxury-tailored holiday in India your transport framework will ideally include domestic flights between major hubs, and a private car with driver/guide for regional segments such as heritage towns or rural stays. This offers comfort, flexibility and personalised pace. In some cases, luxury trains or even helicopter/seaplane transfers (for remote or premium beach or island properties) may come into play. The key is to avoid long, tiring ground cross-country legs and instead connect places sensibly so you arrive refreshed and ready for the experience. The more active travellers can also do cycling tours.

Rural Rajasthan invites you into a world of forts, desert landscapes, village crafts and heritage hospitality, but it also calls for sensible planning. The climate can be extreme in summer and nights cold in winter, roads may be less refined than city highways and local customs matter: modest dress, respectful behaviour and sensitivity to local traditions will elevate your experience. Many of the top heritage-camp and lodge stays in rural locations deliver high comfort, but you’ll want to ensure your vehicle is well-equipped and allow travel time for non-urban distances. What we love about rural Rajasthan is the confluence of palace-hotel luxury, authentic village craft encounters and desert scenery.

India offers some genuinely excellent beach destinations, ranging from the resort coastlines of Goa and Kerala to the more remote island splendour of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The experience will depend on the region and season, so it is important to pick your beach segment carefully. When done well, you can mix beach time with luxury service, wellness or marine-nature adventure behind the scenes.

India ranks very highly for luxury seekers thanks to a blend of heritage, wilderness and bespoke service. You’ll find magnificent palace-converted hotels, high-end safari lodges in wildlife reserves, and stylish beach resorts, all offering private guides, tailor-made experiences and local resonance. Luxury here isn’t simply “big hotel”, it’s character and immersion. The diversity of experiences, from desert camps to jungle lodges, from spa retreats to private craft tours, makes India especially appealing.

Absolutely. One of India’s strengths for luxury travel is that you can journey across very different landscapes and cultural zones in one itinerary: heritage in north India, safari in the interior, beach time by the sea. With well-planned logistics you can link destinations, so you feel the shift rather than it feeling like transit. The key is to keep the number of major regions manageable (two to three) so you maintain a pace of luxury, not rush. Structuring an itinerary with clear transport windows and generous stays ensures the transitions are elegant, and the trip remains relaxing and purposeful.

Yes, they are not just available, but we encourage you to insist on them. For a luxury holiday you’ll want a dedicated guide (and driver) for your party, someone recommended, experienced in the region, and attuned to your interests (heritage, photography, wildlife, local culture). Lodges and resorts also provide concierge liaison who will arrange private excursions, craft village visits, behind-the-scenes access and wellness treatments.

India offers a broad palette of adventure experiences that suit luxury travellers who want more than just relaxation. You can take part in private safari drives and even walking safaris in top reserves; trek or ride in mountain landscapes; enjoy desert excursions on camel or Jeep; dive or snorkel in exotic island marine environments; or explore remote craft villages by helicopter or boat. The idea is to deliver meaningful adventure, so you return each evening to a beautiful setting, good food and ease.

India’s cultural rhythm is rich and festival-driven, so timing your visit to coincide with major celebrations can heighten the experience. Two of the most prominent festivals are Holi (typically March) and Diwali (October or November depending on the lunar calendar). These festivals bring streets, temples and villages alive with colour, lights and ritual. It’s important to check the exact dates for the year you travel, because they shift annually. Beyond those, many regions have local festivals tied to seasons, culture and community tradition. Working one or two of these into your itinerary adds depth.

Yes, and this is where India truly shines. You will be able to visit historic temples, palaces and craft villages whilst concurrently experiencing scenic landscapes like desert dunes, jungle canopies and coastal expanses. This combination of culture and scenery gives a sense of place and variation, which we believe luxury travellers value highly. For example, you might walk through a rural village workshop in Rajasthan in the morning, explore a desert fort in the afternoon, and watch the sunset over dunes. The way cultural and scenic experiences weave together adds richness and prevents the trip from feeling one-dimensional.

Among the standout beach destinations for luxury travellers are the shores of Goa (especially the quieter south-coast resorts), the backwaters and coastline of Kerala, and the islands of the Andaman & Nicobar group, where you’ll find far fewer crowds and pristine marine settings. For example, the famed Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island in the Andamans is often cited among Asia’s finest. These locations provide the breadth of beach experience, from resort ambience and wellness to remote island calm.

India offers premium wildlife destinations that appeal strongly to luxury travellers. Top examples include Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, renowned for the Bengal tiger and forest-slash-ruin setting; Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, with high tiger density and dense jungle; and Kaziranga National Park in Assam, famous for its one-horned rhino and rich biodiversity. These places combine core wilderness with high-end lodges, private guides and curated safari programmes.

Yes. You might begin with heritage and culture in north or central India (palaces, temples, craft villages), move into an adventure or wildlife phase (jungle lodge, safari, trek), and then relax for a few nights on a beach, whether it’s a fashionable resort in Goa or a more remote island retreat in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The domestic flights and good resort-level infrastructure make this feasible. We recommend allocating a minimum of three to four nights for your beach segment so that it truly feels like recovery rather than a quick add-on. The result is a trip of variety, relaxation and luxury all in one.

We are not medical specialists and would always advise speaking to your GP or a registered travel health clinic at least 8 weeks before you travel to ensure you have accurate advice. Please be aware that even within a country the advice varies from region to region so we strongly suggest speaking to a medical professional.

The majority of countries we offer require visas to visit, please give our team of experts a call on 0203 111 1315 to chat through a specific country requirement as these do change over time. Visas can sometimes be purchased on arrival but often you are required to get one prior to travel. We recommend visiting the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website or the relevant embassy for up-to-date information on visas, entry rules, and travel advice as soon as you have booked your trip.