Luxury India Vacations

India offers an incredible range of luxury destinations. Rajasthan is perfect for palace stays and royal experiences, while Kerala combines wellness and backwater cruises with lush scenery. The Himalayas are home to world-class spa retreats, and Goa or the Andaman Islands offer exclusive beach resorts. For cultural immersion, add Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur – the famed Golden Triangle – to your journey.

From restored royal palaces and boutique heritage hotels to ultra-modern resorts and wilderness lodges, India’s luxury stays are wonderfully diverse. Expect impeccable service, private pools, fine dining, and elegant décor that reflects local art and architecture. Notable names include the Oberoi, Taj, and Leela collections, along with unique boutique retreats and wellness sanctuaries like Ananda in the Himalayas.

Luxury in India is about more than beautiful hotels, it’s about memorable moments. You could float over Jaipur in a hot-air balloon, take a private sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal, dine under the stars in the Thar Desert, or enjoy a guided wildlife safari in Ranthambhore. Private cooking classes, exclusive art tours, and curated shopping experiences can all be tailored to your interests.

Private car and driver is the most flexible and comfortable way to explore, with luxury vehicles and knowledgeable chauffeurs ensuring a smooth journey. For something extra special, you can also travel by the Maharajas’ Express or Palace on Wheels, luxury trains that let you see India’s highlights in royal style. Domestic flights link most major destinations efficiently too.

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.

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.