India Destination Guide

India …a country which will enchant you with its beauty and diversity, delight you with colourful pageantry, enrich you with culture, stun you with modernity, embrace you with warmth, and overwhelm you with hospitality…a land where the ancient and the contemporary exist side by side, where thousands of brilliant images fill the soul with wonder and where quaint and startling contradictions lend an extraordinary vitality, texture and poetry to life.

The culture

It is hard to generalise about India and its people. There is always an exception or a contradiction, for the diversity is astonishing. People are known for their intellectual energy, savoir-faire, resourcefulness and hospitality which comes from the heart. The birthplace of four major religions, India is rightfully known as the land of spirituality and philosophy. The main religions are Hindu, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity.

The shopping

For years India has been known as a shopper’s paradise. Each region has its own specialities. India’s vast cultural diversity has endowed it with a treasure trove of handicrafts in a truly remarkable variety of styles and prices. The shopping experience takes visitors through government run emporia selling a handpicked assortment of crafts to whole streets of shops selling speciality goods and exotica.

The nightlife

In India, meal times can mean a delectable adventure with cuisines encompassing all of Asia, the Middle East, and the West. Indian dishes, which vary from region to region, are elevated to high art. Vegetarians will be delighted to find that there is generally an excellent choice on the menu. Just as the cuisines are numerous so are the ambiences in places where you can eat. Nightlife is limited. However, cultural shows of outstanding Indian music, dance dramas and recitals, together with folk theatre are amongst the options. Most hotels in major cities like Delhi have nightclubs and bands playing in their restaurants. Hotel bars are usually frequented by locals and good music is played. Smaller cities and tourist hotels have folk dances and music in the evening. 

The sights

Delhi - The capital of India and gateway to the famed Golden Triangle, Delhi is divided into "old", where you can visit Gandhi’s Memorial and the Red Fort and "new" with its impressive government buildings and wide avenues.

Agra - Home to probably the most famous vision of India - the Taj Mahal, whose white marble exterior changes colour according to the time of day making it one of the most stunning and memorable buildings in the world. A visit to Agra would not be complete without stopping at the magnificent Red Fort, which dominates the centre of the city.

Varanasi - One of India’s holiest cities, which draws Hindu pilgrims from around the world to worship and to bathe in the sacred River Ganga. A visit to Varanasi is a true Indian experience and a highlight of any visit to the sub-continent.

Khajuraho - Although only a small town, Khajuraho is a world heritage site. Set miles from habitation with the Vindhyan Hills as a backdrop, it is famed for being home to some of India’s most amazing temples renowned for their remarkable erotic sculptures.

Jaipur - Jaipur is also known as the pink city. It is the capital of the state of Rajasthan and part of the Golden Triangle. A bustling city that has a startling array of stunning palaces and museums with the City Palace at its epicentre. A visit to the Amber Palace on the outskirts of the city is not to be missed and you may even be fortunate enough to make the journey up to the entrance on an elephant!

Udaipur - In southern Rajasthan lies the beautiful lake city of Udaipur, regarded by many as one of the most romantic locations in India. High above the lake stands the imposing palace of the Maharanas and from its rooftop gardens, there are stunning views over Lake Pichola towards the Summer Palace at its centre. Dotted around the lake are the houses and temples of the city backed by the green, lush hills which make this an oasis in the desert.

Samode - The small principality of Samode lies 26 miles north-west of Jaipur and dates back to the 16th century. The construction of the fort there began 400 years ago and each successive ruler added to the fort and the palace.  Today the palace is full of architectural delights and an evening at Samode is a magical experience of former princely India and part of an ongoing tradition.

Devigarh/Deogarh - Tucked away in the age-old Aravali hills of Rajasthan the 18th century Devigarh Fort Palace, in the village of Delwara, commands one of the three main passes into the valley of Udaipur and is a peaceful location to relax after touring.

Ranthambore - Established in 1959 as a sanctuary and now a National Park, it is hailed as one of India's finest wildlife destinations. Its name comes from the 11th century fort of Ranthambore, a vital citadel for the control of central India, which sits on a rocky outcrop in the forest. Once the scene of royal hunting parties, today the park is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild.

Jodhpur - The second city of Rajasthan sprawls around the awe-inspiring clifftop Meherangarh Fort. And outside the city, the art deco Umaid Bhavan Palace is most definitely worth a visit.

Goa - Our hotels in Goa are away from the main charter tourist hubbub. In Panaji, the capital of the state, there is a distinctive Portuguese influence manifested most clearly in the profusion of Christian churches. Away from the city, the countryside is flat and views are of palm trees which stretch as far as the eye can see fringing the long, golden sandy beach. Due to local law, all hotels are set back over 200 metres from the beach in their own private grounds.

Kerala - This South Indian state is India’s most densely populated region, but the draw is the beautiful golden beach edged by lush, green coconut groves. The incredible backwaters invite you to catch a glimpse of Keralan life, where festivals are characterised by elephant marches, snake boat races and colourful Kathakali dances.

Khimsar - Lying just 55 miles north of Jodhpur, Khimsar is famed for its beautiful 15th century fort with its intricate and delicate carved stonework.

Bikaner - The ancient desert town of Bikaner was founded in 1488 by one of the younger sons of Jodhpur’s founder, who was sent out in to the world to make his own fortune to avoid a war of succession with his older sibling. Situated in the heart of a wilderness, the Junagarh Fort rises up from the bare landscape and contains palaces and temples filled with glorious frescoes, intricate carpets and samples of Bikaner’s art of miniature paintings.

Jaisalmer - Dominated by Jaisalmer Fort, the city is the oldest Rajput capital and was originally a trading post, which brought the city its wealth. The city houses a number of havelis – the most beautiful of which is the Patwon characterised by the yellow-gold Jaisalmer sandstone. The fort itself is a city in its own right with houses, shops and hotels and some fascinating Hindu and Jain temples.

Mandawa - Situated in the Shekhavati region, this area is renowned for its beautiful havelis. These are mansions covered in stunning frescoes which housed ladies apartments around secluded courtyards.

Mumbai - Mumbai is India’s most important commercial and industrial centre and its largest city. Home to the rich and famous and India’s booming film industry known as Bollywood, where more films are produced annually than anywhere else in the world – including Hollywood! Situated on India’s west coast, the city has a natural harbour and life in the city is very much based around its beaches and promenades. The three main areas, Colaba, where the Gateway of India stands imposingly on the waterfront, Fort (the downtown area) and Malabar Hill with its hanging gardens are linked by the Marine Drive, which, as its name implies, curves along the coast.

Shimla - Shimla was the so-called summer capital of India during the days of the Raj – a wonderful escape from the heat for the British sahibs. Its British roots are reflected in the colonial architecture and the green hills surrounding it. The famous narrow-gauge railway links Kalka on the plains to Shimla offering an opportunity to view the picturesque scenery of the foothills of the Himalaya as it winds its way on its slow journey to the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

The options

India is vast and the options are staggering. We can offer a tailor-made service, so if the destinations or tours are not exactly what you are looking for, just ask and our experienced staff will be able to put together your ideal holiday. Why not consider stopping off in Dubai, Doha in Qatar or Colombo in Sri Lanka? Alternatively, there are regular flights to Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean from India.

In a nutshell...

India is a country which can change you and will most certainly touch you deeply and remain in your memory forever. The hospitality and generosity of the people is genuine and the huge diversity of its cultural heritage and scenic variations will stagger you. The best time to travel is during the winter months from mid September to mid April. The rainfall is higher in July and August although this if more prevalent in Kerala and Goa in the South. Although you will see beggars and vendors selling postcards and souvenirs at the entrances to major tourist sites, western views of mass poverty and ‘Delhi Belly’ are generally a misconception and standards of living, as well as tourist services, have improved immensely in the last 10–15 years.

The facts

Geography: India is the seventh largest country in the world with a total land area of 2.1 million square miles. It is 1834 miles wide and the 2009 miles long. India is a wide-ranging amalgam of races, religions and cultures. Hot and tropical, weather varies considerably according to season and location.
Language: There are over 18 major languages including Hindi which is spoken by some 400 million people. However, English is widely spoken by "the person in the street" in most cities.
Climate: In a country the size of India, it will come as no surprise, that the weather patterns vary enormously. In general, our summer coincides with the hottest weather in India. From March to May, the North Indian weather is hot and dry and temperatures can reach 40 – 45ºC whilst the south is more sultry and hot with temperatures a more bearable 27 – 29ºC.   From June to September, the southwest monsoon sweeps the majority of the country and rain and high humidity dominate the weather. The most popular time to visit is between November and February when the weather is generally warm and sunny with temperatures around 15 – 20ºC in the north and above 20 ºC in the south. Temperatures in the foothills of the Himalaya are, of course, much cooler year round and can drop to almost freezing in the winter.
Visas: You will need a full British passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond your date of return. A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from the UK. You should allow a minimum of four weeks for visa processing. It is imperative that you obtain your visa in good time, as we cannot be liable for any costs or loss, should you have to cancel your holiday because your visa has not been received in time.
For further information, contact the High Commission of India or visit www.hcilondon.org.
We can also provide you with details of a company who offer a visa processing service. They will handle all the documentation for you – even checking that you have completed the forms correctly - thereby ensuring that your application is processed as quickly as possible. Click here to download a visa application form.

Travelling time: The travelling time from London to Delhi is around 8 hours and to Mumbai around 9 hours. Non-stop flights are offered by Virgin Atlantic, Jet Airways and British Airways, whilst Emirates and Qatar Airways operate flights via Dubai and Doha respectively. If travelling to Goa, you will need to transfer en route in Mumbai. Flights to Kerala operate via Mumbai, Doha or Dubai.
Flight upgrades: With a destination like India, where travel plans often involve a busy touring schedule, you will want to arrive refreshed and raring to go, so why not consider upgrading to a premium cabin, where you will benefit from greater comfort and space? Many airlines now offer a premium economy cabin – a separate cabin with a more comfortable armchair like seat and extra leg room. This is an extremely cost-effective way of making the journey more comfortable without breaking the bank. Business and first class travel usually offers seats which convert into a fully flat bed, a separate check-in, fast track through security and an extensive menu complemented with Champagne and fine wines. Our experienced travel advisors will be pleased to offer you advice and prices for upgrading your flights.
Local time: GMT +5 hours 30 minutes
Currency: Local currency is Indian Rupee. Most major credit cards are widely accepted.