Agra will forever be associated with that great monument to love, the Taj Mahal and the impossibly beautiful building that hangs like a cloud over the city. However this former capital isn’t all about the famous monument – there are plenty of other beautiful examples of Mughal architecture to be found such as the magnificent Red Fort. You may stop here for just a night on your tour of the Golden Triangle but it is well worth extending your stay to a few days to explore.
3 Hotels, 14 Tours, 4 Experiences
Covering India’s most north eastern region are the epic landscapes of the world’s highest mountain range – the Himalayas. From the Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar, the gateway to many of the delights of the mountains, to the relics of the British Raj in Shimla, this region has so much to offer and is the ideal destination of you are looking to enjoy the great outdoors and some of earth’s most spectacular vistas. Get a different perspective on the mountains in Nepal or Bhutan.
9 Hotels, 2 Tours, 2 Experiences
India's National Parks and wildlife reserves are epic in size, consistently beautiful and home to an incredible array of wildlife species, the most iconic of which being the iconic Bengal tiger. The number of parks and sanctuaries throughout the country reflect the importance of protecting endangered wildlife species, which is now a major focus in India. The opportunity to see a tiger in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and although sightings are not guaranteed, you will have to opportunity to witness some beautiful landscapes while you seek out these elusive creatures.
17 Hotels, 9 Tours, 3 Experiences
It’s hard to decide what is the most relaxing part of a holiday to Kerala: the water lapping at the hull of your boat as you cruise through the canals of backwaters; the hours spent snoozing beneath swaying palms with the waves of the Arabian Sea as your sole soundtrack; or the cooling mountain breeze and life-enriching views in the hill stations of the Western Ghats. Where the cities of northern India leave you exhilarated with their frenetic pace, the glorious landscapes of Kerala soothe the soul. They can soothe the body too. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a one-off treatment, a yoga class as the sun rises or an all-encompassing Ayurvedic retreat, the pressures of modern life just seem to melt away. And if it’s a little city time you’re after, the melting-pot town of Cochin (Kochi) should satisfy your urbanite cravings. You’ll soon see why countries coveted and vied for control of this corner of the globe for centuries. Speak to one of our India experts and let us take you on a journey along the waterways and up into the hills. We’ve picked the best hotels, hidden-away coastal resorts and welcoming home stays and created a small group escorted tour full of unique experiences.
22 Hotels, 5 Tours, 6 Experiences
Superlatives quickly exhaust themselves with regards to Mumbai, a city with an astonishing 19 million inhabitants that is India’s most important port and also the centre of the country’s commercial and entertainment industries. Hard to believe it was once a collection of sleepy islands and trading posts, today it is India’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan city.
5 Hotels, 7 Tours, 2 Cruises, 2 Experiences
Rajasthan holidays are like tumbling into a fairytale book. Tigers rule the wilderness and epic fortresses guard a blushing terracotta-pink city, where you can just as easily spot peacocks wandering through gardens, an elephant stuck in a traffic jam or a troop of monkeys leaping between rooftops. Queen Elizabeth II graces the guestbooks of the state’s royal residences, most of which are now hotels that would blow away the most seasoned five-star hotel guests. Most visitors take a whistle-stop tour that only touches a tiny part of Rajasthan as part of the Golden Triangle – the first-timers’ holy grail combination of Delhi, Agra for the Taj Mahal and Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital. Beyond Jaipur, there are spectacular jewels strewn all over India’s largest state. Check in to a Bond villain lair-style floating palace; watch the amber glow radiate from a fort built by the same Mughal Emperor who built the Taj Mahal; and get a glimpse of the notoriously secretive leopard at a butler-serviced camp in the wilds of India. Pop into your local store and chat with us – we’ll share our insider knowledge with you and help create a Rajasthan holiday fit for you.
19 Hotels, 18 Tours, 6 Experiences
Situated on India’s west coast, Goa offers a unique blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures with miles of long sandy beaches, colonial whitewashed churches and emerald green paddy fields. Offering a laid-back charm and relatively untouched by mass tourism, South Goa’s beaches are lined with sleepy fishing villages, grand colonial houses and verdant farmland.
3 Hotels
It is no surprise that a country of India’s size that there are numerous cities which are well worth making a detour for. From the temple-filled cities of Madurai and Chennai in the spiritual state of Tamil Nadu to Bangalore, which showcases India’s colonial heritage, and the old diamond trading centre of Hyderabad India is offers a wealth of culture and heritage beyond its most famous metropolises.
1 Hotel, 2 Experiences
The exotic city of Varanasi is the cultural and religious centre of North India. Explore labyrinthine streets that bustle with merchants peddling their wares to the pilgrims passing through to the ghats (steps) down to the river. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho is renowned for its spectacular group of exquisitely carved Hindu and Jain temples which date back a thousand years to the Chandela dynasty.
6 Hotels, 3 Experiences
India’s southern cities are rich in history, sacred sites and fascinating contrasts between old and new. From Chennai, the ‘Gateway to South India’, to Madurai, the ‘City of Temples’, and the ‘Garden City’ of Bangalore (Bengaluru) to the distinctly-French Pondicherry, each city boasts unique cultural identities and can be easily combined with the beautiful backwaters of Kerala.
5 Hotels, 2 Tours
Now officially renamed Kolkata, following the independence of India from British rule, Calcutta is the country's second largest city and is renowned as the culture capital. It's also known as the 'city of joy'. Declared as the first capital of British India, Calcutta is filled with buildings that echo its past, including the grand Victoria Memorial.
1 Hotel, 2 Tours, 2 Experiences
Agra
Himalaya
India Wildlife Reserves
Kerala
Mumbai
Rajasthan
Goa
Other Cities
Varanasi & Khajuraho
States & Cities of South India
Calcutta (Kolkata)
