Our grading system explained
India
With some of the most varied scenery in the world, wonderful wildlife and a rich, cultural heritage, India is an incredibly rewarding destination.
7 Holidays
Kangchenjunga Trek Sikkim, India
22 day Vigorous / Strenuous Walking & Trekking
- Splendid Himalayan trekking with scenic camps and panoramic viewpoints.
- Genuinely remote with few other trekkers for the first eight days of the trek.
- Stunning sunrise views of Kangchenjunga and the surrounding peaks.
- Time in Darjeeling & Kalimpong to enjoy the sights.
- Full-service camping on trek and good quality centrally located hotels.
Flight inclusive from £3925, Land only from £2875
Gentle Walking & Wildlife Kerala
15 day Gentle / Moderate Walking & Trekking
- Take a sunset cruise to see Kochi’s iconic fishing nets
- Walk with expert local trackers in three different wildlife sanctuaries
- Wander through tea plantations in the scenic hills of Munnar
- Ascend the second highest peak in southern India
- Relax on an overnight riceboat cruise on Kerala’s backwaters
- Visit a spice plantation, tea factory and coconut farm, and experience rural Keralan life
Flight inclusive from £3035, Land only from £2195
Markha Valley Trek
14 day Vigorous Walking & Trekking
- A classic summer trek in the dramatic Indian Himalaya
- A week long trek crossing a pass of 5,216m/17,113ft
- Plenty of pre-trek acclimatisation time in and around Leh
- Time at a traditional Ladakhi festival
Flight inclusive from £2990, Land only from £1995
Zanskar Dream Trek
31 day Strenuous Walking & Trekking
- Unique to Mountain Kingdoms, this trek avoids the more well-known routes in Zanskar with large parts of it through completely uninhabited wilderness.
- A truly exciting and challenging trek for the serious adventurer.
- An excellent acclimatisation programme with time in Leh the walk to Sapi Lake.
- First rate camping facilities and a highly experienced Mountain Kingdoms appointed leader.
Land only from £5285
- Ride a mountain train, walk the Mall in Shimla and visit the magnificent Golden Temple at Amritsar
- Visit Dharamsala, the home town of the Dalai Lama
- Stay in converted palaces, heritage properties and characterful hotels
- Enjoy good day walks and explore the key cultural sights on foot.
Flight inclusive from £3260, Land only from £2585
Gentle Walking Ladakh
14 day Gentle / Moderate Walking & Trekking
- Explore the sights of Leh - the fascinating capital of Ladakh
- Enjoy pretty walks in lovely countryside
- Visit some of the most stunning monasteries and palaces of Ladakh
- Stay in comfortable hotels that reflect the character of the region
Flight inclusive from £3080, Land only from £2450
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Introduction
India is a land of extraordinary contrasts, from frenetic urban Delhi to tranquil Keralan backwaters, and from the deserts of Rajasthan to snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
Northwest India makes a good starting point with the impressive palaces and forts of Rajasthan, the dazzling Golden Temple of Amritsar, cool colonial hill stations in Himachal Pradesh and some spectacular trekking in Garhwal. In the far north there are breathtaking and epic summer treks in Ladakh and Zanskar whilst the kingdom of Sikkim offers beautiful mountain walking and a vibrant Buddhist culture. For those wanting a more relaxing experience, the laid back charms of Southern India won’t disappoint.
Aside from the impressive scenic and cultural diversity, India is rightly renowned for its wonderful wildlife. Kaziranga National Park in Assam, close to the mighty Brahmaputra, is the place to see the rare One-horned rhino whilst tigers are the main attraction at Ranthambore. You can see both these wildlife rich areas on our Brahmaputra River Cruise & Rajasthan.
Key Facts
- Capital city: Delhi
- Population: 1,236,344,631 (est. 2014)
- Size of country: 3,287,263 sq km
- Currency: Indian Rupee
- Power supply: 220v/240v
- Sockets: two pin sockets or Indian three-round pin variety
- Language: Hindi is promoted as the national language and is spoken throughout the northern states. In the south, Tamil is spoken by 65 million people.
- English is also widely spoken and written.
- Time difference: GMT +5.5 hours
- Visas: British nationals are required to obtain a visa in advance of travel to India.
- Religion: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1%
- Popular dishes: The regional nature of Indian cuisine makes it impossible to define a national dish but spices are the essential ingredient throughout the country.
- Popular drinks: Chai (tea) is the staple drink of India.
- Did you know: Indian railways carries over 20 million passengers daily and employs almost 1.5 million people.
- FCDO advice: FCDO travel advice
Climate
When is the best time to travel to India?
India is such a vast country, with the climate varying considerably depending on the area you are visiting. As such, India is a year-round destination. Whilst the majority of India may be washed out by the monsoon during the summer, Ladakh in the Indian Himalaya is best visited in the summer months.
Our climate charts will give you a guide as to the best time of year to visit India, or phone one of our destination experts to discuss your walking holiday, trek or tour in India. We can also create a Tailor Made holiday to India just for you. Simply call 01453 844400 to discuss all the possibilities for travel to this fascinating country.
For more detailed information on the best time to visit each region, please see the following pages: Ladakh, Sikkim, Northeast India, Northwest India, Southern India.