India - Guide

The birthplace of both the Hindu and Buddhist religions and one of the world's oldest civilizations, India is a country steeped in history.

This vast and varied country is blessed with a treasure-trove of stunning sites both natural and man-made. The majestic Taj Mahal, the shore temples of Mamallapuram, the mighty Himalayan Mountains, and the golden beaches of Goa - to name but a few.

Indeed, India truly is a country of contrasts. From ancient opulent palaces to filthy slums, from the young, rich socialites of Delhi to the street kids and beggars of Mumbai, from stunning mountain scenery to overcrowded cities - you will either love it or hate it!

When to go

India is a huge country, with a wealth of natural and cultural highlights to enjoy. The best time to arrange your visit will be largely influenced by the weather, and depend on the places you want to visit and activities you’d like to enjoy, as well as your own availability.

India’s climate can be split simply into 3 seasons – summer, winter and the monsoon. In general, the best time to visit is during winter, which can be classed as late September to early April. The high-season for tourism, when most of the country enjoys moderate temperatures, lasts from November to March. During this time it will be warm during the day but cool at night, with higher temperatures in the south, and cooler in the northern towns and cities as snow falls in the Himalayas. As in peak seasons in most places, hotels will fill up early, prices are higher, and there are lots of tourists in the major destinations. With slightly lower prices and less people around, the months (September/October & March/April) either side of this peak time are a good time to visit.

The summer months of April to June get progressively hotter, with extreme temperatures reaching well over 40C, particularly in the north and central areas. This makes travelling hard work, and we adjust itineraries to do our visits early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Air conditioned hotels are essential at this time. The summer is however an ideal time to visit the Himalayan foothills.

India receives the vast majority of its annual rainfall during the monsoon months of June to September. The monsoon rains work their way across the country, starting first in the south west states such as Kerala and working north. While some parts of the country may look at their most beautiful at this time, issues such as flooding, power failures, and damaged roads can make travelling problematic. The far south eastern states of Tamil Nadhu and part of Andhra Pradesh don’t get so much rain during this period, but instead have a second heavier monsoon between October and December.

A great place to visit during the monsoon months is the high mountain region of Ladakh in the far north of the country. This beautiful area is closed by snow for much of the year, and only properly accessible for tourism between June and September.

Highlights

• Delhi - bustling, noisy, overcrowded capital of India
• Agra - the beautiful Taj Mahal and Red Fort
• Rajasthan - desert, palaces and forts of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur
• Amritsar - Golden Temple
• Khajuraho - large collection of erotically carved temples
• Varanasi - the river Ganges lined by numerous Ghats
• Goa - Idyllic, sandy beaches and a laid-back hippy culture