An entire subcontinent: the white marble of the Taj Mahal, the ochre forts of Rajasthan, the ghats of Varanasi where the sacred pyres burn, the peaceful backwaters of Kerala and the Himalaya to the north. India is not visited, it is lived: it jostles, dazzles and holds on. Mythical trains, endless regional cuisines, permanent festivals, it rewards curious travellers who agree to let go of the schedule and of silence.
Itineraries
The itineraries in India are in the works: the day-by-day program, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.
Got it. You will be notified at the next release.
The sign-up could not be completed. Try again in a moment.
Your address is only used for these release announcements. Privacy policy
Leaving before they come out? Request a custom day-by-day itinerary in India
Itineraries available in Asia
We don't sell an itinerary in India yet. Here are the ones already on sale, for other countries.
Classic
Four days in Tokyo, one night in Hakone, five in Kyoto with a day trip to Nara, and a last one in Osaka, by train, subway and on foot.
See the itinerary
Classic
The northern island in two weeks: Sapporo, Otaru, the Furano hills, the Shiretoko Peninsula, the eastern lakes and Hakodate.
See the itinerary
Classic
Japan's hidden side in two weeks: Kinosaki Onsen, the Tottori dunes, Izumo, the Shimanami Kaido and the Iya valley.
See the itinerary
Module
Five days in Gyeonggi province: the cosmopolitan port of Incheon and the futuristic city of Songdo, the border island of Ganghwa and its dolmens, the UNESCO-listed fortresses of Namhansanseong and Hwaseong, the folk village and Everland.
See the itinerary
The right season
From October to March, northern India lives its best season: dry skies, 25 °C in Rajasthan, golden light. April-May bring crushing heat (45 °C on the plains), then the monsoon sweeps the country from June to September, making travel unpredictable but greening the whole South. Kerala and the coasts are also savoured in winter; the Himalaya keeps itself for summer.
Quick guide
The train is the quintessential Indian experience: book on IRCTC or via 12Go, in 2A or 3A class to sleep. In town, Uber and Ola spare you the rickshaw negotiations, which remain unavoidable on short hops.
The rupee (₹). Withdraw cash in the cities, the countryside runs on cash, and keep small notes for temples, rickshaws and chai. UPI payment dominates, but remains hard for foreigners to access.
22 official languages, Hindi in the north, but English is spoken everywhere the traveller goes: hotels, stations, restaurants. A "namaste" with joined hands opens every smile.
Uber or Ola for the city, IRCTC or ixigo for the trains, Zomato to find where the locals eat, and Google Maps, which works remarkably well.
From havelis converted into characterful hotels in Rajasthan to the houseboats of Kerala, via family guesthouses. The value is excellent, book early from November to February.
Take your shoes off in temples and homes, eat and give with the right hand, and ask before photographing people. Covered shoulders and knees are required in sacred places.
Must-sees
Agra
The white marble mausoleum raised by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz. At sunrise, as the marble blushes, the crowds have not yet arrived.
Varanasi
The most sacred city of Hinduism, where pilgrims and pyres share the steps of the Ganges. The dawn boat ride is unforgettable.
Jaipur
The palace of the winds and its 953 pink sandstone windows, from which the ladies of the court watched the street unseen.
Amritsar
The holiest shrine of the Sikhs, set on its pool of lustral water. The community kitchen serves 100,000 free meals a day.
Alleppey
900 km of canals between coconut palms and rice paddies, cruised on a traditional houseboat. Tropical India in slow motion.
Jodhpur
A colossal citadel raised 120 m above the blue city. Its ramparts offer the finest panorama in Rajasthan.
Pick a point on the map, or browse the list below.
Also on the map
This site uses Google Analytics to measure its audience and improve its content. No advertising use. You can refuse and nothing changes for you. Learn more about cookies