India is an immense nation of vivid contrasts and unrivalled culture
The seventh biggest country in the world and the second most populous, India can sometimes feel more like a continent than a country. From the snow-capped Himalayas in the far north to the lush waters of the south, this is a place where landscapes and cultures change in the blink of an eye. India is at once chaotic and noisy, peaceful and calm and it is this diversity that makes it such a fascinating and compelling destination.
India is one of the world’s oldest civilisations, its culture shaped by thousands of years of history. It gave birth to some of the world’s most prominent religions and is a country where life is lived out in hundreds of local dialects. Its soil was home to several ruling dynasties, each of whom left their mark. Every corner of the country reveals a different reflection on the past, from the Taj Mahal to quaint colonial churches and grand palaces built during the reign of the British Raj.
With one of the world’s fastest growing economies, you’re now just as likely to come across skyscrapers and glitzy shopping malls as you are hilltop villages and tea plantations. Cities are huge and sprawling and while they may feel hectic at times, Delhi and Mumbai are wonderful places to see how the old and new intertwine.
The northern state of Rajasthan is home to some of India’s most well-known and frequently visited cities. Meaning ‘Land of Kings’, the landscape is littered with magnificent forts and palaces. From the state capital of Jaipur and the Blue City of Jodhpur to the serene lakes of Udaipur and the dusty dunes of the Thar desert, Rajasthan is one of the most culturally rich pockets of India. The north is also home to the holy cities of Varanasi, Rishikesh and Amritsar, and few who come here fail to be touched by their spirituality. Further north still also offers some of the world’s best hiking, with the mighty peaks of the Himalayas in Kumaon and Ladakh.
Worlds away from the busy northern states, the south is somewhere to catch your breath. Kerala, affectionately known as God’s Own Country, is a lush and verdant state, one of emerald green waterways and coconut groves, and home to the wonderfully colonial town of Fort Cochin. While away your days on a houseboat, gliding along the network of canals and rivers, then discover laid-back beaches while listening to the rustle of palm trees and the sound of the ocean as it laps against the shore.
And then there’s the wildlife. India is a real-life Jungle Book, home to tigers, leopards and elephants. Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh and Kanha are home to some of the country’s highest tiger populations while the luxurious and remote JAWAI camp is the best place to catch a glimpse of the beautiful and elusive leopard.
There are few places on earth like India. A whirlwind of colours, sounds and smells, its energy is undeniably contagious and the best way to appreciate this rich and unique country is to throw yourself head first into its way of life.
Highlights
The great Mughal masterpiece, the Taj Mahal
Some of the worlds highest peaks are found in the snow-capped Himalayas
The magnificent forts and palaces of Rajasthan
The abundance of wildlife that call India home
Keith Jarman
Travel Designer
It's difficult to describe how vibrant and captivating India really is. It's the perfect place to explore as you're never short of things to do. Climb the Himalayas, relax at beautiful beaches, get lost wandering lively cities, or eat your way around the country so famous for its mouth-watering food.
Keith Jarman
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in India
Trip Inspiration
Where to go
Agra and the Taj Mahal
The ultimate symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal is one of India’s most memorable and emotive sights.
Discover moreAmritsar
The largest city in Punjab and the centre of the Sikh faith, Amritsar is a fascinating and tangibly spiritual destination.
Discover moreBandhavgarh
In the east of the vast Madhya Pradesh state, Bandhavgarh is one of India’s most popular national parks and hosts what is thought to be the highest density of Bengal tiger in the country.
Discover moreChandigarh
Chandigarh is the capital of both of Haryana and Punjab states, located on their borders yet technically within neither, in the green foothills of the Sivalik mountain range.
Discover moreDelhi
India’s capital captures the past, lives in the present and looks to the future in a way that few other cities do. Perhaps daunting at first sight, a little exploring soon reveals a rich, diverse and fascinating culture.
Discover moreFort Cochin
Nestled on the northwest tip of Cochin’s peninsula, Fort Cochin is a quaint coastal region with strong links to its colonial history.
Discover moreJaipur
The capital of Rajasthan and its largest city, Jaipur is at once the state’s commercial hub and one of its most fascinating cultural destinations. The pace of life here is fast, but take your time and in this somewhat frantic city you’ll find some of India’s most majestic palaces and atmospheric relics.
Discover moreJodhpur
Rajasthan’s second largest city, historic Jodhpur may just be its most photogenic. Labyrinthine streets, bustling spice bazaars and flitting multihued saris make for an overwhelmingly vibrant sight at every turn.
Discover moreKanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha Tiger Reserve is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh. Right in the heart of central India, this sprawling protected is regarded as one of the best parks in the country for its safari.
Discover moreKeralan Backwaters
With the Western Ghats towering to the east and the Arabian Sea flowing out from the west, Kerala is one of India‘s most verdant and beautiful states. Crisscrossing this green lung are the backwaters that snake their way through towns and villages.
Discover moreKhajuraho
Equidistant between Agra and Varanasi in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is the small town of Khajuraho. Its remote location means it could easily slip under the radar of travellers keen to get to India’s more well-known cities, were it not for its remarkable collection of temples, famous for their erotic carvings.
Discover moreThe Kumaon Region
The little known region of Kumaon is one of two divisions in the northern hill state of Uttarakhand. Bordered by Tibet to the north and Nepal to the east, this is a land of magnificent snow-capped peaks, verdant forest and alpine meadows.
Discover moreLadakh
Nestled in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir is one of India’s most remote and sparsley populated areas. Ladakh, often referred to as Little Tibet, is a land of snowcapped mountains, vast barren plateaus and deep turquoise lakes.
Discover moreMarari Beach
Marari – short for Mararikulum – is a serene palm-fringed beach village in the Alleppey district of Kerela, easily reached from Cochin and close to Vembanad Lake and the Keralan backwaters.
Discover moreMumbai
The capital of Maharashtra and India’s economic powerhouse, Mumbai is a huge metropolis home to over 22 million people. A melting pot of cultures, the affectionately named City of Dreams envelops all who come in a cloud of colour and sound, its energy undeniably contagious.
Discover moreMunnar
Nestled in the mighty Western Ghats and surrounded by sprawling tea plantations is the hill station of Munnar. A favoured summer retreat of the British who were lured by the cool mountain air, the surrounding mountains and valleys are one of India’s most picture-perfect destinations.
Discover moreNagaland
Nestled in the far north east of India, bound by Assam to the west and Myanmar to the east, Nagaland is one of the country’s smallest, most remote and undiscovered states. It forms part of what is known as the Seven Sisters, the seven states of north east India, and is both culturally rich and exceptionally beautiful.
Discover morePanna National Park
In the Vindhyan mountain range in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, lies Panna National Park. The River Ken winds its way through a vast expanse of plateaus, gorges and thick forest giving life to a variety of animal and plant life.
Discover moreRanthambore
Ranthambore National Park is perhaps the most famous place to spot wild tigers in India – and for good reason.
Discover moreRishikesh
In the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh straddles the Ganges, linked by suspension bridges and flanked by the green foothills of the Himalayas.
Discover moreRural Rajasthan
Away from Rajasthan’s thronging historic cities, this vast state – India’s largest – is peppered with traditional villages, looked over by fortresses in the rugged mountains, and awash with the sands of the baking Thar desert.
Discover moreShimla
The pedestrianised centre is wonderful to explore on foot, despite the topography, and there are a charming collection of bustling bazaars to be found off the winding main street, the Mall, which follows the spine of the ridge.
Discover moreUdaipur
Certainly one of the most scenic cities in Rajasthan, and perhaps in all India, this unmatched setting along with Udaipur’s rich history and culture make it a must-see.
Discover moreVaranasi
An ancient settlement on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is India’s spiritual capital and important among numerous faiths.
Discover moreMeet your Indian Subcontinent team
When to visit
Northern India sees its best weather between October and March, when it is still sunny but not too humid. In the south, the best time to visit India is between November and March. Weather in the south is unpredictable, though, so be prepared for heat and the possibility of showers at any time.
Peak Season
October - March
National Parks
October - June
Trekking
October - November/February - May
India Travel Guides
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10 Things You Didn't Know About India
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Our Guide to Festivals in India
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Our Guide to Tiger Spotting in India
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Best Cultural Experiences in India
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How to Visit the Golden Triangle in India
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Where to see the Big Cats of India
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Plan your trip to India
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Rachel planned our amazing honeymoon to Northern India and the Maldives. We loved everything from the hotel selections, to the very knowledgable guides and experiences. The itinerary was designed perfectly so we had an action packed agenda in India followed by R&R in the Maldives with delicious food, incredible service in a beautiful setting. The attention to detail throughout the…
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Jacada designed a once-in-a-lifetime trip to India and the Maldives for our honeymoon. We spent 9 nights in northern India, traveling to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur then 4 nights in an overwater villa in the Maldives. The travel designer and concierge team member from Jacada assisted us with planning every last detail and provided excellent, well-informed recommendations for all…
From the moment I first contacted Jacada Travel, I knew I was in excellent hands. My travel consultant, Charlie Morris, was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, taking the time to understand my travel preferences and build a customized itinerary that was perfect for me. Charlie's meticulous planning was evident in every aspect of my trip, ensuring that I experienced the best…
Could not have had a more exciting, rewarding and uplifting experience in India. Everything was sensational; from Charlie and Gilda's planning, Sanjeev's extraordinary and insightful guiding, Ramesh and Shankar's perfect driving, the itinerary which took us everyplace we asked and more and added memorable experiences along the way, fantastic accommodations, the local guides who knew the ropes, and on and…
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