Introducing India

The most colourful, craziest, complex and compelling country in the world to visit.

India is not a normal travel destination. And it’s definitely not for everyone. But those who venture a little beyond their comfort zone will experience something extraordinary.

India can take you from local festivities to glorious architecture, buzzing cities to tigers and snow-covered mountains, historical grandeur to wide open beaches.

So where do you start in a country so large and complex?

A guide to India would require thousands of pages. This article has some introductory travel ideas to get you started. Your travel designer will advise you further.

Is India a Luxury Travel Destination?

Being part of local festivities is so common as a visitor to India

Luxury in India is about experiences. It’s about authenticity and immersing yourself in a completely different world.

You won’t have dozens of amazing hotels to choose from, nor will everything go as smooth as a more established destination.

Still, India’s travel infrastructure has improved immensely in recent years. More destinations are now easily accessible, thanks to an expanding domestic flight network and new high quality accommodation.

Random moments, like suddenly finding yourself in the midst of a local ceremony, are what you remember the most. Our marketing director Stephen Bailey says:

Outside the Taj Mahal we were suddenly carried away by a procession of people throwing powder paint. We spent six hours celebrating with thousands of ecstatic people and our pre-trip highlight, the wonder of the world, was postponed for a day!

India can also be a destination for families, although it can be challenging with very young kids. It’s most interesting for older children who can appreciate the wonder of what’s around them.

This is what happened when our marketing director went to see the Taj Mahal

Iconic First-Time India

India’s most typical travel route is the “Golden Triangle”, connecting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It’s packed with famous sites, like the Taj Mahal, and the destinations are within close proximity.

For first-time visitors to India we like to expand the golden triangle to incorporate more diversity and some less-known destinations too. This is a very rough idea of what such a trip could include.

Start in Delhi

Capital city Delhi is an obvious starting point as it has the most convenient inbound flights plus domestic flight access to everywhere of interest in the country.

There are some stunning ancient sites here, like Humayun’s Tomb, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Qutub Minaret. Plus surreal experiences in local markets.

Delhi can give you a quick India overview and we recommend a Heritage Suite at The Imperial Hotel.

Calm it Down in Udaipur

Delhi is the chaotic and crowded capital of a chaotic and crowded country. Interesting and great fun, but somewhat overwhelming for all the senses.

Udaipur is a lovely second stop, an ancient lakeside city defined by lavish palaces and rural tranquillity.

Here you can appreciate old India’s architectural wonder, including at your hotel. We recommend a Palace Room at Taj Lake Palace on the lake.

Endless Discoveries in Jaipur

Jaipur has the greatest abundance of interesting historical sites in India. It’s a whirlwind journey into the beauty of the past, mixed with the authenticity of street food, markets and local scenes.

It’s a justifiably popular tourist destination because you can enjoy so many experiences in just a couple of days. Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and the Amber Fort are just the start.

We recommend the Rambagh Palace Hotel, where some of the royal suites were formerly the personal chambers of the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Experience Rural and/or Wild India

Now for a change of pace. It’s a 2.5-hour journey by road to the Aravali Hills, where you can experience the Indian countryside and rural life.

This is a nice place to go hiking, relax for a couple of days, and enjoy Aman’s sumptuous Amanbagh Resort.

Alternatively, travel 3.5 hours by road in the opposite direction, to Fort Barwara on the edge of Ranthambore National Park.

Stay at Six Senses Fort Barwara and spend a day on a tiger safari, deep inside the national park (encountering the majestic cats is surprisingly common here).

Unmissable Agra

Jaipur, Amanbagh and Fort Barwara are all within an interesting half-day drive of Agra, a city that offers much more than its world seven wonder, the Taj Mahal.

The Oberoi Amarvilas is the place to stay, where some suites overlook the Taj Mahal itself. From Agra it’s an easy journey back to Delhi, to end or continue your trip.

Allow at least 24 hours in Agra as there’s a lot to see. We recommend visiting the Taj Mahal at sunset and then again in the morning, especially if you’re a keen photographer. This ode to love is most impressive for how it changes hue throughout the day.

Finally, some Beach Time

Even though this itinerary visits popular destinations, it’s not touristy per se. Everywhere in India is a new experience, a roller-coaster ride for all your senses.

If you have time, unwinding on the beach for the final days makes a lot of sense.

Goa is the main beach destination in India. Goa’s more than 100 kilometres of Indian Coast beaches are all very different. Some beaches are mass tourism for the Indian market, some are famous for partying, many remain beautiful and relaxing, especially in the south.

Indian Ocean island destinations are within a four-hour flight from Delhi. Either choose one you know, like the Maldives, or somewhere new, like the Andaman Islands (Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is the resort we recommend).

Curating India to Your Interests and Travel Style

Is your idea of India a rickshaw ride through colourful streets, trying local street food, exploring the bazaars and meeting artisans?

Or would you prefer a spa retreat in the Himalayas, the day narrated by Buddhist chanting and slow-paced, spiritual encounters.

India really can be endless. We can curate an itinerary to your specific interests, be it art, food, nature, sport (cricket!), religious heritage or the best places for families.

Expect a cultural immersion everywhere you go. In India you don’t need to look for authenticity, it will surround you. Here are just ten possible options:

1. In Rajasthan, near Jaipur, explore the city of Jodphur (stay at Umaid Bhawan Palace), the old camel trading town of Pushkar, the big sand dune desert of Jaisalmer.

2. Enjoy a wilderness experience amid leopards and local communities at Sujan Jawal, a remarkable Relais & Chateaux property.

3. Try a slow-paced two days on a houseboat, exploring the natural waterways of Kerala, combined with the region’s Theyyam ritual art and traditions.

Theyyam is a Hindu folk ritual of dance, mime and music.

4. Embrace a wellness retreat for a week near the spiritual town of Rishikesh, at the excellent Ananda in the Himalayas or Six Senses Vana.

5. Travel higher into the Himalayas, to old colonial hill towns like Shimla, the Tibetan realm of Ladakh and Leh, or for some expedition hiking.

6. Mumbai is one of the most confusing and contrasting cities in the world, with literally everything rolled into one. It’s fascinating for some and the Taj Mahal Palace hotel is the place to stay.

7. Varanasi on the River Ganges is India’s holiest and wildest place. It’s not a comfortable destination, but there’s hardly a more interesting place on the planet.

Daily sunset ritual on the River Ganges in Varanasi

8. The temples of Khajuraho narrate the Kama Sutra and are covered in erotic sculptures – they’re among the finest temple art in the world.

Art sculpted onto the Temples of Khujaraho

9. Take a beach villa retreat in the lesser known Coco Shambhala, to the north of Goa.

Coco Shambhala has just four contemporary villas on a beach north of Goa

10. Deep in the forests of mountainous Meghalaya, locals made bridges by manipulating living tree roots. A fascinating place for both nature and culture lovers.