Discover India in Your Way

What language is spoken in India?

The official language is Hindi which is spoken by about 30% of the population, but English is often used for official or commercial purposes. Additionally, there are more than 100 other regional languages and dialects, including Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Oriya, which are widely used in the north, and Tamil and Telugu, which are common in the south. Other regional languages area Marathi, Kannada, and Malayalam. The northern Muslim population largely speak Urdu.

What’s the currency of India?

India’s currency is the rupee (Rs). You can’t buy rupees outside of India — tell our representative at the airport and they’ll direct you to an ATM.

How much should I tip in India?

Tipping for good service is expected in India and your specialist will provide more details. In some homestays and hotels, particularly in Kerala, you’ll find a communal tip box, usually in reception. Please give your tip to your host to distribute fairly if a tip box isn’t provided.

What food and drink should I try in India?

Like its cultures and languages, India’s cuisines are highly regional and what you eat and drink will vary depending on where you visit. However, there are a few things you’ll find no matter where you go. For instance, thali are traditional meals made of different curries and dal with traditional accompaniments — all served in small bowls and arranged artistically on a large tray. The exact contents vary by region.

You’ll also find an abundance of street foods everywhere from big cities to rural roads with nothing else around, which you can explore on a guided tour. Another common sight — chaiwallahs selling spiced milk tea on seemingly every corner. For a more in-depth look at India’s long history with tea, consider a visit to one of the country’s many tea plantations.

For a more hands-on approach, we can arrange private cooking classes with families across the country, from Delhi to Tellicherry.

Where can I find the latest travel advice for India?

For the latest travel advice for India, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

What can I experience in India?

What you experience in India depends on where you go in this vast and varied country, but the most popular sight is the Taj Mahal. Located in the Golden Triangle, Agra’s renowned mausoleum is an ethereal sight during a sunrise visit. Nearby, you can also track tigers in Ranthambhore National Park or meet artisans in the markets of Jaipur. In the southwest, you might relax on a rice barge-turned-houseboat through the backwaters of Kerala.

Wherever you go, we can arrange cooking lessons to help you explore the many facets of India’s regional dishes, like Rajasthani cuisine in Jodhpur or Mopillah cuisine in Tamil Nadu. To get to know individual ingredients better, you might tour a tea plantation.

Where should I go in India?

For your first visit to India, we suggest visiting Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Known collectively as the Golden Triangle, these three ancient cities are treasure troves of Mughal culture, including forts, palaces, and bazaars. You can also include a visit to nearby Ranthambhore National Park, to look for elusive tigers. Your specialist will help you find the region’s many hidden corners to give you a different perspective on the area. For example, you might opt to stay in rural villages instead of the big cities.

On a second visit, you might explore Tamil Nadu, where brightly painted temples stretch to the sky. Here, you can visit the 49 shines of Ranganathaswamy Temple in Trichy, take a cooking class in Pondicherry, and then end your trip on the backwaters of Kerala. Or you could explore Bengal culture and cuisine, starting in Calcutta. From there, take a lazy cruise through Assam on the mighty Brahmaputra, paired with a rhino safari in Kaziranga National Park.

Our specialists will build your trip to suit your personal tastes, but you can get inspired by browsing our example itineraries.

Where can I stay in India?

From sumptuous palaces to humble homestays, where you stay in India depends on where you’re visiting and your personal style. The big cities offer a wide array of options including thoroughly modern five-star hotels and boutique guesthouses in well-preserved Victorian-era buildings. Outside the cities, you might opt for a stilted bungalow on a tea plantation, a remote lodge, or a safari camp in the heart of the jungle.

If you’re visiting the Golden Triangle, you can also choose to stay in a converted fort, a regal palace, or a historic family mansion known as a haveli. And further south, in Kerala, you can dive deeply into rural life with a homestay, known as theravads, or a rice barge-cum-houseboat that glides along the sleepy backwaters. Your specialist will suggest the best stays for you, but you can get an idea of the options available on our accommodation page.

Where can I see tigers in India?

The best places to see tigers in India are the Kanha, Satpura, Pench, and Tadoba national parks. Scattered across the central states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, they’re home to the country’s greatest concentration of Bengal tigers. You’re also likely to see India’s other wildlife, like sloth bears, leopards, deer, and elephants, who all roam freely through the protected jungles.

However, if you’re visiting Rajasthan and don’t want to venture so far afield, you can also include time in nearby Ranthambhore National Park.

What should I wear when visiting temples and mosques in India?

You should bring clothing that covers your head, knees, and shoulders if you plan on visiting holy places in India.

How long does it take to fly to India from the UK?

A direct flight from London to Delhi takes about 8.5 hours, depending on airline.

What’s India’s time zone?

The time zone in India is GMT +5:30.

What’s the best way of getting around in India?

The best way to get around in India is a combination of private driver and internal flights for longer trips. The traffic in India is dense and hectic, so we’ll arrange a private car and driver for all your trips while you’re in the country. Some of the drives might be long, but the car will be air conditioned, and your driver can suggest stops to break up the journeys.

On days when you don’t have any planned experiences, we suggest you call our partners to have a private car rather than take a taxi.

If you’re interested in taking one of India’s trains, we can arrange for your ticket. Our representative will meet you at your hotel and escort you to your seat inside the train, cutting through the complexities at the station. As you disembark, you’ll find another representative waiting on the platform.

Do I need a visa to visit India?

Yes, if you hold a UK passport, you need a Tourist Visa to enter India. Additionally, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival into India and have two completely blank pages.

Most UK passport holders can apply online between 120 and 4 days prior to your departure date. However, if your passport was issued by one of the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man), you might not be able to use the e-Visa system. Instead, you’ll have to book an appointment at the Indian High Commission. If you’re visiting West Bengal, Sikkim, or Assam, you might be required to submit a passport photo or photocopy of your passport at each hotel — we suggest you arrange these documents before you arrive. In Sikkim, please bring spare passport photos with you for your Sikkim permit, which you’ll obtain at the state border.

Do I need vaccinations to visit India?

Your doctor can provide you with vaccine advice for India, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website.