India travel guides
Everything you need to plan a tour of India, from when to go and how many days you need to visas, costs and what to pack. Each guide links to top rated tours you can compare and book.
When to go
Best time to visit India: a region by region guide
October to March is the best time for most of India. The Himalaya is best from June to September, and tiger safaris from March to June.
Updated 14 October 2026
India month by month: weather, festivals and where to go
A month by month planner for India, with the weather in the north and south, the festivals worth timing a trip around, and where to go.
Updated 14 October 2026Month by month
Weather, festivals and the best places to go in each month.
Itineraries
India's Golden Triangle: itineraries, tips and how many days you need
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in 5 to 7 days: sample itineraries, travel times between the cities, and the best ways to extend the trip.
Updated 14 October 2026
How many days do you need in India? Sample routes for 7, 10, 14 and 21 days
One week covers the Golden Triangle, ten days adds Varanasi or Ranthambore, two weeks covers Rajasthan, and three weeks lets you add the south.
Updated 14 October 2026
Rajasthan itinerary: a 12 to 14 day loop of forts, palaces and desert
A classic two week loop from Delhi through Jaipur, the Thar Desert, Jodhpur and Udaipur, with drive times and where to save a day.
Updated 14 October 2026
Golden Triangle or Kerala? Which is better for a first trip
The Golden Triangle is forts, the Taj Mahal and city energy; Kerala is backwaters, tea hills and a slower pace. How to choose, or combine both.
Updated 14 October 2026Places and things to do
25 best things to do in India
From the Taj Mahal at sunrise to a houseboat in Kerala, the experiences that make a trip to India, grouped by region, with links to our detailed guides.
Updated 14 October 2026Visiting Kerala: backwaters, tea hills and beaches
India's green south west: houseboats on the backwaters, tea estates in Munnar, spice gardens, Ayurveda and beaches. Where to go, when and for how long.
Updated 14 October 2026
Best beaches in Goa: north and south compared
North Goa is lively and social; South Goa is quieter and more scenic. The best beaches in each, when to go and how to add Goa to a tour.
Updated 14 October 2026Festivals
Diwali in India: dates, meaning and the best places to celebrate
The festival of lights falls on 8 November 2026 and 29 October 2027. What happens over the five days, where to see it and how to plan a tour around it.
Updated 14 October 2026
Holi festival in India: dates, where to go and how to enjoy it safely
The festival of colours falls on 22 March 2027. Where to celebrate, what to wear and how to enjoy Holi safely as a visitor.
Updated 14 October 2026Wildlife and safaris
Where to see tigers in India: the best parks and when to go
India is home to most of the world's wild tigers. Compare the best reserves, learn when sightings peak and how to plan a tiger safari.
Updated 14 October 2026
Ranthambore or Jim Corbett? Which tiger reserve to choose
Ranthambore usually has better tiger sightings and fits the Golden Triangle; Corbett has wilder forest, elephants and lodges inside the park. A side by side comparison.
Updated 14 October 2026Costs and budgets
Practical tips
India travel tips: 20 things to know before you go
Practical advice for a smooth first trip to India: staying healthy, money and SIM cards, etiquette at temples, getting around and avoiding common scams.
Updated 14 October 2026India tourist visa: how to get an e-Visa, step by step
Most visitors can get an e-Tourist Visa online. Here are the three types, current fees, what you need and how to avoid common mistakes.
Updated 14 October 2026
What to pack for India: a practical packing list
Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a scarf, slip on shoes, layers for northern winter mornings and a good health kit.
Updated 14 October 2026Private tour or group tour in India? How to choose
Private tours give you your own car, driver and guides; group tours are cheaper for solo travellers and more social. Here is how to choose, with live prices for both.
Updated 14 October 2026India for first timers: how to plan your first trip
A calm, practical plan for your first visit: the best first routes, how long to go for, why most first timers take a tour, and what to expect when you land.
Updated 14 October 2026
Is India safe for women travellers? Practical advice
Many women travel in India and love it. Here is honest advice on what to expect and the practical steps that make a trip safer and more comfortable.
Updated 14 October 2026Ready to compare tours?
See every multi-day tour in India side by side, or browse the sights worth planning a trip around.
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