Golden Triangle and Rajasthan
Duration : 12 days
Route : Delhi (2 nights) → Agra (1 night, Taj Mahal) → Jaipur (2 nights) → Pushkar (1 night) → Jodhpur (2 nights) → Udaipur (3 nights) → return flight Delhi (1 night)
Custom travel to India
India is a subcontinent in itself — 1.4 billion inhabitants, 22 official languages, 4 major religions born on its soil (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism), and geographical diversity ranging from Himalayan glaciers to Kerala backwaters, Thar deserts to Tamil Nadu temples. A country you don't visit — you live. Every city, every alley, every market overwhelms the senses. From the Taj Mahal at sunrise to the smoking ghats of Varanasi, from Rajasthan's maharaja palaces to Goa's tropical beaches, India offers a human and spiritual experience that transforms everyone who crosses it.
Highlights
- Taj Mahal in Agra: the most famous mausoleum of love
- Rajasthan: Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, and maharaja palaces
- Varanasi: Ganges ghats and Aarti ceremony
- Kerala: backwaters, beaches, and Ayurveda
- Himalayas: Ladakh, Sikkim, Darjeeling
- South India: Tamil Nadu temples and Hampi
Sample itineraries
Spiritual India: Varanasi and Khajuraho
Duration : 10 days
Route : Delhi (2 nights) → flight Varanasi (3 nights, Ganges ghats) → Khajuraho (2 nights, erotic temples) → Orchha (1 night) → train Delhi → flight Agra → Taj Mahal (1 night) → Delhi (1 night)
South India: Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Duration : 14 days
Route : Flight Chennai (1 night) → Mahabalipuram (2 nights, coastal temples) → Pondicherry (2 nights, French heritage) → Madurai (2 nights, Meenakshi temple) → flight Cochin (2 nights) → Alleppey backwaters in houseboat (1 night) → Periyar (1 night, national park) → Munnar (2 nights, tea plantations) → return flight Cochin (1 night)
When to go
India is ideally visited October to March (dry season), with mild temperatures (20-30 °C) and clear skies everywhere except the Himalayas. Avoid April-June (pre-monsoon, extreme heat 40-45 °C in plains, Thar desert 50 °C) and July-September (monsoon, heavy rain, cut roads in Kerala and Karnataka, but ideal season for Ladakh where it's summer). December-February are the best months for Rajasthan and the south (Kerala, Tamil Nadu). Holi Festival (March, festival of colors), Diwali (October-November, festival of lights), Pushkar Camel Fair (October-November).
- Winter / dry season (October – March) — Rajasthan, Golden Triangle, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
- Pre-monsoon (April – June) — Ladakh (June-July, open passes), Sikkim
- Monsoon (July – September) — Ladakh only (July-August), green season in Rajasthan
- Post-monsoon (September – October) — Kerala (post-monsoon), Pushkar Camel Fair (Oct-Nov)
Practical information
India is generally safe for travelers, with some common-sense precautions. Avoid tap water (bottled water uncapped in front of you), hot cooked food OK (caution with salads and unpeeled fruits, unpasteurized lassis). Vaccines: DTP, Hepatitis A and B recommended, typhoid and rabies depending on your itinerary (consult international vaccination center 6 weeks before). Anti-malarial recommended for the south and east (consult your doctor). Indian e-Visa mandatory (apply online, valid 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years, ~$25). Moderate medical costs but travel insurance essential. Tipping ('baksheesh') customary: 10% in restaurants, 100-200 INR per day for the driver, 100 INR per bag at the hotel. Modest dress in holy places (shoulders and knees covered). Respect cows (sacred) and religious sites.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for an India trip?
October to March (dry season, ideal climate) for Rajasthan, Golden Triangle, Kerala, and South India. Avoid April-June (extreme heat 45 °C+) and July-September (monsoon). For Ladakh: June to September only (mountain passes open).
How long for an India trip?
Minimum 12 days for Golden Triangle + Rajasthan. 14 days to add Varanasi or Kerala. 21 days to combine North + South. India is vast — better to concentrate than disperse.
What budget for a custom India trip?
As a guideline, €2,200-€3,200 per person for 12-14 days in comfort, excluding flights. For an upscale trip with palace hotels and exclusive experiences: €5,500-€12,000. Paris-Delhi flights: €600-€1,000.
Do I need a visa for India?
Yes, Indian e-Visa is mandatory (apply online before departure at indianvisaonline.gov.in, around $25, valid 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years depending on chosen option). Passport valid 6 months after return date.
Is India suitable for a first Asia trip?
India is intense — a subcontinent that overwhelms the senses. For a first Asia trip, I'd rather recommend Kerala (South India, more peaceful) or a guided journey in the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan, with private car and driver. Sri Lanka or Thailand can also be better gateways to Asia.
How to get around India?
Private car with driver recommended for most itineraries ($60-$100/day, complex left-hand drive). Domestic flights (IndiGo, Vistara) for long distances (Delhi-Cochin, Delhi-Goa, Delhi-Leh). 1st-class trains for Delhi-Agra (2 h). Avoid long-distance buses.
Is India safe for a trip?
Generally safe for tourists, with some precautions. Vigilance in big cities at night (Delhi, Mumbai), avoid non-tourist zones. Women traveling alone: extra caution (modest dress, no public transport at night). My Indian local partner is reachable 24/7 on the ground.
Do I need vaccines for India?
Recommended: up-to-date DTP, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies (depending on itinerary). Anti-malarial for the south and east. Consult an international vaccination center 6 weeks before departure for personalized advice.
How to avoid 'Delhi belly' in India?
Bottled water uncapped in front of you only (never tap water, ice included). Hot cooked food OK (favor crowded high-turnover restaurants). Avoid: salads, unpeeled fruits, unpasteurized lassis, street juices. Preventive probiotics recommended. Loperamide if needed.
Is India suitable for a family trip?
From age 12 (for maturity facing the country's intensity). Global safety OK, warm welcome for children by Indians. Favor Kerala (South India, more peaceful, backwaters and beaches) or Rajasthan (palace hotels, camels, forts) rather than Varanasi (spiritual intensity sometimes difficult for young ones).