With such a huge variety of places and sights spread out across an entire subcontinent, where is the best place to choose for a family holiday? The answer is, in fact, relatively simple – the holiday you choose depends on what your family’s interests are, and what balance of activities you all want during your time in India.
Here are a few pointers to help you choose which region you want to visit:
North India – Culture & Tigers
North India was the capital of the British Indian Empire and comprises nine main regions, including the huge state of Rajasthan in the north-west. The Indo-Gangetic plain spreads out across much of the region, while to the west is the great Thar Desert, and to the north the mighty Himalaya. In south-east Rajasthan, Ranthambore – the state’s most famous national park – has been instrumental in tiger conservation, while Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of the world’s finest birdwatching venues and a World Heritage Site. In terms of cultural highlights, Agra is home to the country’s most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, while top sites in the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur include the beautiful Amber Fort Palace and the Palace of Winds.
Our 11-day small group Taj & Tigers tour encompasses visits to Delhi, Jaipur and the Taj Mahal at Agra together with a train journey to Bharatpur and the all-important tiger spotting at Ranthambore National Park.
South India – Spices & Houseboats
South India moves at a much slower pace compared to the busy, sometimes rather chaotic, north. Hot, humid and verdant with hundreds of miles of coastline, southern India is home to tea plantations, the stunning Western Ghats mountain range, exotic spices, wildlife such as Asian elephants, and some of the world’s most delicious cuisine. Highlights of a holiday here might include watching a traditional Kathakali dance show, walking around the laid-back port of Kochi (formerly Cochin), visiting a tea plantation, learning how to cook an authentic curry, marvelling at famous temples, and wildlife watching on foot and by boat in Periyar National Park. And, last but not least, spending time relaxing on a traditional houseboat through Kerala’s backwaters, and staying in a resort on one of south India’s stunning beaches.
Relax on our Backwaters of Kerala 14-day small group tour or ask us about a tailor-made option.
The Golden Triangle – when to visit?
The best time to visit India’s famous ‘Golden Triangle’ – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – is between October and April and our popular 11-day Taj & Tigers small group holiday includes the highlights of all three cities, along with wildlife watching in Ranthambore National Park, a school visit, camel-cart ride and chance to wander around the ‘ghost town’ of Fatehpur Sikri.
Small group trip or private holiday?
India can be a daunting place for first-time visitors with small children. We do offer tailor-made holidays for the adventurous, but if you prefer to reassurance of travelling as part of a small group of like-minded families, then joining one of our small group trips is the perfect choice. Our small group family holidays in India include plenty of comfort breaks, carefully selected restaurants and other places to eat, to ensure everything is as hygienic as possible (an important consideration when travelling with small children), and a tried-and-tested itinerary with a tour leader on hand.
Contact our expert team to discuss your family holiday to India.
