Vibrant street scenes, exotic food and ancient traditions

Surrounded by the Indian Ocean in the south, the Arabian Sea in the west and the Bay of Bengal in the east, India is a country with a breathtaking landscape. Plan a trip to South Asia and tour the Indian cities to see inspiring examples of Mughal architecture. Discover the sites of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (known as the Golden Triangle) and explore the temples and monuments. The Taj Mahal is an iconic must-see attraction and its immaculate gardens make it a peaceful place for an afternoon stroll. For those hoping to meditate and get closer to nature, head for the beaches of Goa and Kerala. Learn more about Indian culture and take part in a dance class to Hindustani and Carnatic beats; join in on the bhangra, bihu, jharkand and sambalpuri. Adventurous travellers can climb the Himalayas; views from the summit provide an impressive and long-lasting memory of India.

Why Go?
Travellers to India have a wealth of choice when it comes to this holiday destination. Tour the exquisite temples and holy monuments or relax on the white sands of Indian beach retreats. Sample the strong herbs and spices of an authentic meal and watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea.

When to Go?
India has a varied climate depending on the region. The beach resort of Goa has a tropical climate with humid temperatures throughout the year. Bangalore’s altitude makes it the coolest of the Indian cities with average daily temperatures of 28°C. Mumbai suffers a monsoon season and should be avoided during July and August. Late September early October is considered the best time to visit Kolkata and Delhi.

How to get there?
India is served by several international airports. Flights are available from UK destinations such as Manchester, London and Birmingham. Direct flights to Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi are available from London Heathrow with Emirates, Air India and British Airways. Journeys can take up to 9 hours. Indirect flights depart from UK airports making stopovers in France. Passengers are advised to share taxis and agree upon a price before hailing one from the airport terminals.

Must see
India is a colourful and lively country whose cities and towns are a constant stream of traffic and people. Travel to Bangalore or Kolkata during the festivals and celebrate events alongside the locals including Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Ugadi, Thai Pongal, and Vaisakhi. Explore the temples of Tamil Nadu in the holy city of Varanasi and pay homage to the ancient monoliths and altars. Bollywood is the largest film industry in the world and is based in Mumbai; take a guided tour of the various sets – you might even see a movie being filmed.