A nation of vivid contrasts and engaging culture
India is a place where landscapes and cultures can change in the blink of an eye. The snow-capped Himalayas form a fortress around Ladakh in the north, while in the south, lush Kerala’s palm-lined beaches are lapped by tropical waters. One of the world’s oldest civilisations, its culture is shaped by thousands of years and life is lived out in hundreds of local dialects. Luxury travel in India embraces both the chaos and the quiet that it is equally known for, balancing a bespoke combination of nature, culture and history.
Meaning ‘Land of Kings’, the landscape of Rajasthan in the north is studded with magnificent forts and palaces. In the state capital, the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, you can tour the magnificent Amber Fort with a private guide, or glimpse street scenes through one of the 953 windows in the Hawa Mahal palace. Complete your luxury tour of India by experiencing royal life for yourself in the former state palace turned luxury hotel, Taj Lake Palace, in Udaipur.
A spiritual hub that draws wellness seekers the world over, India presents many opportunities to connect with yourself and the world around you. Witness the moving spectacle of an Aarti ceremony on the banks of the River Ganges in Rishikesh, or meet with an Ayurvedic doctor to discover your inner Dosha and enjoy personalised massages. Head to Kumaon and Ladakh, where the mighty peaks of the Himalayas brush the heavens, and incredible hiking refreshes your mind with a new sense of size and scale.
And then there’s the wildlife. Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh and Kanha are home to some of the country’s highest tiger populations, while the luxurious and remote SUJÁN JAWAI camp is the best place to catch a glimpse of beautiful and elusive leopards on a luxurious India safari tour. A whirlwind of colours, sounds and smells, India’s energy is undeniably contagious. Get in touch with our team of India travel experts to plan your own luxury India tour.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
A word from one of our experts
It's difficult to describe how vivid and captivating India really is. It's the perfect place to explore as you're never short of things to do. Climb the Himalayas, relax at beautiful beaches, get lost wandering dynamic cities, or eat your way around the country’s famously mouth-watering food.
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in India
There are many incredible places to stay in India. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
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Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
India trip inspiration
Get inspired with our India example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure.
Where to go in India
Agra and the Taj Mahal
The ultimate symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal is one of India’s most memorable and emotive sights.
Amritsar
The largest city in Punjab and the centre of the Sikh faith, Amritsar is a fascinating and tangibly spiritual destination.
Bandhavgarh
In the east of the vast Madhya Pradesh state, Bandhavgarh is one of India’s most popular national parks and hosts what is thought to be the highest density of Bengal tiger in the country.
Bangalore
Bangalore, otherwise known as Bengaluru, is a cosmopolitan city that boasts lovely green spaces and striking Victorian-era architecture and is a great place for dining, nights out and shopping.
Chandigarh
Chandigarh is the capital of both of Haryana and Punjab states, located on their borders yet technically within neither, in the green foothills of the Sivalik mountain range.
Delhi
India’s capital captures the past, lives in the present and looks to the future in a way that few other cities do. Perhaps daunting at first sight, a little exploring soon reveals a rich, diverse and fascinating culture.
Fort Cochin
Nestled on the northwest tip of Cochin’s peninsula, Fort Cochin is a quaint coastal region with strong links to its colonial history.
Gir Forest National Park
Gir National Park is a vitally important protected forest that is home to the last remaining wild population of the Asiatic lion in the world, as well as prolific birdlife and other animals.
Jaipur
The capital of Rajasthan and its largest city, Jaipur is at once the state’s commercial hub and one of its most fascinating cultural destinations. The pace of life here is fast, but take your time and in this somewhat frantic city you’ll find some of India’s most majestic palaces and atmospheric relics.
Jodhpur
Rajasthan’s second largest city, historic Jodhpur may just be its most photogenic. Labyrinthine streets, bustling spice bazaars and flitting multihued saris make for an overwhelmingly vibrant sight at every turn.
Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha Tiger Reserve is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh. Right in the heart of central India, this sprawling protected is regarded as one of the best parks in the country for its safari.
Keralan Backwaters
With the Western Ghats towering to the east and the Arabian Sea flowing out from the west, Kerala is one of India‘s most verdant and beautiful states. Crisscrossing this green lung are the backwaters that snake their way through towns and villages.
Khajuraho
Equidistant between Agra and Varanasi in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is the small town of Khajuraho. Its remote location means it could easily slip under the radar of travellers keen to get to India’s more well-known cities, were it not for its remarkable collection of temples, famous for their erotic carvings.
Ladakh
Nestled in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir is one of India’s most remote and sparsley populated areas. Ladakh, often referred to as Little Tibet, is a land of snowcapped mountains, vast barren plateaus and deep turquoise lakes.
Marari Beach
Marari – short for Mararikulum – is a serene palm-fringed beach village in the Alleppey district of Kerela, easily reached from Cochin and close to Vembanad Lake and the Keralan backwaters.
Mumbai
The capital of Maharashtra and India’s economic powerhouse, Mumbai is a huge metropolis home to over 22 million people. A melting pot of cultures, the affectionately named City of Dreams envelops all who come in a cloud of colour and sound, its energy undeniably contagious.
Munnar
Nestled in the mighty Western Ghats and surrounded by sprawling tea plantations is the hill station of Munnar. A favoured summer retreat of the British who were lured by the cool mountain air, the surrounding mountains and valleys are one of India’s most picture-perfect destinations.
Panna National Park
In the Vindhyan mountain range in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, lies Panna National Park. The River Ken winds its way through a vast expanse of plateaus, gorges and thick forest giving life to a variety of animal and plant life.
Ranthambore
Ranthambore National Park is perhaps the most famous place to spot wild tigers in India – and for good reason.
Rishikesh
In the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh straddles the Ganges, linked by suspension bridges and flanked by the green foothills of the Himalayas.
Rural Rajasthan
Away from Rajasthan’s thronging historic cities, this vast state – India’s largest – is peppered with traditional villages, looked over by fortresses in the rugged mountains, and awash with the sands of the baking Thar desert.
Shimla
The pedestrianised centre is wonderful to explore on foot, despite the topography, and there are a charming collection of bustling bazaars to be found off the winding main street, the Mall, which follows the spine of the ridge.
The Kumaon Region
The little known region of Kumaon is one of two divisions in the northern hill state of Uttarakhand. Bordered by Tibet to the north and Nepal to the east, this is a land of magnificent snow-capped peaks, verdant forest and alpine meadows.
Udaipur
Certainly one of the most scenic cities in Rajasthan, and perhaps in all India, this unmatched setting along with Udaipur’s rich history and culture make it a must-see.
Varanasi
An ancient settlement on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is India’s spiritual capital and important among numerous faiths.
Meet your Indian Subcontinent team
When to visit India
Northern India sees its best weather between October and March, when it is still sunny but not too humid. In areas like Delhi, Varanasi and Jaipur you can expect average day time temperatures between 22–29°C (72–84°F). In the south, the best time to visit India is between November and March. Weather in the south can be unpredictable, though, so be prepared for heat and the possibility of showers at any time.
Peak season
October - March
National parks
October - June
Trekking
October - November/February - May
India travel guides
Plan your trip to India
Whatever you want from your adventure in India, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
