India Holidays

India is a vast and complex travel destination – so it makes sense to not try and see too much in one trip. It would take a literal lifetime to explore the country to its fullest – we would suggest either concentrating on the sites that you most want to see or to take several trips taking in one or two regions at a time. A great starting point is the deep south of the country – the colonial hub of Chennai’s Fort St George – sampling the wonderful southern Indian cuisine which is fantastic here – and moving onwards through Periyar and Cochin. You could then move further north to Hyderabad and Bidar before stopping in Goa for a few days on the beach. Further north still you should take in the awe-inspiring Golden Triangle which is home to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur to name but a few – before trekking deep into the Himalayas to explore Kulu (historically a part of Nepal) and the stunning Ladakh. If you can, then a visit to the East of India to visit Kolkatta, Konark and Orissa will be a wonderful end to an unforgettable trip. Stop off at Puri Beach on the Bay of Bengal if you want to relax before your flight home.

There are hundreds of festivals in Sri Lanka – for a glimpse into the traditions of Sri Lankan Buddhists then try the Vesak Poya festival which commemorates the Buddha birth, enlightenment and death. Lamps are lit in front of houses and devout Buddhists visit temples and fast, whilst many restaurants and hotels prohibit the sale of alcohol, mean and fish to mark the period. The Thai Pongol festival takes place in January and is a Hindu festival, which honours the sun god Surya, Indra and the Cow. There are ceremonies all over the island at various Hindu temples and the first grains of the new paddy harvest are cooked in milk in a special pot. For something a little livelier visit during Sri Lankan Independence Day on the 4th of February and take part in colourful parades, dances and games.

If possible you should time your visit to India to coincide with one of the country’s (many) festivals. Diwali: the festival of lights is one of the most popular – it runs for 5 days and represents the start of the Hindu New Year. It’s a beautiful time to visit, as there are candles, small lamps and fireworks all over the country. Holi: the festival of colours, is perhaps one of the better known festivals in India – it runs for two days and is most commonly celebrated by throwing coloured powders and water – photos taken here are generally memorable to say the least. Whilst in Kerala – there’s a high chance that you’ll see a Temple Festival – as the area is renowned for exotic festivals – so keep your eyes peeled for large processions of elephants and floats close to Kerala’s temples.

Like in much of Asia – religion is taken exceptionally seriously in India so with that in mind – remember to always show the proper respect to religious buildings, shrines, images and people at prayer. When entering a temple or mosque – always remove your shoes (socks are okay!) and leave them at the door. Many Jain temples do not allow you to enter whilst wearing leather – so be conscious of that before getting dressed for the day! Women should dress modestly – covering legs and shoulders and men should always wear tops in public and avoid wearing beach shorts unless you are actually on the beach.

Polite conversation – especially that aimed at tourists, is quite different than you might be used to. It isn’t uncommon to be asked about your job and family on first acquaintance and you’ll find that many speak a very polite form of English and will address you as sir and madam – though try not to be taken aback – and feel free to be just as curious. Eating is a tricky subject if you remember only one simple rule – then let it be that, when eating with your hands – as is common practise throughout India – which you eat only with your right hand.

Tipping is widespread throughout India – though taxi drivers don’t generally expect a tip. Porters, however, do generally expect a tip of say at least Rs20 per bag. In restaurants – you can use your own initiative – if the service is good then tip anything between 5-10% of the bill – and less if you receive bad service.

Taj Mahal

Red Fort

Lotus Temple

India Gate

Lake Palace

Fatehpur Sikri

Jain Temple

Laxmi Narayan Temple