So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked.
Mark Twain
India holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a India holiday, personal to you.
India is arguably the most multi-cultural country anywhere on earth. Home to more than a billion people, the diverse mix of ethnic groups and spiritual beliefs creates an intoxicating concoction that most travellers love to try to unmask on their holidays here.
Some of the best classical sites to visit are Jodhpur’s extravagant Meherangarh Fort which towers above the old city; the temples of Khajuraho, complete with erotic carvings; the fabled Golden Temple, the holiest shrine for Sikhs, at Amritsar; Varanasi’s bathing ghats beside the Ganges where pilgrims swarm; the dramatic hillside monastery at Tikse; and, of course, what is possibly the world’s most beautiful building, the Taj Mahal.
Not only does it have a varied culture, but it also has one of the most varied landscapes anywhere. You can hike across the lunar world of the Himalaya at Zanskar, wander through Kaziranga Natinonal Park on the back of an elephant, check out the raucous beachlife at Goa or chill along nearby Gokarna’s coast, and take a leisurely boat trip through Kerala’s backwaters.
And then there’s the throbbing hustle and bustle of India’s cities, as well as their food, still to discover.
Contact an India expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.
India facts
Capital: New Delhi
Language: English is the language of business and spoken widely. Hindi is the national language but there are 14 other official languages including Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Urdu and Kashmiri.
People: Indo-Aryan, Dravidian and Mongoloid.
Religion: Hindu (83%), Muslim, Sikh, Christian and Buddhist minorities.
Size (sq km): 3,287,590.
Population: 1,129,866,154.
Population density/sq km: 343.6.
Etiquette
The Hindu greeting is to fold the hands and say namaste. Visitors should remove footwear when entering temples and other places of religious significance. Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol. Sikhs and Parsees do not smoke. Above all, the various traditions of India's religions should be respected at all times.
Shopping
Silks, spices, jewellery, silverware, carpets and antiques.
Food & drink
Huge regional variations. Curries are based on individual masalas, each containing a unique blend of freshly ground spices. More meat dishes in the north, generally served with breads - naan, chapatis or pooris, mainly fish and vegetarian in the south, served with rice or dosa (pancakes). Chai - tea brewed with milk and sugar - is the most popular drink.
International Airports
(And distances from nearest city) Mumbai (BOM) 29 km, Calcutta (CCU) 13 km, Delhi (DEL), Chennai (MAA) 14 km . Amritsar - Raja Sansi (ATQ) 11 km, Goa - Dabolim (GOI) 30 km.
Internal travel
Domestic air network connects over 70 cities. India has the second-largest rail system in the world, always chaotic but surprisingly organised at the same time. This is the best way to experience India. Express, deluxe and sleeper buses. Cars can be easily rented, with or without a driver. Other transport includes cycle- and auto-rickshaws. Bargaining is essential.
Red tape
Visas
Required.
Vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Diphtheria, Hep. A, Hep. B, JE, Malaria, Meningitis, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2
Driving requirements
International Driving Permit.
Reps in UK/US
UK: India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA, tel (020) 7836 8484, fax (020) 7836 4331. US: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC, 20008, tel (202) 939 700, fax (202) 265 4351.
UK/US reps in India
UK: Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, tel (11) 2687 2161, fax (11) 2687 0060, email Postmaster.NEDEL@fco.gov.uk. US: 1 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, tel (11) 2419 8000, fax (11) 2419 0017, email ndcentral@state.gov.
Currency
Rupee (Rs) = 100 paise.
Finance
Credit cards and traveller's cheques accepted in most cities.
Business hours
0930-1700 Mon-Friday, 0930-1300 Saturday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Safe, if sensible. Beware of petty scams. Certain areas unsafe (e.g. Kashmir). Threat of terrorism throughout the country.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 66.28, F 71.17.
Useful websites for travel
www.hcilondon.net, www.incredibleindia.org, www.indianembassy.org, www.indiacgny.org, www.indiatraveltimes.com.
Local media
English-language newspapers include The Times of India, Indian Express, The Hindu, and Hindustan Times.
Tourist boards
UK: 7 Cork Street, London W1S 3LH, (020) 7437 3677, email contactus@incredibleindia.org. US: Suite 1808, 1270 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, tel (212) 586 4901, email as before.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to India. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific India itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6562.
This private tour is a great introduction to India which takes in the route know as the ’Golden Triangle’. Visit Delhi, the Taj Mahjal in Agra, the ’Pink City’ of Jaipur and immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of India....
Enjoy three weeks exploring all that India has to offer, from the north to the south, lifting the lid on the Subcontinent’s many cultures, climates, costumes and cuisines....
Write your own Jungle Book in the tiger-padded Ranthambore National Park, take the perfect picture of the Taj Mahal, haggle for souvenirs in the streets of Old Delhi and watch the sunrise on the holy River Ganges, all on this 13-day comprehensive tour....
Rajasthan is a colourful kingdom of palaces and pageantry, giant gold sandcastles, sunkissed desert and bustling markets. This tenday tour allows you to discover the region from the ultra-refined luxury of the awardwinning Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces....
Rajasthan is romantic India wrapped in gaudy royal robes. See it all as you move between Heritage Hotels, known for their traditional hospitality and spectacular locations....
A world-class luxury spa situated in the picturesque foothills of the Himalayas. combining amazing guided hikes on mountain paths and wild elephant viewing in National Parks, together with a full range of healing and lifestyle treatments and activities.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Located on a cliff top overlooking Om beach, just three hours from Goa, SwaSwara (derived from the Sanskrit for ‘sound of the self’) is set among 26 acres of rolling hills and gardens and a tranquil lake.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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This wildlife tour takes in the best national parks in India, tracking wildlife and in pursuit of the majestic tiger which you can still spot in the wild in India.
There is also the opportunity to explore the megacities of Delhi and Mumbai and world’s m... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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This tour explores the wilderness of four of India’s finest national parks, namely Gir, Kanha, Pench and Kaziranga. Admire the rich variety of wildlife that each of these fantastic destinations is home to as you search for tigers.
Marvel at the rich bir... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Rajasthan’s Palace on Wheels luxury train is India’s answer to the Orient Express: modelled on the luxurious railways cars of old with richly decorated interiors and service-proud staff.... Price from £2803
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India’s Madya Pradesh region is home to well-known tiger reserves and provides an easily accessible wildlife circuit, combining legendary service with sustainable tourism. Tiger spotting safaris include twice-daily jungle drives conducted in comfortable ... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Rajasthan is a colourful kingdom of palaces and pageantry, giant gold sandcastles, sun-kissed desert and bustling markets. This 10-day tour allows you to discover the region from the ultra-refined luxury of the award-winning Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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A 9-night trip to Kerala. You will see the highlights of south-west India - Kochi, spice plantations, narrow lakes & canals. Your trip will end with a relaxing few days on a beautiful beach in Kovalam.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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The Maharajas’ Express is the newest luxury train in India and the first of its kind to offer journeys across the whole country.... Price from £5491
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India has three seasons: hot, cool and wet. Heat starts to build in February, peaking in June. In May, there is high humidity prior to the monsoon. The rain starts in June in the south and spreads to include the north by July, it ends for most areas by October. Himalayan areas will be very cold in winter.
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Rupee (Rs) = 100 paise.
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