India
A country of unparalleled variety of experiences, landscapes and wildlife all wrapped up in India’s incredible culture and history.
About India
India offers a lifetime of experiences. From luxury hotels owned by Maharajas in desert cities, to chic houseboats along the waterways of Kerala, elephants, tigers and temples – India has it all.
A continent with a history stretching back millennia which shows through the astonishing complexity of the culture and the diversity of people. From the Himalayas in the far North to the sub-tropical far south of Kerala, hospitality is second nature. India is deeply spiritual and cultural – and it’s also the continent that produced Bollywood. A land of extremes. Once experienced, never forgotten.
At Natural High, our tailor-made tours allow you to encounter cities that burst with life and colour, or find your way through the byways of rural village life in Rajasthan. Track tiger, rhino and elephant. Float through the lives of Kerala’s waters.
The fort and temple architecture will keep you marvelling, the people will amaze you, and India will call you back.
India is also one of the last places in the world to see tiger in their natural habitat; in the company of conservationists and our expert guides you have the best chance possible of seeing one of these magnificent, endangered big cats in the wild.
India’s great size and complexity gives it a wide range of regionality. Language, religion, clothing, food – all vary from state to state. It’s impossible to see everything in one visit.
Our recommendation is to take it slow and take the time to explore one region well. Using our expertise and first-hand experience our approach is always to get you to the right areas at the right time and pace, and smooth your way seamlessly through this incredible country.
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- Visit India’s wild and remote destinations
- Enthralling and endangered wildlife
- Track the majestic tiger
- Visit the jungles of Central India
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A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.
Best Time To Visit India
India is a vast country so there is no one best time to visit
Generally the best time to visit India is between October and April, with May to September for Ladakh in the high Himalaya.
There are many local variations and exceptions. Altitude and latitude affect the climate and at the same time it’s snowing in the Himalayas, the Western Ghats more than 1000km south are warm and sunny.
For example, in April and May the weather is very pleasant in the hills such as Darjeeling or Kumaon at a time when it is very hot (40C+) in Rajasthan and the northern plains. These months are also great for a safari, in spite of the heat, as jungle foliage and waterholes have dried up making it easier to spot wildlife.
The only area that isn’t affected by the monsoon rains is Ladakh. Lying in the rain shadow of the Himalayas and cut off from the rest of India by snow for the remainder of the year, June to September are the perfect time to visit.
Millions of Indians travel during local holidays and while an Indian festival is heaps of fun services can be overwhelmed by demand and you need to be prepared for crowds and noise reaching the seemingly remotest of places.
Best Time To Visit India
Talk to our Experts
They’ll be happy to let you in on their travel secrets, and help you plan a tailor-made trip that’s truly unforgettable.
Popular safaris in India
- Rich tapestry of mountain scenery
- Stunning Himalayan views
- Stay in village houses, boutique lodges and private tented camps
India'sParks & Areas
With such complexity, India has a unique identity that can captivate you in one moment and challenge you in the next.
Satpura National Park
Satpura is among the quietest and least visited national parks in Central India, a strikingly beautiful area that offers a true wilderness adventure.
- Strike out on a walking safari
- Enjoy a traditional safari experience
- Take in the rugged hills of Satpura
- Combine Satpura with Tadoba for tiger fix
Agra & The Taj Mahal
Synonymous with the Taj Mahal, Agra is at the top of the wish list for most first time visitors to India.
- Marvel at the iconic Taj Mahal
- Walk to Kachhpura and discover a community with long links to the Taj
- Bird watching by boat in Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary
- Combine with rural Rajasthan for real contrast
Kanha National Park
India’s finest tiger reserve and the inspiration for Kipling’s Jungle Book, Kanha National Park offers a superb wildlife safari experience.
- Visit India's largest tiger reserve
- Inspiration for Kipling's Jungle Book
- Gorgeous mix of river valleys and rocky escarpments
- Lovely small owner run lodges
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the remote north east corner India, Kaziranga National Park in Assam is one of the last bastions of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
- Come horn to horn with the Indian one horned rhinocerous
- High diversity of Species within the park
- Healthy populations of tiger
- Trekking into the grasslands with elephants
Pench National Park
Situated in Madhya Pradesh to the south of the Satpura Hills, Pench National Park is a perfect starting point for any wildlife tour of rural Central India.
- High density of herbivores such as chital
- Rolling terrain dominated by mixed deciduous forest
- Great starting point for wildlife safari of rural India
Ranthambore National Park
One of the best places on earth to see tigers in their natural habitat, Ranthambore is justifiably India’s most well-known national park.
- One of the best for tiger safaris
- Ornithologist's paradise
- Once private hunting gounds of the maharajas of Jaipur
Bandhavgarh National Park
Former private hunting grounds of the maharajas of Rewa, Bandhavgarh is small but packed with wildlife including the majestic tiger.
- Visit the jungles of Bandhavgarh in the Vindya Hills
- One of the highest concentrations of tiger in India
- Great traditional safari experience
- Bird life galore; both migratory and resident species
Kerala
The best known of India’s southern states, Kerala is the country’s most verdant and relaxed with something for every taste.
- Jump aboard through narrow channels, lakes and lagoons of the Backwaters
- Experience local culture at the markets of Kerala
- Guided forest walks
- Gentle cycling from farms to rural villages
Panna National Park
Home to five species of wild cat, including Bengal tiger, little-known Panna is one of India’s most strikingly beautiful national parks.
- Diversity of wildlife
- Explore quiet forests, grasslands and gorges
- Excellent birding destination with more than 200 species
Rajasthan
Forts, festivals, tigers and the Taj Mahal: welcome to the essence of India.
- Forts, festivals, tigers and the Taj Mahal
- Explore ancient royal palaces and grand fortresses
- Discover vast deserts and luxurious camps
- Tigers, birds and wildlife in protected sanctuaries
Tadoba National Park
Tadoba is currently one of central India’s most exciting parks, consistently providing visitors with excellent sightings of tiger, including cubs.
- Home to Tadoba Tiger Reserve
- Traditional safari experience
- Naturalist heaven: butterflies to big cats
Indian Himalayas
Snow-capped mountains, tranquil villages and mystical monasteries, the Indian Himalayas is a region like nowhere else on Earth.
- Traditional villages far off the tourist trail
- Remote Buddhist monasteries and temples
- Hiking away from the crowds
- Hill station, tea plantations and mountain railways
Jaipur
Part of India’s famed Golden Triangle, the “pink city” of Jaipur combines iconic sites with the best of regional cuisine, artisan crafts and tranquil retreats beyond its vibrant streets.
- Visit the terracotta buildings of the Pink City
- Explore the hidden hops: saris, jewels and spices
- Visit the restored palaces and pavilions
- Unique accommodation: palaces to haveli mansions
Udaipur
The most romantic of Rajasthan’s royal cities, the beauty of Udaipur lies in its glorious setting with its palaces and whitewashed havelis reflected in the shimmering water of Lake Pichola.
- Built around four lakes and surrounded by hills
- Explore the small 16th century town on foot
- Visit the hill top Monsoon Palace
- Guided horse trekking around the Aravali Hills
Ladakh
The high altitude deserts surrounded by giant mountains of the Indian Himalaya are the last refuge of pure Tibetan Buddhism and the haunt of the elusive snow leopard.
- Rustic, simple and vast open spaces
- Head to the mountains in search of the snow leopard
- Stay in gorgeous villages houses
- Strike out with a luxury mobile camp
Our Favourite Camps & Lodges
This small luxury tented camp at Pench National Park opened in 2014 and went straight on to Conde Nast’s Hot List.
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A 1920’s style safari camp dedicated to conservation. A stay at Sher Bagh will always be one of comfort; it's a great place to simply relax and enjoy the countryside.
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This is a lovely intimate place to stay where the peace of the countryside, star spangled night skies and al fresco dining are the luxury on offer
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A stay at Ramathra is a fabulous insight into rural life in Rajasthan. One of the best things to do here is to take a walk to the small local temple and down to the local village.
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Surrounded by miles of desert scrub this glorious tented camp is a marvellous place to experience desert life in absolute comfort.
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Established in 1989 by Usha and Goverdhan Singh Rathore, Khem Villas began as a barren expanse and has since transformed into a thriving natural habitat through dedicated rewilding efforts.
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Built over 175 years ago as a residence for the royal family of Samode, Samode Haveli is a beautifully preserved example of Jaipur’s architectural heritage.
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Set within the vibrant old city of Jodhpur, RAAS Jodhpur is a unique blend of historic architecture and contemporary luxury.
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Built during the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh II between 1734 and 1752, Amet Haveli stands as a testament to Udaipur's rich architectural heritage
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Philipkutty's Farm is a family-owned homestay situated on a private island in Kerala's backwaters, near Vembanad Lake. Established in the early 1950s, the farm spans approximately 35 acres and is renowned for its sustainable and organic farming practices, cultivating crops such as coconut, banana, and various vegetables.
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Marari Beach Resort is a serene coastal haven that captures the essence of Kerala’s traditional village life. Located near the quiet fishing village of Mararikulam, the resort sprawls across 30 acres of coconut groves, lily ponds, and lush gardens, offering a tranquil retreat just a short walk from the Arabian Sea.
Learn MoreIndia (FAQs) Need to Know
Where is the best place to see tigers in India?
Tracking tigers in their natural environment is a hugely exhilarating experience and a good sighting of this powerful beast is enough to make every hair on your body stand on end. Some of India’s tiger reserves, such as Ranthambore in Rajasthan, Bandhavgarh and Tadoba in Central India, are former hunting grounds of maharajas and the ruins of their deserted forts and palaces provide a regal backdrop to the tiger’s jungle domain. Using small lodges and camps we use jeeps to cover large areas of the parks in the company of people who are passionate about all wildlife and will interpret the sights and sounds of the jungle to track their hidden inhabitants.
How many days do you need for a holiday in India?
Your length of time in India is really down to your timescales, budget and bucket list. India is a vast country filled with incredible experiences across its length and breadth and we recommend focussing on one region to make the most of your time. You could head to the Himalayas for a private hike with views of mighty snow-capped peaks, drift through lazy backwaters and tropical hills of Kerala, discover forts, palaces and colourful desert villages of Rajasthan or explore jungles home to endangered wildlife in the central states. We’d always suggest taking your time to explore a region rather than jumping from place to place and spending too much time in transit.
Is an Indian holiday suitable for families?
Families looking for an exhilarating blend of wilderness and culture will love India. It’s a paradise for the curious and one thing we can pretty much guarantee is that your children will never be bored. Cool off in rock pools on hikes in Kerala’s hills at Christmas, make a safari in the footsteps of Kipling’s Jungle Book at Easter or explore the remote moonscapes of ‘Little Tibet’ in summer. You’ll be fully but discretely supported throughout your trip so that you and your family can enjoy the adventure with peace of mind.
Which are the top destinations for luxury travel in India?
India boasts several destinations that epitomize luxury:
- Rajasthan: Home to majestic palaces and forts, offering regal experiences in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur.
- Kerala: Known for its serene backwaters, lush landscapes, and Ayurvedic retreats.
- Goa: Offers pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and a vibrant cultural scene.
- Agra: Site of the iconic Taj Mahal, with luxury accommodations providing views of this wonder.
- Himalayas: Regions like Ladakh and Darjeeling offer exclusive mountain retreats and spiritual experiences.
Each destination provides a unique blend of luxury and cultural richness, catering to diverse preferences.
What unique experiences can I have on a luxury holiday in India?
A luxury holiday in India offers a plethora of unique experiences:
- Private Tours of Historical Sites: Explore the Taj Mahal or Jaipur’s forts with expert guides.
- Luxury Train Journeys: Travel aboard the Maharajas’ Express or Palace on Wheels, experiencing royal treatment.
- Wildlife Safaris: Stay in upscale lodges while seeking Bengal tigers in Ranthambore or Kanha National Park.
- Culinary Experiences: Enjoy private cooking classes or dining with royalty.
- Wellness Retreats: Indulge in Ayurvedic treatments and yoga sessions in tranquil settings.
These curated experiences ensure a deep and luxurious immersion into India’s diverse offerings.
What is the cost of a luxury holiday in India?
The cost of a luxury holiday in India varies based on duration, destinations, and experiences:
- Short Trips (5-7 days): Approximately £3,000 to £5,000 per person.
- Extended Journeys (10-14 days): Ranging from £7,000 to £15,000 per person.
These estimates typically include accommodations, private tours, transportation, and some meals. Customizing your itinerary with exclusive experiences may adjust the overall cost.
What cultural etiquette should I be aware of during my luxury holiday in India?
Understanding local customs enhances your experience:
- Dress Modestly: Especially in religious sites; covering shoulders and knees is advisable.
- Remove Shoes: Before entering homes and temples.
- Right Hand Usage: Use your right hand for eating and giving or receiving items.
- Respect Traditions: Be mindful of local customs and practices, and always ask before taking photographs of people.
Being culturally sensitive enriches your interactions and shows respect for the local communities.
From Our Travel Guides
Meet Our Travel Experts
It takes genuine local knowledge to craft trips that go beyond the ordinary
Into The Wild Brochure
Need some more inspiration? Request a copy of Into The Wild, our comprehensive anthology of safaris and wilderness travel.
A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.