Best Time To Visit India
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Quick Country Facts
Captial:New Delhi
Currency:Indian Rupee
Why visit India?
India offers a range of different habitats and terrains, making it the ideal destination for a multi-centre exploration holiday, a fascinating safari adventure or a cultural expedition.
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Delhi
A fascinating blend of old and new, Delhi is a bustling city full of life. Bursting with unforgettable sights, scents, sounds and experiences, the capital city is a great place to explore and discover the history and culture of India. Here you’ll find modern shopping malls and contemporary architecture alongside ancient monuments. A city full of contradictions and compromises, Delhi is an iconic Indian destination and a fascinating addition to any Indian tour.
Agra
Agra is a cultural highlight of any trip to India, boasting three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The majestic Taj Mahal is of course a frequent entry on many travel bucket lists, but the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are marvels of architecture that shouldn’t be missed. Arranged on the banks of the sacred Yamuna River, the city is ripe for explorers and home to bustling marketplaces, ancient temples and fascinating tombs.
Ranthambore National Park
One of India’s most famous national parks, Ranthambore is home to a huge diversity of wild animals and has become particularly known for its resident tigers, which can often be spotted during the day. The park is a dream for wildlife holidays, and boasts deer, mongooses, leopards, crocodiles, cobras and sloth bears as just some of the many species to be spotted here.
Jaipur
Known as India’s ‘pink city’, Jaipur is home to some of India’s most beautiful and distinctive architecture. The Amber Fort, just outside the city, and the City Palace are particularly notable highlights here, but Jaipur is overflowing with historic landmarks, charming markets and fascinating cultural sites, including the Jantar Mantar observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Jodhpur
A collection of thousands of bright blue buildings tangled at the base of the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is one of India’s most stunning cities. Known, for obvious reasons, as the ‘blue city’, this is an endlessly fascinating destination, ripe for exploration and bursting with bazaars, shops and amazing architecture. The labyrinth of the city is a photographer’s dream, painted with so many colours and shades it truly must be seen to be believed.
Jaisalmer
A golden fort city built from sandstone and set in the heart of the desert, Jaisalmer is a unique location that offers cultural exploration and wildlife adventure. After a busy day navigating your way down the bustling streets within this ancient citadel, take part in a night-time camel safari to get a sense of the stunning natural landscapes to be found in remote India.
Kolkata
Formerly known as Calcutta, this imposing city still displays its deep colonial history as a former capital of British-held India. An intellectual centre of arts and learning, this city’s imperial architecture, welcoming culture and beautiful natural landscapes – including lush gardens and the Hooghly River – are a fantastic addition to any India trip. Home to an incredibly friendly community, any walk through the city’s streets will give rise to fascinating sights, sounds and conversations with locals.
Guwahati
The starting point for many tours, Guwahati is the largest city in the Assam region and is a gateway to the cultural hub of north-east India. Cosmopolitan and scattered with temples, meandering streets and colonial history, this is a great place to embark on an exploration of India. Guwahati is also an ideal stop on a wildlife tour, with parks and sanctuaries close by the city – the Kaziranga National Park offers visitors the chance to spot the ‘Big Five’ group of animals on safari.
Tezpur
Blessed with outstanding natural scenery, Tezpur is one of the most picturesque cities in India. Winter sees the snow-topped Himalayas form a jaw-dropping backdrop, while the city’s lakes and vibrant parks sparkle in the hot Indian summers. As well as being a perfect spot for your scenic holiday snaps, Tezpur is home to fascinating temples and historic buildings. Visit the Agnigarh fortress for superb views over the city.
Nameri National Park
Home to over 300 species of bird, Nameri is a wildlife lover’s paradise. A visit to the park can also bring sightings of tigers, leopards, cobras, pythons and maybe elephants! The landscape of the park is wonderfully varied, with lush rainforest, bamboo, open plains off grass and winding rivers. Butterfly enthusiasts will find Nameri endlessly fascinating, as more than half of the known types of butterfly can be found here. The best time to visit is the period between November and April.
Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga is an ideal destination for a wildlife holiday. The park is home to two-thirds of the world’s greater one-horned rhinoceros population, and is also a designated Tiger Reserve, with the highest density of tigers for any protected area in the world. Famous for its population of ‘Big Five’ animals, tours to Kaziranga are sure to provide unforgettable experiences. Visit the park between November and April for wildlife tours in jeeps or astride elephants.
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
One of India’s dedicated tiger reserves, this is a fantastic destination for wildlife holidays and boasts a large population of jungle cats. Visitors to the park are guaranteed picturesque treks through the dense teak forests and around the sparkling lake. The park is open all year round, though the peak time for animal-spotting is February to May. Home to several endangered species, the reserve is truly a highlight and a jewel in India’s crown.
Pench National Park
The setting that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s classic ‘The Jungle Book’, Pench is an endlessly fascinating park home to a huge range of wildlife. Open grasslands, dense forests and the flowing river that runs through the park allows a rich collection of animals – from wolves, tigers and leopards to more than 200 species of bird – to thrive here. Ideal for families with older children and teenagers, the park is an excellent stop on any Indian wildlife tour.
Nagpur
Located at the exact centre of India, Nagpur is the perfect site from which to explore some of India’s most richly diverse wildlife parks and reserves, such as the Tadoba-Andhari National Park and Pench National Park. Famous for its oranges, this central city boasts tourist attractions such as the zero-mile marker, the Balaji Kartikeya Temple, the Ram Dham cultural park and the Ambazari lake and its surrounding gardens.
Satpura National Park
Satpura is one of India’s lesser known parks and remains unspoiled by tourism, which makes it a unique and exciting stop for wildlife tours. Boasting a diverse collection of animals as well as a rugged natural terrain, the park offers a range of safari options to explore the flora and fauna on show. A must for wildlife buffs, Satpura is a true taste of natural India.
Mumbai
India’s financial capital is a vibrant and busy city full of superlatives. Here, in India’s most densely populated city, find the world’s most expensive home, the centre of the most prolific film industry in the world and Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the largest tropical area within an urban setting in the world. The park boasts a staggering diversity of flora and fauna, and is a nature lover’s haven within the bustling city.
Where to go in India
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- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
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