Introducing India

India is an intriguing yet overwhelming place. It is a melting pot of several religions, several hundred languages, and several million people. Due to its staggering size, it can be difficult to know where to start when planning a trip there. Luckily a helping hand isn’t far away. We’ve stripped India back to basics, compiling a list of India’s highlights and more importantly, how, where and when to see them. Exploring the nooks and crannies of its cities, discovering its ancient charm, experiencing its age old rituals, and falling under the spell of India’s irrepressible charm makes for an adventure you will never forget.

Imagine Asia Guidebooks

We have a selection of guidebooks to some of our most popular countries in Asia. Written by our specialists, they detail destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send this via a PDF to your email.

India Favourites

Searching for the tiger? You arrived to the right place. India holds the best National Parks to spot the big cats in their habitat. Our tailor-made itineraries will take you from striking monuments and kingdoms, to the beautiful beaches of the Arabian Sea, from the modern delights of Mumbai to the vast and magnificent natural reserves hidden in the heart of India. Combine a safari in luxury lodges with the best beach hotels in Goa in a tour that will be extremely rewarding.

Himalaya and the North Family Holiday Ideas

The famous Himalayas have always amazed those who walk them, and a family trip here will allow you to explore the varied cultures that have grown out of the steep and mythical hills.

India Itineraries

India offers a mix of places to explore – from the beaches of Goa to the vast and wildlife-rich National Parks. Any of our tailor-made itineraries to India will ensure an exciting and diverse holiday. Imagine India can of course design your tailor-made luxury holiday to India to fit around your exact requirements – and ensure your trip to India is extra special!

Kerala and the South Honeymoon Ideas

Explore the beauties of South India while you stay in romantic boutique hotels or secluded beach resorts. From the beautiful Backwaters with its narrow boats and overgrown canals leading into the heart of villages, fascinating temples, lush plantations, famous monuments, as well as wonderful wildlife at Munnar National Park, Kerala is a delightful destination that has it all.

Indian festivals

India is a magical country which welcomes travellers with a chaotic and colourful assault on the senses. Never is this more prominent than during one of the many festivals. Below we have listed the dates for the major festivals in India in 2017. Speak to one of our specialists about incorporating one of these into a tailor-made itinerary.

India's cuisine

Only after stepping foot in India will you realise that Indian cuisine, as you know it, just doesn’t exist. To paint both the delicate and punchy flavours of India with the same broad brushstroke overlooks the smorgasbord of dishes on offer from north to south. Tried and tested recipes balance coriander, cumin and cardamom with almost scientific precision, guaranteeing a culinary experience you will never forget.

Toy Trains of India

With millions of passengers on the move every day, travelling on some 71,000 miles of track, India's intricate network of railways are the arteries of the country, connecting its bustling cities with its sleepy villages and everywhere in between. The sprawling rail network reaches the nooks and crannies of India which are otherwise impossible to find. Amongst the country's miles of train tracks are some of the most picturesque rail journeys in the world, most notable of which are its famed toy trains. Whilst perhaps not the most efficient way of getting from A to B, the experience is an absolute must to add to your India itinerary.

Darjeeling Toy Train

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the most famous of India’s toy trains. Climbing through dense swathes of mist, the iconic blue train creeps its way from New Jalpaiguri to the hill station of Darjeeling, promising an unforgettable journey. Winding its way through rolling plains, verdant valleys, and rattling its way through the spectacular mountain scenery of the Eastern Himalayas, the journey is an 8 hour long chug across 51 miles of railway. As one of the oldest train routes in India, a trip on the Darjeeling Toy Train is a journey back in time, the ancient train- and the smoke which billows in its wake- are eternal reminders of the region's rich history.

Darjeeling Toy Train

Kalka to Shimla Railway

Perhaps the most iconic of all of India’s Toy Trains, the journey from Kalka to Shimla through the Shivalik foothills is a never ending panorama of terraced fields, babbling streams and stilted houses. The route is flanked by palms, pines and cacti, which all seem within arm’s reach as the train chugs its way to a dizzy altitude of nearly 7000 feet, passing through countless tunnels and across endless bridges en route. In all, the journey lasts around five hours, however you can experience the most scenic chunk of railway on a short excursion, by heading straight to Shimla and boarding the train there. Getting to Shimla is quite easy, a short flight north of Delhi to Chandigarh and an onward journey to Shimla takes you to the foothills of the Himalayas in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Shimla toy train

Ooty to Nilgiri

As part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this section of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is an incredible addition to any South Indian itinerary. Despite being one of the most ambitious engineering projects of the British Raj, nearly all tracks, bridges, viaducts, and tunnels are still intact today. The route snakes its way through the tea gardens of Ooty, passing through Tamil Nadu’s lush landscapes, dense forests and impressive hill stations, up vertiginous cliffs and over deep ravines as it creeps up the slopes of the Western Ghats. The thirty mile journey takes around five hours as the train clanks and wheezes its way from Mettupalayam up to the Blue Mountains.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway