India has so much to see! Every corner you turn, India’s ancient history is evident. There are the famous sights, such as the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort in Delhi, and Amber Palace in Jaipur, but there is also much more – every city has some element of its past on show. In addition to the historical monuments, there are a great deal of living ‘sights’, such as temples, mosques, markets and city streets generally. This is where India comes alive for the visitor, and is one of the ways that India differentiates itself from other countries. You only need to step out of your hotel and you will be engaged and entertained by what you see. Indians are very friendly and enjoy chatting and finding out about you and your impressions of their country. Taking a casual stroll through the streets, having a cup of chai from a street vendor, and shopping in the local market are all great ways to ‘see’ and be a part of India. If that sounds too involved for your liking, then ask you local guide (local guides are provided as part of all private and group tours we run) to accompany you on a walk. The guide can explain any perplexing things that you see – of which there are bound to be a few. And when you have had enough, you can jump in an auto-rickshaw (small taxi) and head back to the hotel.

Local guides add a great deal of depth to your experience of India. Normally one day’s sightseeing will be scheduled for each place you visit. This will give you enough time to cover the major places of interest for that city or town. Your guide will accompany you for the day, and will give the historical background to the sight at hand. Their knowledge is amazing, and you will be lucky to come up with a question about India or the sight that they are unable to answer! If you prefer the living sights, such as markets and temples, your guide can take you there also – they will assist you with whatever activities are of most interest to you.

You also have the option of activities that take you a little bit deeper than simple sightseeing. A meal with a family, watching a Bollywood film at the cinema, a walk with a local history expert, or meeting a village headman all offer you an insight into daily Indian life, and will give your experience greater depth. You may find, as many travellers do, that the events which cannot be planned into an itinerary – a chance conversation, a snack at a roadside eatery, or happening upon a temple celebration for example – turn out to be the most rewarding.

We also have local representatives who will meet you on arrival and farewell from all the cities and towns you visit during your trip. They are there to meet you at the train station or airport (or help you locate your carriage if departing by train), coordinate your sightseeing activities, and along with your guide, generally make sure everything goes smoothly while you are under their ‘care’. They are generally the first point of contact if you have a question or concern about something to do with the place you are visiting. All of their contact details will be given to you on arrival in India, so that you – with the drivers help – can contact the local representative ahead of your arrival, should you have the need.