Let’s step into India

Looking for a little inspiration for your next adventure? Delve into the delights of India, a country brimming with colour, culture and history (not to mention some incredible landscapes)…

Awaken your senses

India offers a sensory overload – in the best possible way. There’s colour everywhere, from the jewel-like fabrics piled high at markets to the orange flash of a Bengal tiger hiding in the undergrowth. In the cities, the soundtrack is beeping horns and shouting shopkeepers; among desert dunes and rural reserves you could hear a pin drop.

And no matter which region you’re heading for, you can expect the most delicious food – coconut-laced curries in Kerala, tandoor-charred chicken in Delhi, dosas topped with dollops of zingy chutney in Bengaluru.

Step into a real-life Jungle Book

A safari in India is worlds away from what you’d encounter on the plains of South Africa or Kenya. Instead of wide-open spaces, you’ll tread carefully through dense forest and thigh-high grasses. There won’t be great herds of zebra galloping past – you’ll be keeping quiet watch for a touch of orange (a Bengal tiger), a pair of yellow-grey eyes (leopard) or a tuft of dark hair (sloth bear).

It takes peace and patience, but the rewards are well worth it. Ranthambore is one of the most popular picks for a safari, but for the full Jungle Book experience, venture to the country’s central reserves.

Follow the tracks

Carts full of live fish, a coffin (empty, thankfully), a double mattress – just a few of the unusual items we’ve seen at train stations in India, where the rail experience begins before you even step on board.

Train journeys range from city express services to meandering rural routes. Some of the most beautiful tracks take you high into the hills, and are serviced by heritage trains known as ‘toy trains’ for their diminutive size.

Say hi to the neighbours

India can easily be combined with Nepal or Bhutan, giving you the chance to see the cinematic landscapes of the Himalayas. Hike to mountain monasteries, embrace local culture and customs, and spot rare wildlife such as one-horned Asian rhinos and takins.

Team Nepal with a tour of India’s Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra) – you can fly straight from Kathmandu to Jaipur. Bhutan, meanwhile, pairs perfectly with India’s north-west, allowing you to explore vibrant Kolkata and the tea-scented hills of Darjeeling.