Based on our own experience and the many tips we have received from enthusiastic holidaymakers, it is our pleasure to present the most well-known highlights and World Heritage Sites of India for you!
Flight to Delhi and arrival on the 2nd day. Our friendly, English-speaking tour guide will welcome us at the airport and accompany us to our modern touring coach. After a relaxed breakfast in our 4-star hotel in Gurgaon/Delhi, we will get to know New Delhi through a fascinating city sightseeing tour. In addition we will see the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qutab Minar, a 80 yd tall minaret.
Today we will drive to Mandawa, a former trading town on the famous Silk Road. Many traders settled here and built stunning, palatial houses – such houses are called havelis. Today, you can still sense the splendour of the bygone era. You will be charmed by a number of colourful frescoes. We will stay the night in Mandawa.
Our next destination is the city of Bikaner in northern Rajasthan. We stroll through the lively old town and marvel at the colourful hustle and bustle on the market square. Then we are already standing in front of the imposing Junagarh Fort, one of the most beautiful and interesting forts in northern India. One special feature is its location: instead of being built on a hill, as is usually the case, the fort was built at ground level in the desert sand. Enjoy a wonderful, optional folklore evening including a camel train ride. We will stay the night in Bikaner.
On our way to Jodhpur, we pass fascinating desert landscapes, barren steppes and vibrant villages. Arriving in Jodhpur, we make our way to the Clock Tower, the centre of the city. Here is also the Old Market, where we end our evening. We will stay two nights in a 4-star comfort hotel in Jodhpur.
After a leisurely breakfast, we set out to explore Jodhpur. The city, which is surrounded by a ten-kilometre-long wall, combines influences of Indian and Arab culture. We stroll through the picturesque narrow alleys. Always in view: the mighty Mehrangarh Fort at the gates of the city, perched on a 135 yd high rock. A fascinating building. Not far away is Jaswant Thada, a white marble memorial to Maharajah Jaswant Singh II.
In the morning we set off for Ranakpur. This is one of the most beautiful and important Jain temples in India. This architectural masterpiece featuring more than 1,000 columns of different design not only attracts Jainism devotees, but also numerous art lovers. And then we will head for our 4-star hotel in Udaipur.
Udaipur is one of India’s most beautiful cities. Worth seeing is the enchanting garden Sahelion-ki Bari, with its numerous fountains. Another highlight is the City Palace, perched on a rocky outcrop on the shore of Lake Pichola. The complex consists of 11 different palaces, which were built over 300 years. Also worth visiting is the Jagdish Temple, dedicated to the god Vishnu. In the afternoon you can join our boat trip across Lake Pichola if you wish. You will visit the Jag Mandir Palace on a small island in the middle of the lake.
Today we reach Jaipur, the capital of the Rajasthan region. Numerous palaces and forts are testimonies to a long-gone, magnificent era. We make a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, the so-called ‘Palace of the Winds’ – an extraordinary building in the old city. In the afternoon, you will have have plenty of time to discover the city independently. We stay overnight in a 4-star hotel in Jaipur.
After breakfast, we drive to the Amber Fort, a mighty fortress complex reflected in the lake below. We cover the way up quite comfortably in jeeps. In the afternoon, we continue to the impressive City Palace as well as the Jantar Mantar, the most famous of five historic observatories in India. Quite rightly, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. Afterwards, you can join an optional rickshaw ride through Jaipur‘s picturesque lanes.
Fatehpur Sikri, the former capital of the Mughal Empire, was founded at the end of the 16ᵗʰ century. It is in almost perfect condition and shows a fascinating picture of the architectural masterpiece of the time. It is not without reason that the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highlight of our trip awaits us afterwards: the world-famous Taj Mahal, of course also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and known as the 8th Wonder of the World. It took around 20,000 people 22 years to construct the building, made from white marble. Afterwards we drive to our 4-star hotel in Agra, where we spend the night in comfort.
Today we discover the Red Fort in Agra, which was built under three reigns of the Great Mughals. The Great Mughal Shah Jahan, who also had the Taj Mahal built within sight of the fort, made a significant contribution to the massive structure. The Red Fort is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, we make our way back to Delhi, where we finish the evening at your 4-star hotel.
We will explore ‘old’ Delhi on a city sightseeing tour. Amongst other things, we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Red Fort Delhi, India’s largest mosque Jama Masjid and also the memorial Raj Ghat, built to commemorate the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. We will travel past the India Gate triumphal arch before going on to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, home of the Indian president. After that our wonderful trip comes to an end. We have one more overnight stay and on day 14 we drive to the airport to fly back to the UK. Arrival on day 14 or 15.
The package includes all admission fees and English-speaking guided tours to the sights according to the itinerary as well as the three exciting excursions “Indian folklore evening with camel train ride and traditional dancing in Rajasthan“, “Rickshaw drive through Jaipur“ and “Boat trip on Lake Pichola“: only £229 per person.
The package includes comfortable half-board, i.e. 11× delicious dinner: only £ 159 per person
£349 per person (subject to availability)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 20 | 24 | 28 | 35 | 38 | 36 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 22 |
| London | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
Below is an information overview. The conditions of entry, as well as the political and health situation, can change anywhere in the world at any time. We therefore recommend checking before your trip. Please check the website of the Foreign Office (www.gov.uk/) before your departure.
Parliamentary democracy: Federation (28 states, 8 union territories and the National Capital Territory of Delhi). The head of state is Draupadi Murmu since July 2022.
New Delhi (approx. 31 million inhabitants)
Hinduism (approx. 79.8%), Islam (approx. 14.2%), Christianity (approx. 2.3%), Sikhism (approx. 1.7%) as well as Buddhism, Jainism, Parsism and others.
Hindi and English are the official languages, 21 other languages are recognised.
Monsoon period (July to September), hot dry period (April to June); Northern India is subject to stronger seasonal climates.
230 volt alternating current, 50 hertz. An adapter is necessary.
The time difference to the UK is UTC +5.5 hours. Daylight saving time is not observed.
The dialling code for long-distance calls from the UK to India is 0091. Dial 0044 and drop the 0 from the local code when calling the UK from India.
In India, women are seldom greeted by a handshake. It is more common to use the “Namaste” greeting, whereby your hands are folded as if in prayer. Public displays of affection between men and women are uncommon.
In India, it is customary to give tips. Similarly to the USA, this forms part of their income for people working in the sector. Moreover, it symbolises recognition for the service provided. One can tip chambermaids around £ 1.50 per room and night. In a restaurant or taxi, tipping around 10% of the billed sum is customary. Tips are not given in shops. On group trips, we recommend around £ 2.50 per person per day for the tour leader, and around £ 2 per person per day for the bus driver. Of course, everyone may decide for themselves whether and how much of a tip they wish to give.
The main products are rice, various types of flatbread (Chapati, Roti, Naan) and lentils. Specialties vary strongly between regions and are determined by regional spices.
Traditionally, cutlery is not used for dining. Only your right hand is used when eating. This does not mean, however, that forks or spoons are entirely unheard of. Tourists need not dispense with them entirely.
British citizens need to obtain a visa before travelling to India. Holders of passports endorsed as ‘British citizen’ who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a single-entry e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) to enter India at certain designated airports. You can apply for the visa and find more information about the eligibility criteria on the government of India’s e-Tourist Visa website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. The e-Tourist Visa can only be used for a double entry to India. Applicants should carry a copy of their e-TV with them at the time of travel. We advise applicants to apply for their Indian visa a maximum of 30 days and a minimum of 4 days in advance of the date of arrival. The e-Tourist Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India.
You can also apply for a visa at one of the ‘Indian Visa Application Centres’. A list of these IVACs is available on the VFS website https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/ The validity of the visa begins from the date of issue by the High Commission of India and not from the date of travel on your application form. We advise applicants to apply for their Indian visa a few weeks before their scheduled travel dates. Make sure you get the right visa for your trip.
Your passport must be machine-readable, with 2 blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 6 months at the time of entry to India. If you need further information, please contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the territory you are travelling to. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Indian embassy for details on the entry requirements applying to them. Whilst we endeavour to provide guidance where necessary, we can not be responsible for any problems encountered (whether at any point of entry or elsewhere) in the event that passport and visa requirements are not satisfied.
Your expert tour guides will be able to provide you with detailed information about the country, people, history, culture etc., and offer advice and assistance for organising your trip. They can also help with room allocation and look forward to welcoming you with initial information. Here you will find out all you need to know and useful information about the trip. We have put together a varied programme including numerous highlights, enabling you to experience the culture and diversity of landscape that India has to offer, and learn all about the country and its people.
Although your trip already includes a comprehensive package, you also have the option of choosing added extras. We recommend booking the following packages:
Cultural package: The package includes all admission fees and English-language guided tours to the sights according to the itinerary as well as the three exciting excursions ‘Indian folklore evening with camel train ride and traditional dancing in Rajasthan’, ‘Rickshaw drive through Jaipur’ and ‘Boat trip on Lake Pichola’: only £229* per person.
Gourmet package: The package includes comfortable half-board, i.e. 11× delicious dinner: only £159* per person
* Package prices may vary when booking on site.
The unit of currency is the Indian rupee (INR). 1 INR = 100 Paise. Exchange rate (June 2024): 1 GBP = 105,50 INR; 1 INR = 0.01 GBP
Many ATMs in India permit cash withdrawals using an EC card or credit cards which are part of the Maestro system. But most banks in India charge fees for this service. Fees range between £1.30 and £8.40. Fees may also be incurred by your own bank. If you require more information on such fees prior to travel, you are advised to enquire about the co-operations between your bank and banks in India. A transaction fee is also charged for credit cards. Some ATMs have a limit of 20.000 rupees while others have higher limits. A sufficient number of ATMs, most of which are available 24/7, can be found in city centres and larger towns. Nevertheless, visitors should withdraw sufficient sums of cash from ATMs on arrival in order to avoid financial bottlenecks. As a general rule, money can be exchanged at the international airports and in major banks. Most banks are open from 10 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday. Transaction receipts should be saved.
Import: Sums of money of up to £ 7,840 and items of high value (e.g. video cameras) must be declared on entering the country. Gold coins or bars, weapons and pornographic materials may not be brought into the country. The same applies to Indian currency.
Export: Protected animal hides and plants may not be taken out of the country. The same applies to Indian currency. Violations against custom regulations may trigger arrests on leaving the country.
Important: If you are travelling to Great Britain from outside the UK, your personal allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category. Please inform yourself about the current customs regulations: www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-intouk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain.
Travellers are advised to stay away from large crowds of people, to exercise particular vigilance and stay informed of current events immediately prior to and during the trip. Instructions provided by local authorities must be followed. The risk of foreign travellers becoming victims of violent crime is quite low in India‘s tourist areas. Nevertheless, travellers should always be careful. Consideration should be taken of the fact that tourists – especially in Rajasthan and Goa – have repeatedly fallen prey to well-organised con artists offering lucrative deals with precious stones, for example.
The possession of drugs is severely punishable in India. Different regulations concerning the purchase and consumption of alcohol apply in individual Indian states. In most states, for example, alcohol is only permissible for medical purposes. Penalties can be very severe. Travellers are advised to obtain information on the applicable regulations governing the purchase and consumption of alcohol in the respective states. Same-sex partnerships are no more punishable since 2018. Same-sex partners are nevertheless advised to behave inconspicuously in public.
The possession and use of satellite phones is prohibited in India and is punishable by law.
Possession of and trade in e-cigarettes has been prohibited since the end of November 2019 and can be punished with heavy fines or even imprisonment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website (https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries). Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid are recommended for most travellers visiting India.
Diarrhoea: This can be prevented by taking the corresponding precautions. Basic rules include filtering or boiling tap water, consuming beverages in original packaging only and only using drinking water to brush your teeth or rinse food. Meat should be cooked through before consumption and not eaten raw.
Infectious diseases: Before travelling to India, please consult a medical outreach clinic or a travel medic for information on possible infectious diseases.
Malaria: With the exception of higher altitudes above approx. 1640 yd, a medium risk of transmission of malaria prevails in India all year round, with cases increasing during the monsoon period in particular. Nor are India‘s major cities exempt from this risk: an increase in cases of malaria has been recorded in recent years in Mumbai and New Delhi in particular. Symptoms may occur weeks to months after your trip and are caused by a bite by the blood-sucking anopheles mosquito which is nocturnal. If a fever arises during this time, it is necessary to inform the attending physician of your stay in a malarial area.
Medication and personal adjustment thereof should be discussed with a specialist in tropical/travel medicine prior to ingestion. You are advised to take sufficient supplies of medicine with you for so-called emergency treatment although the administration of preventive medicine is not generally recommended. In India, there is also the risk of purchasing counterfeit drugs. Owing to the infection risks associated with mosquitoes, all travellers are advised to
• wear light-coloured full-length clothing (long trousers, long shirts)
• apply insect repellent to all exposed body parts several times a night (malaria)
• to sleep under a mosquito net if necessary.
Medical care is inadequate in vast areas of the country and does not usually correspond with European standards in terms of medicine, hygiene, technology or organisation. Language barriers can make communication considerably more difficult, especially in rural areas. In large cities, medical care in all specialist areas is usually of a high to very high level which also makes it significantly more expensive. It is common practice to pay a considerable down payment prior to commencing treatment which can often blow travellers’ budgets in the event of serious illness requiring intensive treatment.
Supplies of reliable medication and uninterrupted cooling chains are not guaranteed in all places. Travellers should take sufficient supplies of medication to be taken regularly and have their doctor provide confirmation in English of their necessity for presentation on entering the country. It must be assumed that counterfeit products are sold instead of official medication, especially in smaller pharmacies. People who are chronically ill and requiring treatment must be aware of the health risks associated with travelling to India. Make sure you have private travel health insurance. Such policies usually also offer benefits not covered by state health insurance companies, e.g. the costs of repatriation.
The customer must establish for himself that his physical and mental state is compatible with the selected journey. He is obliged to obtain information about the degrees of physical mobility and mental autonomy required for this journey.
All information is subject to change/Last updated: June 2024
The visa can be applied for:
Please complete the application online on the official website.
NB: Please ensure that all details are correct. Even the smallest errors (e.g. transposed numbers or entering the letter “O” instead of the number “0” in the passport number can lead to significant problems at entry.
Please note: There are mandatory fields marked by * and information which is provided on a voluntary basis. Voluntary information is not strictly necessary.
”Reference name in India / Address” field This field is mandatory. Enter the address of the first hotel on your trip here:
Lemon Tree Sector 60 Gurugram
Urban Complex, Ch.Nandaram Marg, Ullahwas Village, Sector 60
Gurugram, Haryana 122011
Tel: +91 124 714 2323
Please pay the visa fee of 25 US$ online. MasterCard,Visa and PayPal are accepted. (Our recommendation: payment at the latest 4 days prior to departure.)
You will then receive either an approval notice or a notification of referral. If you receive a notification of referral, please contact the Indian Diplomatic Mission.
A tourist visa entitles UK citizens to enter the country multiple times during a one year period from the date of grant for continuous stays of up to 180 days
Processing usually takes at least 3 working days.
Track your application by logging in to the official website (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/StatusEnquiry?visa_service_req=3).
For further assistance, call the 24/7 visa support centre on +91 11 24300666 or mail to indiatvoa@gov.in.
Submit the application and all other documents required (listed at http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/Tourist.html) to the respective Diplomatic Mission (a list can be found at: http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/contactus.html) in person or by post and pay the fee of £72.00 plus £3 Consular Charge plus £11.57 VFS service charge.
With the approval of the Indian General Consulate, the Diplomatic Mission usually requires 3-5 working days to process applications submitted in person. When submitted by post (please select “UK – London” as Mission, while completing the application form online), processing takes 2-3 weeks (please consider when applying!).
Following submission of the application, confirmation is sent to the respective Diplomatic Mission and the application along with a reference number.
Track your application by logging in to the official website (http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/track application.html).
You can also call the hotline at 0203 793 8629 or 0203 788 4666 Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Alternatively you can call at 0905 757 0045 Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 05:30 pm (except for Consular Holiday) or mail to info.inuk@vfshelpline.com.
Visas are valid for up to 1 year and entitle the holder to enter the country multiple times (validity of the visa begins from the date it is issued and not from the date of your departure mentioned on the application form).
Documents required for entering India:
Last revised: October 2023
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