India Tours

Pick Exodus for an India holiday that goes far beyond the headline sights (without missing the essentials). Led by an expert local guide, you’ll enjoy carefully planned itineraries that take you to the heart of the country’s culture, landscape and traditions. Here’s why travellers choose us:

Expert local guides: Our local tour leaders are the heart of our adventures in India, sharing their insider knowledge, introducing you to the local people, bringing the group together and handling the on-the-ground logistics.

Award-winning adventures: Our awards page speaks for itself. Among others, we’ve been named a Which? Best Rated Recommended Provider and a Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Award winner.

Small groups: Solo travellers, couples and friends make up our welcoming groups, with an average group size of 10 to 12.

Immersive itineraries: Our itineraries are purposefully designed to immerse you in the best of the country, so expect a balance of iconic sights and authentic local experiences. In India, that might mean searching for Bengal tigers on safari, exploring the palaces, forts and ancient cities of the Golden Triangle, or drifting along Kerala’s tranquil backwaters aboard a traditional houseboat.

Sustainability: As a certified B Corp, we support local communities by using locally owned accommodation where possible and creating experiences that benefit the people and places we visit.

Stress-free logistics: We arrange accommodation, transport, transfers and many included activities, leaving you free to focus on experiencing India rather than planning the details.

Absolutely, a guided tour of India can unlock experiences only available with the necessary local knowledge. That’s especially true if you’re planning on visiting multiple destinations, as the transport, accommodation and other logistics are taken care of for you – saving plenty of time and stress.

India is vast and varied, with an extraordinary range of places to discover, including historic forts, palaces and wildlife-rich national parks in the north and the rural communities and tropical landscapes of Kerala in the south. Travelling within these diverse regions can involve long distances and different forms of transport, making a guided tour a great way to experience the country.

On an Exodus small-group tour, your expert local guide also handles on-the-ground logistics and smooths any issues, while sharing their local knowledge of the cities and people you visit.

An Exodus small-group tour of India includes everything you need for a hassle-free adventure. While inclusions vary by itinerary, you can typically expect:

Accommodation: Think comfortable hotels and heritage properties, with selected itineraries also featuring characterful stays such as houseboats on the Kerala backwaters.

Transport: We’ll get you from place to place, usually by private minibus or coach, with some itineraries also including trains and internal flights. Airport transfers are included, typically at set times.

Expert tour leader: An expert local guide who handles the day-to-day logistics, while sharing their insider knowledge on the history, culture and traditions of India.

Meals: Most breakfasts, plus selected lunches and dinners – check the itinerary for a full rundown of what’s included. 

Activities: A range of guided activities and sightseeing experiences, helping you discover the landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage of India. Depending on your itinerary, you could search for Bengal tigers on safari, explore the forts and palaces of Rajasthan, visit the Taj Mahal, walk through the tea plantations of southern India, discover historic temples and spice ports, or cruise Kerala’s tranquil backwaters. See your Trip Notes for full details of what’s included, along with any optional activities.

Support: 24/7 support from our local team throughout your adventure, plus the help of in-house travel experts, who can help you book flights or extra nights.

An Exodus small-group tour takes the stress out of exploring, combining expert local guides, thoughtfully crafted itineraries and seamless logistics, allowing you to focus on what really matters – immersing yourself in India. Here’s what you can expect:

Landscapes, culture & history: Our itineraries reveal the incredible diversity of India, such as Rajasthan’s magnificent forts and palaces, the iconic Taj Mahal and wildlife-rich national parks. Alternatively, discover Kerala’s tranquil backwaters and the tea-covered hills of southern India.

Expert local guides: Every Exodus tour is led by an expert local guide, keen to share their fascinating insights on the history, traditions and cuisine of India, while taking care of the daily logistics, allowing you to relax and enjoy the experience.

Sociable, small groups: With an average group size of 10 to 12, our tours offer a welcoming atmosphere, while giving you more opportunities to connect with local people and experience India. Groups stay in carefully selected accommodation, using locally owned properties where possible.

India’s climate varies considerably by region, so the best time to visit depends on your itinerary.

In the Himalaya, conditions vary considerably with altitude and location, so the best months to travel depend on your route.

Northern India, including Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan, is generally most comfortable from October to March. Temperatures rise considerably from April to June, before the summer monsoon brings rain to many areas.

For tiger safaris, October to February generally brings cooler, more comfortable conditions for game drives. March to May is much hotter but can be a rewarding time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around waterholes.

Southern India, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, has a warm, tropical climate. November to April is a popular time to visit, with December to February generally offering some of the most comfortable conditions for exploring.

Every Exodus trip is given an Activity Level to help you choose an adventure that matches your fitness, experience and travel style.

• Our India tours showcase the full spectrum of activity from Easy to Tough. Depending on the itinerary, activities may include guided sightseeing of forts, palaces and cultural landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, joining a safari in search of Bengal tigers, cycling around the Kerala backwaters or high-altitude trekking in the Himalaya.
• Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness should be able to enjoy our Easy and Moderate itineraries, with previous experience and excellent fitness required for the tougher treks.
• If you prefer to opt out of an activity on one of our Easy or Moderate tours, your tour leader can suggest alternative ways to enjoy the destination.
• Our India cycling holidays are designed for confident cyclists with a good level of fitness who are comfortable riding longer distances over consecutive days.

If you’re unsure which Activity Level is right for you, speak to our travel experts, who will be happy to help you choose the most suitable India itinerary. 

Many first-time visitors follow the Golden Triangle, a time-tested route linking the three cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. This classic cultural trail ties together some of the country’s most iconic sights, including the Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s palaces and forts, and rich Mughal and Rajput history. If you have more time, the southern state of Kerala offers a very different side of India, with tropical backwaters, spice plantations and a slower pace of life. Return visitors often head to Himalayan regions such as Ladakh or Sikkim for mountain scenery and less-visited regions. Each region has its own character, cuisine and history, making a multi-region itinerary with Exodus one of the best ways to discover India for a first-time visitor.

There are countless must-visit places in India. The Taj Mahal remains one of the world’s most celebrated landmarks, while Jaipur showcases Rajasthan’s grand forts and palaces. Varanasi offers a fascinating glimpse into spiritual life along the Ganges, and Ranthambore is one of the best places to look for Bengal tigers. In the south, Kerala’s waterways and gentler pace provide a contrasting experience. Beyond the famous highlights, India rewards those who explore local markets, rural communities and lesser-known cultural treasures.

Truly experiencing India is about far more than gazing at its – admittedly impressive – landmarks. You can explore spice-laden markets, taste regional cuisines, witness spiritual traditions and see how daily life changes from Rajasthan’s historic cities to Kerala’s backwaters and spice-growing regions. In northern India, cultural experiences might include bustling bazaars, religious ceremonies and festival departures such as Holi or Diwali, while the south offers family meals, houseboat stays and distinctive local traditions. On an Exodus guided tour of India, expert local guides help you understand the customs behind each encounter.

India feels different because it rarely offers one version of itself for long. You might begin among Rajasthan’s sandstone forts, desert villages and Jaipur’s food stalls, then find yourself drifting through Kerala’s backwaters, walking through spice gardens or cooling off in the tea hills. Further north, Ladakh brings Buddhist monasteries, high mountain passes and stark Himalayan scenery, while India’s national parks offer the chance to search for Bengal tigers. What makes India so compelling is how quickly language, food, architecture, faith and daily life shift from one region to the next.