Practical Comfort & Peace of Mind

India is largely safe to travel around, and with a private driver and guides you have a great deal of support and reassurance. As anywhere, use common sense: look after your valuables, make use of hotel safes, take licensed taxis after dark if you are out without your driver, and take care crossing busy roads. We provide 24 hour support throughout.

India is a rewarding destination for solo female travellers, and travelling as we arrange it adds a great deal of reassurance. You have your own private driver and vehicle, expert guides at each stop, handpicked hotels and 24 hour support on the ground, so you are looked after throughout rather than navigating busy stations and public transport alone. As anywhere, a little common sense goes a long way: dress modestly, especially at religious sites, keep your valuables secure, and use your hotel or driver to arrange transport after dark. Many women travel solo in India very happily, and we are glad to talk through any concerns when we plan your trip.

It is far less likely when you travel as we arrange it, staying in good hotels and eating in trusted places with high standards of hygiene. We recommend drinking only bottled or purified water, avoiding washed salads and ice, choosing freshly cooked food and washing hands regularly.

We recommend sticking to bottled or filtered water, which is easy to find everywhere and provided in your hotels and vehicle. It is best to avoid tap water, including for brushing your teeth, and to skip ice unless you know it is made from purified water. Many of the hotels we use filter their own water to cut down on plastic, and your guide and driver will always help you find a safe supply.

Speak to your GP or a travel clinic well in advance, ideally at least six weeks before you travel. Commonly advised vaccinations for India include hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus and diphtheria. Check current advice on NHS Fit for Travel for detail specific to your route.

Malaria, and other mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, are present in parts of India, with the risk varying by region and season. Take advice from your GP or travel clinic on precautions, use a good insect repellent, and cover up at dawn and dusk.

British citizens need a visa, usually an e-tourist visa applied for online before you travel, for which you will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your departure date and a photograph. Remember to carry a printed copy of your e-visa to show on arrival. Requirements change and vary by nationality, so we follow the UK government's India entry requirements, which we recommend you check before you travel. We are happy to point you in the right direction, but please note we are not a visa agency and cannot be responsible for your application.

Yes. We would always very strongly recommend arranging travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, and choosing a high-quality policy rather than the cheapest you can find. Good cover should look after both your health and any changes to your plans, and it is one area we would never suggest cutting corners on.

In the UK, follow the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india.

It can be, depending on your needs, and we see it as a welcome challenge. Some historic sites and older hotels do have access limitations, so we like to have a detailed conversation about what you need and then design something from scratch around it.

India is wonderfully relaxed, and smart casual is fine almost everywhere, even in the finest hotels. We suggest light, breathable cotton or linen, with layers for cool winter mornings and chilly evenings in the hills and on safari, and a light waterproof. Modest dress is appreciated, particularly at religious sites, where you will want to cover your shoulders and knees, so a scarf or shawl and a pair of socks for bare feet are useful. Pack comfortable walking shoes, muted colours for safari, and good sun protection and insect repellent. Plug sockets take round-pin adapters, so a multi-purpose travel adapter is handy. Your pre-departure guide sets all of this out in detail before you go.