Learn more
Destinations
Tailor-Made India Tours
Why we love India
Food, food, and more food! Foodies will delight in trying every kind of dal, dhokla and pani puri, or learning how to cook an authentic curry. India’s flavours will take your tastebuds on an adventure of their own.
The buzz of the bazaars and markets: With the help of our local hosts and guide, mingle with locals (and the odd cow) as you weave in and out of passageways lined with fruits, spices and handicrafts. Just make sure you leave room in your suitcase; you’ll need it.
The wild locals: Our luxurious safari camps are a hotspot for some of the world’s most majestic animals. Tiger, one-horned rhino, Asiatic lion, we’ve got them all in India
The vibrant arts and crafts scene: As part of your private journey, block print your own textiles in Jaipur, Rajasthan or take a contemporary ceramic workshop in Chandigarh. India’s creative heritage will leave you feeling very inspired. We can even tailor-make an entire textiles journey if you have a deep interest.
A total reset: It’s the birthplace of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda; if you’re looking for a spiritual awakening, or simply want to relax among beautiful surroundings, let us know and we can make specialist recommendations
Places to visit
Calcutta & the Northeast
Calcutta and Northeast India reveal a fascinating mix of cultures, landscapes, and histories, where colonial heritage meets ancient traditions and stunning natural beauty. In Calcutta, explore temples, churches, synagogues, and lively markets that tell the story of a diverse past, while in the Northeast, discover Assam’s tea plantations, Nagaland’s hill tribes, and Buddhist monasteries in Gangtok. Wildlife lovers can venture into Kaziranga National Park to spot Bengal tigers and the rare one-horned rhinoceros, or ride the famous Toy Train through lush forests and up to Darjeeling’s atmospheric hill stations. With its vibrant people, spiritual depth, and breathtaking scenery, this region is one of India’s most captivating journeys.
Central India & Tigers
Central India is a land of wilderness and wonder, where vibrant cities and ancient temples give way to some of India’s finest national parks. From Mumbai’s glittering skyline and colonial heritage to the legendary tiger reserves of Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, and Satpura, this region offers world-class safaris without the crowds. Here, Bengal tigers roam meadows and forests, leopards slink through the undergrowth, and rare wildlife from sloth bears to pythons thrives in landscapes said to have inspired Kipling’s Jungle Book. With expert naturalist guides, exceptional lodges, and a perfect blend of wildlife, culture, and history, Central India promises an unforgettable safari experience.
Kerala & the South
Kerala and South India invite travellers to slow down and savour a region of dazzling diversity, where palm-fringed beaches, tranquil backwaters, and verdant tea and spice plantations create landscapes as soothing as they are vibrant. Along the Malabar Coast, Cochin’s Chinese fishing nets and colonial heritage reflect centuries of trade, while the Western Ghats offer fragrant tea estates and sweeping views. In Tamil Nadu, towering gopurams and intricately carved temples such as Madurai’s Meenakshi Amman showcase India’s rich spiritual traditions, balanced by French charm in Pondicherry. Karnataka adds glittering cities, UNESCO-listed Hampi, Mysore’s royal splendour, and wildlife-rich Coorg and Nagarhole, ensuring South India delivers culture, history, wildlife, and natural beauty in equal measure. We can design tailor-made holidays to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with private drivers and guides as standard.
Ladakh
Ladakh, the “Land of High Passes,” is India’s most breathtaking Himalayan frontier, where lunar-like landscapes, rugged mountains, and crystal-clear lakes create an otherworldly escape. From the Nubra Valley’s sweeping sand dunes to the turquoise waters of Pangong Lake, Ladakh’s natural wonders offer a true retreat into wilderness and serenity. Rich in Tibetan Buddhist heritage, the region is dotted with ancient monasteries such as Hemis, Thiksey, and Lamayuru, while vibrant festivals fill villages with music, dance, and ritual. With its unique culture, dramatic scenery, and the chance to spot the elusive snow leopard, Ladakh is a once-in-a-lifetime journey into India’s wild and spiritual heart.
Rajasthan & the North
Rajasthan is one of India's largest states, and along with other parts of northern India such as Delhi and Agra, it offers an introduction to this vast country, perfect for those wanting a quintessential slice of India. Think ornate palaces, peeling havelis and jeep safaris in search of tigers. Our tailor-made trips to Rajasthan, which are all completely bespoke, carefully combine its stupendous colour, gentle chaos, sophisticated culture, and history with your specific interests and how you like to pace your holidays.
From the morning flower markets of Jaipur’s 'Pink City' to the serene lakes and quiet corners of Udaipur, and from the golden sands of the Thar Desert to the blue hues of Jodhpur, Rajasthan has some seriously big hitting destinations, even by global standards. However it's the quieter villages and small towns across Rajasthan and northern India that have our heart, such as Shahpura, Bundi, Deogarh and Chambal to name just a few. It's by including these small lesser known destinations, paired with specialist local hosts, that unveils a more local, a more genuine and definitely a more authentic side of India. This part of India is complex and the potential is endless, our specialists know India inside out and can design a tailor-made trip to India based very specifically on your likes, your interests and your budget.
Get inspired
Swap the guidebook for a good story
Feel it to believe it. Personalised to you, our luxury India itineraries are packed with the kinds of experiences you won’t find in the guidebook, but they’ll fill page after page of your own travel journal.
Plan your trip
Weather in India
Governed by a spectacular monsoon, India's climate is nothing short of theatrical and changes year round. From the sultry, dusty plains of Rajasthan to the cool, mist-kissed hill stations of the Western Ghats, and from the snowy peaks in Ladakh to the tropical beaches of Goa and Kerala, it's impossible to summarise its weather in one sentence. Please read on to find out more.
Ultra personalised
Luxury in India
Our luxury holidays in India aren't about hopping from one 5-star hotel to the next. At Red Dot, it's about privacy, intimacy and insight: rooms with beautiful views, evening access into palaces and forts after the crowds have gone, a private tour with an expert archaeologist, dinner with an author in a hidden courtyard. Rooms are chosen for their character and sense of place, from restored palaces and spoiling safari camps to architectural gems, not just the biggest name. Every trip is ultra-personalised, shaped by decades of experience on the ground, with time built in to slow down and take it all in. It’s India, in style and without the overwhelm.
On our radar
Step inside Kot Dunara
Owned and run by the Thakur family, Kot Dunara is a simple but beautiful ancient heritage homestay in rural Rajasthan that allows access to a remote and beautiful corner of this part of India. Include this as part of your tailor-made itinerary, and learn about artisans, craftsman and try the art of Rajasthani cookery in the most authentic way. Staying in rural ancestral homes is one of our favourite ways to immerse ourselves in Indian life.
On the ground
Get up close
Experience the vibrant pulse of India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives through these intimate glimpses from the ground—where ancient temples meet sun-warmed sands and every frame tells a story.
Need to know
Biryani – fragrant rice layered with marinated meat and aromatic spices
Butter Chicken – creamy tomato-based chicken curry with rich, velvety sauce
Masala Dosa – crispy fermented crepe filled with spiced potato mixture
Dal Makhani – rich and creamy black lentil curry slow-cooked with butter
India has incredible linguistic diversity with hundreds of languages spoken across the country. However, here are the main languages:
- Hindi (official language of the union government, spoken by about 40% of the population)
- English (associate official language, widely used in government, business, and education)
1. Bundi, Rajasthan
A quieter counterpoint to Jaipur, Bundi is a town of faded blue houses, ornate stepwells, and the mural-filled Garh Palace that sprawls dramatically above the bazaar. Its old-world atmosphere feels largely untouched by mass tourism.
2. Chettinad Mansions, Tamil Nadu
In the heart of Tamil Nadu, the Chettinad region is scattered with palatial ancestral homes built by wealthy merchant families, blending Indian and European design. Many lie semi-abandoned, their courtyards and tiled halls whispering of past opulence.
3. Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu
While most visitors head straight to Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple, the UNESCO-listed Chola temples of Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Darasuram showcase sublime Dravidian architecture and sculpture, with far fewer crowds.
4. Chandni Chowk’s Spice and Silver Lanes, Delhi
Beyond the headline Red Fort, Delhi’s old city lanes brim with sensory immersion: Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market, is an intoxicating mix of colour and aroma, while the adjoining Dariba Kalan lane glitters with handcrafted silver jewellery.
India is huge so weather varies, but for most of the country September to April is the most comfortable months to travel, apart from Ladakh which is best May to September.
Flying from the UK to India
Flying from the UK to India is surprisingly quick and easy - just 8-10 hours direct from London to Delhi or Mumbai with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic (which offers great Premium Economy), and Air India! Even getting to smaller cities like Jaipur is simple with Etihad's frequent Abu Dhabi connections, and Emirates whisks you to Cochin via Dubai in no time. With such short flight times and regular connections, it's practically a hop across to India - just grab your visa beforehand and you're all set!
Flying from elsewhere in the world
From the US, it's about 14-17 hours with one stop (usually through Europe or the Middle East), while Australia has flights taking around 10-12 hours with connections through Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian neighbors like Thailand and Singapore have quick 3-4 hour hops, and from Europe's major cities like Paris or Frankfurt, you're looking at just 7-9 hours direct. The Middle East is practically next door with 3-4 hour flights from Dubai, Qatar, or Kuwait!
Ready to take the next step?
Whatever your passion, we make it happen.
The best time to visit India is generally October to April, when the cooler, drier months suit most of the country. The Himalaya and Ladakh come into their own in summer, the deserts are at their best in winter, and the south has its own pattern. Your dedicated India specialist will steer you to the right months for your journey, and our India Weather Guide has a month-by-month picture.
Most tailor-made India holidays last between one and three weeks. Even a week works well, particularly if you are planning to return, while two to three weeks lets you combine regions such as Rajasthan and Kerala or go deep into one. India is a country best enjoyed in chapters, and the one golden rule is not to try to see it all in a single trip. Whatever time you have, we design every day of your private journey around you, so none of it is wasted.
For a first time visitor, a private holiday in Rajasthan and the north is the classic introduction to India: Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, the palaces and bazaars of Jaipur and the lakes of Udaipur, often with tigers at Ranthambore added on. For a gentler first journey, a private holiday in Kerala and the south moves at a slower pace, with backwaters, tea hills and temple towns. Where Red Dot differs is in how we balance the great sights with the quieter corners: rural heritage stays, family-run forts and homestays where you may be the only guests, alongside some of the finest palace hotels in the world. We will match the region to your interests, your time and the season, and design your private journey around it.
A tailor-made India holiday with Red Dot typically costs between £3,500 and £5,000 per person, and from there a luxury holiday to India can rise as far as you would like to take it, with some of the finest hotels in the world at the top end. That covers everything arranged for you: handpicked hotels, your private driver, expert local guides, your experiences and 24 hour support on the ground. Once we understand what you are looking for, we will put together a detailed, transparent quote with no obligation.
A tailor-made India tour is a completely private, bespoke holiday designed entirely around you, while a package holiday runs on fixed dates, in fixed hotels, along a fixed route, usually in a group. On a tailor-made journey you travel with your own private driver and your own guides, never in a group, your hotels are handpicked for you, and the route reflects your interests, the season and how much ground you want to cover. In a country as big and as varied as India, that makes an enormous difference.
Yes, India is an easy country to travel around when everything is arranged for you. On a private holiday to India with Red Dot, we organise the lot: your own private driver and vehicle, expert local guides at every stop, internal flights where they save you time, and 24 hour support on the ground. India can feel overwhelming to plan alone, which is exactly why we do it all for you. We take the chaos and the confusion out of India, and just leave the magic.
Yes, India is largely a safe country to travel around, and the way we arrange it adds a great deal of reassurance. You are never navigating India alone: your private driver and guides are with you throughout, your hotels are handpicked, and our team is on hand 24 hours a day if anything needs attention. As anywhere, use common sense with valuables and take licensed taxis after dark if you are out without your driver.
Yes, British citizens need a visa for India, usually an e-tourist visa applied for online before you travel. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival in India, with two blank pages, and you should carry a printed copy of your e-visa. All international visitors must also complete India's digital e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing and the Health Declaration Form up to 24 hours before arrival. Requirements change and vary by nationality, so check the UK government's India entry requirements before you travel, and we will happily point you in the right direction.
Yes, India is a wonderful destination for a family holiday and one of our favourites for children. Tigers and elephants, forts and palaces, trains and camel rides: it captures young imaginations like almost nowhere else, and children are met with real warmth wherever they go. With your own private driver, guides and carefully paced days, all arranged by us, family travel in India is far easier than you might imagine, and it works brilliantly for teenagers and multigenerational trips too.
Yes, India is absolutely worth visiting. Few countries offer this much variety: Mughal monuments and desert forts, tiger reserves and Himalayan passes, Keralan backwaters and temple towns, world-class food and some of the warmest hospitality you will find anywhere. India is not a country worth compromising on: it is a once in a lifetime experience, and allowing us to unveil what makes it so special, with private experts, guides and your own driver, will stay with you for a lifetime. Many of our clients return to India more than once.
Trip Ideas
From relaxing beach escapes to cultural adventures and wildlife encounters, our trip ideas are designed to spark your imagination. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime journey, we’ll help you find experiences that match your style, pace, and passions.
Meet our experts
Speak to our India experts to help you plan your trip
Ready to experience the real India? Our specialists have travelled from the bustling streets of Jaipur to the backwaters of Kerala, uncovering experiences that go far beyond the typical tourist trail. They'll understand what draws you to India and craft something that's entirely your own. Ready to start planning? Get in touch and let's design your incredible Indian journey.
Choose your adventure
Speak to one of our team to get started. After all, your travel journal won’t write itself.