Family Holidays to India
Family holidays to India give you an amazing adventure that everyone will treasure for years to come. Just being in India challenges the senses with so much to see and enjoy.
To help you decide if India is right for you we’ve designed two family-friendly tours, packed with wonderful included experiences along with some optional activities. These tours are tailor-made with your own car and driver, and can be designed to meet your exact requirements.
Choose from bustling North India with action-packed Delhi, the iconic sites of the Golden Triangle including the Taj Mahal and the opportunity to go on safari in search of tiger, monkey and sloth bear.
Or your family may prefer laidback Kerala. Enjoy cosmopolitan Cochin, the spice plantations and Periyar National Park, spend a night on your very own houseboat and finish your adventure at a beach resort.
Our guide to Family Holidays to India
We’ve also put some tips together to help make the most of this important family time.
Choose the right season to travel
India is a huge country with a diverse range of weather conditions. In general, the best time to visit is from October to April. It tends to get very hot from April onwards, and most regions experience the summer monsoon from June to September, which often results in torrential rain and flooding.
Try not to pack too much in
Indian cities are an assault on the senses, they are noisy, full of new and unusual sights and offer a full range of aromas. We suggest not trying to do too much and taking time to absorb everything around you.
Take time to relax
Exploring India is tiring so why not allow a couple of days at the end of the tour to relax on a beach or in a National Park.
Choose a quality hotel
Try to go for a good quality hotel. A nice garden to walk around or a pool to take a refreshing dip will be a welcome relief after a day’s sightseeing.
Consider sharing a room
A great way to save some budget is to have children sharing your room. This is quite normal in India and could help you to upgrade to a better-quality hotel.
Visit your GP or travel clinic in plenty of time
If possible, see your GP or a private travel clinic at least 10 weeks before you are due to travel. Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.
Clothes
Indian culture values modesty so it is better not to expose too much skin or have clothes too tight especially if you are visiting small towns and religious monuments. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and trousers/maxi skirts are really useful to protect yourself against the sun and those pesky mosquitoes. Also pack light (especially if you have internal flights) as clothes and laundry are cheap. Closed-toed shoes are also handy for dusty, often uneven conditions. And don’t forget a scarf for temple visits.
Food
As a rule, piping hot foods or foods cooked in front of you is ideal and try to stick to reputable, busy restaurants.
We recommend avoiding raw fruit and vegetables especially if they cannot be peeled. Meat from street stalls and markets is a big no-no. It’s also best to avoid cheese. These foods are highly prone to bacteria and parasites that can lead to food poisoning and other illnesses.
We also suggest avoiding any buffets or restaurants that have had food sitting out for a long period of time, as this is a breeding ground for bacteria
Always have sealed water handy
Never drink tap water, or even use it for brushing your teeth and always make sure the seal hasn’t been broken on bottled water before you drink it. Also, avoid ice in drinks and fruit juices from street stalls as vendors use tap water in these drinks.
And don’t forget
- Sanitiser and wet wipes
- Plasters and essential medical kit
- Good quality mosquito spray and sun cream
- Electronics including chargers, adaptors, extra batteries and an old mobile phone for a local pay as you go local sim card to keep in touch with your driver
- A pack of biscuits or snacks as journeys can often take longer than expected
- Pack of cards and a good book
- A torch —- just in case
