India

India

India takes its name from the mighty River Indus, fittingly for a country shaped by its rivers, vibrant culture and incredible history. From the colourful palaces of Rajasthan to the bustling streets of New Delhi (home to over 35 million people of India’s 1.5 billion population) and the timeless charm of Agra’s Taj Mahal, India is a place full of life, colour and culture. You’ll discover majestic forts, ancient temples, lively markets and peaceful beaches.

The Taj Mahal is worthy of its place as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The monument took over 22,000 labourers, 1,000 elephants and over 20 years to construct.  The beauty and grandeur of the temple, which gets its name from the Persian & Arabic words for ‘Crown’ and ‘Palace’, is difficult to convey, especially at sunrise and sunset. Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, was once the capital of the Mughal Empire, and is also home to two other UNESCO World Heritage sites; a well-preserved Mughal palace, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, which was designed to be the new capital of the Empire before it was abandoned.

New Delhi, India’s bustling capital, seamlessly combines the old and the new. Ancient stone palaces sit alongside tall glass skyscrapers, the result of 8 historic ‘Delhis’, with each built near the remains of its predecessor. The highlights of a stay in Delhi are its UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Red Fort, the Qutub Minar and Humayun’s tomb), vibrant markets, and the Raj Ghat memorial on the site where Gandhi was cremated.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is famous for its pink building facades, which were painted to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1876. Its extravagant palaces are a unique highlight.

Other notable highlights on Llama Travel holidays to India include Ranthambore National Park, home to the famous Royal Bengal tiger,  Udaipur, whose palaces and picturesque lakes have an almost fairytale quality,  and Varanasi, a city uniquely positioned on the banks of the River Ganges and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus.

There are a number of direct flights between the UK and India. Llama Travel holidays include flights from London Heathrow to Delhi, which tend to take between 8 and 9 hours.  Due to the scale of India, flights between major cities are sometimes the most convenient option. These can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours.

Our India FAQs answer the most common queries we hear from customers considering a holiday to India. If you are ready to explore our small group, great value tours of India, you can do so here.