Holidays in India

In the cities you will also see the great coming together of the ancient and the modern. In the capital, New Delhi, this is certainly the case whose tree-lined boulevards may be very different from what you imagine the city to be in your mind's eye.

Naturally, there is also magnificent wildlife to be sought out and savoured. This may be in the world-famous Ranthanbore National Park, 81 miles from Jaipur, where tigers still roam in the wild or even in the Chitwan National Park in Nepal, a world heritage site and home to the increasingly rare Indian rhino.

This is just one of the breath-taking places that you'll visit on our Grand Tour of India, Nepal and the Himalayas along with Kathmandu, made famous by the 1960s "hippy trail".

The enjoyment of the rich tapestry of history and culture that awaits the visitor to India is also enhanced by having knowledgeable and informative guides, whether you're visiting the wonders of Agra or Amritsar's legendary Golden Temple. So all of our accompanied excursions include this service.

Experiencing the traditional cuisine of India is another element that will make the holiday a memorable one. On some days you may be enjoying silver service treatment on board trains like the Maharajah's Express. At other times there will be lavish restaurant meals of five-star hotels like the Taj Bengal Hotel, Kolkata or the Taj Malabar Resort and Spa in Kochi.

On other days you may be left free to explore the local dining scene for yourself or to follow your Tour Manager's recommendations.

In fact, your Tour Manager will play an important role throughout your holiday offering exactly the level of support you need.

You can also be sure that we have taken great care to choose the perfect accommodation on all of our tours of India with four-star service as a minimum and many hotels achieving five stars. We also have long-established relationships with the hotels in question so any special requests you may have can generally be accommodated.

The Indian Rupee is the official currency and one rupee is worth a little over 1p in sterling. As a closed currency, you can't take in any rupees to the country, or leave with any either.

US Dollars are also widely accepted in the country, particularly in the cities, so it's a good idea to take plenty of these to exchange when you're there, or simply to use as currency.

Visa and Mastercard are both widely accepted in India and there are also plenty of ATMs, including in many hotels. It's worth noting, however, that using credit cards in shops can attract transaction charges of between 2% and 4%.

Dollar traveller's cheques can also be cashed at all major banks, exchange bureaus and airports. You may also be able to use them at some shops providing that you also present your passport.

When buying food or drink, tipping is expected, but not compulsory. The standard amount is 10% of the total bill. For taxi drivers 100 rupees is generally considered to be about the appropriate amount per journey.

When shopping in markets and smaller shops, bargaining is very much expected. So be prepared to haggle if you don't want to risk offending the owner. But in more up-market outlets, it's very much a case of paying the advertised prices.

Yes, British citizens require a visa to enter India. It is advisable to apply for a visa well in advance of your planned travel dates.

For tourism, you can apply for a tourist visa. Business purposes require a business visa. Ensure you apply for the correct type based on your travel purpose.

Check with your healthcare provider for the latest recommendations Typically, health authorities advise vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and routine vaccinations. Additionally, consult your doctor for any specific health advice based on your travel plans.

It is advisable to drink bottled or filtered water to avoid waterborne diseases. Do not consume tap water unless you have properly boiled or treated it.

The official currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). It's recommended to carry a mix of cash and credit/debit cards. While major cities accept cards, cash is often required in more remote areas.

India Standard Time (IST) is UTC+5:30. Be sure to adjust your watch or devices accordingly upon arrival.

The standard voltage is 230V, and the frequency is 50Hz. The plug type used is mostly Type D (three round pins). It's advisable to bring a suitable adapter for your electronic devices.

Tipping is common in India, especially in restaurants, hotels, and for services. While it's not mandatory, leaving a tip of around 10% is generally appreciated.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for police, medical assistance, or fire services. For specific assistance related to British citizens, contact the British High Commission in India.

Check with your mobile service provider about international roaming plans. Alternatively, you can purchase a local SIM card in India for better connectivity.

Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. It's customary to remove your shoes before entering someone's home.

The best time to visit India varies depending on the region and the kind of experience you're looking for. Winter months (Oct-Mar) are best for most of the country, with nice temperatures and no rain. To explore the Himalayas, go in summer (April to June) to avoid extreme cold.

Remember, the monsoon season (June to September) has lots of rain, which can affect travel, especially in some areas. To enhance your travel experience, it's important to research the specific climate of the areas you plan to visit.

Great Rail Journeys is a market leader when it comes to small group tours. We're proud of being pioneers in our approach to group sizes and have become the leading operator for escorted holidays. Our group sizes vary between tours, but are our ranges are usually a good indicator of what to expect.

For our Discoveries range, you'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. If opting for our Classic collection, you'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. Our Landmark holidays are where you'll find our smallest group sizes, starting from as low as 16 travellers and an average of 22, to a maximum of 30.

*Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.