A few practical notes that help your journey run smoothly — the openings and closures that shape a plan, how guides and drivers work, hotels and baggage, and the flexibility built into every itinerary.
Any itinerary with a national park is not operational between 1 July and 30 September — most Indian parks close for the monsoon.
Most museums in India close on Mondays; we plan sightseeing around this.
The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday. If your itinerary includes Agra, we arrange sightseeing accordingly.
Some monuments and sites may have restricted access or close during major Hindu festivals such as Holi. We flag any relevant closures when preparing your itinerary.
From roughly 20 December to 5 January, India's domestic winter-holiday season makes popular monuments and markets considerably busier, with larger crowds and heavier traffic.
In December and January, dense early-morning fog can occur in the north; a sunrise view of the Taj cannot always be guaranteed. Your guide advises the best time based on the day's visibility.
In India, the driver drives — he is not a guide. Our standard arrangements therefore include a professional, licensed tour guide for sightseeing. If you prefer to explore independently, you may also travel without a guide.
Where your itinerary includes a private car and driver on a disposal basis, the vehicle and driver are available during the agreed hours — convenient for dinners or evening outings within the city, subject to the agreed timings.
Driving times in itineraries are approximate and vary with traffic, road and weather conditions, and local events. On most Indian highways the permitted speed is generally 80–90 km/h, so we allow generous time rather than relying on map distances.
Modest dress is generally required at temples, mosques and shrines — covering shoulders and knees, sometimes long sleeves or a head covering. Your guide advises the requirements before each visit.
You may meet touts, unauthorised guides and hawkers around major sites. We recommend not engaging or accepting unsolicited offers; your guide will assist and advise.
Some forts and monuments have uneven surfaces, steep or irregular steps and narrow passages, and may involve considerable walking or climbing. Please tell us and your guide in advance of any mobility concerns so we can plan suitable alternatives.
Standard check-in is 14:00 (2 pm); early check-in is subject to availability. If you arrive in the early hours and need immediate room access, the previous night generally needs to be reserved.
Quotes are based on the base-category standard rooms at the hotels named, subject to availability at booking. No rooms are held until you confirm.
The hotel may offer a higher category (any difference payable by you if you accept), or we arrange a carefully selected alternative of comparable category, quality and location — always discussed with you in advance so the journey's character is unchanged.
The usual allowance is about 15 kg checked plus 7 kg cabin per passenger, varying by airline and fare. Check your specific flights; excess baggage is charged directly by the airline.
Each itinerary is a suggested programme — a carefully planned framework that can be fully tailored to your interests, preferences and pace.
The order and timing of visits may be adjusted for your convenience or for local conditions, opening hours, events, traffic or weather. Your guide discusses the plan with you each day.
You can add or drop monuments, museums, markets, neighbourhood walks or local experiences in each destination. Your guide is glad to recommend more and help you spend your time where it matters most to you.
Road, air, stays and every moment in between — one desk answers for all of it, and adapts as the day unfolds. Tell us how you like to travel and we'll shape the journey around it.
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