An overarching way to read a country that contains several
India, in six regions
India is best understood regionally — not as a single itinerary but as six distinct countries that happen to share a passport. The light in Jaisalmer in January has nothing to do with the light in Majuli in October. We work across all six, and we have firm opinions about when each is at its best and when it is simply too hot, too wet, or too crowded to merit the airfare. Begin where the season points you.
By region · 6 sub-regions
10 destinations
The North
The North is Rajasthan in the cool months — late October through early March — and the lower Himalayas the rest of the year. Delhi anchors the arrival, Uttarakhand and Himachal off…
8 destinations
The South
The South operates on a separate weather system and a separate temperament. November through February is the long, clear season — Tamil Nadu's temple towns, Kerala's backwaters bef…
2 destinations
The East
The East rewards the second-time visitor. Bengal in winter — Calcutta in December, the Sundarbans in February — gives you a literary India that the guidebooks still underserve. Odi…
6 destinations
The West
Maharashtra is Bombay and the Western Ghats — the monsoon escarpment in July is one of the great underrated sights in the country, if you do not mind the rain. Gujarat is the Rann …
7 destinations
The Centre
Central India is the country's wildlife heartland and, increasingly, its most rewarding heritage circuit. Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench run from October through June, with the best…
5 destinations
The Northeast and Ladakh
We group Ladakh with the Northeast because the planning rhythm is similar — short seasons, permit work, small operators we have known for years. Assam's Kaziranga opens in November…
Tell us your window of dates, and we will tell you which region we would send you to.
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