India's north and south, in comfort

Planet

Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
On this trip, we visit national heritage sites and the entrance fees included generate income used for the upkeep and development of these important monuments and nature parks.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for reusable bottles.
Where possible on this trip paper bags are used as an alternative to single-use plastics.

Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
In some restaurants, there is the option to have plant-based meals.
This trip favours locally owned and run accommodation.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip


Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

People

People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
The hotels we stay in are dedicated to hiring local staff, this helps to benefit the community by providing employment opportunities and income alternatives where they may be otherwise hard to come by.
Our local partners share a commitment to projects that benefit their communities.
This tour encourages guests to visit cafes and restaurants and use markets to purchase traditional crafts.

Cultural respect:
Best to ask before photographing people, ceremonies or sacred sites.
It’s polite to use only your right hand when eating something without cutlery and when handing money and small objects to someone else.
Before entering a holy place, remove your shoes and give them to the shoe minder. When you collect your shoes again give the minder a few rupees. You’re permitted to wear socks in most places of worship.
Religious etiquette advises against touching the heads of local people, even children, or directing the soles of your feet at a person, shrine or an image of a deity. You should not touch a carving of a deity.
When visiting religious sites dress and behave respectfully, don’t wear shorts and sleeveless tops – this applies to both men and women. A head cover for women and sometimes men is required in some places of worship.
Generally, it is best to dress modestly throughout your time in India as a sign of respect.
Making the effort to fit in is invariably appreciated so being aware of these aspects of cultural respect will assist you during your travels in India.