India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Arts & handicrafts
Handmade stationery was traditionally commissioned by Royal families in Rajasthan and it is still probably the finest in the world. We have personally brought this back and revived it in our workshops.
– Shanane Davis, from our supplier True Luxury Tours, shares her Rajasthan travel advice
You sometimes need to look beyond the bazaars in India to find the really skilled craftspeople and artists. Mass produced trash is prolific, but so too are quality handicrafts, genuine handmade silks, fine art, sculpture and exquisite jewellery – if you know where to look. Our cultural holidays in India will always have someone on hand to point you in the right direction, be it a silversmith in Jaipur, handmade paper in Delhi, statuary or silk.
Our India culture Holidays
Kerala homestay tour, India
Stay in homestays in various destinations in Kerala
From
£1660
15 days
ex flights
North India cultural tour
An adventure to one of the planet's exotic destinations
From
£671 to £975
22 days
ex flights
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
Southern India 15 day tour
An exciting mix of the best that South India has to offer.
From
£1355
15 days
ex flights
India tour, mountains, temples & hillstations
Explore India's cultural diversity
From
£2049 to £2149
16 days
inc UK flights
Rajasthan tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
From
£880 to £1215
15 days
ex flights
South India tour, Trivandrum to Goa
Head to the beaches and backwaters of southern India.
From
£688 to £920
16 days
ex flights
India small group holiday, a food adventure
2 week discovery of the sights, sounds & flavours of India.
From
£1356 to £1720
15 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle small group holiday, India
India's 3 most popular destinations, Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
From
£493 to £685
8 days
ex flights
Delhi to Goa overland tour
Indian curries temples harems & Himalayas
From
£680 to £859
15 days
ex flights
Rural cycling tours in South India
The perfect way to cycle in rural Keralan countryside.
From
US $980
8 days
ex flights
Assam and Nagaland photography tour, India
Superb photography in Assam & Tribal villages of Nagaland.
From
£3750
14 days
ex flights
Kerala tailor made holiday, 11 days
Revitalize in Kerala - A most wonderful and balanced trip
From
£1349 to £1779
11 days
ex flights
Central India holiday, culture and wildlife
The very best of central India's wildlife and history
From
Rupee145000 to Rupee195000
16 days
ex flights
Rajasthan art history & architecture tour
Rajasthan cultural heritage, art history, music and wildlife
From
£706 to £805
7 days
ex flights
India 9 day express tour
Ideal if you're short on time but wish to see the real India
From
£945
9 days
ex flights
History, culture & wildlife of India holiday
From the Nilgiri Hills to the beaches of Goa
From
£1336
15 days
ex flights
Chhattisgarh to Orissa tour in India, tribes and villages
A journey through the tribal heartlands of Central India
From
Rupee160000
14 days
ex flights
India rural holiday with charity walk
Village India including a sponsored walk for Frank Water
From
£1000 to £1100
7 days
ex flights
North Kerala tailor made holidays
Uncover the rich culture of northern Kerala
From
£1400
13 days
ex flights
India wildlife and culture tour, Rajasthan
Your stay in Jungle core, erstwhile hunting lodge of king.
From
£1270 to £2150
18 days
ex flights
Kerala & Tamil Nadu holiday, hidden gems of India
An exclusive holiday for people who love nature.
From
£3112
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan and Taj Mahal tour
Authentic experience of live like Royals of history.
From
£900 to £1650
12 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle 7 day tour in India
Classic iconic trip for the India First timer..in style
From
£589 to £2899
7 days
ex flights
North India holiday, mountains and hidden villages
Inspirational Trekking with Indian Culture and Communities
From
£1545 to £1895
14 days
ex flights
Passion for a real pashmina
Passion for a real pashmina
India has a plethora of pashminas, some the real thing and others far from it. The origination of the word pashmina is the word pashm, which is the hair from the semi wild Himalayan goat. Every spring a group of local women gathers this wool in the mountains and hand weaves it into pashminas in Srinigar. The mass produced ones are machine loomed with cheap thread. A good, handmade one will cost you around £150.
Shanane Davis, from our supplier True Luxury Tours, shares her Rajasthan travel advice:
“Real pashminas are hand loomed in Srinagar but only by 13 families. They then go into a very secure supply line, but we have them here as part of our arts patronage. The way to see if a pashmina is hand loomed, as opposed to machine woven, is if the pattern is uneven. The other thing is that machine made ones are consistent in the thickness of the material, whereas in hand made you will see variations.”
“Real pashminas are hand loomed in Srinagar but only by 13 families. They then go into a very secure supply line, but we have them here as part of our arts patronage. The way to see if a pashmina is hand loomed, as opposed to machine woven, is if the pattern is uneven. The other thing is that machine made ones are consistent in the thickness of the material, whereas in hand made you will see variations.”
Our top India culture Holiday
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about India culture or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
By royal appointment
By royal appointment
The royal families of Rajasthan were, and still are, great patrons of the arts. Consequently many of the state’s art forms still exist today. Bring an extra suitcase to Rajasthan if art and handicrafts are your thing. Specialties include textiles designed by hand using wooden blocks; engraved metal – especially jewellery boxes; and Jaipur’s famous blue pottery. This is made with quartz and is influenced by historical Persian influences in the region. Ask your tour operator about private palace art galleries in the state as well. There are plenty that are open to the public, but they aren’t always in the guidebooks.
Loving
the lac
the lac
Loving the lac
Highly polished, decorative boxes, bowls and jewellery are a popular form of decorative art in India, known as lacquer. Lacquer originated in India, as the lac insects that are used as part of the tradition are indigenous to India. They secrete a reddish, resinous liquid which is rich in natural shellac, and used to decorate wood.
Handmade paper
Handmade paper
Making paper by hand is an art form in India that goes back to the times of royal rulers through the ages. Seek out quality producers making paper using all sorts of materials, from silk to rags, mulberry to rose petals. Paper made in India using traditional methods is an art form that is easy and cheap to bring home.
More about India culture
The best time to go on an India culture holiday depends on your idea of cultural greatness. It’s a big country with lots of climate variations...
This India cultural holiday guide is for India newbies who want to know where to start, or India aficionados on where to go next...
Take a look at our map and highlights of cultural holidays in India. From classics like the Golden Triangle to southern belles like Kerala and lesser known Karnataka...
The Taj Mahal sets the standard for romance. Learn how to ge there as well as places to see nearby, including the Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri...
India is a veritable feast, and exploring it through food will give you the best insight into its culture, history, geography and stuff your faceology...
Even if for only one night, do stay in one of Rajasthan’s palaces. You’ll be in a state of joy, shock, self indulgence and excitement all rolled into one...
Read our guide to the multicultural and multi faith aspects of India and some of the incredible places of worship that you can visit...
Read our Indian travel suppliers’ travel tips when it comes to cultural holidays in India. Favourites, faux pas and food are high up the list...
Etiquette and respect are central to India’s culture. Read on for some of the cultural fortes and faux to ensure you are a responsible tourist in India...
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Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Francisco Arnela] [Craftsmen: Jeff Blum]
[Pashmina goats: _paVan_]
[Pashmina : Soumyadeep Paul]
[India jewellery maker - Inder Singh Kudrat: Harminder Singh]
[Love that lac : Gayatri Krishnamoorthy]
[Coloured paper: Meena Kadri]
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