India holidays

People don’t often think of beach holidays and India at the same time. After all, there is so much to see and do inland.

However, some of the best all-inclusive holiday deals in India put you on the sands of Goa, the doyenne of the Indian beach scene. The location offers a bonanza of great side-trip options to places such as Mumbai, Hampi or the magnificent Ellora and Ajanta cave temples. Goa was Portugal’s main Indian colony, and this is still evident in the churches and ruined fortresses along the coast.

For more adventurous holidays in India, head to Havelock or Neil Islands. Part of the Andaman Islands, the beaches here resemble those of Thailand or Malaysia and are actually closer to both countries than to India. You won’t find any big hotels here, though – most accommodation consists of wooden beach cabins.

Monsoon season typically lasts from June to September, but affects different regions at different times. Visit the north of India right after the monsoon season, from September, when everything is fresh and vibrant. Further south, the monsoon runs from September to October.

Despite conventional wisdom, some believe a trip to Kerala is best during the monsoon, when prices are cheap for package trips.

It seems as though every day there’s a religious festival, as diversity is celebrated and largely respected across the country.

The vast majority of people in India are Hindu, thus Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most memorable of the year. The date is different each year but in 2020 it will take place on November 7th in most of the country.

Currency: Indian Rupee
Capital city: New Delhi

Official Languages: Hindi, English
Key phrase to learn: Yeh kaisey diyaa? (How much is this?)
Time difference: India is five and a half hours ahead of London
Average flight time: Nine hours
International phone code: +91
Emergency services number: 112
Public holidays: Republic Day (January 26), Holi (last full moon of lunar month Phalguna), Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday), Dr Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14), May Day (May 1), Idul Fitr (last day of Ramadan), Independence Day (August 15), Idu’l Zuha (10th day of the last month on the Islamic calendar), Muharram (First month of the Islamic calendar), Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday (October 2), Durga Puja (varying dates during October), Diwali (new moon of Kartik month on the Hindu calendar), Guru Nanak’s birthday (November 4), Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (December 2), Christmas Day (December 25).
Link to FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india