Northern India Luxury Holidays

Vibrant cities, quiet backwaters and desert landscapes.

From vibrant cities to quiet backwaters and desert landscapes to some of the highest mountain ranges on the planet, a luxury holiday to India promises a never-to-be-forgotten experience. With breathtaking scenery, a fascinating cultural history and some of the world's most luxurious and romantic hotels, India also makes the perfect honeymoon destination. Many of India's luxury hotels boast magnificent spas with a choice of treatments that are out of this world. When planning a visit to this colourful land, it is worth considering timing your visit to coincide with one of India's many spectacular festivals such as Diwali in November, Republic Day in late January and Independence Day in mid August. In the north of the country, temples and palaces abound, the most famous being the Taj Mahal. To watch the sun set over this timeless monument to love is an inspirational moment never to be forgotten. Fatehpur Sikri and Amber Fort are also must-visit sights, or head off the beaten track to go tiger spotting in the alluring National Parks.

Old and New Delhi The Red Fort and Jami Masjid Mosque, Delhi The Taj Mahal, Agra - the world's greatest monument to love Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Amber Fort, Jaipur City Palace and the Palace of the Wind, Jaipur Lake Pichola and the City Palace, Udaipur Ranakpur Temple, Udaipur The Himalayan Foothills Shopping in Jodhpur Tiger spotting in the National Parks.

Republic Day | Commemorating the day India became a republic, the 26th of January every year is witness to a colourful affair with soldiers marching in unison, followed by folk dancers, school children and floats from different states. The beating retreat that marks the end of celebrations on the 29th of January is a moving ceremony with military bands playing at Vijay Chock. 15th August | Independence Day commemorating the day India attained freedom is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes in the state capitals. The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight. The Delhi skyline gets dotted with thousands of kites taking to the sky this very day. November | Pushkar Festival - This fair is held at Pushkar town, 11 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan for twelve days annually. This cultural and trade cum religious fair is an attractive and lively spectacle with Rajasthani men and women in their colourful traditional attire, saffron-robed and ash smeared Sadhus (holy men) and thousands of bulls, cows, sheep, goats, horses and camels in richly decorated saddles. Perhaps the largest cattle fair in the world, it attracts people, from all over Rajasthan as well as tourists from different parts of India and abroad. October - November | Diwali, or Deepavali, perhaps the best-known Hindu festival, marks the end of the season that opens with Dussehra. Diwali is celebrated throughout India, as well as in Indian communities throughout the diaspora. It usually takes place eighteen days after Dusshera in October/November. Diwali is called the "festival of lights", and the name itself means an array of lamps (Deep = Lamp, Vali =Array). Indeed, illumination is characteristic of Diwali. The array of lamps are symbolic of welcoming Lord Rama back to Ayodhya after his 14 years of exile, and the common practice is to light small oil lamps, diyas, and place them around the house. Diwali is celebrated for five continuous days and each day has its significance with a number of myths, legends and beliefs. Eid | The birthday of Prophet Mohammad, is celebrated all over India with traditional festivity and religious fervour. The Quran is read and religious discourses are arranged in the mosques.

Indian cuisine - Boasts of an immense variety not restricted to only curry. An authentic Indian curry is an intricate combination of a stir-fried Masala - a mixture of onion, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes; various spices and seasonings with which meat; poultry, vegetables or fish is prepared to produce a stew-type dish. Note: the word Masala also means spice. There are many famous dishes in North India, including Tandoori Chicken, Seekh Kebab and curries. Everyday meals consist of chapati, rice, lentils and Vegetables. Carpets, shawls, leather and silks - Are available throughout the north, which is a shopper's paradise. Yoga and Meditation - Yoga is a system of exercises for the physical & mental well being. It combines stylised poses with deep breathing and meditation. The term yoga itself is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning 'to join together'. The ultimate aim of yoga is to unite the human soul with the universal sprit. Ayurveda - An intricate system of healing that originated in India thousands of years ago. This system of medicine stressed the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike, Ayurveda has been practised ever since. Ayurveda is a system that helps maintain health in a person by using the inherent principles of nature to bring the individual back into equilibrium with their true self. Festivals - Every season brings along new festivals, each a true celebration of the bounties of the rich traditions followed for time immemorial. The birthdays of Gods and Goddesses, saints and prophets, great historical happenings and the advent of the New Year, all find expression in colourful festivities. The same festival, though celebrated differently in the various parts of the country, exhibits an eternal harmony of the spirit of celebration. Festivals serve as an occasion to clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and relatives and to exchange gifts. New attire, dance, music and rituals- all add to their joyful rhythm. It is a time for prayer, for pageantry and procession…a time to rejoice, in celebration of life.

CLIMATE The best time to visit India is from October to March. The monsoon season occurs from May to September. HEALTH Precautions must be taken to avoid the risk of contracting Cholera, Typhoid, Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis A and Malaria. TIME DIFFERENCE GMT +5.30 hours CURRENCY Indian Rupee VISA REQUIREMENTS British passport holders must obtain a visa. HOW TO GET THERE British Airways operate direct services to Delhi and Kolkata. Delhi is also served direct by Virgin Atlantic and Jet Airways. FLYING TIME DELHI: 8 hours 50 mins

Northern India Luxury Holiday Accommodation

• The Imperial
• The Aman
• The Oberoi Amarvilas
• Amanbagh
• The Oberoi Rajvilas
• Rambagh Palace
• The Oberoi Udaivilas
• Devi Garh
• Umaid Bhawan Palace
• Ananda in the Himalayas
• Aman-i-Khás
• The Oberoi Vanyavilas
• Palaces & Tigers Itinerary
• Aman India Journey
• Pashan Garh
• Mahua Kothi
• Banjaar Tola
• Baghvan
• andBeyond / Taj Tiger Trail Itinerary
• The Oberoi Grand
• Wildflower Hall

Northern India Luxury Holiday Special Offers