From visits to craft and spice markets sparkling with all the colours of the rainbow to lolloping camel rides across undulating desert dunes, our adventurous families have been there, done that when it comes to the wonderful world of India. Let our collection of customer family photos inspire your own India family holidays – you’re guaranteed delight, amazement… and memories you’ll talk about for decades to come.
India is a great destination for families with kids of all ages, from tots to teens and beyond. From those big sights such as the iconic Taj Mahal to everyday encounters with friendly locals, from epic wildlife to lazy days on the beach, our India family itineraries are packed with inspiration.
It has to be done! – when you have your photo taken in front of one of the world’s most recognisable buildings, you’ll be following in the footsteps of royalty, presidents and celebrities galore!
From the state of Rajasthan with its White, Golden, Blue and Pink cities (Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur) to the Hindu festival Holi, when the whole country celebrates the arrival of Spring by throwing brightly hued water and powders on one another, India is a riot of colour. Even the sacred elephants get decorated here! See our When to Go to India guide for advice on the best times to come here.
These vibrant colours carry through to India’s buildings, from Delhi’s Red Fort or Lal Qila to Jaipur’s pink-sandstone Palace of the Winds. Check our Places to Visit in India guide. The choice really is quite dizzying from fascinating cities to hill stations tucked up in the Himalayas or remote regions such as Assam with its Konyak peoples and national parks that you’ll have almost to yourselves.
A place like nowhere else on Earth, Varanasi is regarded as India’s spiritual capital – the place where Hindus come to wash away their sins in the sacred Ganges or to cremate bodies on its ghats. Atmospheric and even eerie, it’s a hectic maze of temples and street stalls that will forever imprint itself on you.
Bring new skills of your own back home with you, or even some unique souvenirs you’ve made yourself! Our family-friendly Indian itineraries are unique to you and can take into account your and your children’s interests and passions with everything from crafts sessions to cookery lessons.
Even getting around India can be a thrill, as friendly tuk-tuk or rickshaw drivers pilot you around the thronged streets, threading their way between cars, mopeds and holy cows – who have the right of way due to their importance to Hindus, for whom they symbolise wealth, strength and abundance.
Actually invented in Japan, rickshaws first appeared in India in the 1880s, with auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) following in 1959. There are now about eight million rickshaws in the country, and the number of eco-friendly e-rickshaws has surged since the pandemic. Practice makes perfect and why not start young!?
Eating, drinking and browsing local markets is a joy in India, the world’s largest producer of fruit, including juicy mangoes, bananas, guava and papaya. It’s also the largest coconut-producing country in the world, with farms all over the country but especially in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Check out our Top Ten Things to do with Kids in India for more inspiration on what to do and see in this huge and diverse country.
A camel safari is a wonderful way of seeing the Thar Desert. You can even sleep out amidst the dunes, watching the sun set and rise, enjoying a meal cooked by your guides and dozing off beneath the star-speckled sky – something we can easily include in our Wonders of Rajasthan itinerary.
India could have been tailor-made for teens – there’ll be no faces in phones with all that stunning architecture to ogle and other incredible sights, and all the sounds and smells. See our India customer reviews and find out what other parents have raved about from their trips to India.
Visitors to Sikh gurdwaras (places of assembly and worship) have to remove their shoes and cover their heads – all part of the fun of learning about India’s rich mix of religions and cultures. About 23 million Sikhs live in India – about 2% of the total population. Explore Delhi on our example Wonders of Rajasthan itinerary.
Beach holidays, especially in Goa, are all part of the rich tapestry of a family holiday in India – time to relax after adventures elsewhere in the country. Kick off your shoes, walk barefoot in the sand, and chill on one of those loungers. Take me there now…!
Kerala is one of those beach destinations, and it’s a great one. But it’s so much more besides, think houseboats threading their way through the languid Backwaters, the ancient forts, Jewish synagogue and Dutch palace of Cochin, and the unique wildlife of the Western Ghats. And that’s only a small snapshot of what to expect on a Kerala family holiday with us.
When it comes down to it, India – like all good family holidays – is all about bonding time and sharing those moments large and small. There are always plenty of local festivities to get involved with that will get you under the skin of local life – it’s not all about the sightseeing!
From the Amber Fort of Amer in Rajasthan to the museums of Mumbai, India is history in action – a great place to learn about the great civilisations, dynasties and empires of centuries past, including the Mughals. India counts more than 1000 forts in an array of dazzling architectural styles.
Holiday photos of India
If these photos of India tell an exciting story of family adventure that inspires you and the kids, get in touch. We’d love to help you create your own bespoke family itinerary. Ring us at – 01728 752 751 – to talk through your plans or email us using our website form.