Family holidays in India

The hustle and bustle of India, as well as the colourful sights and interesting history make it an ideal place for a family trip that goes beyond a standard holiday. Immerse yourselves in local culture as you wander through markets experiencing all the sights, sounds, and tastes that have been mesmerising visitors for centuries. For a truly cultural trip, take a family cooking class on one of our tailor-made India tours, or learn how to make traditional kites before taking them for a spin. 

Best things to see and do in India with kids

For a classic family trip, The Golden Triangle, perhaps India’s most well known area for visitors, is very child-friendly, with activities to entertain any age. It may be a popular tourist destination, but for good reason, as it's home to the breath-taking Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. The Golden Triangle is the route between Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, where you can visit the India gate in Delhi, stopping off in Connaught Place for delicious local food to get your family’s taste buds ready for the incredible tastes that you will encounter on your trip. Visit Old Delhi for a true taste of the Indian culture, or Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur, to feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. While in Jaipur, visit Chowki Dhani for an experience of Rajasthani culture before heading on to Agra. In Agra, why not visit a market and try your hand at finding some good deals to take back as souvenirs? Himachal Pradesh is also a great choice for outdoorsy families, with everything on offer from kayaking, to paragliding, or a jeep safari for younger kids. 

In Himachal Pradesh you can go on a family yak ride, which is always popular and visit the Solang Valley for a range of adventurous activities such a paragliding. A train ride through a sprawling tea plantation is a fantastic way to see more of the vibrant Indian countryside. To relax after a busy few days of sightseeing and adventure, visit the tropical beaches and coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar islands where you can play, run, swim or simple bask in the sun in a relaxing island atmosphere. Safaris are also a great activity for any family travellers and children, teenagers and adults will love seeing tigers, elephants and so much more on an unforgettable 4x4 drive with an experienced guide who will be able to tell you and your family all about the animals you will encounter. For families, we recommend Ranthambore National Park, home to one of India's biggest populations of Bengal tigers, not to mention a host of other big cats and wildlife. Once you’ve experienced a safari and 4x4 drive in Ranthambore, you can swap the car for a camel on a desert trek to see the sun set before enjoying a delicious local dish with your little ones.

Best time to visit India as a family

India’s weather can be hugely varied and is certainly not something to be taken lightly when planning your trip here. Monsoon season is perhaps the biggest factor when deciding what time of year to visit with your family. Monsoon generally falls between May and July and downfall can be extremely heavy, even it is is brief. In the jungle regions, this can lead to flash flooding and a lot of disruption and so, for this reason, travelling during monsoon season is generally to be avoided. In the South, the monsoon-like weather can return around October to soak the country for a second time but if you plan on sticking to the North of the country during this time then this shouldn’t be a problem. During high summer, temperatures can peak and become scorching, at which time it is best to be in higher altitudes where the air is cooler and the heat isn’t quite so overpowering. August and September are the best times for active families looking to head into the mountains, and this is the height of trekking season when the Himalayas are at their best. All in all, the best time for families to visit India is between October and March, with more specific times depending on where you and your family would like to travel and what you would like to do there. 

Family holiday tips for travelling to India

With a little research and knowledge you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your family trip to India, here a few tips and tricks to ensure that everything runs smoothly on your holiday.

• India can be chaotic and while this is a great experience for kids (and adults too) to be taken a little out of their comfort zone, it can be worth considering a higher range hotel so that can be sure that you and your family have a comfortable and chaos free place to enjoy some downtime.
• Be flexible. This tip is crucial to your goal of enjoying a stress free trip with you kids and if you can go with the flow and learn to embrace the occasionally hectic nature of India then you are all sure to have a great time.
• Foreign children in India, particularly those with blonde hair and blue eyes will quickly become little celebrities and may be approached by people asking for pictures or selfies. This can be amusing at first but it quickly becomes tiresome for younger kids and their parents, if it bothers you, just politely say no and be firm.
• For families with very young children, bring a baby carrier to avoid having to exhaust yourselves pushing a pram around busy streets or unsuitable terrain.
• As with any visit to a foreign country, check with your GP before leaving whether there are any vaccinations or medicines that you need to get. Bring along plenty of mosquito spray too, to avoid the annoyance of itchy bug bites throughout your trip.
• Lastly, be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas where pickpockets are rife. Keep cash and any important documents in a safe a hidden place.