Is India safe for first-time visitors?

Broadly yes, with ordinary city sense. Our itineraries use vetted drivers, known properties and a single point of contact who is reachable throughout your trip.

What does a 'curated' trip actually include?

Route and pacing designed around your dates, accommodation held in your name, private vehicle and driver, local specialists where they add something, and a written day-by-day brief. No coaches, no shopping stops.

Connectivity and phones?

5G is good in cities and towns as well. No major issues.

Currency and payments?

Credit Cards work in hotels and city restaurants; carry Rupees for markets, small towns and the mountains. ATMs are plentiful.

Practical India

The dull, necessary things — kept short and current.

Best time to visit

Region	Window	Note
Himalaya (Ladakh)	June – September	Passes closed by snow outside this window.
Coast & Backwaters (Kerala)	October – March	Monsoon June–August; green but wet.
Royal Rajasthan (Jaipur)	November – February	April–June exceeds 42°C.
Historic Cities (Delhi, Agra, Varanasi)	September – October or February – March	Avoids tough weather and pollution. Agra crosses 45°C in May–June; the Taj is closed on Fridays.
Ranthambore (tiger country)	October – June	Closed in monsoon. Nov–Feb is coolest; Apr–Jun is hot but best for sightings.
Kashmir Valley (Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam)	April – October, or December – March for snow	Gardens and lake at their best Apr–Oct; Gulmarg snow Dec–Mar. Saffron blooms at Pampore for two weeks in late October.
The Nilgiris (Ooty & Coonoor)	October – February	Cool, clear mornings. Dec–Jan nights near freezing; monsoon Jun–Sep is green but landslide-prone.

Expanding to all 35 locations as the destination database comes online.

Visa & entry

Most nationalities can apply for an India e-Visa online, typically 30-day, one-year or five-year tourist validity, and it should be applied for at least four days before travel. Rules change; we don't try to be the authority on them.

Official e-Visa portal Ministry of External Affairs

Note: parts of Ladakh near the border require an Inner Line Permit. We arrange these as part of your trip.

FAQs for first-time visitors

Is India safe for first-time visitors?: Broadly yes, with ordinary city sense. Our itineraries use vetted drivers, known properties and a single point of contact who is reachable throughout your trip.
What does a 'curated' trip actually include?: Route and pacing designed around your dates, accommodation held in your name, private vehicle and driver, local specialists where they add something, and a written day-by-day brief. No coaches, no shopping stops.
Connectivity and phones?: 5G is good in cities and towns as well. No major issues.
Currency and payments?: Credit Cards work in hotels and city restaurants; carry Rupees for markets, small towns and the mountains. ATMs are plentiful.

Still deciding when to come?

Your note comes to Ankit and Rushani directly — not a booking desk. Tell us your dates and your pace, and whichever of us knows that region best will reply personally within two working days.

Ask us