Asked and answered

We plan private, high-end journeys in seven lands only: Nepal, Rajasthan, Ladakh, North East India, Kerala, Goa, and Uttar Pradesh with Bihar. Each journey is built for one party, with a private car and driver, specialist guides and hotels we choose room by room.

No. Prices on the site are indicative 'from' prices in INR per person, twin sharing, at the hotels named. The final price depends on dates, room categories and availability. We send a written quote with every line itemised before you pay anything.

Yes, and most clients do. The journeys on the site are starting points that show what works. We change hotels, add nights, swap places and combine regions, then send a new day-by-day plan.

Yes. Domestic flights link most of our regions within a day. Common pairs are Rajasthan with UP for the Taj Mahal, Kerala with Goa along the coast, and Nepal with UP and Bihar for the Buddhist sites.

For October to March in Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa, three to six months ahead is safer for the best rooms. Festival dates, luxury trains and tiger safari permits can sell out earlier. Ladakh's summer and Nepal's October fill quickly too.

One planner handles your journey from the first call to the last transfer and is reachable on WhatsApp while you travel. On the ground, our drivers and guides are people we have worked with on the same routes.

Every photo on this site comes from Wikimedia Commons under a free licence. We name the author and licence under each photo and list all of them, with links to the originals, on our photo credits page.

We tell you which permits each route needs and arrange the ones that a registered agent can apply for, such as Inner Line and protected-area permits. Visas are your responsibility; we send the current guidance with your quote. Check current status before you travel.

No. We ask every traveller to hold insurance that covers medical evacuation, and for Ladakh and high Nepal, cover for altitudes up to the highest point on your route.

October and November are the best months, with clear post-monsoon skies, sharp mountain views and comfortable temperatures. March and April come second, with warm days and rhododendrons in flower, though haze builds by late April. December to February is cold but clear and quiet. June to September is the monsoon: cloud, rain and landslides, except in Mustang, which lies in the rain shadow and is at its best then.

No. Indian nationals need no visa for Nepal and can enter with a valid passport or a voter ID card. Children can use a passport or a school identity document with a photo. Carry a passport if you plan to fly within Nepal, take a helicopter tour or enter a restricted area, as some operators ask for it. Rules on identity documents can change, so check current status before you travel.

Allow at least 7 nights for a first trip: three in Kathmandu, two or three in Pokhara and two in Chitwan. Ten to twelve nights lets you add Dhulikhel or Bandipur, a short lodge walk in the Annapurna foothills or an Everest helicopter day. Fourteen nights covers the valley, the mountains, the jungle and Lumbini at an unhurried pace, with domestic flights for the longer hops.

Yes. A dawn mountain flight from Kathmandu runs along the range to Everest and back in about an hour without landing. A helicopter tour takes about four to five hours, lands briefly near Kala Patthar at about 5,545 m when weather allows, and stops for breakfast at Hotel Everest View at 3,880 m. Both depend on clear weather, so we schedule them early in your stay.

Nepal is generally safe for visitors, and violent crime against travellers is rare. The real risks are road travel on hill highways, altitude sickness above 3,000 m, and weather delays on mountain flights. We use experienced private drivers, plan altitude gains carefully and build buffer days around Lukla and Jomsom flights. Petty theft occurs in crowded areas such as Thamel, so keep valuables in your hotel safe.

Carry Nepalese rupees for markets, tips and temple fees. Indian rupee notes of ₹100 and below are widely accepted, but rules on higher-denomination Indian notes have changed several times, so check current status before you travel. ATMs are common in Kathmandu and Pokhara but scarce in the Khumbu and Mustang. Our luxury hotels accept international credit cards, sometimes with a small surcharge.

Fly where possible. Kathmandu to Pokhara is a 25-minute flight against 6–8 hours on the Prithvi Highway, and Kathmandu to Bharatpur for Chitwan is about 25 minutes against 5–6 hours by road. Pokhara to Chitwan has no regular flight, so we drive it in a private car in about 4–5 hours. Road works and landslides can lengthen any drive, especially in the monsoon.

Not in Kathmandu at 1,400 m, Pokhara at 822 m or the Terai. Altitude sickness becomes a risk above about 2,500–3,000 m, which matters in the Khumbu, Mustang and on higher Annapurna routes. We limit sleeping altitude gains to 300–500 m a day above 3,000 m, include a rest day at Namche, and descend at once if symptoms appear. Helicopter tours keep high landings short for this reason.

Cover shoulders and knees at temples, monasteries and stupas, and remove shoes and leather items where asked. Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels. Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple at Pashupatinath, though the ghats and outer complex are open. Ask before photographing people, cremations or rituals. A light scarf is useful for both modesty and the cool mornings in the Kathmandu Valley.

October to March. Days in Jaipur are around 20–30 °C, nights are cool and the skies clear. November to February is the peak, with the Pushkar Fair in November and the Desert Festival in February. April to June is hot, above 40 °C, but best for Ranthambore tigers. July to September brings the monsoon, green hills and lower rates.

Ten to fourteen nights covers the main circuit at a comfortable pace: Jaipur, Ranthambore or Jawai, Jodhpur, Udaipur and, with two more nights, Jaisalmer. Seven nights works for Jaipur, Ranthambore and Udaipur with one flight. Three nights per main city is right; one night stops feel rushed given the driving distances.

Rajasthan is one of India's most visited states and generally safe for travellers, including women and families. The common problems are touts at forts, overcharging in markets and road safety at night. With a private car, an experienced driver and local guides, most of those concerns fall away. We avoid night driving on highways.

They are different. Jaipur is a large, busy capital with Amber Fort, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the best shopping. Udaipur is smaller and calmer, built around lakes, with the most romantic hotels in India. First-time visitors should see both: three nights in Jaipur for the sights, three in Udaipur to slow down.

Our private journeys at palace hotels start around ₹3,00,000 per person for 7 nights and ₹4,50,000–7,00,000 for 11 nights, twin sharing, with a private car, driver and guides. Prices rise over Christmas, New Year and Diwali, and with suites at the Taj Lake Palace, Rambagh or Umaid Bhawan.

No general permit is needed. You need a valid Indian visa if you are a foreign national, and a park permit for safaris in Ranthambore, booked through the Rajasthan forest department. Border areas beyond Jaisalmer have separate rules for foreigners. Check current status before you travel.

Drive most sectors: the distances are 150–350 km, the roads are good, and the villages and stops on the way are part of the journey. Fly between Jaipur and Udaipur, which saves a 6.5-hour drive, and consider a train between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. A private car with a driver is the core of every trip we plan.

Yes, but Ranthambore and Jawai are about 450 km apart. The usual pattern is Jaipur and Ranthambore for tigers in the east, then a flight to Udaipur and a drive to Jawai for leopards in the south-west. This works on a journey of 11 nights or more.

Light cotton and linen that covers shoulders and knees, with a scarf for temples and mosques. Bring a warm jacket from December to February for early safaris and desert nights. Comfortable flat shoes matter: forts involve long ramps and uneven stone. Sun hat and sunglasses year round.

May to September is the main season, when all roads and hotels are open. June and September are our favourite months, with clear skies and fewer visitors than July and August. January to March suits snow leopard trips and winter festivals for travellers who can handle −20 °C. November is the least suitable month.

Seven nights is a good minimum, covering Leh, Nubra and Pangong with proper acclimatisation. Ten to twelve nights allow Tso Moriri, Hanle or Turtuk as well. Zanskar needs at least eleven nights. Shorter trips risk altitude sickness because there is no time to adjust before going higher.

Rest for 48 hours in Leh on arrival, doing almost nothing on the first day. Drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol for the first days and do not sleep higher than about 500 m above the previous night too early. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide. Descend if symptoms get worse.

Leh and the Indus monasteries need no permit. Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Hanle and Turtuk are protected areas: foreigners need a Protected Area Permit and Indian nationals have needed an Inner Line Permit or online registration with fees. We arrange everything in Leh. Check current status before you travel.

Yes. Ladakh is one of the safest regions in India for travellers, with low crime and welcoming people. The main risks are altitude, cold and mountain roads. With proper acclimatisation, a good driver and a well-planned route, most travellers have no problems.

Flying is faster and suits most guests with limited time, but you arrive at 3,500 m with no time to adjust. Driving from Srinagar or Manali takes two days and acclimatises you gradually, with great scenery. We often suggest flying in and driving out, or the reverse.

Yes, in and around Leh: The Grand Dragon, The Zen, Chamba Camp Thiksey, Stok Palace and Ladakh Sarai, plus Nimmu House in the lower Indus and Lchang Nang in Nubra. At Pangong, Tso Moriri, Hanle and Zanskar, the best stays are good camps and homestays, comfortable but simple.

Yes, with care. Healthy children and seniors can enjoy Ladakh if the itinerary is gentle, with longer acclimatisation, shorter drives and nights at lower places like Nubra and the Sham valley. Sleeping at 4,000 m or more needs more caution. Check with your doctor before travel.

Our private journeys start from about ₹2,10,000 per person for six nights, twin sharing, including the best hotels and camps, a private car, guide and permits. Ten to twelve nights with remote lakes typically cost ₹3,50,000–4,75,000 per person. Winter snow leopard trips with specialist spotters cost more.

October to April is the best time. Rain is low from November to February, mountain views are clearest in October and November, and Kaziranga is open from October or November until about April. March and April suit Sikkim's rhododendrons and the tea gardens. June to August brings heavy monsoon rain, park closures and landslides, so we avoid it except for short Shillong stays.

It depends on the state and your passport. Indians need an Inner Line Permit for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for Arunachal, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, and a Restricted Area Permit for Sikkim. Assam and Meghalaya need no permit. We arrange all permits as part of the journey. Check current status before you travel.

Plan at least 7 nights for one state and 10 to 14 nights for two or three. Distances are short on the map but roads are slow: Guwahati to Shillong takes about 3 hours, Guwahati to Kaziranga about 5, and the Tawang road needs two days each way. Our most popular first journey is 11 nights across Meghalaya and Assam.

The states we cover, Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim, receive steady tourist traffic and are generally calm. Strikes, called bandhs, can close roads for a day without much warning, and monsoon landslides are a real hazard. We do not currently plan trips to Manipur, and we recommend checking your government's travel advisory before you travel.

Fly to Guwahati (GAU), which has non-stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru and a few international links. For Sikkim, fly to Bagdogra (IXB) and drive about 4.5 hours to Gangtok. Dimapur serves Nagaland, Jorhat serves Majuli and Tezpur serves the tea country and the Tawang road. Routes change often, so check current status before you travel.

Yes, but fewer than in Rajasthan or Kerala. The best include Ri Kynjai at Umiam Lake near Shillong, Diphlu River Lodge at Kaziranga, Wild Mahseer in the tea gardens near Tezpur, Vivanta Guwahati, and in Sikkim the Taj Guras Kutir, Mayfair and Elgin Nor-Khill in Gangtok and Elgin Mount Pandim at Pelling. In Tawang, Ziro and Majuli we use the best well-run local hotels and homestays.

Yes, with a Protected Area Permit arranged in advance through a registered Indian operator. For Arunachal the permit usually needs at least two travellers on a fixed itinerary and a royalty of about USD 30 to 50 per person. Nagaland's permit regime was reimposed in December 2024 and was relaxed for Hornbill 2025. Rules shift, so check current status before you travel.

We plan journeys in Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim. These have the best mix of sights, roads and rooms for private travel. We do not currently sell Manipur because of the security situation there, and we include Tripura and Mizoram only on request. Darjeeling, although often paired with Sikkim, is in West Bengal and sits outside this region.

Yes. Sikkim's gateway is Bagdogra and Meghalaya's is Guwahati, and there are direct flights between the two that take under an hour, though schedules change. Allow at least 11 nights: five or six in Sikkim and five in Meghalaya. October, November and March are the best months for both, with clear mountain views and dry walking paths.

October to March is the best time for most travellers, with December to February the driest and most comfortable months on the coast. The hills around Munnar are pleasant almost all year except in the heavy monsoon of June and July. For Ayurveda, Kerala's doctors prefer June to August, when the cool, damp air is thought to help treatments work.

Eight to ten nights covers the classic loop of Fort Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, the Vembanad backwaters and a beach, with two nights in each place. Twelve to fourteen nights lets you add the north for Theyyam and Bekal, or slow down at the coast. A proper Ayurveda programme needs 14 to 21 nights on its own.

Yes, if you choose the boat carefully and keep it to one night. A premium private kettuvallam with an air-conditioned bedroom, your own cook and a route away from the busiest stretch near Alappuzha is a memorable evening. Cruising stops around sunset by local rule and boats moor for the night, so we pair one houseboat night with two at a lake resort.

Kumarakom is better for a calm lake resort on the eastern shore of Vembanad, with the bird sanctuary next door and quieter water. Alappuzha (Alleppey) is the main houseboat hub, with the canals of Kuttanad and the Nehru Trophy course. We usually base guests at Kumarakom and start the houseboat from there to avoid the crowded jetties.

Very good. The pace is gentle, the drives are short and the rooms are private: a pool villa on the lake at Kumarakom, a hilltop cottage at Windermere in Munnar, a single-party houseboat and a beach villa at Marari. October to March is the best window. We keep the itinerary to four bases so you spend more time at each.

Tiger sightings in Periyar are rare because the forest is dense and the reserve is visited by boat and on foot rather than by open jeep. What you can expect is elephants at the lake edge, gaur, sambar, wild boar, otters, Nilgiri langur and a long bird list. For tigers, central Indian parks are far better; Periyar is about the forest itself.

Kerala is one of India's safest and most literate states, and violent crime against visitors is rare. The real risks are natural: rough seas on beaches during the monsoon, landslides on hill roads after very heavy rain, and leeches on forest walks. We track weather alerts during the season and change routes when needed.

Light cotton and linen for the coast, a warm layer for Munnar evenings, which can drop to 10 °C in winter, and closed shoes for forest walks. Temples have strict dress codes: men often need to remove shirts and wear a dhoti, and women should wear a sari, long skirt or salwar. Swimwear is fine at resort pools and beaches only.

No. There are no inner line or restricted area permits anywhere in Kerala for Indian or foreign travellers. You only need tickets for national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and some monuments, which are often sold online in limited daily slots. We book these with your itinerary. Check current status before you travel, as ticketing systems change.

November to February is best: dry, 20–33 °C, a calm sea and low humidity. March and April are hotter but still rain-free and cheaper. The monsoon, June to September, brings heavy rain, rough seas and closed beach shacks, but Goa is very green then and resort rates often halve. Avoid May, which is the most humid month.

Fly into Manohar International Airport at Mopa (GOX) if you are staying in north Goa: Assagao, Anjuna, Mandrem or Candolim. Fly into Dabolim (GOI) for Panjim and the south: Benaulim, Cavelossim, Chandor or Palolem. Mopa to Palolem is about 2.5 hours by car, so the right airport matters. Routes shift between the two, so check current status before you travel.

South Goa suits most of our guests. The beaches are longer and quieter, the large resorts such as Taj Exotica and The Leela Goa are there, and the Portuguese mansions of Chandor and Loutolim are close by. North Goa is better for villa stays, cafés, markets and nightlife. We often combine the two over 6 to 8 nights.

Five nights is the minimum we suggest: one day for Old Goa and Fontainhas, one for the southern mansions and three for the beach. Seven or eight nights lets you split north and south, add a day in the Western Ghat forests at Dudhsagar and still have unhurried pool time. Longer villa stays of 10 nights are common in winter.

No. Goa has no inner-line or protected-area permit for Indian or foreign travellers. Foreign nationals need a valid Indian visa; Goa is an e-Visa arrival point, but confirm your airport is listed. Wildlife sanctuaries such as Mollem and Cotigao charge entry and camera fees at the gate, and the Dudhsagar jeep track runs on forest department tickets; check current status before you travel.

From October to May, yes, at beaches with lifeguards and flags, which include Candolim, Benaulim, Colva and Palolem. Swim between the flags and not after dark. From June to September the sea is rough and swimming is banned or strongly discouraged across the state. Rip currents are common at river mouths, so avoid swimming near them in any month.

Old Goa's UNESCO-listed churches, the Latin quarter of Fontainhas in Panjim, and the Portuguese mansions of Salcete. Also Goan cooking, both Catholic and Hindu, cashew feni, the Carnival and Shigmo parades, Hindu temples around Ponda, and the forests of the Western Ghats with Dudhsagar Falls. Mangrove birding on Chorao is excellent from November to February.

Our private Goa journeys start from about ₹1,10,000 per person for 5 nights in the monsoon and ₹1,70,000 to ₹2,30,000 for 6 to 8 nights in winter, twin sharing at hotels such as Taj Exotica, The Leela Goa and Alila Diwa, with a private car, guides and breakfast. The Christmas and New Year week costs considerably more.

Yes. The southern resorts have large lawns, shallow lifeguarded beaches, kids' clubs and calm water from November to March. Good family days include the spice farms near Ponda, a jeep ride to Dudhsagar Falls, a dolphin boat from Mobor and the forts at Aguada and Reis Magos. Drive times are short, rarely more than 90 minutes.

October to March is the season. October, November, February and March are the most reliable months, with dry weather and days of 20 to 30 °C. December and January are cold and often foggy in the mornings, which can delay trains and flights. April is hot, May and June are very hot, and July to September bring monsoon rain.

No. The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday for prayers at the mosque within the complex. It opens from about 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset on other days. Night viewing is offered on the full-moon night and two nights either side, except Fridays and during Ramadan, with limited tickets. Check current status before you travel.

From mid-December to late January, dense fog can cover the plain until late morning. Trains can run hours late, and early flights into Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna are sometimes delayed or diverted. We avoid tight train-to-flight connections, prefer midday flights and keep road transfers as the backup. Sightseeing itself is rarely lost, as fog usually lifts by noon.

Six nights is the minimum we suggest: two or three in Agra for the Taj at sunrise, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, and three in Varanasi for the ghats at dawn, the evening aarti and Sarnath. With nine nights you can add Lucknow between them, using the Agra–Lucknow Expressway, which makes the journey more relaxed.

Yes. Six of the main sites are in India: Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali and Kushinagar. Only Lumbini, the Buddha's birthplace, is in Nepal. A 10-night journey from Varanasi to Kushinagar covers them all by private car, ending at Gorakhpur airport, about 55 km from Kushinagar.

Bihar has comfortable hotels rather than true luxury ones. In Bodh Gaya, Marasa Sarovar Premiere and a few pilgrim hotels are the best choices, and Rajgir has the Japanese-run Indo Hokke Hotel. They are clean and well run but simpler than the palace hotels of Agra and Varanasi. We choose the best rooms available and send a guide who knows each site well.

With a private car, a vetted driver and a private guide, travel here is straightforward. Take normal city care with bags in crowds, especially at the ghats, temples and festivals. We avoid long night drives on rural highways and time road journeys to arrive before dark. Women travellers are comfortable on our itineraries, which use reputable hotels and known guides.

Cover shoulders and knees, and carry socks for walking barefoot on hot or cold stone. Shoes come off at temples, mosques and at the Bodhi tree. Some temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Krishna Janmabhoomi, do not allow phones, bags or leather, so we arrange lockers and keep valuables in the car.

As a guide, a 6-night Taj Mahal and Varanasi journey at The Oberoi Amarvilas and Taj Nadesar Palace starts from about ₹2,90,000 per person, twin sharing, with private car, guides and domestic flights. A 10-night Buddhist circuit using the best available hotels starts from about ₹2,60,000. Festival dates raise prices, so check current status before you travel.