For a lot of travelers in India, New Delhi is the capital of everything that they need to get away from as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, the town has some wonderful secrets that I would like to share with you.

New Delhi's hidden corners

In the local dialect, "Apani Dhani" means "Our Hamlet", an affectionate name given to the place by Ramesh C. Jangid, founder of the ecolodge and a pioneer of a form of militant tourism in India, especially in Rajasthan and his own native region of Nawalgarh.  

Get off the beaten track in India with a stay at Apani Dhani Ecolodge

Udaipur is a pearl in the heart of Rajasthan. Its numerous palaces, many of which are now hotels, help give the town a unique feel. 

Asia

A country with the size of a continent, India fascinates and will always leave you wanting more. From the intensity of the tropical beaches to the salty lakes of the Himalayas, via the ice deserts of Ladakh or temples of the Maharadjahs of Rajastan, the list of majestic places could go on eternally. Travelling in India is a concentration of unique experiences, whether through its incomparable landscapes, its vibrant cities or unexpected encounters. And there is also the beauty of life, with its exceptional tones and colours. The omnipresent music, from the bells on the women’s feet to the litanies escaping from the temples; the sparkling colours of the saris and bright colours of the turbans. An unequalled energy, bright and frank glances, coupled with hearty and generous smiles. Would you like to travel to India, off the beaten tracks, where you long to find calm and pleasure? Don’t look any further! With Evaneos Travel, you create the holiday that suits you. You will discover the foothills of the Tibetan Himalayas during a road trip on a motorbike, or you could let yourself be bewitched by the charms of Rajasthan or the Taj Mahal in complete luxury. All different types of holidays in India are but a few clicks away.

India

Udaipur

Standing in front of this breathtakingly beautiful town, which sits on a bank, in a peaceful part of a country that tends to be noisy, you won't be able to stop yourself from falling under Srinagar's charm !

Srinagar

A mountain town that will appeal to hikers and visitors interested in Buddhism.

This northern Indian town is both peaceful with strong spiritual affiliations that place it apart from other Indian destinations.   

Rishikesh

A deeply religious Hindu city and magnet for travellers on a spiritual quest.

Varanasi

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Varanasi is an incredible town, not least because of its buzzing energy. To die in Varanasi, according to Hindu beliefs, brings salvation and ends the cycle of reincarnation. The town, therefore, welcomes pilgrims from all over India for whom it is particularly important. What's more the town is impressive, packed with tiny streets easy to get lost in - I forget how many times I got disorientated when trying to find my guest house! During my stay I had the chance to see a festival dedicated to the goddess Sarasvati. Processions of chariots cross the town, each carrying huge speakers that blast out music whilst crowds dance along behind them. The procession ends on the banks of the Ganges, where believers throw effigies of the goddess into the river so as to attract her blessing. An incredible sight. <a href="/india/">Discover India by visiting Varanasi</a> ; you'll find yourself in one of the country's most important and popular towns.

Varanasi, otherwise known as Benares, is one of India's most sacred towns. Situated on the banks of the River Ganges, it's a pilgrimage site for millions of Hindus.

Varanasi is one of India's spiritual capitals, and you'll find lots of people who practise meditation along with sitar players and Yogis. The banks of the Ganges draw in an interesting mix of people. Mute beggars, bearded Sadhus waiting to end their reincarnation cycle and boatmen selling trips along these famous waters.Taking a river trip is, moreover, refreshing. To leave the ghats, the stone covered stairs and take a step back from a town that lights up each year for its annual festival, where worshippers cleanse their bodies and souls.Varanasi also celebraters Holi, the festival of colors, in great style. The streets are filled with people dousing each other, from head to toe, with multi-colored pigments. And with thousands of celebrants crowding the streets, it resembles a giant, human firework display.

Visiting Varanasi is a 'spiritual highlight' of any <a href="/india/">trip to India</a>. And of course, I stayed for several days. Let me explain why. I woke up on a cold, foggy morning in one of the oldest towns in the world. It was once called Kashi, then Mohammadabad and now Varanasi or Benares. Officially it's known as Varanasi, as the name comes from its two rivers, the Varuna and the Assi. Benares was a name chosen by the English during colonial times. Coming here for a Hindhu is the same as a pilgrimage to Mecca by a Muslim. Four million Hindhus come each year to bathe and cleanse their souls in the water of the Ganges. For Hindus, to die in Varansi brings salvation, as it will end their cycle of reincarnation. It ensures emancipation or 'moksha'. It's similar to the Buddhist aim of attaining Nirvana. To purify themselves, pilgrims plunge themselves three times in the freezing river, whilst reciting a sacred mantra. They follow this by swallowing a mouthful of the water. Bearing in mind how dirty the river is, you need to a faithful follower. Or maybe the water has miraculous qualities and the filth won't harm you. But to break the myth... The river resembles an open sewer rather than a fountain of youth. Chemical waste from neigboring factories, badly burnt, decomposing cadavres, sewage from the town - the level of faecal matter has to be ten times more than a person can tolerate. But even if pollution levels are high, the Ganges remains a sacred river with purifying qualities, according to 900 million Hindhus. Walking along the length of the Ghats, I arrived at Dasashwamedh Ghat. It's where boatmen gather to offer tours along the river, alongside hoards of scammers and petty crooks that come in all shapes and sizes. Barbers, masseurs, street sellers, ear-candlers - the competition between them is hot. And further along is Manikarnika Ghat. This is where the cremations are held. And when evening falls, you can head back to Dasashwamedh Ghat to witness the puja or ritual prayers. It's a prayer offering of light to the Ganges. Young Brahman line the large platforms. They perform a dancing ritual, swinging candlelit lamps that exude clouds of incense. And at the end of the ceremony, the priests hand out floating candles so that wishes can be made to the Ganges. You can feel a bit shaken up after a visit to Varanasi.

At 780km from Delhi, in the heart of the Ganges, Varanasi is the holiest of the Hindhu sacred sites. You may see some things that will shock you, but, nonetheless, it's a place that you really should visit.

Local travel agencies in India that specialize in family vacations with kids

Family tour ideas in India

The hustle and bustle of India, as well as the colorful sights and interesting history make it an ideal place for a<a data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/" href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/" target="_blank">&nbsp;family trip</a>&nbsp;that goes beyond a standard vacation. Immerse yourselves in local culture as you wander through markets experiencing all the sights, sounds, and tastes that have been mesmerizing&nbsp;visitors for centuries. For a truly cultural trip, take a family cooking class on one of our&nbsp;<a data-destination-id="48" data-internal-link="destination" href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/" style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">tailor-made India tours</a>, or learn how to make traditional kites before taking them for a spin.&nbsp;<h3>Best things&nbsp;to see and do in&nbsp;India with kids</h3>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.&nbsp;It may be a popular tourist destination, but for good reason, as&nbsp;it's home to the&nbsp;breath-taking Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. The Golden Triangle is the route between&nbsp;<a data-place-id="102" data-internal-link="place" href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/holidays/places/102-102/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/holidays/places/102-102/">Delhi</a>, 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.&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a data-place-id="10741" data-internal-link="place" href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/holidays/places/10741-10741/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/holidays/places/10741-10741/">Jaipur</a>, visit Chowki Dhani for an experience of Rajasthani culture before heading on to Agra.&nbsp;In&nbsp;<a data-place-id="110" data-internal-link="place" href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/holidays/places/110-110/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/holidays/places/110-110/">Agra</a>, 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.&nbsp; 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&nbsp;train ride through a sprawling tea plantation is a fantastic way to see more of the vibrant Indian countryside.&nbsp;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 travelers 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.&nbsp;For families, we recommend&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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. <h3>Best time to visit&nbsp;India as a family</h3>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&nbsp;<a data-document-id="3096" data-internal-link="article" href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/holidays/when-to-go/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/india/holidays/when-to-go/">what time of year to visit</a>&nbsp;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, traveling 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.&nbsp; <h3>Family&nbsp;vacation tips for traveling to&nbsp;India</h3>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 vacation. <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">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.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">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.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">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.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">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.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">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.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">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.</li></ul>

Start planning your family vacation in India

The best {nb_iti} India tours for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Plan and book tailor-made vacations at local prices.

Plan your family tour with a local travel agency in India

India family vacations

Family tours

Family Vacations in India - Tailor-Made Travel

The best local travel agencies in India for food tours

Tour ideas to experience India's gastronomy

The best food tours and gastronomy experiences in India, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Varanasi Vacations

Varanasi: How to get there?

Varanasi: When to go?

Varanasi: For how long?

Varanasi: What to see in the surroundings?

India: our articles for your vacation