Off the Beaten Track Holiday Ideas
Venture far beyond India’s tourist trail to its hidden areas. Wild, untamed, and full of surprises. With the right route and local insight, it’s possible to explore wild forests, tribal regions, ancient river towns and untamed national parks without long journeys or roughing it. From lesser-visited states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to remote ranges like the Western Ghats, this is the India few travellers ever see. Come with us.
ETG Takes You Beneath the Surface
- Bespoke travel with depth. These holidays are created to suit your interests, pace and priorities, and show you the real India, far from the well-trodden tourist routes.
- Access that’s hard to come by. From real experts of their craft to wildlife trackers, we work with people who live and breathe the places you’re visiting.
- Experiences with soul. Whether you’re riding a rural train through the plains or visiting a nomadic village, the best moments are the ones that feel natural and unfiltered.
- Effortless, immersive journeys. We look after the planning, transport and timings so you can focus on the fun: discovery, wonder and connection.
- Travel that stays with you. This isn’t about showing off where you’ve “ticked off”. It’s about what you felt while you were there. Immersed in it. That’s the kind of journey we build.
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Meet Our Experts
“For a real taste of India’s slower side, it’s always best to go off-piste. In the country’s quieter corners, life unfolds in a way that feels completely unfiltered.”
Sara Wells
India Specialist
The Best Times to Go on a Holiday in India
November to March is ideal for exploring India’s quieter regions, with dry, comfortable weather across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and the south. Late January to early March offers the sweet spot: warm days, soft light, and fewer visitors.
April and early May can still work well in parts of the south and foothills, though temperatures rise. October is a lovely time to travel too, with fresh green landscapes and a calm before the high season begins.
The Finest Offbeat Hotels in India
India is packed with places to stay. But finding the ones that offer real substance, not just flash, takes time and local knowledge. We look for hotels and homestays that reflect the region, support the community and welcome you with real warmth. That might mean a fort-turned-family home, a remote jungle lodge, or a working farm with serious flavour.
These are the stays you’ll be telling people about long after you’re back.
India Holidays
In Our Traveller’s Words
India, exceeded all expectations
Immersive India
Wonderful introduction to India
From Our Travelogue
Meaningful Travel Experiences in India
Rather than whizzing through a place, you connect with it.
We don’t book things because they sound good. We work with people who genuinely want to share their lives, their culture, and their craft. These are experiences that are honest, generous, and sometimes unpredictable. And they are all the better for it.
Important FAQs about Holidays in India
Yes. We only suggest areas where we have trusted partners, excellent guides and the right infrastructure. We also stay closely updated on local conditions and plan each journey with care.
They can be. If you’re open-minded and up for a bit of adventure, it’s a brilliant way to experience India more meaningfully. We can include a few iconic sights as well to give you a full picture.
Expect smaller, characterful places. These might be remote lodges, working farmstays, renovated havelis or boutique hotels with real charm. When we include simpler stays, it’s because the location makes it worth it.
Absolutely. We’re not talking camping in the desert – unless you want to! We’ll make sure your journey is comfortable, well-paced and with as many creature comforts as the region allows.
Definitely. Many of our travellers combine rural exploration with a few days in Rajasthan, Kerala or Delhi, and finish with a bit of downtime. It’s your holiday. We’ll help make it flow the way you want it to.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to India
This is our experts’ edit of experiences and hotels, plus a detailed breakdown of popular regions and advice.
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