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:
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.
India
A Journey through Madhya Pradesh
Prepare to be wowed by incredible history, architecture, and wildlife, before finishing the holiday on the sacred Narmada river at Maheshwar.
Highlights
Alternative Delhi
Explore alternative Delhi with a walk of the old town led by a former street kid turned expert guide
Satpura National Park
Get up close and personal to the wildlife in Satpura National Park on foot, by jeep and even on a boat
Maheshwar
Relax in one India’s most beautiful and most off-the-beaten-track fort hotels in Maheshwar, one of the most magical towns in India
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India
Birds of South India
Discover lesser-visited but beautiful areas of Southern India during this two week holiday. There is a particular focus on the region’s abundant birdlife, exceptional for casual and serious aficionados. Visit several sanctuaries and travel through the lush western ghats, known as a treasure house of endemic species, as well as the strictly protected wildlife of Bandipur National Park.
Highlights
Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary
End your journey with a visit to the Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary, home to some 170 exquisite bird species
Valparai
Explore Valparai’s remote landscapes through forest treks in an area full of wildlife, including some of the most endangered varieties of hornbills
Bandipur National Park
Spot elusive big game on sunrise and sunset safaris in Bandipur National Park
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India
East to West: Highlights of the Gangetic Plain
This holiday is for travellers with an adventurous spirit who like to get away from the tourist trail; people who have a desire to explore eclectic, busy and ever-evolving Indian cities, but who also want to contrast immersive city life with some unique, rural experiences.
Take time to delve into Kolkata and Varanasi with our signature experiences in each. You’ll journey by car, train and minimal internal flights so that you can experience the beautiful rural life and landscape of the Gangetic Plain as you move around. You’ll spend four days exploring northern Madhya Pradesh and three days in a remote valley of Uttar Pradesh; allowing completely different rural and wildlife experiences in each.
Highlights
Lunch with an art collector
Taking lunch with an art collector in his home in Kolkata
Sunrise at the River Ganges
Watching the sunrise from your private boat on the River Ganges
Chambal Valley
Experiencing life in remote hamlets of the Chambal Valley
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India
Gujarat In Depth
Go beyond the usual India routes on this 17-day adventure through Gujarat, a region where ancient civilisations, wildlife sanctuaries and traditional crafts still thrive. From the heritage streets of Ahmedabad to the stark beauty of the Rann of Kutch, this itinerary blends history, wildlife and cultural immersion. You’ll meet master artisans in Bhuj, witness blackbuck deer leaping through the grasslands of Velavadar, and step back in time at World Heritage sites like Patan and Modhera.
Highlights
Ahmedabad
Explore an array of astounding world heritage sights in Ahmedabad and beyond
Wildlife spotting
Spot impressive birds and wildlife like the Asiatic lion and blackbuck deer in Velavadar, Sasan Gir Park and the otherworldly Rann of Kutch
Artisan heritage
Contribute towards the preservation of an array of special traditional arts and crafts by visiting the artisan villages around Bhuj
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India
Kerala Encompassed
Gain a great insight into the variety Kerala has to offer as you travel south to north over three weeks. You’ll have the opportunity to stay in different types and styles of accommodation, ranging from tea bungalows to a plantation mansion, houseboat, treehouse and tents, to name a few.
Spend your days among tea and spice plantations, relaxing in rural settings, spotting wildlife, cruising along the Alleppey backwaters, visiting local markets and getting to know the towns that make Kerala tick. Relax on a remote beach to round off your holiday through ‘God’s Own Country’.
Highlights
Cruise the backwaters
Explore the canals on a houseboat for two nights, watching local life pass by
Birdwatching
Wake up on the banks of the Periyar River, where you’ll have the chance to spot over 120 species of birds
Safaris
Track elephants and tigers in Nagarhole National Park
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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.
Kerala, India
Birds Murmur Camp
Tucked along the banks of the Periyar River in Thattekad, Birds Murmur Camp is an eco-conscious tented retreat immersed in Kerala’s bird-filled wilderness. With over 500 species in the surrounding forest, it’s a haven for nature lovers and those wanting a quiet escape. Modest yet atmospheric, the camp offers kayaking, birdwatching, and slow village walks. The kind of stay where nature leads and simplicity sings.
Highlights
Highlights
Riverside tents,
Brilliant birdwatching
Best for
Couples,
Solos
Maheshwar, India
Ahilya Fort
Perched high above the ghats of the River Narmada, Ahilya Fort is a rare gem in rural Madhya Pradesh. Once the palace of the legendary Ahilya Bai Holkar, it’s now a boutique retreat rich in history and charm. With panoramic river views, peaceful courtyards, and warm village integration, the fort offers a timeless escape.
Highlights
Highlights
Magical setting,
Maheshwar Ghats right below
Best for
Couples
Solo
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Kerala, India
Kanan Beach Resort
Tucked along a quiet stretch of Malabar coastline, Kanan Beach Resort is a tranquil escape surrounded by swaying palms, golden sands and gentle surf. With few tourists around, the wide beach is usually shared only with colourful fishing boats and curious herons. The resort’s peaceful gardens, sea-facing pool and authentic Keralan cottages make it a great place to slow down and embrace the rhythms of coastal life.
Highlights
Highlights
Quiet beachfront setting,
Seafood dining,
Spacious Keralan cottages
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
Wellness Seekers
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Gujarat, India
Blackbuck Lodge
Set on the edge of Gujarat’s Blackbuck National Park, Blackbuck Lodge brings African-style safari luxury to India’s grasslands. Surrounded by wildlife and crafted with conservation in mind, it’s a peaceful and immersive retreat for travellers seeking nature without sacrificing comfort. With carefully designed cottages, thoughtful eco measures and early-morning safaris, it’s one of the best ways to experience the region’s rare and striking wildlife.
Highlights
Highlights
Rare wildlife sightings,
Peaceful grassland setting,
Best for
Couples,
Nature Enthusiasts,
Photographers
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Gujarat, India
Rann Riders Resort
Set on the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch, Rann Riders Resort is a rustic but welcoming base for exploring one of Gujarat’s most unique landscapes. Blending local craftsmanship with ecological design, the resort has a distinct village aesthetic and a focus on showcasing the region’s wildlife, wilderness and traditional culture.
Highlights
Highlights
Wildlife safaris,
Traditional-style cottages,
Rural desert setting
Best for
Couples,
Families,
Birdwatchers
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Udaipur, India
Amet Haveli
Set on the banks of Lake Pichola, Amet Haveli offers uninterrupted views of Udaipur’s City Palace and the iconic Taj Lake Palace. Once used by Maharanas as an evening pleasure garden, this 350-year-old haveli now hosts travellers seeking a charming base in the City of Lakes.
Highlights
Highlights
Heritage ambience,
Lakeside dining
Best for
Couples,
Families,
Solos
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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.
Gujarat, India
Gir Wildlife Safari
Set off on a captivating safari into the Gir National Park, a sanctuary that has evolved into the last bastion for the endangered Asiatic lion since its establishment in 1965. The heart of the park, a 259-sq-km core area declared a national park in 1975, serves as a haven for these majestic creatures and has a remarkable success story of lion conservation – numbers surged from less than 200 in the late 1960s to an impressive 674 in the 2020 census.
The park’s dense forests and rolling hills create a picturesque backdrop for an immersive safari experience. Traverse the undisturbed landscapes, keeping watch for the revered Asiatic lions and a diverse range of wildlife, including chital deer, four-horned antelopes, gazelles, crocodiles, and the elusive leopard. The park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts with over 300 species of endemic and migratory birds.
Kerala, India
A Day in Munnar's Tea Lands
An opportunity today for you to explore the picture perfect tea plantations that swathe the sloping hills of the Western Ghats. As you walk along the paths that separate the tea plants, past tea pickers in colourful saris, you will see the importance of tea in this area as a cash crop, a way of earning a living and a cultural institution. As well as tea, plenty of coffee, pepper and cardamom can be seen growing in this lush and fertile area. You will also have the chance to visit the local markets where the herbs, spices and tea are traded and sold. Always a colourful and sometimes a raucous affair, local markets in this part of India are fantastic places to mingle with the locals. You may also like to visit the local tea museum in Munnar.
Uttar Pradesh, India
Temples, Ghats & Wildlife in the Chambal Valley
The calm waters of the Chambal River are best explored by boat and a river safari provides a great opportunity to view the wildlife. The Chambal Safari boatmen are exceptionally skilled at manoeuvring as close to the birds and animals as possible without disturbing them, and the trained naturalists who accompany you will provide expert information about everything that you see. Opportunities to go on Crane and blackbuck safaris are also available in this beautiful, remote region.
Alternatively the ancient temple complex at Bateshwar on the river Yamuna, 10 km from the Chambal Safari Lodge, consists of more than a hundred temples dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. The ravines surrounding the temples and river are home to a number of Naga sadhus (snake worshipping ascetics) who have carved out little caves and temples within the mud walls. The local Ghats and aarti ceremonies provide a calmer and quieter experience to that of frenetic Varanasi too.
Rajasthan, India
Craft & Heritage Walk of Old Jaipur
Although most tourists visit Jaipur to view its incredible forts and palaces, there are many visitors who come to purchase some of the astonishing range of handicrafts for which the city is famous for producing.
On our exclusive and privately guided walking tour, explore the fascinating Old Quarter, where you will find most of the city’s master tradespeople. There is an incredible energy around this part of Jaipur as the locals and the incoming buyers take their shopping here extremely seriously. Walking around you will notice Indians who have been coming from far and wide to buy everything they need for their extravagant weddings.
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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