Holiday in India with your Family: Our FAQ

A valid concern and a question we are often asked is whether India is just too frenetic for an enjoyable family holiday. The cities of north India, such as Delhi and Jaipur in particular, are fairly full on and they are quite an assault on the senses for everyone – children and adults alike. For this reason, we recommend that only relatively well travelled families with older children or teenagers should consider north India as a family destination.

That said, if you’re all prepared: it makes for a very stimulating and exciting holiday. One in which memories will last a very long time. We’d generally suggest mitigating the frenetic pace of the cities with spending time in the peaceful and timeless countryside too – the contrast is so stark, it almost beggars belief. We’d generally also suggest city hotels which provide an oasis with a great pool, for you all to escape after a breathless days site-seeing.

For those still concerned or with younger children,  south India is generally much more peaceful and quiet and Kerala is a very gentle introduction to India for families with children of all ages. Uttarakhand in the far norht or West Bengal in the east has glorious mountain scenery and all the peace and quiet any family could be searching for. 

This is the most common response when we mention India to clients as a family destination. The dreaded 'Delhi Belly'! Whilst we cannot guarantee that your children won’t get ill, we’d say it is increasingly unlikely. The standard of hygiene in Indian hotels is much higher than it used to be and in the kind of hotels we tend to suggest, standards are fairly scrupulous. We do warn adults against overdoing the rich Indian food served in hotels but otherwise, proper Delhi belly is increasingly rare. 

Generally all the hotels we use for our family trips to India are very happy to serve simple and sometimes more fancy, western food to children unused to Indian flavours. Indeed, adults often need a break from the curries. However, it is worth noting that several India staples seem to work very well for children. The North India staple, bread, in the form of naans, chapati’s, paratha’s and much more seem to go down a storm with western children and available anywhere in north India. Mild curries are often popular and we have found that dahl often works surprisingly well even for the pickiest of children. 

We think that India is generally a pretty safe destination. Indians are welcoming of strangers as a rule and have a keen sense of hospitality to guests. Our holidays are well planned and all the transport and guiding is carried out by vetted, qualified and experienced drivers and guides. We would be completely confident in all of them so you can be too. The hotels are chosen with safety in mind too and of course there is a 24 hour emergency number which you can contact at any time should you need assistance. Whilst no holiday can be guaranteed to be trouble free, we don’t think there is any undue risk in taking your family to India. 

Our drivers are all vetted and experienced and extremely safe drivers. Whilst the driving might be a different style to what you are used to in Europe, it works in its own way. Our vehicles are modern and fitted out with safety features and regularly inspected and maintained. 

Maybe not! India isn’t the first place we’d suggest for a relaxing holiday – though Kerala could be the exception to this. However, if for your family, relaxation means a total change of pace and scenery and a chance to have adventures together, creating memories that will last forever, then may be India could be the place for your next holiday. 

Of course! India has a great internal flight network so it is usually a simple connection down to Goa or Kerala and you’re on a lovely wide sandy beach at the end of a Indian adventure. Alternatively, stopping on route in the Maldives, Dubai or even, interestingly, Oman, works extremely well.

There are a few places in India which work just as well as a beach for a relaxing last few days, Places in the Himalayan foothills such as Rishikesh, or the peaceful, slower paced lake city of Udaipur to name just two

Whilst we can’t speak for your family, we can say from experience that families have loved the insight into a completely different way of life and marvelled, with the rest of us at the majestic forts of Rajasthan, the one and only Taj Mahal, or the incredible Himalayan scenery of the far north. As with all of our family destinations though, we do adapt our tours and experiences for families. We tend to suggest not trying to see every fort or temple and we intersperse the edifying cultural stuff with plenty of pool time and fun. We also have lots of really interactive stuff where you can get active, get adventurous or just join in the crafts, rather than simply be lectured to. It’s all good fun.