India is almost a collection of countries, due to its vast size and dazzling regional array of languages, cuisines and religions. The southern states stretch from the palm-lined beaches of Goa down to the quiet Keralan Backwaters and across the Western Ghats to the thriving city of Chennai - once a hub of the British East India Company - with Bangalore, the "Garden City", on the plains in between. The state of Andhra Pradesh spans a huge part of the east coast, with Hyderabad, which is famed for its nawabs and markets at the heart. In Tamil Nadu, visitors can explore elaborately carved stone temple complexes with towering gopurams visited everyday by hundreds of pilgrims, such as the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. Chennai and the former French colony Pondicherry each have their own distinctive style of architecture. Besides the many fun beach resorts, Goa has a wealth of churches, a legacy of more than 400 years as a Portuguese colony. Few tourists make it to the remote, ruined Vijayanagara city of Hampi in Karnataka but those who do are left overwhelmed by its beauty and atmosphere. The trick with India is probably to do less, rather than more, and plan to go back.
There are direct flights from Britain to Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, Calcutta, Amritsar and Bangalore. Direct flight times are between 8 - 10 hours. India has an excellent network of domestic flights and combining the north and south is easy.
India is subject to two monsoons, southwest and northeast. The former, which is more significant, hits the south coast of Kerala in early June and moves up the west coast to Delhi and beyond. Regional weather varies wildly, but January to September is the most comfortable time to visit the south and March to August the northeast. Rajasthan and the desert country are wonderful during the monsoon (around July) and the Himalayan regions from May to September, before the snows come. Aim for Delhi in spring and autumn - the summer can be insufferable and mid-winter grey and overcast. November to February is best for Bombay.
All visitors to India must obtain a visa prior to departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return from India and have at least 2 blank pages. We can arrange this on your behalf at a cost of £90.00 per passport using Royal Mail Special Delivery. If you are arranging your own visa, you can apply online at VFS Global. All visas are valid from the date of issue. You will need to give the name of two India referees with your visa application. For this and any other information, please contact your Ampersand Travel consultant.
For information on vaccinations and health requirements, we suggest you contact your GP or a travel clinic such as Fit For Travel at least 2 months prior to departure for advice and to arrange immunisations. Recommended vaccinations for travel to India are polio, tetanus, typhoid, meningitis and hepatitis A. We would also recommend you take anti-malarial tablets, but please consult your doctor for his/her advice.
Chennai: 9 hours 40 minutes direct non-stopBangalore: 9 hours 35 minutes direct non-stopGoa: Approx. 10 hours not directCochin: Approx. 10 hours not direct
South India is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT