India. Just the name conjures up vibrant colours and exotic adventures. Millis Potter can help you experience all of India’s majesty in glorious high definition by handcrafting a bespoke tailor-made journey. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala, India offers diversity and serendipity at every turn. You will find India never predictable, and this is its overwhelming quality. We think that sense of unpredictability is only ever a positive, where the moments when India’s intoxicating charm simply makes you smile. You are in safe hands being taken around on a creative tailor-made private journey. We love staying in superb characterful hotels, using the best guides and drivers to experience in the destination to the fullest.
Travel to North India and you will find the battle-scarred forts and palaces of Rajasthan overlooking rural villages where you can amble through colourful markets and see a way of life unchanged by time. Delve into the delights of India’s Golden Triangle before possibly heading off on a wildlife safari in Ranthambore National Park or the colonial charm of Shimla. To the south, find a slower pace of life in Kerala. In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, you will discover a mesmerising blend of traditional rural life, bustling cities, and ancient Dravidian culture. Whatever your plans are, at Millis Potter, we will create a tailor-made itinerary based totally around your interests using our extensive first-hand knowledge of the country.
This is just a selection of suggested itineraries that are there to help you with your ideas and to start the conversation with us about planning your tailor-made holiday. All our holidays are private for you and your party, and can depart on any day you like. We can adapt and change any element of these journeys, or design an itinerary from scratch around your travelling plans.
This immersive private tour of Rajasthan is unique in that it only focuses on staying in top-end homestays and characterful Havelis. This allows you to get an excellent insight into local Indian life, cuisine, and embark on some truly unique, off-the-beaten-track experiences.
The Golden Triangle is India’s classic tour explores the forts, temples, palaces in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. We also add a twist to this by adding in a stay in a rural fort, allowing you to also immersive yourselves in the beauty of the Indian countryside.
This private tour of Hyderabad, Hampi, Gokarna, and Goa gives you a wonderful combination of bustling cities, the amazing historical ruins of Hampi and time to spend on the beaches of Gokarna and Goa.
Combining the cultural highlights of Tamil Nadu and the beautiful beaches of the Andaman Islands is one of India’s best-kept secrets. Start in Chennai, formerly known as Madras, before exploring Pondicherry and the superb shore temples of Mahabalipuram.
Perfect for a first-time visitor to India, delve into the classic highlights of Rajasthan; marvelling at the Taj Mahal, heading out on a tiger safari, exploring the hidden side to the bustling cities of Jaipur and Udaipur, and also having time to experience Rajasthan’s magical rural heartlands.
Perfect for a first-time trip to India, this private tour of the Golden Triangle also includes a visit to Ranthambore National Park where you can see tigers in the wild.
Kumaon is truly one of the most remarkable and beautiful corners of India where you can get off-the-beaten track in style.
Kerala is exceptionally laid-back, and a leisurely private tour allows you to see the markets and history of Cochin, tea estates, wildlife, spice plantations, backwaters and end on the Indian Ocean.
This amazing comprehensive tour of northern India certainly leaves few stones unturned and is perfect for those with times on their hands and don’t want to miss out on hidden highlights!
Combine the bustling and colourful markets of Cochin, wander through tea plantations and cruise the backwaters of Kerala before kicking back on the turquoise blue lagoons of the Maldives on an ultimate twin-centre holiday.
An exquisite experience awaits you as you take a private luxury tour of Rajasthan with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Stay in immaculate hotels as you leisurely tour through this magical part of India.
For hardened Indiaphiles, Tamil Nadu is somewhat of a holy grail. Lying off-the-beaten-track, you can explore stunning Hindu temples with a distinct Dravidian Culture awaiting you.
Move over Africa! If you are looking for the ultimate safari and beach combination then look no further than India and the Maldives.
This is a perfect combination seeing the highlights of northern India; the evocative city of Varanasi and a private tour of the must-see sights of Rajasthan.
Northern Kerala and southern Karnataka are fast becoming the destinations to visit, a blend of history, culture, coffee hills, wildlife and fantastic beaches.
You might well feel India is a once-only holiday, and as such a combination of the highlights of north and south India might be what you are looking for.
This is India done in style, using the very finest hotels in the top suites, private air charters to cut down on the long drives, and woven together with the most exclusive experiences.
This classic wildlife safari through central India offers the best chance to see tigers in the wild, and also showcases India’s wonderful wildlife diversity.
This wonderful private wildlife safari in India combines Satpura, Pench and Todaba National Parks; all offering an amazing experience not just for seeing tiger, but India’s magical diversity of wildlife.
Ladakh is perfect for visiting India during the summer holidays, being high up in the Himalayas offering a wonderful glimpse into its colourful Buddhist culture.
In recent years, there have been some wonderful developments in luxury tourism to Sikkim; the chance to get completely off-the-beaten track in style.
Delve into India’s colonial past on a private specialist tour which uncovers the history and architecture of the Raj. Visit hill-stations, imperial cities and tea-estates.
Explore the forts and palace of India before kicking back alongside the picture-perfect turquoise lagoons of the Maldives, the ultimate combination of culture and beach.
Spices, elephants, backwaters and beaches await you on a family holiday to Kerala, packed with fascinating experiences and a tropical climate, perfect for a winter-sun family adventure.
Colourful, vibrant and exotic; a family adventure to Rajasthan will no doubt spellbind your children. See the Taj Mahal, tigers, forts and palaces before ending on the beach in Goa.
Get off-the-beaten track with a tour of hidden Rajasthan, perfect for a second-time trip to India. Explore the rural heartlands that many skip on their first experience of India.
If you like to travel and leave no stone unturned, then this long itinerary might be one to base your ideas around. Take in all that Rajasthan has to offer seeing it from top to toe.
Delve a little deeper into Rajasthan on a private tour that perfectly blends the colourful cities with rural charm, staying in lovely boutique hotels as you travel.
The Andaman Islands are closer to Burma and Thailand than they are to India, and yet they haven’t seen the huge development that has blighted many of these picture-perfect beach destinations.
This classic route takes you from Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu, through the hills and into the Kerala to see the tea estates, backwaters and ending on the beach.
Take a leisurely private tour through Kerala, exploring the Cochin, the tea plantations and sleepy villages in the rural heartlands, Lake Vembenad and the backwaters before ending on the beach.
Drift slowly down the Ganges right in the heart of this magical corner of spiritual India, from Varanasi to Patna.
Rajasthan is unquestionably one of the most romantic places on earth, with amazing hotels to match. See the forts and palaces, tigers, the Taj Mahal and kick-back on the beach in Oman to end.
This is just an overview of the hotels and lodges we feature, from characterful boutique lodges to luxury hotels. We do have a range of other hotels that we use, so if you don't see from our portfolio what you are looking for, we almost certainly know about it and can help plan an itinerary using it.
This is a selection of experiences that allow you to see the destination in new and interesting ways. Almost all our experiences include a private guide, and can be then tailored to your particular interests. Indeed, many of the experiences we offer are created individually for our guests, so this list is by no means conclusive. In fact, we leave a couple of our best ideas up our sleeves for when you enquire with us.
Bombay, or Mumbai as it’s now known by is the beating heart of India, the business centre that draws in countless millions to make their mark in life. In the heart of India, you find the many forests and jungles that are teeming with India’s eclectic mix of wildlife, the most famous being the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Calcutta is often view by Indiaphiles such as us, as their favourite city in India. The architecture is sublime, from the colonial British building left behind, to the maze of small bustling streets and vibrant art scene. Days can be spent just walking around, immersing yourself in the culture and traditions.
India’s western Himalayas are located to the north of Delhi and to the west of Nepal, and consist of rolling foothills leading up to the high peaks in Kashmir and Ladakh.
Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, a building of such immense beauty that every visitor is a taken aback. It is part of the Golden Triangle that links Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and is usually part of a tour of Rajasthan. As you head east you find the city of Varanasi, the spiritual heart …
The Andaman Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal between India and Burma. The Andaman’s comprise 325 isles, of which just 26 are inhabited. The islands offer world-class diving, and the beaches are noted for their picture-pefect golden sands and palm-fringed backdrop. The main access point is Port Blair, which has flights from Madras …
Karnataka is one of India’s hidden secrets; a corner of India that few tourists tend to reach, yet is hugely rewarding if you can fit it into your tour of India. To the north you have the Deccan, an area packed with ancient cities and staggering attractions such as Hampi, home to the Vijayanagar Kingdom, …
Tamil Nadu is located on the south-eastern corner of India, and has an amazing history dating back thousands of years. This Tamil speaking Dravidean state has seen the powerful Chola and Pallava dynasties leave behind temples of unquestionable beauty.
Kerala is located in the south-western tip of India, and is known for its tropical beaches, palm-fringed backwaters and hills of the Western Ghats. Historically, Kerala was the hub of the spice trade, and Cochin (now Kochi) was and is a thriving port that has always been a melting-pot of cultures and people.
Rajasthan is a part of India that offers something new and exciting around every corner. From the Thar Desert in the west to the rolling hills of the Aravalli Range and the jungles of Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan’s natural beauty is unquestionably staggering. Rajasthan means ‘Land of the Kings’ and the forts and palaces that …
Delhi will usually be your first stop on a tour of India, and it is a city that has so much to offer. From amazing restaurants, markets and architecture, Delhi has something for everyone. Delve into the heart of Mughal Old Delhi, walking through the vibrant bustling bazaars of Chandni Chowk, packed with life, colours …
A really good time to travel to India. Rajasthan is lovely, but you can expect cooler evenings and nights. It is a little chilly to be heading into the Himalayas. In the south it is a wonderful time to explore Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
February is considered the absolute peak month to visit Rajasthan and the north of India. The days aren't too hot, and the evenings are lovely to sit outside. In the south, Kerala and Tamil Nadi are at their best.
It starts to get a little hotter in March, but it is still a perfect time to travel to India. Rajasthan is still wonderful, as too Kerala and the south. Tiger safaris are superb in March, as it gets hotter and the wildlife are drawn to water sources, making sightings better. It is also a good time to travel to the Himalayas.
April is when the heat starts to build up in India. Rajasthan is starting to get pretty hot, with temperatures making their way into the 30s (degree C), but you have lovely temperatures in the evenings. It is a good time to wander up into the foothills of the Himalayas. Tiger sightings are superb in April. Its the last month of dry weather in Kerala before the monsoons generally arrive in May.
This is one of the best times to visit the hill-station of Shimla, and also up north in Srinagar. Ladakh opens up for the season, and being a high altitude desert, doesn't get affected by the monsoons. It starts to get really quite hot in Rajasthan, but usually the hotels start to release excellent offers. It is again another great month for wildlife safaris before the parks close for the monsoon. The monsoon arrives first in the south so Kerala and Tamil Nadu are probably worth trying to visit earlier in the year.
June is a perfect month to head far up into the high Himalayas in Ladakh. The Hemis Festival usually takes place in June, and there are some superb luxury camps to stay in. Rajasthan is at its hottest, well into the 40s by day. The wildlife parks close at the end of June, but it is still possible to visit and given the undergrowth is so parched, wildlife sightings are superb. The monsoon arrives in Rajasthan and lower foothills at the end of June, so a visit to Shimla might just work earlier in the month.
July is again superb for Ladakh and Srinagar, maybe look at the superb Shakti Village Houses, well off the beaten track and such an amazing, immersive experience. The monsoon has now arrived in Rajasthan and the lower foothills, turning India green and lush. The rains bring the temperatures down into the mid 30s, but it is still very humid.
The monsoon continues, but in the rain shadow, Ladakh and Kashmir are perfect. In Rajasthan, the monsoon tends to ease off a little and the hotels all offer superb rates. As it is close to the Thar Desert, the state doesn't get as much rain as other areas, making a trip possible.
September is India's secret month. Lush and green after a few months of monsoon, the temperatures have returned back down and the humidity has fallen. There are some superb hotel offers in September in India. It is the final month to visit Ladakh before it closes for the season.
October is back into the high-season for Rajasthan, with lovely temperatures and it will be green and lush after the monsoon rains. The tiger parks start to reopen from mid-October, the regrown undergrowth, however, makes wildlife sightings harder. Down south and Kerala and Tamil Nadu are back to their best. The Himalayan Foothills open up, and the views are superb.
November is considered the best month to visit Rajasthan and most of India. The views are at their best in the Himalayas, whether it is Sikkim or the Western Himalayas. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are both good to visit in November, although you get a little rain at night.
December is lovely to India India. The temperatures ease off, meaning you can spend most of the day exploring. It gets a little chilly at night in Rajasthan, but is perfect by day. It is a superb time to visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It gets a little chilly up in the Himalayas. India is a, destination over the Christmas Holidays.
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.