Best of India tour

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Reducing carbon through travel choices
This tour minimises air travel by including just one domestic flight - from Delhi to Kochi. The rest of the journey is travelled by road, using a shared, air-conditioned minivan or minibus. This approach reduces emissions per traveler, especially compared to itineraries that rely on multiple short-haul flights or private transfers. By designing the route efficiently and limiting long-distance flights, the tour supports lower-carbon exploration across northern and southern India.

Shared and human-powered transport
Throughout the tour, a variety of lower-impact transport options are used. In Delhi, guests join a rickshaw ride and explore the city on foot. They’ll also take a short ride on the local metro (electric urban train) to reach Old Delhi, an authentic experience that connects travelers with the rhythm of local life.

Walking tours also take place in the villages of Suroth and Agra, offering a closer connection to local life with zero emissions. In Kerala, travelers glide through the peaceful backwaters aboard a traditional Shikara, a hand-paddled wooden boat, and later stay overnight on a houseboat, moving gently through nature without the need for high-powered engines.

Encouraging plastic-free travel
Travelers are advised to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics through the use of Water-to-Go filtered water bottles. These reusable bottles can safely filter local water, eliminating the need to purchase bottled water in areas where plastic waste management is limited. This small change helps reduce plastic pollution and supports a cleaner environment in the communities visited.

Plant-based meals and locally sourced food
Vegetarian food is a highlight throughout the tour, with several opportunities to enjoy traditional, meat-free Indian cuisine. In Agra, guests can join a Hindu family for a vegetarian thali cooking class and meal, and optional home-cooked dinners with local families in Jaipur offer another plant-based dining experience. Meals often feature regional produce, spices, and seasonal ingredients, many sourced directly from the markets and plantations visited during the tour.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Supporting national parks and wildlife protection
This tour includes a visit to Periyar National Park, a vital conservation area in Kerala. Guests enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar, located in the heart of the park. This experience not only supports the park through entrance fees but also allows travelers to witness native wildlife such as elephants, deer, wild boar, langurs, and numerous water bird species in their natural habitat. Sightings vary, but the park is known for its biodiversity and scenic beauty.

Staying in heritage and sustainably built accommodation
Accommodation on the tour includes heritage hotels, often converted from former palaces and historic residences. These properties maintain original architectural features and reuse existing structures, reducing the environmental impact of modern construction.

In Kerala, guests spend a night on a traditional houseboat (kettuvallam), built using sustainable materials like coir rope and cashew nut resin, without the use of nails. These traditional construction methods are both eco-conscious and rooted in regional craftsmanship.

Promoting environmental awareness among travelers
Travelers are encouraged to switch off lights and air conditioning when not in use, avoid unnecessary packaging, and take care when disposing of waste, particularly plastic. Cultural and environmental respect is woven throughout the journey, especially when visiting rural areas and nature-based destinations.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Supporting locally owned accommodation
The tour includes stays in locally owned heritage properties, such as the Suroth Mahal, a restored palace that now welcomes travelers as a boutique hotel. These accommodations not only preserve cultural heritage but also ensure that tourism revenue supports local families and communities rather than international hotel chains.

Creating local economic opportunities through experiences
A wide range of local businesses and traditional artisans benefit directly from this tour. Travelers visit spice and craft markets in Munnar, and participate in a block printing workshop in Jaipur. These immersive activities promote fair trade and help preserve local skills and knowledge. Additionally, visits to pineapple, rubber, and tea plantations create awareness of sustainable agriculture in the region. In Kumarakom, guests visit a local village where they learn about traditional crafts such as coir making (using natural fibres from coconut husks), mat weaving, and toddy tapping—a method of extracting sap from palm trees to produce a mildly alcoholic drink known as “toddy.” These visits support the preservation of generational knowledge and contribute directly to the livelihoods of local families.

In Agra, the group takes part in a Mughal Heritage Walk through the village of Kachhpura, developed by a local NGO. The experience provides employment and infrastructure improvements for the community. A resident leads the walk, sharing insight into daily village life, traditional home layouts, farming practices, and the leather shoe-making cottage industry that contributes to Agra’s exports.

In Delhi, the walking tour through Old Delhi’s vibrant bazaars includes a guided street food tasting, giving guests the opportunity to support small-scale food vendors while sampling authentic, locally prepared snacks. This experience highlights the economic and cultural value of street food in everyday Indian life.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Local Employment
The tour is led by experienced, English-speaking Indian guides and drivers. For groups of four or more, a dedicated tour guide accompanies the group for the entire journey. Smaller groups are supported by local guides in each destination. This model provides consistent employment across multiple regions of India and ensures guests benefit from authentic, on-the-ground knowledge.

Empowering marginalised communities
In Agra, the group has lunch at Sheroes Hangout Café, a social enterprise that employs women who are survivors of acid attacks. The café is run by the Chhanv Foundation and offers these women not only employment but also community, confidence, and visibility. The visit supports both awareness and economic empowerment, making it a powerful example of responsible and inclusive tourism.