India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Rural India travel guide
One thing you will notice on our rural India vacations and their reviews is the abundance of names. Husna the female driver, Rawla Singh at the castle, Narendra’s family, Saurabh the guide, “our dearest friend Sunny”, and even Lily the goat! This familiarity sums up what is so special about rural vacations in India: they break down a population of over a billion people and put you on first name terms with Indians from all walks of life: from potters and chefs, to tribespeople and naturalists.
If you think India is Delhi and the Golden Triangle, think again. A fifth of the world’s population lives in India and two thirds of these live in villages – you have to go rural to discover India’s beating heart.
Names aren’t the only words you’ll learn; these trips require a whole new vocabulary. As you travel through backwaters and valleys, you might be stopping at dhaba (roadside cafes), keeping an eye out for nilgai and gaur (deer and Indian bison), attending a puja (feast of bells) or traveling by kettuvallam (houseboat). Wander through our rural India travel guide to find out how you can put names to faces on your India vacation.
Our Rural India Vacations
Ladakh cultural and rural tour, India
Stay with local families in beautiful Ladakh
From
US $950 to US $1450
9 days
ex flights
Sikkim & Kolkata cultural tour in India
Cultural and rural tours in beautiful East India
From
US $950 to US $1150
10 days
ex flights
Central India vacation, culture and wildlife
The very best of central India's wildlife and history
From
Rupee 145000 to Rupee 195000
16 days
ex flights
History, culture & wildlife of India vacation
From the Nilgiri Hills to the beaches of Goa
From
£1336
15 days
ex flights
Rural India vacation, culture & wildlife
Authentic exploration of Central Indian village life
From
£2500 to £3000
14 days
ex flights
Cultural and rural tour of North East India
Cultural, rural and tribal vacation in North East India
From
US $1200 to US $1500
12 days
ex flights
Ladakh and Changtang cultural tour, India
Cultural immersive tour ideal for couples and small groups
From
US $1300 to US $1550
10 days
ex flights
India rural vacation with charity walk
Village India including a sponsored walk for Frank Water
From
£1000 to £1100
7 days
ex flights
North East India tour, Nagaland & the Hornbill Festival
The unique festivals of the tribes of remote Northeast India
From
£2350
15 days
ex flights
Southern India tour, temples & nature
Tour from Coimbatore to Bangalore via Mysore
From
£494
6 days
ex flights
Gujarat vacation and the Rann of Kutch, India
A fascinating mix of local village culture and wild landscapes
From
£2315 to £2415
15 days
ex flights
Satpura Reserve Tiger safari in india
Adventure vacation in the jungles of Satpura Tiger Reserve
From
Rupee 185000
7 days
ex flights
North East India tour of rural tribes
A discovery of the Khasis, Limbhu & Bhutias tribes
From
£3713 to £4000
16 days
ex flights
Tiger and Kerala beaches tour in India
Tigers safaris in central India with backwaters of Kerala
From
Rupee 182000
17 days
ex flights
India walking and cultural tour
Meet locals & discover the flavours of this special region
From
AU $2145
12 days
ex flights
Punjab heritage tour in India
Punjab Heritage Tour & Farm Stay
From
£1641 to £2121
13 days
ex flights
Sekrenyi Festival tour in Nagaland, India
Sekrenyi Festival Tour of Naga Tribes of North East India
From
£2250
14 days
ex flights
Kashmir small group vacation, India
An extraordinary road journey through Ladakh and Kashmir
From
£2645
15 days
ex flights
Cultural and rural tour of East India
Cultural and rural vacation in beautiful East India
From
US $1300 to US $1650
14 days
ex flights
Horse riding tour in Rajasthan, India
Recce ride across Rajasthan's desert by Royal Marwari horse
From
£3745
12 days
ex flights
India Golden Triangle tour, a journey beyond
Of ancient cultures, Himalayan abodes & rich architecture
From
£4938 to £6500
25 days
ex flights
Spiti Valley tour in India
Cultural immersion, adventure and rural experience
From
US $850 to US $1150
9 days
ex flights
Himalayan Kinnaur, Sangla and Spiti Valley tour
Cultural immersion, adventure and rural experience
From
US $1050 to US $1450
12 days
ex flights
Central and Western India vacation, Rural Life
Truly rural India: Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, hidden Goa
From
£3000 to £3500
20 days
ex flights
Central India tour
A luxury tour of central India’s finest historical sites.
From
£3350
17 days
ex flights
Rajasthan rural tour in India
Explore the romantic hill forts and palaces of rural India
From
£3249 to £5095
18 days
ex flights
Tribal and rural experience of India
Village life, wildlife, homestays, tribes, himalayas
From
US $1350 to US $1950
12 days
ex flights
Central India vacation, journey through Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh’s best of wildlife and tribal culture.
From
Rupee 165000
14 days
ex flights
Rural India map & highlights
India is vast, of course – so even with internal flights or overnight train journeys, you’re still going to have to narrow down your itinerary. In the steamy south, soak up traditional life in Karnataka and Kerala before finishing up on a Goan beach. Central India promises remote village stays and tiger reserves, easily combining Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In the north, choose between Rajasthan’s deserts and royal palaces, or the Himalayan setting of Ladakh. Or for something truly different, head to the salt-encrusted swamplands of Gujarat, or to Nagaland’s annual Hornbill Festival, in the far northeast. Remember, India’s climate varies hugely depending on season and location – so take this into account when planning where to go on vacation in rural India.
Our top Rural India Vacation
Ladakh cultural and rural tour, India
Stay with local families in beautiful Ladakh
From
US $950 to US $1450
9 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Rural India or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
1. Chhattisgarh
2. Goa
3. Gujarat
4. Karnataka
5. Ladakh
6. Madhya Pradesh
7. Rajasthan
2. Goa
3. Gujarat
4. Karnataka
5. Ladakh
6. Madhya Pradesh
7. Rajasthan
Chhattisgarh
1. Chhattisgarh
Despite being central and close to attractions such as Kanha Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh remains well off the mainstream tourist trail. That means that life in its rural villages remains wonderfully traditional, temples such as 12th century Bhoramdeo remain free of tourists and haat (weekly markets) are still authentic, tribal affairs. Treks into the Maikal Hills with cattle herder-cum-guide are highly recommended.
Goa
2. Goa
Goa might not be the first place to spring to mind when you think of rural vacations in India, but inland, you won’t find a more rural idyll. Canoe along rivers and through mangroves, explore the Portuguese style architecture of the country houses, look out for swallows and the odd otter, or spend a few days on some of the quieter strips of coastline, relaxing and reflecting at the end of your trip.
Gujarat
3. Gujarat
Perched between Pakistan and the Arabian Sea, Gujarat is hard to define even by Indian standards. It has an epic coastline, striking Jain architecture, tribal villages, flock of flamingoes, skilled weavers and the Rann of Kutch – wetlands that dry into salt flats each summer. Gujarat is already off the beaten track, but rural tours here take you further – into temples, villages, ancient towns and heritage hotels.
Karnataka
4. Karnataka
The Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills are at the heart of rural vacations in Karnataka, a wild province offering multi day hill treks, tiger and elephant safaris, and a ride on the UNESCO-listed train as it traverses gorges and waterfalls are all must-dos. Visit temples dotted across the state, dating back to the 12th century, then cool off in the colonial hill station of Ooty (2,240m), just over the border in Tamil Nadu.
Ladakh
5. Ladakh
Ladakh, the “land of high passes”, is dominated by the Himalayas, and rural vacations here take you beyond the gateway town of Leh at 3,500m, and out towards snowy peaks and remote valleys, following ancient caravan routes. Explore lunar landscapes, tiny bazaars, Buddhist and Muslim heritage and ride camels across dunes, preparing yourself for some of the most brilliant sunsets you’ll ever see.
Madhya Pradesh
6. Madhya Pradesh
Sprawled across the centre of the country, this state is the “heart of India”. Here, you’ll find attractions such as the ruins at Mandu – believed to be the largest complex of forts, palaces and temples in Asia. Explore Bhopal’s Muslim heritage, the Hindu pilgrimage town on Ujjain, and the Buddhist stupa at Sanchi. Get your wildlife fix in Satpura, Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, including tigers.
Rajasthan
7. Rajasthan
While many travelers may flock here for the fine cities, rural Rajasthan is just as enticing. Explore highlands and plains on a weeklong horseback tour, or base yourself in a castle, now a luxury heritage hotel, in the Aravelli Hills, and take daytrips out to traditional villages, lakes and jacaran
More about Rural India
The best time to go on vacation in rural India varies greatly, from the mountainous north, through the deserts, to the hot, humid south...
Enjoy homestays, nature walks, valley treks, weaving workshops and the pleasure of home cooked meals, shared with local hosts and families...
More relevant guides
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Abhijit Kar Gupta] [Map topbox: Tomas Belcik]
[Chhattisgarh: Pankaj Oudhia]
[Goa: Maikal Hills]
[Madhya Pradesh: elkhiki]
[Madhya Pradesh: Arian Zwegers]
[Rajasthan: Nick Kenrick]
[Karnataka: Mike Prince]
[Gujarat: Wildnest Travel & Photography]
[Ladakh: Karunakar Rayker]
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