Golden Triangle of India - Classic Tour

You enquire on a listed or custom journey. Farbound designs a private itinerary, shares a proposal, confirms bookings after approval and full payment, and operates the trip end-to-end.

Yes. Listed trips can be run exactly as published or customized based on your preferences.

Yes. You may request a fully custom route, subject to operational feasibility and local regulations.

Bookings are confirmed after proposal approval. Payments are collected via payment links rather than instant checkout.

A tour director is a Farbound-appointed lead who are local experts, licensed by the ministry of tourism India, & responsible for coordination and issue resolution, either end-to-end or city-by-city.

Hotels range from premium boutique to luxury properties, as specified in your proposal.

Meals are included only when explicitly listed in the itinerary.

Yes. This route is commonly used for first-time travelers and can be customized for pace and comfort.

Yes. Buffer nights can be added at the start or end of the journey.

Yes. Extensions can be added subject to feasibility, availability, and repricing.

Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in - it is typically approved within 72 hours and valid for 30 or 365 days depending on the type. We advise applying at least 2 weeks before travel. Some nationalities require a sticker visa from an Indian consulate.

India is vast and each region has its own season. The Himalayan north (Ladakh, Himachal) is best May-September. Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle are ideal October-March. Kerala and the south are good November-February. The northeast is spectacular March-May. We'll advise based on your chosen region.

India is safe for the vast majority of travellers when you take sensible precautions. Solo female travellers should exercise extra caution in certain areas, and we always advise on destination-specific safety. Our partners and guides are vetted, and we brief guests on local customs and areas to avoid.

Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Depending on your itinerary, your GP may suggest Hepatitis B, Rabies, or Japanese Encephalitis. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for some rural and jungle regions. Consult a travel health clinic 6-8 weeks before departure.

Indian food is wonderful but your stomach needs time to adjust. Stick to cooked food, avoid tap water and ice from unknown sources, and opt for bottled or filtered water throughout. High-end restaurants and hotels are generally very safe. We include a food safety briefing in every pre-departure pack.

India is arguably the most vegetarian-friendly country in the world. Virtually every restaurant offers extensive vegetarian menus, and many are entirely meat-free. Vegan options are increasingly available in cities and tourist areas. Please let us know your dietary requirements and we'll ensure every meal is taken care of.

Monsoon (roughly June-September) brings heavy rainfall to most of the subcontinent but it varies enormously by region. It's not necessarily a reason to avoid travel - landscapes are spectacularly green, prices are lower, and crowds are thinner. Some areas like Ladakh and Spiti are actually best during this period. Ask us about the specific region you're considering.

For the right destinations, absolutely yes. Kerala during its early monsoon is lush and magical. The northeast (Meghalaya, Assam) is most dramatic in the rains. Sri Lanka's east coast comes alive during the southwest monsoon when the west is wet. We'll always be honest with you about whether monsoon affects your specific plans.

Shoulder season - the months just before or after peak season - often offers the best value. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and the weather is still very good. For Rajasthan this is October and March; for Sri Lanka's south it's late October and early May. We love building shoulder season itineraries.

International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal spending, tips for guides and drivers, and meals not listed in the itinerary. A clear inclusions and exclusions list is in every quote we send.

A mix of both is ideal. Cards are accepted at most hotels and large restaurants, but local markets, tuk-tuks, tips, and smaller guesthouses are cash-only. We recommend having USD as an emergency backup - it's accepted or exchangeable almost everywhere we operate.

We can arrange flights as part of a full package or advise on the best routing and airlines for your trip. Many clients prefer to book flights independently for flexibility with points and upgrades - we're happy to work either way and will give you the ideal arrival and departure airport for your itinerary.

We recommend booking at least 3-6 months ahead for peak season travel (October-March for South Asia). Bhutan during festival season can need 6-12 months lead time. That said we've pulled together excellent last-minute trips - if your dates are flexible get in touch and we'll see what's possible.

Absolutely - customisation is what we do. Every Farbound itinerary is built around your interests, pace, travel style, and budget. Whether you want to add a cooking class in Kerala, a yoga retreat in Rishikesh, or an extra night at a tea estate, just tell us and we'll design it for you. Group dates follow a set itinerary, so to change the route or pace, take the same journey privately on your own dates.

Our packages typically include accommodation, all meals as specified, private transfers, a local guide, entrance fees, and internal transport. International flights are usually separate unless stated. The exact inclusions are listed on every itinerary and quoted in writing before you confirm.

On a group date, a deposit secures your place. The amount is shown at checkout, and the balance is due 60 days before departure. If you book later than that, you pay in full. On a private journey, your written quote sets out what to pay and when. We accept bank transfer and major credit cards.

On a group date, if you cancel more than 60 days before departure, the charge is your deposit. From 60 to 31 days it's 50% of the total price, from 30 to 15 days it's 75%, and at 14 days or less, or a no-show, it's 100%. On a private journey, refunds are limited to what hasn't been committed to suppliers or can be recovered from them, and within 90 days of departure the price is generally non-refundable. Full terms are on our Refund & Cancellation page. Travel insurance is required on group dates and recommended on every trip.

Not on group dates: the price shown includes your own room. If two of you book together and want to share, you each pay the lower sharing price. On private journeys, hotels charge per room, so a solo traveller usually pays a supplement. We show it clearly in your quote and work to keep it low.

Both. Private journeys run on your own dates, with a guide and vehicle for your party alone. Small-group dates are fixed departures for 4 to 12 guests, on the same routes and in the same hotels, with your own room included. We never pair strangers in a room. Our Group dates page shows what's on sale.

We have a 24/7 emergency contact for all guests travelling with Farbound. Our local partners are experienced in handling medical issues, itinerary changes, and unexpected situations. We also ensure all guests have comprehensive travel insurance before they travel.

Yes - India is endlessly engaging for children. Rajasthan (forts, camel rides, folk performances), wildlife safaris in national parks, and the backwaters of Kerala are all family favourites. We pace the itinerary carefully, choose child-friendly accommodation, and adjust activities to suit ages and energy levels.

There's no hard minimum age - it depends on the destination and itinerary. Most of our trips work well for children aged 6 and above. Bhutan's high altitude and trekking-heavy itineraries are better suited to children 10+. We'll always give honest advice based on your specific children and planned activities.

Yes - vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and severe allergy requirements are all manageable with advance notice. South Asia is exceptionally accommodating for vegetarian and vegan diets in particular. Please tell us at the time of enquiry so we can brief every restaurant and property on your itinerary.

Tap water is not safe to drink in Sri Lanka, India, or Bhutan. All reputable hotels provide filtered or bottled water. We advise carrying a reusable bottle with a built-in filter (e.g. LifeStraw or GRAYL) to reduce plastic waste - Bhutan in particular encourages this as part of its sustainability ethos.

Yes - and we ask that you do so before final payment. A good policy covers medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellation, curtailment, and lost luggage. Adventure activities (trekking, rafting, safaris) must be explicitly covered. We're happy to recommend providers if you need a starting point.