At a glance
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Our group trips are a great chance to travel with others. We also recommend adding in a few extra nights tailor-made to ensure you build the perfect itinerary.
Colorful, diverse, and layered with centuries of fascinating history, there is no one city that successfully captures the spirit of India. To fully get to know the world’s most populous democracy, you’ll want to sample a broader range of what is on offer.
Beginning the trip in Delhi, you will be immersed in the charming bustle of this multicultural metropolis from the minute you pass through the India Gate. The next stop is Agra, where you will take in the Taj Mahal, framed against a backdrop of soft morning pastels. This bucket-list sight is one of the highlights of the trip and serves as the perfect introduction to the city’s extensive past.
Continuing through the spiritual hubs of Varanasi and Jaipur, your trip will coincide with several significant Hindu and Sikh holidays, including the famously colorful paint-throwing festival of Holi, where you’ll have a chance to get involved in the communal burst of color. Before returning to Delhi for your return flight, you’ll stop off in Udaipur, sometimes called “the city of lakes”. Here, a bounty of palaces and temples sprawl across the banks of the city’s waterways, an opulent oasis in the Rajasthan desert.
From viewing a sunrise vista of the Taj Mahal to cruising down the Ganges in an exclusive river tour of Varanasi, whatever your dream Indian adventure entails, this gay group trip is guaranteed to make a lasting impression.
More Information
India’s LGBTQ+ rights landscape shifted significantly in 2018 when the Supreme Court struck down Section 377, a colonial-era law that had criminalized homosexual activity since 1861. The ruling was a landmark moment and was met with celebrations in cities across the country. Same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognized, and a Supreme Court ruling in 2023 declined to extend marriage rights, leaving that decision to parliament. Legal protections against discrimination remain limited compared to more progressive destinations.
In practice, the experience of LGBTQ+ travel in India varies enormously depending on where you are. Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore have established gay scenes, host Pride celebrations that draw significant crowds, and operate with a degree of openness that would have been difficult to imagine a decade ago.
The luxury travel circuit, the palace hotels of Rajasthan, the heritage properties of Kerala, the five-star hotels of the major cities, is generally welcoming and discreet in equal measure.
Public displays of affection are inadvisable outside the most cosmopolitan urban environments, and attitudes in rural areas remain conservative. India rewards LGBTQ+ travelers who go in with clear expectations and an itinerary built by specialists who understand the nuances on the ground.
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In detail
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Don't forget that most of our itineraries can be totally customized. Our expert team will be able to talk you through all the options.
Days 1 to 3: Delhi
Your Indian adventure begins in the vibrant bustle of Delhi. During your time in the city, you will stroll through the India Gate, gaze upon some of the most historically significant monuments in the world, and tour India’s biggest mosque. The perfect place to begin a group trip, Delhi boasts one of India’s most thriving nightlife scenes and is guaranteed to make a lasting impression.
Day 4: Agra
A couple of hours’ drive from Delhi, Agra is home to some of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. From the pristine white marble of the Taj Mahal to the dusty red stone of the Agra Fort, there are historical and cultural treasures around every corner. You will conclude your time in Agra with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal itself, where you will watch the building’s facade emerge from the morning haze before heading off to Varanasi.
Days 5 and 6: Varanasi
Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth and is embued with a spiritual atmosphere that can be expected from centuries of religious pilgrimage and celebration. The best way to view this uniquely special destination is via the water, and you will be taking an exclusive boat trip down the Ganges, where you will bear witness to the riverbank buzz and get the chance to partake in a traditional blessing ceremony.
Days 7 and 8: Jaipur
Commonly known as “The Pink City” for the dominant color palette of the buildings here, Jaipur is the cosmopolitan capital of Rajasthan, a region known for its sprawling stretches of untamed wilderness and ancient ruins. After a tour of the City Palace, you will take part in a bonfire lighting ceremony as part of the Holika Dehan celebrations, and enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal. Ending your time in Jaipur on a colorful note, the final day in the city will be spent reveling in the vibrant, joyous chaos of paint and water throwing, a highlight of the Holi festival and a staple of the Hindu religious calendar.
Days 9 and 10: Udaipur
Once described as ‘the most romantic spot on the continent of India’, Udaipur is a glistening jewel of palaces and temples nestled on the banks of five major lakes. You’ll get the chance to explore the headlining sights in this awe-inspiring city, including the Crystal Gallery, Saheliyon Ki Bari gardens, and the City Palace. From an exclusive boat tour on Lake Pichola, you will also be able to view the surrounding city rising up from the Rajasthan desert, before enjoying a farewell fine-dining experience at the Sheesh Mahal.
Days 11 and 12: Delhi
Spending your final day exploring the cosmopolitan bustle of Gurgaon on the outskirts of Delhi, you will be able to roam the city at your leisure, before heading to the airport on the morning of your departure day.
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