india specialist travel agent

THE INDIAN INSIDERS

Banyan Tours is India’s leading bespoke destination management company, catering to the sophisticated traveller for over a quarter of a century. We are competitive, renowned for our service standards and our ability to deliver extraordinarily good journeys in India, consistently.

Banyan Tours and Travel is the go-to partner for the very best of the International travel trade – entrusted to navigate the challenges of travel in India. We are experts in our field, knowledge based and respected for our ethical and uncompromising style of travel.

India by Banyan

No two itineraries are ever the same. 

The imprint India makes on every one who visits is unique. It is why we take the planning of every journey very importantly – curating the perfectly bespoke journey.

Small enough to be personal and large enough to have an enviable relationship with hotels and suppliers to be competitive. Our focus is to create journeys that are unique, dynamic and beneficial for all involved; the traveller and the local communities. We ensure a privileged access to a country which challenges as much as it empowers.

Our Clients Speak...

Banyan Tours are one of our most valued long-term partners; they perfectly embody our service-led approach to luxury experiential travel, and we consistently receive excellent feedback on the quality of their guides, drivers and tours.

Black Tomato, UK

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Welcome to Greaves India

Why greaves india.

Complex and dazzling, the Indian subcontinent is a place where destination knowledge is paramount. With our help, travelling will be effortless and exciting. From our offices in the UK, USA and India, Greaves India specialist tour operator provides expert advice, tailor-made itineraries and on-the-ground support.

The following itineraries featured in this site are intended simply as a guide to highlight the endless possibilities of travel in the Subcontinent. Whilst we specialise in bespoke luxury India holidays, we have a wealth of experiences and a wide portfolio of properties that can be suited to the individual traveller. Contact us to begin your adventure.

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Beyond india.

RESPLENDENT INDIA

India is a rich kaleidoscope of mighty mountains, vast blue oceans, divine rivers, colossal Temples, bustling cities, picturesque beaches, and breathtaking national parks. This country is diverse in the true sense of the word.

Home to the mighty Himalayas, the holy Ganges, the holistic traditions of Ayurveda & Yoga, and the birthplace of mankind’s most revered traditions like Hinduism & Buddhism, this incredible nation of over a billion people defies descriptions.

Luxuriate on the picture-perfect tropical holiday on the white-sand paradise-like shores of Andaman island. Enjoy the cultural attractions and festivities of Rajasthan. Go on thrill-seeking wildlife adventures in Ranthambore & Kaziranga, white water rafting in Rishikesh and bungee jumping in GOA.

And finally, top it all off with a rejuvenating Ayurveda experience in Kerala’s serene beaches and backwaters.

Let our luxury travel consultants curate your dream Indian getaway.

Sunil Gupta Co-Founder & Managing Director

Why Luxury India Tours?

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Personalized matching

Unmatched destination expertise, transparent pricing, 24/7 support from our team, commitment to environment and nature, luxury india travel advisors.

We keep ourselves abreast of the pulse of modern high-end luxury travel. With insights drawn from having traveled and worked in other parts of the world in the hospitality sector, our expert advisors and consultant combine their knowledge with insights gleaned from years of quality service to a cosmopolitan sophisticated clientele from around the globe.

The end result is a travel experience par excellence featuring the whole gamut of tastefully conceived and professionally executed itineraries that rivals any high-end experience not just in India but across world. You can be sure of a world-class travel experience with us.

We do not pigeonhole and restrict you with rigid itineraries and selections that traditional group tours tend to. We also understand how technological forces and social media travel trends on Instagram &  YouTube are changing the face of modern travel, and we always keep a step ahead.

Whatever your travel preferences and aspirations are, we have got you covered. Our luxury accommodations at India’s leading contemporary and heritage hotels & resorts, and personalized travel packages backed up by 24/7 support to take care of your needs, ensure that your tour of India is authentic and quintessentially Indian.

Travel Moods

Nature & wildlife, forts & palaces, beaches & backwaters, ayurveda & wellness, luxury tours india experience.

The love and passion for travel that our expert Travel consultants have has taken them to far corners of the country, and collectively they’ve literally covered the entire length and breadth of the Indian Sub-continent.

The first-hand travel experience and in-depth knowledge of the history, the culture, the varied landscapes, the best luxury hotels, the must-visit monuments, and the not to be missed food experiences enables us to curate a perfectly personalized travel plan for you.

We approach the planning as ‘your holiday,’ more than just ‘our business.’ Our bespoke travel plans are designed with precision to cater to our guests’ travel styles, interests, and budgets.

The team of avid travelers driving the company positions us well to understand that travel needs would differ from individual to individual depending on the trip’s interests, goals, and objectives.

The ancient Hindu philosophy of “Atithi Devo Bhava” (A guest is akin to God) inspires us. We take the philosophy to heart, so we take the utmost care to ensure the comfort & safety of our guests; at the same time, we serve you in decoding the cultural and social intricacies of the great Indian sub-continent.

The combination of our comprehensive understanding of the country backed by an extensive network of local offices across the country enables us to create unparalleled exclusive local experiences, do not be surprised if you end up at a sitar artist private class in Madurai or an Elephant Polo event in Jodhpur hosted by the royalty, we ensure that we get you to the right place at the right time to discover the magic of the land in your travel style!

What you'll receive

Personalized journeys, transparent pricing policy, handpicked local guides, 24/7 unbeatable support, destinations we specialize in.

Most Beautiful Villages In India

On the far side of the buzzing metropolitans and symbolic landmarks lies a different India in it’s villages, a slower…

The Best Cities to Visit in India

India is an enchanting mosaic of diverse cultures, centuries old traditions and customs, un-matched heritage, jaw dropping landscapes and exotic…

Best Luxury Resorts In South India

Flanked by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Indian Ocean to…

The Best Places To See Snowfall In India

The mention of India conjures up images of the Taj Mahal, regal palaces, opulent Havelis (mansions), towering forts, exotic beaches,…

The Most Expensive Hotels In India

India is home to some of the finest luxury hotels that would give any top rated hotel in the world…

Unesco World Heritage Sites In Southern India

Located on a confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the coastal region of…

The Best Tiger Safaris In India

One of the greatest reasons wildlife and nature lovers are drawn to India is the wildlife safaris that explore the…

Etiquette To Follow For a Hindu Temple

A visit to India isn’t complete unless you visit at least a few of its temples to immerse yourself in…

India Packing List For A Perfect Journey

For a lot of explorers, one of the most exhausting and least enjoyable aspects of travel planning is packing for…

An Essential Guide To The Most Beautiful Cities Of India

India is a captivating tapestry of vibrant traditions and cultures, mind-blowingly diverse landscapes, overwhelming rituals and celebrations, and mind-numbingly beautiful…

Bespoke Experiences

Delhi’s street food extravaganza.

Cycling through Udaipur’s Countryside

Munnar Tea Trail

The Spirit of Dharavi (Mumbai)

Walk through Jaipur’s Heritage

What Our Customers Say

Signature Itineraries

The best of india.

The Classic Golden Triangle

Chasing the Wild

A Tryst with Royalty

The Spiritual Discovery

A Taste of Kerala

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Welcome to Greaves Tours

Why greaves tours.

Complex and dazzling, the Indian subcontinent is a place where destination knowledge is paramount. With our help, planning and traveling your luxury tour of India will be effortless and exciting. From our offices in the USA, UK and India, Greaves Tours provides expert advice, tailor made bespoke itineraries and on-the-ground support, Bringing You the Best of India ©

Greaves is excited to announce our new Namaste ® Experience , which is included complimentary on all of our clients journeys.

The following itineraries featured in this site are intended simply as a guide to highlight the endless possibilities of luxury travel in India. Contact us to begin your adventure.

A Land of Diversity

India is a land of huge diversity and extremes, from the lush tropics in the south to the epic plateaus of the North. Let our experienced Greaves Tours consultants help you decide which point of the compass suits you best. The subcontinent is really a country made up of many 'countries', which is what makes India so fascinating and why so many people return year on year.

There is no other land which can boast such verdant, tropical jungle and glorious stretches of golden beaches; barren deserts and huge, arid plateaus; rolling foothills and one of the most mighty mountain ranges in the world; wildlife sanctuaries and innumerable ancient monuments. Above all, few nations are home to such an incredible wealth of history and culture.

CEO Carole Cambata is recognized by Travel+Leisure as an A-List Travel Advisor for the Indian Subcontinent for the 10th year

Find what you seek

Watch this short film by our friends at incredible india

Carole Cambata returns again and again to the Travel + Leisure A-List because of the personalized service, deep knowledge and…

Got back this morning after just about the best trip we’ve ever been on and don’t know how to begin…

Greaves are quite honestly the bee’s knees of travel to India. I’ve found their expert knowledge and insight invaluable when…

The Jazz Scene in India

India’s jazz scene is alive and kicking, offering a soulful blend of tradition and innovation you won’t want to miss. From the bustling streets of…

A Sanctuary of Giants: Discovering Wildlife SOS in India’s Golden Triangle

In the heart of India’s Golden Triangle, where history and culture intertwine, lies a sanctuary that tells a different story—one of compassion, rescue, and hope.…

India’s most beautiful hiking and trekking vacations

Taking advantage of the undulating Himalayas, a year-round temperate climate and an abundance of welcoming hotels, each Greaves’ trekking and hiking itinerary is thoughtfully curated,…

Special Offers

We are delighted to offer you an opportunity to experience the glamour of staying at some of the best luxury resorts in India at a fraction of the price.

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Tailor-made India vacations shaped around your passions

A country by name, but a continent in scale, India in one word is diversity. To guide you where to go when faced with such rich variety, our India specialists use the experience of their own travels to create your tailor-made vacation to India.

The north is banded by the snow-crowned peaks of the Himalaya. Moving south, you pass through Rajasthan, a microcosm of India with its forts, palaces and temples, as well as the Taj Mahal . Central India shelters leopards, elephants and the Bengal tiger. In India’s northeast corner, Calcutta still exudes its colonial heritage in a landscape of Bengali mansions and neo-Gothic architecture. West-coast Mumbai is an improbable proposition — a hub of manufacturing where you can wander among Art Deco architecture or through a teeming bazaar. Down in India’s south, cruising Kerala’s  backwaters on a converted rice barge is a suitably relaxed way to embrace this region’s laid-back approach to life.

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Suggested tours for India

Take a yoga class in Varanasi, search for tigers in Ranthambhore National Park, and walk through fragrant spice plantations in Kerala. Our suggested itineraries are a great starting point as you begin to plan your trip to India.

Western Himalaya explored

16 days from $5,785pp

South India's temples & backwaters

14 days from $4,785pp

India's Golden Triangle & tigers

10 days from $3,285pp

Luxury rail tour: a taste of the Maharajas' Express & western Rajasthan

10 days from $10,300pp

South India: from western Ghats to coast

13 days from $6,450pp

India's wildlife treasures

9 days from $5,090pp

Kerala & the Maldives

12 days from $5,850pp

Tigers & sloth bears: unusual wildlife experiences in central India

11 days from $7,690pp

Luxurious Rajasthan

12 days from $12,450pp

Suggested activities for India

Watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, explore Old Delhi City on a guided tour, and take a private tour of Jaipur. Whatever interests you, our specialists will suggest experiences designed to enhance your trip to India.

Taj Mahal at Sunrise

The principal reason for almost everyone's visit to Agra is to see the Taj Mahal, and its legendary beauty continues to attract more visitors than virtually anywhere in India.

Old Delhi City Tour

Your guide will take you on a cycle rickshaw through the Chandni Chowk Bazaar area. This allows you to visit the narrow winding alleys lined with shops selling all manner of items.

Evening bazaar, crafts and cuisine in Jaipur

Jaipur is widely considered by many as the craft capital of India. You will see busy craftsman in their workshops on this guided walk, sample culinary delights and mingle with the locals.

Why travel with Audley?

• 100% tailor-made tours
• Fully protected travel
• Established for over 25 years
• 98% of our clients would recommend us

Best time to visit

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit India, including information about climate, events and festivals.

Request our brochure

Covering all seven continents, The World Your Way shows you how you can see the world with us. It features trip ideas from our specialists alongside hand-picked stays and experiences, and introduces our approach to creating meaningful travel experiences.

Useful information for planning your vacation in India

The official language is Hindi which is spoken by about 30% of the population, but English is often used for official or commercial purposes. Additionally, there are more than 100 other regional languages and dialects, including Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Oriya, which are widely used in the north, and Tamil and Telugu, which are common in the south. Other regional languages are Marathi, Kannada, and Malayalam. The northern Muslim population largely speak Urdu.

India’s currency is the rupee (Rs). You can’t buy rupees outside of India — tell our representative at the airport and they’ll direct you to an ATM.

Tipping for good service is expected in India and your specialist will provide more details. In some homestays and hotels, particularly in Kerala, you’ll find a communal tip box, usually in reception. Please give your tip to your host to distribute fairly if a tip box isn’t provided.

Like its cultures and languages, India’s cuisines are highly regional and what you eat and drink will vary depending on where you visit. However, there are a few things you’ll find no matter where you go. For instance, thali are traditional meals made of different curries and dal with traditional accompaniments — all served in small bowls and arranged artistically on a large tray. The exact contents vary by region.

You’ll also find an abundance of street foods everywhere from big cities to rural roads with nothing else around, which you can explore on a guided tour. Another common sight — chaiwallahs selling spiced milk tea on seemingly every corner. For a more in-depth look at India’s long history with tea, consider a visit to one of the country’s many tea plantations .

For a more hands-on approach, we can arrange private cooking classes with families across the country, from Delhi  to Tellicherry .

For the latest travel advice for India, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation , please refer to the State Department website .

What you experience in India depends on where you go in this vast and varied country, but the most popular sight is the Taj Mahal. Located in the Golden Triangle, Agra’s renowned mausoleum is an ethereal sight during a sunrise visit . Nearby, you can also track tigers in Ranthambhore National Park  or meet artisans in the markets of Jaipur . In the southwest, you might relax on a rice barge-turned-houseboat through the backwaters of Kerala .

Wherever you go, we can arrange cooking lessons to help you explore the many facets of India’s regional dishes, like Rajasthani cuisine in Jodhpur  or Mopillah cuisine  in Tamil Nadu. To get to know individual ingredients better, you might tour a tea plantation .

For your first visit to India, we suggest visiting Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Known collectively as the Golden Triangle , these three ancient cities are treasure troves of Mughal culture, including forts, palaces, and bazaars. You can also include a visit to nearby Ranthambhore National Park , to look for elusive tigers. Your specialist will help you find the region’s many hidden corners to give you a different perspective on the area. For example, you might opt to stay in rural villages  instead of the big cities.

On a second visit, you might explore Tamil Nadu, where brightly painted temples stretch to the sky. Here, you can visit the 49 shines of Ranganathaswamy Temple in Trichy, take a cooking class in Pondicherry , and then end your trip  on the backwaters of Kerala. Or you could explore Bengal culture and cuisine, starting in Calcutta . From there, take a lazy cruise through Assam  on the mighty Brahmaputra, paired with a rhino safari in Kaziranga National Park .

Our specialists will build your trip to suit your personal tastes, but you can get inspired by browsing our example itineraries .

From sumptuous palaces to humble homestays, where you stay in India depends on where you’re visiting and your personal style. The big cities offer a wide array of options including thoroughly modern five-star hotels and boutique guesthouses in well-preserved Victorian-era buildings. Outside the cities, you might opt for a stilted bungalow on a tea plantation, a remote lodge, or a safari camp in the heart of the jungle.

If you’re visiting the Golden Triangle, you can also choose to stay in a converted fort , a regal palace , or a historic family mansion known as a haveli. And further south, in Kerala, you can dive deeply into rural life with a homestay , known as theravads, or a rice barge-cum-houseboat that glides along the sleepy backwaters. Your specialist will suggest the best stays for you, but you can get an idea of the options available on our accommodation page .

The best places to see tigers in India are the Kanha, Satpura, Pench, and Tadoba national parks. Scattered across the central states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, they’re home to the country’s greatest concentration of Bengal tigers. You’re also likely to see India’s other wildlife , like sloth bears, leopards, deer, and elephants, who all roam freely through the protected jungles.

However, if you’re visiting Rajasthan and don’t want to venture so far afield, you can also include time in nearby Ranthambhore National Park .

You should bring clothing that covers your head, knees, and shoulders if you plan on visiting holy places in India.

A direct flight from New York to Delhi takes about 14 hours, depending on airline.

The time zone in India is UTC +5:30.

The best way to get around in India is a combination of private driver and internal flights for longer trips. The traffic in India is dense and hectic, so we’ll arrange a private car and driver for all your trips while you’re in the country. Some of the drives might be long, but the car will be air conditioned, and your driver can suggest stops to break up the journeys.

On days when you don’t have any planned experiences, we suggest you call our partners to have a private car rather than take a taxi.

If you’re interested in taking one of India’s trains, we can arrange for your ticket. Our representative will meet you at your hotel and escort you to your seat inside the train, cutting through the complexities at the station. As you disembark, you’ll find another representative waiting on the platform.

Yes, US visitors need a Tourist Visa to enter India. Additionally, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival into India and have two completely blank pages.

Most US passport holders can apply online for either a long-term 1-year or 5-year E-Tourist Visa or you can opt to apply for the short-term 30-day E-Tourist Visa. We suggest sending postal visa applications to your chosen visa agency four to six weeks prior to departure.

If you’re visiting West Bengal, Sikkim, or Assam, you might be required to submit a passport photo or photocopy of your passport at each hotel — we suggest you arrange these documents before you arrive. In Sikkim, please bring spare passport photos with you for your Sikkim permit, which you’ll obtain at the state border.

If you’re not a US passport holder, you can check the visa requirements here .

Your doctor can provide you with vaccine advice for India, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website .

India in pictures

Our expert guides to traveling in India

Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to India. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate India at its best.

My travels in India

On your tailor-made trip through India’s western foothills, you could make chapattis in Amritsar’s Golden Temple, watch the eccentric Pakistani border crossing ceremony or ride to Shimla on a toy train — as India specialist Nick recently discovered.

Top 10 trips to India

Would you prefer to cruise along the Lower Ganges, soaking up India’s heritage and culture, take a train through the heartland of Rajasthan, or combine a stay in the Himalayan foothills with time on Kerala’s palm-fringed coast? We’ve curated our specialists’ top India tour ideas to help you plan your next trip.

16 min read

Luxury vacations in India

From opulent pleasure palaces-turned-hotel and indulgent tented camps to private games drives looking for tigers, India specialist Jason discusses the best way to immerse yourself in luxury fit for a royalty.

Touring India’s Golden Triangle

The Taj Mahal is just one of many impressive sights on a tour of India’s Golden Triangle. For first-time visitors, the region offers a tempting taste of the vast range of cultures, historical sites, architecture, religion, food and landscapes that India boasts.

Luxury train journeys through India

India specialist and former Mumbai resident Alison shares her experiences of luxury train journeys in India. She has picked out some of the most interesting routes and explains why they’re a fascinating way to explore India.

10 min read

An expert guide to experiencing festivals in India

If you want to time your trip to India with a traditional festival, we tell you what’s taking place where, and when. Our specialists lend their thoughts on how best to enjoy Diwali and Holi, and suggest some lesser-known festivals to experience.

What to do in India: our highlights guide

Our India specialists pick some of their best things to see and do, and where to stay from the Himalaya to Kerala. Include spotting tiger, staying in a palace in Rajasthan, taking a boat trip down the Ganges and experience one of the country’s many festivals in your trip to India.

What to do in Kerala: our highlights guide

Kerala’s slow pace of life is a gentle introduction to India, with tranquil backwaters, manicured tea plantations and fishing villages to explore. India specialist Tara lends her advice for how to make the most of your time there.

River cruises in India

Take in the history, wildlife and culture of northeast India on a river cruise. Our India specialist Sarah shares some of her favorite things to see and do while cruising along the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Hugli rivers.

Calcutta & The East

Calcutta and the East of India retains much of its wonderful colonial architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Visit places like Darjeeling, famous for its tea, or Assam, where it is possible to take a cruise along India’s longest river, the Brahmaputra.

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