For a lot of travelers in India, New Delhi is the capital of everything that they need to get away from as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, the town has some wonderful secrets that I would like to share with you.

New Delhi's hidden corners

In the local dialect, "Apani Dhani" means "Our Hamlet", an affectionate name given to the place by Ramesh C. Jangid, founder of the ecolodge and a pioneer of a form of militant tourism in India, especially in Rajasthan and his own native region of Nawalgarh.  

Get off the beaten track in India with a stay at Apani Dhani Ecolodge

Delhi is a huge melting pot, divided into two towns - the historic Old Delhi and the actual capital city, New Delhi.

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A country with the size of a continent, India fascinates and will always leave you wanting more. From the intensity of the tropical beaches to the salty lakes of the Himalayas, via the ice deserts of Ladakh or temples of the Maharadjahs of Rajastan, the list of majestic places could go on eternally. Travelling in India is a concentration of unique experiences, whether through its incomparable landscapes, its vibrant cities or unexpected encounters. And there is also the beauty of life, with its exceptional tones and colours. The omnipresent music, from the bells on the women’s feet to the litanies escaping from the temples; the sparkling colours of the saris and bright colours of the turbans. An unequalled energy, bright and frank glances, coupled with hearty and generous smiles. Would you like to travel to India, off the beaten tracks, where you long to find calm and pleasure? Don’t look any further! With Evaneos Travel, you create the holiday that suits you. You will discover the foothills of the Tibetan Himalayas during a road trip on a motorbike, or you could let yourself be bewitched by the charms of Rajasthan or the Taj Mahal in complete luxury. All different types of holidays in India are but a few clicks away.

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Shekhawati

The fortified city of Bikaner is located at the heart of the Rajasthan Desert on the Jaisalmer Road.

Bikaner

Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. Known as the "Blue City", it gets its nickname from the color of most of its houses.

Jodhpur

A backpackers' favorite, with a sea view and a recommended stopover if you find yourself in Chennai.

Mahabalipuram

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Even if Pondicherry is known as the must see in Tamil Nadu, to miss out Mahabalipuram would be a real shame. The beach is great - fewer visitors with waves good for both surfing and swimming. Enjoy a shellfish meal overlooking the bay and a temple. My favorite moment was going out for a sunset walk in the park to enjoy the cooler air. You'll come across families on vacation, Indians and monkeys playing amongst the engraved buildings. The rock formations are stunning, in particular a huge ball-shaped boulder that seems to balance on thin air. Mahabalipuram is also a rare place where Western style 'partying' is tolerated. You'll find bars along the beach that have billiard tables, serve alcohol and play pop music. Inside you'll meet a mix of Indians and backpackers. For a country that generally avoids this kind of lifestyle, it's a fun way to 'go back to your roots' for a while.

Not far from the buzzing metropolis of Madras, the quiet village of Mahabalipuram has a host of things on offer that you shouldn't miss during a <a href="/india/">trip to India</a>. Some of its monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are a must see for visitors to the area. Whilst I was there, I learned that a literal translation of Mahabalipuram is 'The City of Sacrifice'. They were marketing geniuses during the 6th Century. The name is certainly surprising! And totally out of sync with the tranquility of the place. It stems from the time when Pallavas sacrificed millions of animals to the goddess Durga. But today it's atmosphere is more 'love and peace'. You can easily imagine the Beatles hanging out here during their heyday trips to India. To start with, I went to see Arjuna's Penance, which lines the shore. .. It's a Pallava Dynasty low relief, sculpted in granite. This immense carving describes 'the descent to the Ganges'. Which is also the translation of its name into English. So what are these sculptures talking about? I discovered that Shiva kindly controlled the flow rate of the Ganges as they were placed on Earth, thus preventing a flood and saving humanity. So what did everyone do? Say "A Big Thankyou" to Shiva, of course! So that's why the sculpture depicts gods, goddesses, elephants, monkeys, yoga-practicing cats as well as dancing mice and rats. What a scene! It reminds you of a crazy dream after a boozey night out on the town. A bit further on is Krishna's Butter Ball. A giant, granite boulder very precariously and randomly balanced on a large ledge? Of course not. There's a rational explication. It's quite simple. It's a ball of butter that fell off Krishna's plate when he was a kid. Another story that I fell in love with.

At 58km from Madras, sits the village of Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram. Situated on the shores of the Indian Ocean, it breathes peace and tranquility.

I've been to Mahabalipuram numerous times to rest and relax and spend some vacation time on my <a href="/india/">trips to India</a>. This fishing village by the sea, which is becoming more and more touristy, is a very pleasant and tranquil place in which to end or begin your travels.
The temples on the beach and in the town of Mahabalipuram itself are very beautiful. I remember going on long moped rides into the surrounding area to visit both the temples perched in the hills and the lovely surrounding countryside.
The large, fine sandy beach is ideal for bathing and surfing. I spent hours watching the fishermen casting and gathering their nets there at dusk.

A charming fishing village on the Tamil Nadu coast in southern India.

The best local travel agencies in India for family tours with kids

Family tour ideas in India

The hustle and bustle of India, as well as the colourful sights and interesting history make it an ideal place for a<a href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-adventure-holidays/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-adventure-holidays/">&nbsp;family trip</a>&nbsp;that goes beyond a standard holiday. Immerse yourselves in local culture as you wander through markets experiencing all the sights, sounds, and tastes that have been mesmerising visitors for centuries. For a truly cultural trip, take a family cooking class on one of our&nbsp;<a data-destination-id="48" data-internal-link="destination">tailor-made India tours</a>, or learn how to make traditional kites before taking them for a spin.&nbsp;<h3>Best things&nbsp;to see and do in&nbsp;India with kids</h3>For a classic family trip, The Golden Triangle, perhaps India’s most well known area for visitors, is very child-friendly, with activities to entertain any age.&nbsp;It may be a popular tourist destination, but for good reason, as&nbsp;it's home to the&nbsp;breath-taking <a data-place-id="22413" data-internal-link="place">Taj Mahal</a>, one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. The Golden Triangle is the route between <a data-place-id="102" data-internal-link="place">Delhi</a>, Agra and Jaipur, where you can visit the India gate in Delhi, stopping off in Connaught Place for delicious local food to get your family’s taste buds ready for the incredible tastes that you will encounter on your trip.&nbsp;Visit Old Delhi for a true taste of the Indian culture, or Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur, to feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. While in <a data-place-id="10741" data-internal-link="place">Jaipur</a>, visit Chowki Dhani for an experience of Rajasthani culture before heading on to Agra.&nbsp;In <a data-place-id="110" data-internal-link="place">Agra</a>, why not visit a market and try your hand at finding some good deals to take back as souvenirs? <a data-place-id="28044" data-internal-link="place">Himachal Pradesh</a> is also a great choice for outdoorsy families, with everything on offer from kayaking, to paragliding, or a jeep safari for younger kids.&nbsp; In Himachal Pradesh you can go on a family yak ride, which is always popular and visit the Solang Valley for a range of adventurous activities such a paragliding. A&nbsp;train ride through a sprawling tea plantation is a fantastic way to see more of the vibrant Indian countryside.&nbsp;To relax after a busy few days of sightseeing and adventure, visit the tropical beaches and coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar islands where you can play, run, swim or simple bask in the sun in a relaxing island atmosphere. Safaris are also a great activity for any family travellers and children, teenagers and adults will love seeing tigers, elephants and so much more on an unforgettable 4x4 drive with an experienced guide who will be able to tell you and your family all about the animals you will encounter.&nbsp;For families, we recommend&nbsp;<a data-place-id="31597" data-internal-link="place">Ranthambore National Park</a>, home to one of India's biggest populations of Bengal tigers, not to mention a host of other big cats and wildlife.&nbsp;Once you’ve experienced a safari and 4x4 drive in Ranthambore, you can swap the car for a camel on a desert trek to see the sun set before enjoying a delicious local dish with your little ones. <h3>Best time to visit&nbsp;India as a family</h3>India’s weather can be hugely varied and is certainly not something to be taken lightly when planning your trip here. Monsoon season is perhaps the biggest factor when deciding <a data-document-id="3096" data-internal-link="article">what time of year to visit</a> with your family. Monsoon generally falls between May and July and downfall can be extremely heavy, even it is is brief. In the jungle regions, this can lead to flash flooding and a lot of disruption and so, for this reason, travelling during monsoon season is generally to be avoided. In the South, the monsoon-like weather can return around October to soak the country for a second time but if you plan on sticking to the North of the country during this time then this shouldn’t be a problem. During high summer, temperatures can peak and become scorching, at which time it is best to be in higher altitudes where the air is cooler and the heat isn’t quite so overpowering. August and September are the best times for active families looking to head into the mountains, and this is the height of trekking season when the Himalayas are at their best. All in all, the best time for families to visit India is between October and March, with more specific times depending on where you and your family would like to travel and what you would like to do there.&nbsp; <h3>Family holiday tips for travelling to&nbsp;India</h3>With a little research and knowledge you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your family trip to India, here a few tips and tricks to ensure that everything runs smoothly on your holiday. <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">India can be chaotic and while this is a great experience for kids (and adults too) to be taken a little out of their comfort zone, it can be worth considering a higher range hotel so that can be sure that you and your family have a comfortable and chaos free place to enjoy some downtime.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Be flexible. This tip is crucial to your goal of enjoying a stress free trip with you kids and if you can go with the flow and learn to embrace the occasionally hectic nature of India then you are all sure to have a great time. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Foreign children in India, particularly those with blonde hair and blue eyes will quickly become little celebrities and may be approached by people asking for pictures or selfies. This can be amusing at first but it quickly becomes tiresome for younger kids and their parents, if it bothers you, just politely say no and be firm. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">For families with very young children, bring a baby carrier to avoid having to exhaust yourselves pushing a pram around busy streets or unsuitable terrain. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">As with any visit to a foreign country, check with your GP before leaving whether there are any vaccinations or medicines that you need to get. Bring along plenty of mosquito spray too, to avoid the annoyance of itchy bug bites throughout your trip. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Lastly, be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas where pickpockets are rife. Keep cash and any important documents in a safe a hidden place.</li></ul>

Start planning your family tour in India

The best tailor-made India tours for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect family holiday with a local expert in India

Family holidays in India

Family Tours

Family Holidays in India | Child-Friendly Tours

The best local travel agencies in India for two week tours

Two week tour ideas in India

The best two week tours to explore India, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect two week tour with a local expert in India

Two weeks in India

Two Week Tours

Two Weeks in India | 14 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in India for one week tours

One week tour ideas in India

The best one week tours to explore India, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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One week in India

One Week Tours

One Week in India | 7 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in India for wildlife tours and safaris

Wildlife tour ideas in India

The best safaris and wildlife tours in India, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect wildlife holiday with a local expert in India

Wildlife in India

Wildlife & Safaris

Wildlife Tours & Safaris in India | Meet India's Wildlife

The best local travel agencies in India for hiking and trekking tours

Tour ideas for trekking and hiking in India

The best hiking and trekking tours and excursions in India, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect trekking adventure with a local expert in India

Trekking in India

Hiking & Trekking

Hiking & Trekking Tours in India | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in India for Spring tours

Spring tour ideas in India

The best tailor-made tours to visit India in Spring, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect spring holiday in India with a local expert

Spring in India

Spring Tours

Spring Holidays in India | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in India for lake holidays

Tour ideas for exploring India's lakes

The best tailor-made tours for visiting India's lakes, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect tour of India's lakes with a local expert

Lakes in India

Lakes & Lake Districts

Lake Tours in India | Explore India's Lakes

The best local travel agencies in India for Summer tours

Summer tour ideas in India

The best tailor-made tours to visit India in Summer, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect summer holiday in India with a local expert

Summer in India

Summer Tours

Summer Holidays in India | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in India for beach holidays

Tour ideas for visiting India's best beaches

The best beach holidays and beaches to visit in India, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Mahabalipuram Holidays

Mahabalipuram: How to get there?

Mahabalipuram: See when to go?

Mahabalipuram: For how long?

Mahabalipuram: What to see nearby?

India: our articles for your holidays