Luxury holidays in India

India's is the world's largest democracy - over one in six of the planet's inhabitants live there, and only China has a greater population. It is seventh in the world in terms of geographical size, and much of the south of the country is suRounded by ocean, including the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It may have been the world's wealthiest nation for much of the first millennium, and more recently has been among the fastest growing economies of the early third millennium too, and combined with its captivating natural landscape and bustling cities, this makes it an extremely popular tourist destination - a must-see country for any keen traveller.

India's Himalayan rail route

Climb aboard the 'Toy Train', India's narrow-gauge railway officially called the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which runs a tourist route from the city to Ghum. The railway is part of the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site, and from Ghum it is a short 5km to Tiger Hill, whose peak stands just under 2,600m tall. On a clear day, some 100 miles away on the horizon, you should be able to spot the world's highest peak, Mount Everest - although due to the curvature of the Earth over this distance, some closer summits will actually look taller.

The wettest place on Earth

While parts of India are arid desert, the monsoon season - which begins from June 1st to August 1st in different parts of the country - brings the wettest weather on the planet. More than 80 per cent of India's total rainfall arrives in just a third of the year, revitalising the landscape and, for many people, creating the natural beauty that attracts them to India in the first place.

When should I visit India?

India's diverse climate makes it difficult to suggest a specific time of year to visit, and it is worth checking the local weather conditions for the part of the country you intend to travel to. There are only three nationally observed holidays - along with others recognised by members of individual religions. January 26th is Republic Day, when the Constitution of India was adopted in 1950. August 15th is Independence Day, marking the date in 1947 that India officially left the British Empire. And October 2nd is Gandhi Jayanthi, celebrating the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birth.

What's on offer on a luxury holiday?

Luxury holidays to India are all about you. If you want to indulge in spa treatments by the sea, it's waiting for you. If you want a room with a view of India's spectacular architecture, your luxury hotel will make it happen. The point of a luxury holiday is to indulge in the finer things for an unforgettable experience, so paying a little extra for a luxury package is well worth it. India offers an attentive yet unobtrusive service that is so important to luxury holidays, and while you may not have views over glaciers and snowy peaks, you will enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and the meticulous attention to detail which India is famous for.