India tours & travel guide from Singapore

For Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan, October to March is the best time to visit India from Singapore: dry, sunny days and comfortable sightseeing temperatures, with December and January nights turning genuinely cold and foggy. Ladakh works the other way round, with its season running roughly May to September when high passes are open and days are mild. April to June brings intense heat to the plains, and July to September is monsoon season there. Kerala in the south is best from about October to February, but HSJ's India trips focus on the north.

The Golden Triangle is India's classic first-time circuit linking Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, three cities a few hours apart by road. Delhi gives you Mughal monuments and Old Delhi's bazaars, Agra is home to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and Jaipur, the Pink City, brings Amber Fort, the City Palace and Hawa Mahal. It is the most popular introduction to India because it packs a lot of history into about a week. HSJ's India Golden Triangle runs 7 days, and its page shows the current departures and prices in SGD.

The Golden Triangle is a fast-paced, monument-heavy introduction to North India's Mughal and Rajput history, while Kerala is South India's slower, greener contrast built around backwaters, houseboats, tea country and the coast. If you want forts, palaces and a compact first trip, the Golden Triangle is the better fit; if you want to unwind on a houseboat, Kerala suits you more. They sit at opposite ends of the country, so combining them needs a domestic flight and a few extra days. HSJ's own India trips currently focus on the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Ladakh and a spiritual journey in the north.

The best time to visit Ladakh is roughly May to September, when roads and high passes such as Khardung La are generally open and daytime temperatures in Leh are mild. June to August is the busiest stretch and coincides with Singapore's June school holidays. Ladakh sits in a rain shadow, so it stays largely dry while the rest of North India has its monsoon. From October nights drop well below freezing and some roads start closing, although flights into Leh continue year-round. HSJ's Ladakh Himalayan Escape is designed for this summer window.

October to March is the best time to visit Rajasthan, with warm, sunny days that suit forts, palaces and desert excursions. December and January are the coolest months, and desert nights can drop close to freezing, so bring a warm layer. From April to June temperatures regularly climb past 40°C, which makes midday sightseeing hard going even for travellers used to Singapore's heat. The July to September monsoon brings greener landscapes but humid, unpredictable days. HSJ's India Golden Triangle (7 days) and India Golden Triangle & Ranthambore Tiger Safari (10 days) both reach Jaipur and are best booked for the cooler months.

Most Singapore travellers need about 7 to 10 days, which usually works out to 5 to 7 days of annual leave if you fly out on a weekend. The Golden Triangle fits in a week (HSJ's India Golden Triangle is 7 days), while Rajasthan or Ladakh itineraries run 8 to 9 days. Flights to Delhi take under six and a half hours, so you rarely lose a full day in transit. Adding a second region, such as Ladakh after the Golden Triangle, typically needs another 5 to 6 days, including acclimatisation time in Leh.

The Taj Mahal is closed to general visitors every Friday, when the mosque within the complex is used for prayers, so plan your Agra day for any other day of the week. On open days it opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset, according to the official Taj Mahal website. Sunrise is the most popular slot for softer light and thinner crowds. If your itinerary is fixed around a Friday arrival, a good operator will simply swap the Agra and Jaipur days around.

It depends which holiday and which region. The year-end school holidays (late November to December) are ideal for the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan, with cool, dry weather, though foggy mornings in Delhi and Agra can delay trains and flights in December. The June holidays fall in North India's hottest pre-monsoon weeks, when Delhi and Rajasthan often exceed 40°C, so June is better spent in Ladakh, where it is peak season. The March and September breaks are short and sit in warmer, transitional weather on the plains.

A Golden Triangle or Rajasthan trip by private vehicle works well for elderly parents, provided the pace is relaxed. Expect long walks and uneven steps at forts such as Amber Fort, crowds at major monuments and road transfers of several hours between cities. Travel in the cooler October to March months, build in rest afternoons and bring any regular medication in its original packaging. Ladakh is a different matter: Leh sits around 3,500 m, so anyone with heart, lung or blood pressure conditions should consult a doctor before booking the Ladakh Himalayan Escape.

Rajasthan is the natural extension, because Jaipur is already on the Golden Triangle and Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer continue west by road or short domestic flights. Ladakh combines easily through Delhi, since flights from Delhi to Leh take about 1 hour 20 minutes, but its best season (May to September) overlaps with the hottest and wettest months on the plains. A Golden Triangle plus Ladakh trip therefore works best in September or June, with early morning sightseeing to avoid the heat. Allow about two weeks for either combination.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the big one, falling on 8 November in 2026, when cities glow with lamps and fireworks; expect busier hotels and higher prices around it. Holi, the spring colour festival, usually falls in March and is especially lively around Mathura and Vrindavan near Agra. In Ladakh, monastery festivals with masked cham dances take place through the summer, including the Hemis festival, usually in June or July. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year, so confirm them before booking a trip such as the Ladakh Himalayan Escape.

Singapore passport holders need a visa for India, and there is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option for Singaporean tourists. Apply for the Indian e-Tourist Visa online at the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, at least four days before arrival. It is available as a 30-day, 1-year or 5-year visa, and the fee depends on your nationality and the visa length. Fees and rules change, so check the current Singapore rate on the official portal and avoid third-party sites that add service charges.

Apply online through the Government of India portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa, at least four days before your arrival date. You fill in the form, upload a recent passport-style photo and the passport bio page, and pay the fee by card. Approval arrives by email as an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which you should print and carry with your passport. Your passport needs at least six months' validity from arrival and two blank pages. Biometrics are taken at immigration in India. Apply early for peak months like December.

Travellers to India must submit an arrival card, now a digital one. Since 1 October 2025 India has replaced the paper disembarkation card with a digital e-Arrival Card that all foreign nationals must submit, and paper cards were permanently discontinued from 1 April 2026. You can complete it online through the Indian Visa Online website or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app within 72 hours before arrival, entering your passport details, contact information, purpose of visit and address in India. It works much like Singapore's own SG Arrival Card, so do it the evening before you fly.

Singapore Airlines, Air India and IndiGo fly non-stop from Changi to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, with scheduled flight times of roughly 5 hours 35 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes. There are several departures a day, including morning and late-evening options, so you can leave after work and start sightseeing the next day. Delhi is the natural gateway for the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan and Ladakh. Fares rise sharply around Singapore school holidays and Diwali, so book early for those dates.

Fly from Singapore to Delhi, then take a domestic flight from Delhi to Leh, which takes about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and is operated by carriers including IndiGo and Air India. There is no direct international flight to Leh. Most travellers overnight in Delhi or connect on an early morning flight, as mountain weather tends to be calmer in the morning. The approach over the Himalaya is spectacular, so ask for a window seat. HSJ's Ladakh Himalayan Escape is a 9-day trip that starts with your arrival in Delhi from Singapore.

Leh town itself needs no special permit, but foreign nationals, including Singapore passport holders, need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for areas such as Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and Khardung La. The permit is arranged through a registered travel agency in Leh, usually takes one to two working days and is not issued to a lone foreigner, so solo travellers are typically paired with another applicant. Carry several photocopies, as permits are checked at road checkposts. The Inner Line Permit that used to apply to Indian citizens has been scrapped.

Most visitors travel between Delhi, Agra and Jaipur by road in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver, which gives door-to-door flexibility and stops along the way, such as Fatehpur Sikri between Agra and Jaipur. Delhi to Agra takes roughly three to four hours on the Yamuna Expressway, and Agra to Jaipur around four to five hours. Fast trains such as the Gatimaan Express connect Delhi and Agra in under two hours, which is handy for a day trip. Traffic in Delhi can add an hour at peak times, so early starts help.

India is 2 hours 30 minutes behind Singapore, because Indian Standard Time is UTC+5:30 and Singapore is UTC+8. India uses a single time zone nationwide, including Ladakh, and does not observe daylight saving, so the gap stays the same all year. That means a 9am meeting in Singapore is 6:30am in Delhi. The half-hour offset is easy to miscalculate, so double-check it for connecting flights and calls home. The small difference also means jet lag is barely noticeable for Singapore travellers.

Your Singapore number will work in India on roaming, but check your telco's India data rates or regional packs before flying, as costs vary widely between plans. Many travellers prefer an India eSIM bought before departure, which activates on landing and avoids queuing at a SIM counter. A local prepaid SIM is cheaper for longer stays but needs passport and visa documents to register. Mobile coverage is good in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, while in Ladakh only postpaid Indian connections work reliably outside Leh.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in India and have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps. This applies to the e-Tourist Visa, and Singapore passports close to expiry are a common reason for last-minute problems. Renew with ICA before applying for the e-Visa, because the visa is linked to your passport number and does not transfer to a new passport. Carry a printed copy of your e-Visa approval and keep a digital copy on your phone.

HSJ's India tours are priced per person in SGD on a twin-sharing basis, excluding international flights, and each tour page shows the current price for every departure. The India trips on offer are:

• Mumbai, Ellora & Ajanta Caves Journey: 7 days
• India Golden Triangle: 7 days
• Kashmir, Agra & Jaipur: 8 days
• Ladakh Himalayan Escape: 9 days
• India Golden Triangle & Ranthambore Tiger Safari: 10 days
• Spiritual & Heritage India: 11 days

Your final cost depends on travel dates, hotel class and group size. Add return flights from Singapore, the e-Visa fee, travel insurance, tips and personal spending.

International flights between Singapore and Delhi are usually excluded from India tour prices, along with the e-Visa fee, travel insurance, tips for guides and drivers, and personal spending such as drinks, shopping and laundry. Some meals, optional activities and camera fees at monuments may also be extra. Inclusions differ from tour to tour, so read the inclusions and exclusions list on each HSJ tour page before comparing prices with other operators. That comparison is only fair when hotels, meals and transport are like for like.

The Taj Mahal entry fee for foreign tourists is ₹1,100, plus ₹200 if you want to enter the main mausoleum, according to the official Taj Mahal website managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. Children under 15 enter free. Tickets can be bought online in advance, which saves queuing at the counter. Other major sites, including Agra Fort, Amber Fort and Delhi's Qutub Minar, charge separate foreigner fees. Check whether monument entrance fees are included in your tour package before you set aside cash.

India uses the Indian rupee (INR), and the easiest approach is to withdraw rupees from ATMs on arrival, as most Singapore Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards work there. Tell your bank before travelling and check its overseas withdrawal fees. Cards are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and shops in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, but you will need cash for small vendors, rickshaws, tips and temple donations. ATMs are fewer and less reliable in Ladakh beyond Leh, so carry enough cash before heading into the valleys.

Tipping is customary in India. In restaurants, around 5 to 10 percent is typical when no service charge has been added to the bill. On a tour, drivers and guides are commonly tipped at the end of the trip, and hotel porters usually receive a small amount per bag. Keep small-denomination rupee notes handy, as change can be hard to find. Rather than guessing amounts for guides and drivers, ask your tour operator what is customary for your specific itinerary and group size.

Ladakh tours usually cost more per day than the Golden Triangle because of the remote logistics: a domestic flight from Delhi to Leh, Protected Area Permits, sturdier vehicles for mountain roads and camps or guesthouses in isolated valleys where supplies must be trucked in. The season is also short, running roughly May to September. Compare HSJ's 9-day Ladakh Himalayan Escape with the 7-day India Golden Triangle on their tour pages, which show current prices in SGD. International flights are extra in both cases.

Often, yes. On the plains, April to September is low season because of the heat and monsoon, and hotels in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan frequently offer lower rates than in the October to March peak. The trade-off is weather: temperatures above 40°C before the monsoon, and humid, rainy days from July. Peak prices are highest around Christmas, New Year and Diwali. Ladakh is the reverse, with its high season in summer, so booking early matters more than timing if you are heading to Leh in June or July.

Book three to six months ahead for the October to March peak season, and earlier if you are travelling during the December school holidays, Christmas or Diwali, when both flights from Changi and good heritage hotels fill quickly. Ladakh trips in June to August also book up early because Leh has limited hotel capacity and flights. Leave at least two weeks before departure to sort out the e-Visa and travel insurance. Shorter lead times are possible in the low season, but the choice of hotels is narrower.

Your travel insurance should cover medical treatment and emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and lost baggage for the full length of your India trip. If you are going to Ladakh, check that the policy covers travel at around 3,500 m and above, as some policies exclude high-altitude activities or cap the covered altitude. Read the exclusions for pre-existing conditions if you are travelling with elderly parents. Many Singapore insurers sell single-trip Asia plans, and India typically falls within their Asia region.

A private tour usually costs more per person than a shared group departure, because you pay for the vehicle, driver and guide on your own, but the gap narrows as your group grows. For a family of four or a group of friends, a private Golden Triangle or Rajasthan trip can be close in per-person cost to a group tour, with the benefit of choosing your own pace and hotels. HSJ offers private journeys shaped around your group; ask for a quote with your dates and group size.

HSJ's cancellation, refund and payment rules for India trips are set out in the booking terms and conditions, which apply to every tour on hsj.sg, so read them before you book. Mountain and long-distance travel carries risks that sit outside those terms: flights and roads can be delayed by weather or landslides, and extra nights or flights caused by delays are usually at your own cost unless a tour page says otherwise. Travel insurance with trip-delay and cancellation cover is the way to protect yourself.

Cover your shoulders and knees at all religious sites, and expect to remove your shoes before entering temples, mosques and gurdwaras, so slip-on shoes and clean socks make life easier. At gurdwaras such as Delhi's Bangla Sahib, everyone must cover their head, and head coverings are expected for women at most mosques too, so carry a light scarf or shawl. At mosques, both men and women should keep arms and legs covered. Public displays of affection, like kissing or long hugs, are frowned upon, especially outside major cities.

Pack proper warm layers, because North Indian winter is a real shock after Singapore's constant 31°C. Days are pleasant and sunny, but nights and early mornings in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur can drop into single digits, and dense fog is common in December and January, especially at sunrise at the Taj Mahal. Bring:

• a fleece or light down jacket
• long-sleeved tops and a thermal base layer
• long trousers, socks and closed shoes
• a warm scarf and beanie for early starts

Wear loose, light cotton or linen that covers your arms and legs, because April to June brings dry heat that regularly passes 40°C in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan, hotter than anything in Singapore. Unlike Singapore's humidity, the sun here is fierce and the air is dry, so covering up actually keeps you cooler. Pack a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and oral rehydration salts. Light scarves help against dust and double as temple head coverings. Plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon.

Pack much as you would for a rainy week in Singapore: quick-dry clothing, a compact umbrella or light rain jacket, and sandals or shoes that cope with wet streets. Monsoon days in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are hot and humid with heavy downpours, often followed by sunshine. Avoid heavy denim, which never dries. Bring waterproof pouches for your phone and passport, plus insect repellent for mosquitoes. Ladakh is mostly dry in this period, so pack separately for the mountains if your trip covers both.

October and November are comfortable for Singapore travellers: warm, dry days on the plains with cooler evenings, especially by November. Light cotton clothing, long trousers or skirts for monuments and a light jacket or cardigan for evenings cover most needs. Pack comfortable walking shoes for forts and bazaars, plus a scarf. Air quality in Delhi often worsens from late October, so a well-fitting N95 mask is worth packing, particularly if you have asthma. In Rajasthan's desert, nights at camps are noticeably cold by November.

Pack for cold and strong sun at the same time: Leh sits around 3,500 m, and even in summer, mornings, evenings and high passes such as Khardung La can be near or below freezing. Bring layers rather than one bulky coat:

• thermal base layers and a fleece
• a down or insulated jacket and windproof shell
• warm hat, gloves and thick socks
• sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen and lip balm
• sturdy walking shoes

UV is intense at altitude, so cover up even when it feels cool.

Rajasthan's Thar Desert swings from hot days to cold nights, so pack light, breathable clothing for daytime and a warm fleece or jacket for evenings, particularly from November to February, when nights around Jaisalmer can fall near freezing. Choose long, loose trousers or skirts that work on camel rides, closed shoes or sturdy sandals for sand, and a scarf to protect against wind-blown dust and sun. Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen are essential. Colourful clothing photographs beautifully against the palaces and dunes.

Women travelling in India are most comfortable in modest, loose clothing that covers the shoulders, cleavage and knees. Long skirts, loose trousers, maxi dresses and tunics or kurtas work well and are easy to buy cheaply in Delhi or Jaipur. A dupatta or large scarf is invaluable for covering your head at gurdwaras and mosques, your shoulders at temples and your face from dust. Shorts and tight or sleeveless tops draw unwanted attention outside upmarket hotels. Covered clothing also protects from sun and mosquitoes.

Wear comfortable, modest clothing and easy slip-on shoes, as you will be asked to remove shoes or wear shoe covers on the mausoleum platform. Security is strict: travel light with a small bag, since large bags, food, tobacco and tripods are generally not allowed inside, and lockers are available at the gates. Bring water, your passport, sunglasses and a hat, as the marble terrace reflects heat and glare. In December and January, add a warm layer for sunrise visits, when fog and cold are at their worst.

India uses 230V at 50Hz, with Type C (two round pins), Type D (three large round pins) and Type M sockets, the last being common for heavier appliances. Singapore uses Type G, so you will need a universal travel adapter; many Indian hotel sockets accept two-pin round plugs. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 100 to 240V, so a voltage converter is usually unnecessary. Power cuts can happen in smaller towns and in Ladakh, so pack a power bank for your phone and camera.

Beyond clothing, pack a small health and comfort kit, as familiar brands can be hard to find outside big cities:

• prescription medicines in original packaging
• diarrhoea tablets, oral rehydration salts and probiotics
• hand sanitiser, wet wipes and tissues
• insect repellent and sunscreen
• a universal adapter and power bank
• a refillable water bottle
• an N95 mask for Delhi in winter
• a scarf for temples

For Ladakh, add altitude sickness medication after consulting your doctor, lip balm and a warm hat.

Drink only sealed bottled or properly filtered water, and choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot. Use bottled water for brushing your teeth, skip ice in drinks unless you trust the establishment, and avoid raw salads and pre-cut fruit from street stalls. Wash or sanitise your hands often. Busy restaurants with high turnover tend to be safer than quiet ones. Pack oral rehydration salts and diarrhoea medication from home, and see a doctor if symptoms include fever or last more than a couple of days.

Halal food is widely available in North India, which has a large Muslim population and a strong Mughlai cooking tradition. In Delhi, the lanes around Jama Masjid are famous for kebabs, biryani and nihari, and many restaurants in Agra and Jaipur serve halal meat, though formal halal certification is less common than in Singapore. Vegetarian restaurants are another reliable option, since they serve no meat at all. Muslim travellers should tell their tour operator in advance so meal stops and hotels can be planned accordingly.

You might, because Leh sits at around 3,500 m and most visitors flying in from sea-level Singapore feel mild symptoms such as headache, breathlessness or poor sleep in the first day or two. The Leh district administration advises at least 48 hours of acclimatisation before heading higher to places like Khardung La or Pangong. Rest on arrival day, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and ascend gradually. Severe or worsening symptoms mean descending and seeking medical help. Check how the Ladakh Himalayan Escape itinerary paces its first days.

Air pollution in Delhi is usually worst from late October to January, when crop burning, festival fireworks, cold still air and fog trap smog over the city, and the air quality index can reach levels far worse than Singapore's haze. From February to September it is generally much better. If you travel in winter, check live AQI readings, pack N95 masks, limit strenuous outdoor activity on bad days and speak to your doctor if you have asthma or heart conditions. Agra and Jaipur are often somewhat better than Delhi.

Most scams in India target first-time visitors around stations, airports and major monuments. Common ones include touts claiming your hotel is closed or a monument shut, unofficial guides at the Taj Mahal gates, taxi drivers taking detours to commission-paying shops, and gem-export schemes in Jaipur. Buy monument tickets only from official counters or websites, use pre-booked or app-based transport, and politely decline unsolicited help. Never agree to carry goods or gems for anyone. Travelling with a pre-arranged driver and licensed guide removes most of these hassles.

Photography is allowed at most monuments, but rules vary: photos are generally not permitted inside the Taj Mahal's main mausoleum, and many temples ban cameras in the inner sanctum, so look for signs or ask. Drone flying needs government permission and is restricted around monuments and in Ladakh's border areas. Always ask before photographing people, especially women and religious practitioners, and respect a refusal. Some performers or sadhus expect a small tip for photos. Avoid photographing military installations, checkposts and airports, particularly in Ladakh.