India travel — frequently asked questions

Yes, India is generally safe for tourists who take normal travel precautions. Booking with a government-approved local operator like Era Tours adds vetted drivers and guides, hand-picked hotels, airport transfers and 24/7 on-tour support, which is why most first-time visitors travel with a trusted operator.

Most foreign nationals need a visa to visit India, and many are eligible for the convenient e-Visa (electronic tourist visa) applied for online before travel. Requirements change, so always confirm current rules for your nationality on the official Indian government e-Visa portal; we are happy to advise.

October to March is the best overall time to visit most of India, with cool, dry weather across the north, Rajasthan and central India. The Himalayas (Ladakh, Kashmir) are best from May to September, and the beaches and south are pleasant through winter.

Tours are quoted individually because everything is tailor-made — cost depends on your dates, hotel category (3, 4 or 5 star), group size and itinerary. Era Tours does not publish fixed prices; send your details and we reply with a custom quote, usually the same day.

A government-approved tour operator is one recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, which vets operators for infrastructure, staffing and service standards. Era Tours & Travels holds this approval (Reg. No. 5.TT.II (188)/2000 – ITO) and has since 2000.

No — avoid tap water in India and stick to sealed bottled or filtered water, which is inexpensive and available everywhere. On our tours we make sure safe drinking water is always on hand, and we can advise on reputable restaurants to enjoy Indian food with confidence.

Plan at least 7–10 days for a first trip to India. A week covers the Golden Triangle; two weeks lets you add Rajasthan, Varanasi or Kerala; three weeks suits a north-and-south combination. We tailor the length to your interests.

All Era tours are private and tailor-made — your own car, driver and guides, with the itinerary and hotels built around you. We do not run fixed-departure group coach tours.

Terms are confirmed in writing with your quote and booking. Please see our Terms & Conditions page for the general basis on which tours are arranged, and ask us if anything is unclear before you confirm.

Yes. Alongside India, Era Tours arranges tours to neighbouring and nearby countries — Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Dubai, Southeast Asia, China and Europe — with the same private, tailor-made approach.