Discretion is still advised for LGBTQIA+ travellers in India, as it is for couples of any sexual orientation, as public displays of affection are frowned upon in India. Though homosexuality was decriminalised in 2009, it was again made illegal in 2013, then decriminalised once more in 2018.Â
Despite this decriminalisation, the government is relatively silent when it comes to LGBTQIA+ issues. Though transgendered people did receive legal recognition as a third gender in 2014, same-sex marriage is illegal, as is adoption, and discrimination is still rife at all levels of society.
Because of societal attitudes towards same-sex relations, the queer scenes in India are generally found in big cities like Mumbai and Delhi, and even these are quite discreet in comparison to other nations. Still, LGBTQIA+ bars and clubs can be found in places like Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Goa to name a few.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.
Our tours in India
8 Days
From
775
Take an action-packed eight-day tour through the essential sights and bites of India’s...
15 Days
From
1275
Travel to India and visit the Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar through...
15 Days
From
1505
Travel to India and Nepal on a tour from Delhi to Kathmandu. Visit the Taj Mahal of...
11 Days
From
630
Get the most out of 11 days in India on this Lonely Planet Experience powered by...
15 Days
From
1990
See the best of Rajasthan on this 15-day tour. Behold the delights of Agra, Jaipur,...
Tailor-Made trips
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
22 Days
From
910
See the essentials of India’s north on a 22-day Lonely Planet Experience through Delhi,...
10 Days
From
915
Take an action-packed family tour of India, following tiger trails, visiting Delhi and...
15 Days
From
1950
Relish the sights and flavours of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa on this...
13 Days
From
1265
Travel to India and visit Delhi, Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala, Rishikesh and Amritsar on...
15 Days
From
1340
Explore the tropical and spiritual southern India. Ride the toy train in Ooty, relax in...
15 Days
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950
Discover India in all its glory on this 15-day spice-filled Lonely Planet Experience,...
8 Days
From
635
We've taken a classic adventure through Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, India's Golden Triangle...
16 Days
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1025
See the landscapes of South India on a 16-day Lonely Planet Experience from Varkala to...
11 Days
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585
Join us for a jaunt around north India, with rickshaws in Delhi, spirituality in...
13 Days
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819
Explore India and Nepal with other folks aged 18-29 on this 13-day adventure including...
9 Days
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1580
Visit ancient temples and colourful cities on this northern India adventure through...
15 Days
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1022
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19 Days
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2215
Spend 19 days touring India and Nepal, departing from Delhi and visiting Jaipur, Agra,...
16 Days
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662
Get an authentic slice of the real Rajasthan on a trip that takes you to Delhi,...
23 Days
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1710
From Varanasi's ghats and the Taj Mahal to Hyderabad's Bollywood film studios and...
13 Days
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1785
Explore the backroads of India’s south on this 13-day tour. Travel from Chennai to...
13 Days
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880
Explore the best bits of the India on a jam-packed southern adventure, including stops...
37 Days
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2115
Discover the colours and cultures of India on this Lonely Planet Experience visiting...
15 Days
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1520
Travel to India and cycle the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and...
11 Days
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895
Discover northern India on this tour through Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nimaj,...
29 Days
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2760
This 29-day tour traverses India from south to north, winding from Kochi to Delhi and...
10 Days
From
1170
Your whole family will love this incredible sensory adventure into the diverse life of...
20 Days
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1364
From the deserts of Rajasthan to the holiest river around, India will blow you away....
21 Days
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3585
Get a cultural insight into India’s north and south, travelling through Delhi, Agra,...
12 Days
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870
Discover what life is like for women living in Rajasthan, India on this female-only...
23 Days
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1503
Spend time in Kathmandu and Pokhara and then see where Buddha did his thing. Get active...
19 Days
From
1980
Visit India and tour the famous Golden Triangle of Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur, delve into...
3 Days
From
320
Visit India and travel from Delhi to Agra. Travel to the Taj Mahal and Agra’s Red Fort,...
10 Days
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1480
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8 Days
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1085
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4 Days
From
265
Lift your spirits as you float on the Ganges at dawn in Varanasi, and explore the city...