India’s cuisine may be loved and emulated all over the world but where there’s smoke there’s fire, and where there’s curry there’s a soothing refreshment somewhere close by. Whether you’re sipping tea on the Vivek Express or drinking a cold beer overlooking the Ganges, you’ll be drinking in more than the atmosphere.
Masala chai
Chai, or tea, has been an integral part of Indian society since the British helped popularise it. One of the country’s iconic sights is a ‘chai wallah’, or ‘tea seller’, walking through the streets or a train carriage selling some of the tastiest, sweetest tea you’ll ever find. It’s cheap, it’s woven into the country’s fabric and the chai wallahs can tell you a story or two about India.
Lassi
This yoghurt-based drink is thought to be the world’s first smoothie and is popular all over India. There are a few different types of lassi on offer, though the most popular are a salty lassi, a mango lassi and the infamous bhang lassi, which is infused with cannabis and often served as part of the Holi festival celebrations.
Chaach
Chaach is often confused for lassi. While lassi is made from yoghurt, chaas is made from buttermilk, the liquid leftover when butter is churned out of cream. It’s more watery than lassi, with a slightly sour and salty taste, and spices are often added into the mix.
Kingfisher
The iconic Indian beer. Kingfisher can be found all over India and while it isn’t anything particularly special from a taste perspective, it’ll hold a special place in your heart once your time in India has come to an end. Just watch out for the ‘Kingfisher Strong’ brand; at eight per cent, it’s been known to play havoc with the uninitiated traveller’s stomach.
Our tours in India
8 Days
From
720
Take an action-packed eight-day tour through the essential sights and bites of India’s...
15 Days
From
1190
Travel to India and visit the Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar through...
15 Days
From
1410
Travel to India and Nepal on a tour from Delhi to Kathmandu. Visit the Taj Mahal of...
11 Days
From
585
Get the most out of 11 days in India on this Lonely Planet Experience powered by...
15 Days
From
1865
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
850
See the essentials of India’s north on a 22-day Lonely Planet Experience through Delhi,...
10 Days
From
855
Take an action-packed family tour of India, following tiger trails, visiting Delhi and...
15 Days
From
1820
Relish the sights and flavours of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa on this...
13 Days
From
1185
Travel to India and visit Delhi, Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala, Rishikesh and Amritsar on...
15 Days
From
1250
Explore the tropical and spiritual southern India. Ride the toy train in Ooty, relax in...
15 Days
From
890
Discover India in all its glory on this 15-day spice-filled Lonely Planet Experience,...
8 Days
From
565
We've taken a classic adventure through Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, India's Golden Triangle...
16 Days
From
960
See the landscapes of South India on a 16-day Lonely Planet Experience from Varkala to...
11 Days
From
549
Join us for a jaunt around north India, with rickshaws in Delhi, spirituality in...
13 Days
From
770
Explore India and Nepal with other folks aged 18-29 on this 13-day adventure including...
9 Days
From
1475
Visit ancient temples and colourful cities on this northern India adventure through...
15 Days
From
954
Get on the road from Kathmandu to Delhi on a trip from Nepal to India, through Pokhara,...
19 Days
From
2075
Spend 19 days touring India and Nepal, departing from Delhi and visiting Jaipur, Agra,...
16 Days
From
617
Get an authentic slice of the real Rajasthan on a trip that takes you to Delhi,...
23 Days
From
1600
From Varanasi's ghats and the Taj Mahal to Hyderabad's Bollywood film studios and...
13 Days
From
1670
Explore the backroads of India’s south on this 13-day tour. Travel from Chennai to...
13 Days
From
825
Explore the best bits of the India on a jam-packed southern adventure, including stops...
37 Days
From
1980
Discover the colours and cultures of India on this Lonely Planet Experience visiting...
15 Days
From
1425
Travel to India and cycle the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and...
11 Days
From
835
Discover northern India on this tour through Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nimaj,...
29 Days
From
2580
This 29-day tour traverses India from south to north, winding from Kochi to Delhi and...
10 Days
From
1095
Your whole family will love this incredible sensory adventure into the diverse life of...
20 Days
From
1274
From the deserts of Rajasthan to the holiest river around, India will blow you away....
21 Days
From
3350
Get a cultural insight into India’s north and south, travelling through Delhi, Agra,...
12 Days
From
815
Discover what life is like for women living in Rajasthan, India on this female-only...
23 Days
From
1404
Spend time in Kathmandu and Pokhara and then see where Buddha did his thing. Get active...
19 Days
From
1855
Visit India and tour the famous Golden Triangle of Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur, delve into...
3 Days
From
300
Visit India and travel from Delhi to Agra. Travel to the Taj Mahal and Agra’s Red Fort,...
10 Days
From
1325
From spicy curries and fragrant biryanis to flaky pastries and the scent of coconuts,...
8 Days
From
970
Travel to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra on this next-level vegan food trip in India’s Golden...
4 Days
From
248
Lift your spirits as you float on the Ganges at dawn in Varanasi, and explore the city...
