LGBTQIA+ travellers are those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, plus queer or questioning, intersex or asexual individuals. It also includes those who identify beyond these commonly used sexualities and gender expressions. Everyone has the right to feel safe when travelling, however, there are some situations and issues that may present themselves to travellers who identify with one or more of these terms when visiting India.
LGBTQIA+ rights in India
Though homosexuality was decriminalised in India in 2009, it was again made illegal in 2013, and then decriminalised once more in 2018. Despite this decriminalisation, LGBTQIA+ rights in India are complicated, and the government is relatively silent when it comes to LGBTQIA+ issues. Although transgender 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.
Is India safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers?
The majority of Indian society is still conservative, and while most travellers will have a welcoming and hospitable experience, discretion is still advised for LGBTQIA+ travellers, particularly in more remote towns and villages which may be more conservative. The same advice is also given to heterosexual couples (and couples of all other sexual orientations) as public displays of affection other than hugging and holding hands are generally frowned upon. However, like in other traditional and conservative countries, there is more tolerance of queer travellers compared to queer Indians due to the importance of tourism, and queer travellers are unlikely to experience any issues if PDAs are avoided.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
Queer culture in India
Because of societal attitudes toward same-sex relations, queer scenes in India are generally only found in big cities like Mumbai and Delhi, but they're still quite discreet in comparison to queer scenes in other big cities across the globe. That being said, Mumbai is making its mark in the LGBTQIA+ activitism space, and the city is also home to a queer film festival known called KASHISH. Bengaluru (also known as Bangalore) also has a small, but active, queer scene, and many queer-friendly bars and clubs can be found in places like Kolkata, Chennai and Goa to name a few. Most big Indian cities also host annual Pride parades.
Solo travel and room sharing
If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a traveller 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 when you're booking your trip and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. Most of our tours also have the option to pay for an individual room for travellers who do not wish to share a room.
Our tours in India
14 Days
From
2632
Take in north India’s fabled cities and encounter the exotic wildlife of Ranthambhore...
8 Days
From
552
Take an action-packed eight-day tour through the essential sights and bites of India’s...
15 Days
From
1205
Travel to India and visit the Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar through...
10 Days
From
2325
Take a 10-day India Premium adventure with Intrepid through the country’s north,...
13 Days
From
2318
Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore the beaches, bazaars and backwaters of...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
15 Days
From
1350
Travel to India and Nepal on a tour from Delhi to Kathmandu. Visit the Taj Mahal of...
22 Days
From
4720
Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore opulent places, holy Ganges, dense...
11 Days
From
545
Get the most out of 11 days in India on this trip exploring the best of Delhi, Varanasi...
15 Days
From
1910
See the best of Rajasthan on this 15-day tour. Behold the delights of Agra, Jaipur,...
22 Days
From
735
See the essentials of India’s north on a 22-day trip through Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur,...
10 Days
From
842
Take an action-packed family tour of India, following tiger trails, visiting Delhi and...
15 Days
From
1935
Relish the sights and flavours of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa on this...
13 Days
From
1207
Travel to India and visit Delhi, Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala, Rishikesh and Amritsar on...
15 Days
From
1290
Explore the tropical and spiritual southern India. Ride the toy train in Ooty, relax in...
15 Days
From
925
Discover India in all its glory on this 15-day spice-filled adventure from Delhi...
16 Days
From
893
See the landscapes of South India on a 16-day adventure from Varkala to Goa via Kerala...
11 Days
From
615
Join us for a jaunt around north India, with rickshaws in Delhi, spirituality in...
13 Days
From
860
Explore India and Nepal with other folks aged 18-29 on this 13-day adventure including...
9 Days
From
1520
Explore ancient temples and colourful cities on this 9-day northern India adventure...
15 Days
From
1022
Get on the road from Kathmandu to Delhi on a trip from Nepal to India, through Pokhara,...
16 Days
From
518
Get an authentic slice of the real Rajasthan on a trip that takes you to Delhi,...
19 Days
From
1962
Spend 19 days touring India and Nepal, departing from Delhi and visiting Jaipur, Agra,...
13 Days
From
1706
Explore the backroads of India’s south on this 13-day tour. Travel from Chennai to...
37 Days
From
1953
Discover the colours and cultures of India on this trip visiting Delhi, Rajasthan's...
15 Days
From
1575
Travel to India and cycle the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and...
11 Days
From
905
Discover northern India on this tour through Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nimaj,...
10 Days
From
1130
Your whole family will love this incredible sensory adventure into the diverse life of...
29 Days
From
2630
This 29-day tour traverses India from south to north, winding from Kochi to Delhi and...
20 Days
From
1380
From the deserts of Rajasthan to the holiest river around, India will blow you away....
21 Days
From
3415
Get a cultural insight into India’s north and south, travelling through Delhi, Agra,...
12 Days
From
1110
Join an all-women group and female leader on an inspiring 12-day Women’s Expedition...
20 Days
From
1535
Spend time in Kathmandu and Pokhara and then see where Buddha did his thing. Get active...
19 Days
From
1870
Visit India and tour the famous Golden Triangle of Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur, delve into...
3 Days
From
270
Visit India and travel from Delhi to Agra. Travel to the Taj Mahal and Agra’s Red Fort,...
16 Days
From
2355
Discover the beauty of India’s most remote area on a 16-day Expedition that visits...
4 Days
From
240
Lift your spirits as you float on the Ganges at dawn in Varanasi, and explore the city...
18 Days
From
4370
Explore Northern India and Sri Lanka on this 18-day Premium adventure
