Why Touring is the Ultimate Way to Experience India

Who better to plan and deliver your travel experience than a combination of travel experts and knowledgeable local guides? The itineraries are incredibly well thought out - every detail is carefully considered, from the routes you take and the hotels you stay in, to the timing and order of each excursion. There’s honestly nothing left to sort out yourself.

It wasn’t until I returned home that I realised how little I had to think about! As someone who usually plans every detail (yes, I’m the spreadsheet type), it felt so refreshing to completely switch off and let someone else take the lead. And in reality, those well-travelled experts and local guides know far more than I could ever find from weeks of online research, so it was easy to trust the process.

Everything is taken care of - from attraction tickets to transport and dining arrangements, allowing you to simply enjoy the experience. Don’t mistake this for a rigid or overly structured holiday - the itinerary flows so seamlessly that you don’t really feel like you’re following a plan.

In fact, I found I was able to immerse myself even more in the destination because I wasn’t clock-watching or worrying about logistics. I could just be present, knowing I was in safe hands - which brings me nicely onto the next point…

Across all the Newmarket Holidays touring experiences, from India (on four different itineraries) to my previous trip to South Africa - there’s one thing everyone always talks about: the tour guides. Honestly, they become so much more than guides. They feel like part of the group, and they are absolute experts at delivering a memorable experience.

What really stood out is that it never felt like we were being overloaded with scripted information. Instead, everything was shared through passion, personal stories and lived experience, which gave us a much deeper appreciation for the country. Our guide summed this up perfectly when he said: “Every time I start a tour, I tell myself it’s my job to be an ambassador for my country, and by the end, it’s my job to make you an ambassador for my country.”

There’s something incredibly reassuring about having a knowledgeable local with you from start to finish. They help you understand not just what you’re seeing, but why it matters - ensuring you experience everything in a respectful and meaningful way.

Even the smaller details made a difference. Our guide would let us know which parts of a journey were particularly scenic or interesting, and when we were heading onto a motorway, where we could switch off and get a nap in. Each journey would begin with a short introduction, before naturally flowing into snappy, relevant insights along the way, never too much, just enough to enhance the experience and actually retain the information.

There are so many little touches on a Newmarket Holidays escorted tour that people don’t always realise before they travel, but they make a big difference to the overall experience.

The coaches, for example, are super comfortable and become part of the journey rather than just a way to get from A to B. Instead of feeling like a chore, travelling between destinations is a chance to watch local life unfold, take in the scenery and really absorb the contrasts of the country.

On this India tour, our coach had air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, spacious reclining seats, and even charging ports, it genuinely felt like travelling in luxury. Even longer journeys don’t feel daunting. They’re actually a great opportunity to recharge with a nap ahead of your next stop. Plus, your guide and driver know the routes inside out, so you’re always stopping at the best places, whether that’s for a toilet break, a coffee, or even an ice cream.

Another common misconception is that escorted tours are overly structured, but there’s actually a great balance. Many itineraries include free time, so you can still enjoy those slower, more relaxing moments. Whether that’s pool time between excursions, a spa treatment at a resort, or drinks in the bar after dinner, these experiences are all thoughtfully built in. And depending on the tour, there are always opportunities to do your own thing if you want to, whether that’s heading out for dinner, enjoying a spa treatment, or having pre-dinner drinks independently. It’s a great balance between shared experiences and personal time.

Travelling in a group, it’s honestly not as nerve-racking as it might sound. In full transparency, it’s not something I would have naturally been drawn to before, especially the idea of travelling with people I’d never met, but I can now say I absolutely loved it. I’ve experienced touring both with my partner and customers in South Africa, and as a solo traveller with other agents in India, each time the group dynamic came together quickly in a way that felt completely natural. I truly believe it enhanced the memories by sharing them with a group of people. I still find myself thinking about the people we met and the stories they shared. And when you’re travelling so far from home, it’s actually really comforting to have familiar faces around you.