WALKING ADVENTURES IN INDIA
A walking holiday has so many benefits beyond the sightseeing – it’s a more eco-friendly way to see an area, it’s good for your health and fitness, you will meet new people, and you tend to feel more a part of the local community in a way that arriving by air conditioned car, leaping out, and then being whisked away again at the end can never give you.
India is a country of beauty, friendly people, fascinating wildlife, and delicious food – so what better way to see it than with a walking holiday organised by an expert company like Ramble Worldwide?
With a wholly charitable ethos and no shareholders, Ramble Worldwide’s profits are channelled into their Charitable Trust, which, since 2000 has invested £5 million into preserving the great outdoors and helping to make it more accessible to others. So your money is helping to make a difference too.
Travelling in small groups with expert walk leaders, their India itineraries span the diverse states of West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Ladakh, with a fascinating detour into neighbouring Bhutan. Each journey has been carefully crafted to showcase the country’s extraordinary contrasts and its diversity, making for world-class walking experiences that go beyond the tourist trail.
Monasteries, meditation and dramatic mountain landscapes with high altitude trekking
Trekking in Ladakh & the Indian Himalaya (Grade 5, Moderate) NEW 2026
On a culturally rich, spiritually fascinating and visually stunning 14-night trekking adventure hike through the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh – India’s ‘Little Tibet’, to explore remote valleys and high-altitude deserts surrounded by dramatic peaks, uncovering hidden away monasteries steeped in Ladakhi history.
Hike to heady hilltops gompas (monasteries) such as Thiksey, Lamayuru, and Diskit and be immersed in panoramic views experiencing Ladakhi life firsthand by taking meals in local homes and engaging with monks, yogis and Tibetan medicine practitioners.
The adventure includes a trek across spectacular mountain passes to witness surreal moonscapes and reflect on the serene beauty of Pangong and Yarab Tso lake’s meditative trails.
The 14-day tour concludes in Delhi with a lunch at the beautifully restored heritage estate of Bikaner House and a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi taking in Chandni Chowk and other historical landmarks.
Hill Stations, Heritage and Himalayan monasteries
Bhutan & India’s Himalayas Explored (Grade 5, moderate) NEW 2026
Witness breath-taking views of the snow-capped Himalayas on a 14-night cultural and scenic journey through India and Bhutan. Arriving in Darjeeling, the definitive Indian hill station, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and towered over by Mount Kanchenjunga, step back in time on the 140-year-old steam-billowing UNESCO World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway on a joyride to Ghoom and trek to Tiger Hill through the lush forests of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, looking out for Himalayan black bears and muntjac deer, with rewarding panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Follow the Singalila Ridge from Chitre, with a possible glimpse of the elusive red panda for more peak viewing. Heading to the hill station of Kalimpong, a key trading gateway during the British era, soak up its peaceful mix of monasteries, colonial churches and vibrant bazaars with a local guide. Drive to deeply spiritual Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery and hike through lush rice fields, fragrant cardamom plantations and traditional hamlets known for their use of herbal medicine and see the farmland of the Deollo Hills.
Crossing the border into Bhutan, explore the Thimphu’s spiritual sites – Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong Monastery and the medieval Trashichhodzong fortress and learn about traditional Bhutanese arts at the National Institute of Zorig Chusum. In Kuensel Phodrang, view the Great Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world and explore Dochula Monastery. In Paro Valley, hike to the cliff clinging Taktsang Palphug Monastery, famously known as Tiger’s Nest. Beginning and ending in Kolkata, there is also the opportunity to explore its rich colonial and cultural heritage
Tea Plantations, Backwaters and Hill Treks
South India’s Hill Stations & Tea Plantations (Grade 5, moderate)
Experience the best of Southern India on a 16-day adventure through tea plantations, emerald plains, Shola forests and misty peaks of Kerala’s lush hill country. Encounter local farmers and cruise down the serene Keralan backwaters before venturing to Tamil Nadu’s historic hill stations with the opportunity to visit one of South India’s most iconic pilgrimage sites, the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Discover the sprawling grandeur of Mysore’s Maharaja’s Palace before heading for the Wayanad hill country, a beautiful region in Kerala’s Western Ghats. Spend a day with a local farmer to learn about rubber tapping, handicrafts and local medicinal plants, and feast on lavishly prepared Keralan cuisine before trekking through the Lakshmi and Chokramudi’s Cardamon Hills and taking a leisurely cruise on Kerala’s backwaters from Kumarakom.
See the world’s highest tea plantations in Munnar and explore Tamil Nadu’s Raj-era hill station of Kodaikanal with walks in the Palani Hills and visit the Kukkal Caves which were once inhabited by the Paliyar tribes.
Trekking, tribes, tigers in the less-visited heart of India
Wilderness Walks in the Heart of India: Taj, Tigers & Temples (grade 4, moderate) NEW 2026
Madhya Pradesh is a captivating and under-explored gem in the heart of India on a 13 night adventure. Ruled over for centuries by consecutive empires, it boasts temples dripping with erotic carvings, ghost cities forged by Muslim conquerors, Buddhist stupas and the mighty palaces of Maharajas as well as sprawling national parks, pristine wilderness and a vibrant tribal culture.
From the capital Bhopal, explore the city’s Van Vihar National Park, a 445-hectare expanse of lush forest and wetland known for its work with rescued and orphaned wildlife. Hike Upper Lake and delve into centuries of history at the open-air National Museum of Humankind. Trek through lush jungle to spend time with the Bheel and Bhilala tribes who still practice a nature-integrated lifestyle. In the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains, take in the vast archaeological UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and its remarkable collection of prehistoric cave paintings. On a safari and canoe trip in the Satpura Tiger Reserve, one of India’s oldest national parks, spot a plethora of wildlife including Bengal tigers and over 300 species of bird.
From Pachmarhi, a hill station nestled high in the Satpura mountain range, trek through the dense forests to the Reech Garh Caves for panoramic views and explore the town on a heritage walk before scaling over 1,300 steps to the holy shrine of Chauragarh Temple for its all-encompassing views. Visit the Gond people, one of India’s largest and oldest tribal groups inhabiting central India and enjoy sunset from the highest point in central India with a stargazing night trek in the Pachmarhi wilderness. The holiday also includes time in Delhi exploring the sights by rickshaw and a train ride to Agra to witness the grandeur of the Taj Mahal and the city’s Red Fort.
For more information see: rambleworldwide.co.uk/asia-and-australasia/india
NOTES:
Each of the Ramble Worldwide holidays has been graded to help clients choose their preferred pace, with categories ranging from Grade 1/Gentle (up to 3 miles/day); Grades 2-3/Leisurely (between 3 – 4 miles/day) to Grade 4-5/Moderate (between 6-7 miles/day); and Grade 6-8/Challenging (8 – 11 miles/day with an emphasis on stamina).
On some holidays, there is the chance to experience more than one walking grade with two leaders. Perfect for couples and friends who prefer to walk at a different pace or have different walking abilities.
Customers travelling on all holidays operated by Ramble Worldwide are fully protected via the company’s membership of ABTA (No V5094) and as holders of an ATOL licence (No 990). Ramble Worldwide is also a member of IATA, AITO, ABTOI and ETOA.