As interest in India continues to climb, travellers are looking beyond the well-worn tourist trails of the Golden Triangle.
According to Inspiring Vacations, bookings for its India tours increased 335.51 per cent year on year between 1 January and 26 June 2026, while demand for Nepal rose 132.8 per cent over the same period.
In response, the award-winning tour operator is taking travellers beyond the palaces of Jaipur and the iconic Taj Mahal with the launch of four new Immersive India itineraries.
This fresh range of Small Group Tours pair the highlights and heritage of the Golden Triangle with lesser-travelled destinations across India, alongside options to extend the journey into Nepal and Sri Lanka.
With departures capped at just 16 travellers and itineraries ranging from eight to 40 days, the collection offers advisors a broader range of options for every client, from first-time visitors to repeat travellers looking to delve deeper into South Asia.
Looking beyond the classics
While the traditional northern circuit remains the cornerstone of many journeys, Inspiring Vacations’ new collection showcases India’s remarkable contrasts and hidden gems.
Alongside Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, travellers can visit the sacred ghats of Varanasi, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Rajasthan’s rural artisan towns and the palm-fringed backwaters and spice plantations of Kerala.
Thoughtfully selected four- and five-star accommodation, including lakeside palaces and heritage properties like Shahpura House, provides a comfortable base throughout each journey, while longer itineraries extend beyond India’s borders into Nepal and Sri Lanka to explore the shared histories, cultures and landscapes of South Asia.
Fresh ways to experience India
8 Day Kerala’s Backwaters Small Group Tour
Ideal for time-poor clients, this eight-day tour takes guests through the lush tropical heartland of South India. Here, they’ll explore Kerala’s tranquil backwaters by private houseboat, visit the spice-scented hills of Periyar and Kochi’s historic fort district and uncover centuries of trade history along the Malabar Coast.
17 Day India’s Northern Heritage Small Group Tour
This tour offers a deeper exploration of North India, from Delhi’s lively markets and the spiritual rituals of Varanasi to Agra Fort and the vibrant streets of Jaipur. The itinerary also ventures into rural Rajasthan, where travellers visit the Bishnoi community near Rohet Garh before soaking in the sights of Udaipur’s lakeside palaces, gardens and centuries-old ghats. The Small Group Tour brings together Rajasthan, Amritsar and Varanasi, three destinations rare to find in a single itinerary.
The core tour of this new range is a Founder-Hosted Journey, departing 29 September 2027. Led by Inspiring Vacations’ Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Brendon Cooper, this 17 Day India’s Northern Heritage Small Group Tour will offer travellers deeper insight into the destinations they visit as part of a series of Founder-Hosted Journeys.
23 Day India’s Northern Heritage & Kerala Small Group Tour
A strong option for clients who want to experience the breadth of India’s landscapes, cultures and contrasts in one itinerary, this tour pairs the classic northern heritage sites with the varied landscapes and slower pace of Kerala.
31 Day India’s Heritage & Sri Lanka’s Highlights
Combining two vibrant nations, this month-long journey takes travellers through the soul of South Asia. Clients with time to spare can experience India’s cultural icons from Amritsar to Kochi before exploring the ancient cities and tea plantations of Sri Lanka.
40 Day Nepal, India & Sri Lanka Small Group Tour
Designed for travellers with more time to immerse themselves in the region, this 40-day adventure traces Nepal’s Himalayan foothills and India’s heritage highlights to the coastlines and rainforests of Sri Lanka in a single, fully planned Small Group Tour. It gives advisors a compelling option for well-travelled clients looking for an extended, multi-country holiday.
Enduring support for advisors
With an expansive range of expertly planned itineraries, Inspiring Vacations allows advisors to tailor recommendations to a diverse range of travel styles, trip lengths and budgets.
Beyond the journeys themselves, the tour operator continues to support travel advisors with its Travel Agent Hub, offering access to incentives, marketing collateral, training resources and industry news as well as monthly webinars with destination experts, product updates, technology enhancements and the latest offers.
Add to that a seamless booking system alongside a dedicated trade reservations and support team, and advisors can confidently sell destinations with the backing of Inspiring Vacations’ award-winning destination expertise and established itineraries.
