The Taj Mahal and Rajasthan's forts, Kerala's backwaters, Nepal's Himalayas and the Maldives' overwater bungalows — travel at its most colourful and profound.
India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives — a region of overwhelming beauty and depth, from the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan's forts to Himalayan peaks and overwater bungalows.
South Asia is travel at full volume. India alone is a world unto itself — the Taj Mahal at first light, Rajasthan's desert forts and palaces, Kerala's tranquil backwaters, and the ancient riverside rituals of Varanasi. It holds more UNESCO World Heritage sites than most continents, and more sensory intensity than anywhere on Earth.
Beyond India, Nepal offers the world's greatest trekking in the shadow of Everest and Annapurna; Sri Lanka packs beaches, tea country and wildlife into one compact island; and the Maldives is the planet's finest beach escape. Family-run since 1974, Cooee makes this rich, complex region feel effortless.
India anchors most trips; add Nepal, Sri Lanka or the Maldives to round it out.
Golden Triangle · Rajasthan · Kerala
The Taj Mahal, desert forts, backwaters and the world's most vivid culture — India is unlike anywhere else.
Kathmandu · Everest · Annapurna
Beaches · Tea Country · Wildlife
Overwater Bungalows
The journeys that stay with you forever.
Delhi's Mughal grandeur, the Taj Mahal at dawn and Jaipur's pink palaces.
Oct – MarA dawn boat on the Ganges past the ghats — one of travel's most profound moments.
Oct – MarFourteen days through Sherpa villages and monasteries to the foot of the world's highest peak.
Mar–May, Sep–NovThe ultimate finale — a private overwater villa on a turquoise lagoon.
Nov – AprYes — but it's simple. Australians apply online for an India e-Visa (about $85 AUD) at indianvisaonline.gov.in; the tourist e-Visa is valid up to 365 days with multiple entries. Apply at least 72 hours before travel. Nepal and Sri Lanka also use easy visa-on-arrival or online systems. See our getting there & visas guide.
For most of India — including the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur), Rajasthan and Varanasi — the best window is October to March, when it's dry and comfortable. Kerala and Goa are lovely in winter too. Avoid the intense pre-monsoon heat (May–June) and the monsoon (roughly June–September). See our best time to visit guide.
The Golden Triangle links Delhi, Agra and Jaipur — India in concentrated form. You get Old and New Delhi's Mughal grandeur, the Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra, and Jaipur's pink palaces and forts. It's the classic 6–8 day first-timer's route, easily extended to Udaipur or Varanasi. See our India travel guide.
India is intense and rewarding in equal measure. With a good operator, a private driver-guide and a well-planned route, it's very manageable — and utterly unforgettable. We handle the logistics so you can focus on the experience, and tailor the pace to your comfort. See our first-time in Asia guide.
Absolutely. Many travellers pair North India with the Himalayan foothills (Shimla, Rishikesh) or a trek in Nepal, and finish with a beach recovery in the Maldives or Sri Lanka. It makes a superb, well-rounded two-to-three-week trip. See our itineraries guide.