Our Unforgettable Honeymoon In India: Houseboats, Home Stays & The Taj Mahal

We decided to do something we had not done and booked a private car and driver for the duration of our 10‑day trip, covering both South and North India. We spent a lot of time before we travelled fine‑tuning the itinerary so that it was just what we wanted to do not just a generic trip. Looking back, that decision made our honeymoon. The flexibility, the local insight and the warmth of our guides transformed a wonderful holiday into something truly unforgettable.

Southern India: Backwaters, Houseboats & Everyday Life

In Southern India we were expertly looked after by Ranjit, an incredibly educated young gentleman with a deep love for his country and immense knowledge about the region. We had a planned itinerary but he was happy to adapt it as we went, adding little detours and stops so we could see even more of the “real” India.

One of the things I loved most was getting a glimpse into everyday life. In Kochi, we stopped to watch the local laundry ladies at work. They washed clothes by hand, before laying them out to dry and then pressing them with huge, old‑style irons. It was such a simple scene, yet I still remember how immaculate the clothing looked when they had finished.

A Night On The Backwaters

A real highlight was our overnight stay on a traditional houseboat from Alleppey. It was just the two of us on board with our captain and a private chef. As we drifted along the tranquil backwaters, we watched village life unfold along the riverbanks: fishermen casting their nets, children waving from the shore, palm trees reflected in the still water.

Our chef prepared the most incredible food using fresh, local ingredients. Each dish was full of flavour, and it felt wonderfully indulgent to have this peaceful world to ourselves, just us and the water, as the sun went down. It was one of those “this is our honeymoon” pinch‑me moments.

Coir Factories & A Detour For An Engineer

My husband had mentioned to Ranjit that he is an engineer and loves to know how things are made. Without us even asking, Ranjit organised a couple of extra stops at coir “factories” so we could see the process behind the ropes and matting India is so famous for.

I say factories, but they were more like barns or shacks on the side of the road, and I am quite sure they had never heard of health and safety! Our first stop was a tiny open‑sided building where workers were preparing reels of coir. Later, we visited a larger barn where they were weaving these fibres into matting, which would then be brightly decorated and shipped across the world.

The workers were so friendly and welcoming, proudly showing us what they were doing and explaining each step. It was a perfect example of how a private driver and guide can react to your interests and create those unique, unscripted moments that you simply would not get on a standard tour.

A Special Home Stay: Cooking From Garden To Table

Throughout our trip we stayed in a range of accommodation, from 5‑star luxury overlooking the Taj Mahal to a simple 3‑star in the heart of Delhi. Each property added something different to the experience, but my favourite stay of all was a small home stay in the south.

The home could only be reached by a small boat. Ranjit dropped us at a meeting point on the riverbank, where we were helped onto a narrow canoe‑like boat and taken across the river and up a little inlet surrounded by greenery. It felt like we were disappearing into another world.

Our hosts were so welcoming and incredibly proud of their home and, especially, their garden. They grew much of the food they served, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and spices. As my husband and I both love to cook, we had arranged a cookery lesson in their kitchen. This turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of the whole honeymoon.

We walked through the garden picking ingredients, then headed back into the house to prepare a meal for everyone, including the other guests. We chopped, stirred, tasted and laughed our way through the recipes. The flavours were amazing, and it felt very special to be invited into their daily life like that.

To this day, we still make some of the dishes we learnt, especially the marinated paneer, which is a firm favourite as we are both cheese lovers. Every time we cook it at home, it takes us back to that riverside kitchen.

The following day our host took us out on the boat again to explore the local area. We stopped at the rice fields, where he talked us through the different stages of growing and harvesting, and explained how central the river is to their way of life. It was fascinating, gentle and so peaceful, a real contrast to the cities we would experience later in the trip.

Northern India & The Golden Triangle: Cities, Colour & The Taj Mahal

For the second half of our honeymoon we flew north to explore the famous Golden Triangle. Here we were met by Suresh, who, like Ranjit, looked after us beautifully. This part of the trip felt very different to the south.

The cities were busy and full of energy. The roads seemed to have no lanes, just cars, bikes and tuk tuks flowing around each other in an incredible dance of organised chaos. We were very glad we were not trying to navigate on our own.

Our small, independent hotel felt like a calm oasis in the middle of it all, with manicured gardens and charming, traditional rooms. Still, we were eager to get out and explore.

Street Celebrations & Tuk Tuk Adventures

On our first evening we stepped out of the hotel and straight into a celebration. The local cricket team had just won a big match and the streets were alive with dancing, singing and drums. We were quickly spotted and invited to join in.

We mentioned that we were hoping to go shopping for gifts. One of the men told us he was a tuk tuk driver and would normally take us, but he had had too much to drink celebrating, so he called his cousin to drive us instead and insisted we return to the party afterwards.

The tuk tuk ride was… interesting for someone who is not a confident passenger, but it was all part of the experience. We wove through the traffic to a series of local shops where we found beautiful pashminas to bring home for family members. True to our promise, we then headed back to the street party to rejoin the celebrations. It was loud, joyful and completely unforgettable.

Falling In Love With The Taj Mahal

No visit to India is complete without the Taj Mahal, so it naturally featured on our itinerary. I will confess that before we went, I had not thought very much about it. It felt more like a “you cannot go to India and not see it” tick‑box.

As a result, I was completely blown away.

Seeing the Taj Mahal in person is quite different to seeing it in photographs. The scale, the perfect symmetry, the way the marble seems almost to glow, and, of course, the love story behind it, all combined to make it one of the most moving sights I have ever experienced.

Once again, our guide made all the difference. He knew exactly when to go so it was not too busy, and he led us straight to the best viewpoints, including the famous bench made iconic by Princess Diana. He helped us get those classic photos, but he also gave us the time and space to simply stand back and take it all in.

Later in the day he took us to a quieter viewpoint at the back of the Taj Mahal, just as dusk was beginning to fall. Watching the colours change over the marble as the light softened was a magical way to end a very special day.

Why A Private Car & Driver Made Our Honeymoon

Looking back, what truly made our trip so memorable was having a private car and driver in both the north and south of India.

Ranjit and Suresh were so much more than drivers. They were storytellers, problem‑solvers, translators, photographers and local friends all rolled into one. They shared stories that you would never find in a guidebook, helped us navigate busy streets and markets with ease, and knew the quieter corners and the best times to visit key sights.

Most importantly, they listened to what interested us and adjusted the plans accordingly. Whether it was an impromptu stop at a coir “factory”, extra time wandering through a local market, or a detour to a peaceful riverside viewpoint, they made sure the trip reflected us as a couple.

I cannot recommend the car and driver option highly enough in India, and indeed in many other parts of the world. It is one of the best ways to turn a standard tour into a truly bespoke journey, especially for a honeymoon or other special occasion.

Finishing With A City Break In Dubai

We flew with Emirates from Birmingham to Kochi via Dubai, and having not flown long haul for some time, the journey itself felt like part of the treat. It certainly was not your usual low‑cost experience!

On the way home we chose to break the journey with a few nights in Dubai, intending to relax after our action‑packed time in India. In reality, we could not help ourselves and spent our time exploring instead, but that is a story for another day.

Ready To Plan Your Own Bespoke India Honeymoon?

Our honeymoon in India gave us everything we had hoped for and more: culture, food, scenery, special moments together and the sense that we were really seeing the country, not just the tourist highlights.

If you would like to create your own tailor‑made honeymoon in India, with private guides, drivers, houseboat stays and home‑cooked meals, I would love to help design it with you.

Contact me today to start planning your unforgettable Indian adventure.