The seventh-largest country in the world and the second-most populated, India is a rich and varied nation that spans the vibrant cities and desert of northern India to the pristine sandy beaches and jungles of southern India. It is a favorite among backpackers on a budget, but is gaining popularity among package holidaymakers for its beaches and cultural tours.
Explore: Agra • Chennai • Delhi • Kanha National Park • Kolkata • Mumbai • Taj Mahal • Varanasi
A land of vastly diverse cultures and people, all united under on flag, India is a cacophony of sights, sounds and smells and all. Visitors who brave the heat and dirt will find colonial towns, palm-fringed beaches, soaring mountains, great shopping, holy rivers, lots of cows and possibly themselves.
Amazingly vast, India is perhaps best known for its iconic Taj Mahal, but also for its west coast Goan beaches, which are no longer the haunt of bohemian-types only. The fort cities of Rajasthan, to the north, are a favorite among culture vultures while Kolkata, to the east, brims with colonial charm, and the far north with outstanding Himalayan scenery, charming hill stations and a Tibetan-infused culture that are a world away from the filth and noise of India’s cities.
Mumbai is home to Bollywood and cosmopolitan shopping and nightlife as well as the Gateway of India arch. Meanwhile the tiger reserves of central India draw wildlife lovers, while the tea gardens of the northeast, such as the former summer capital of the Raj, Darjeeling, are favorite spots with fans of relaxation. Those looking for a spiritual experience should head for Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges, Amritsar’s Golden Temple, or Hampi, the site of amazing Vijayanagara ruins.
Located in the far north of India, Delhi is the nation’s capital city, and a good place to start exploring the country. The city is divided into two dramatically different sections and while New Delhi contains a large number of modern shopping centers as well as the impressive Lotus Temple, the city’s most famous landmarks such as the Red Fort, and Jama Masjid can be found in Old Delhi, with the Qutab Minar a taxi ride from the centre of town.
Formerly known as Calcutta, the gently crumbling city of Kolkata can also be found in northern India. Situated on the eastern bank of the mighty Hooghly River, this city features a wide range of impressive British colonial architecture. One of the largest cities in the south of the country, Mumbai is formed of a collection of seven islands and is best known for its colorful nightlife.
But it isn’t just the cities of India that draw visitors, it is the ornate palaces and ancient forts in the likes of Udaipur and Jaisalmer, the pretty hill stations of Shimla and Darjeeling, religious places such as Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha gained enlightenment, the tea gardens of Assam and the golden sand beaches of Kerala and Goa.
India also boasts parts of the incredible Himalayan mountain range, which is dotted with laid-back mountain towns that make ideal jumping off points for treks and climbing adventures. In between trekking expeditions, visitors can enjoy late-night raves in Manali, shopping for Kashmiri handcrafts in Leh or boating in Srinagar.
Because of India’s diversity, the country offers something for everyone, from nature fans to history buffs, but it perhaps appeals most to those with a sense of adventure and who are prepared to face the culture shock that is an inevitable part of any visit here.
What’s Cool
Spicy food, erotic temples of Khajuraho, forts and palaces of Rajasthan, Bollywood posters, snake charmers, saris, funny head-waggles, history and culture, Goa beaches, trekking in the Himalayas, colonial hill stations, people on train roofs, vegetarian food, bhang lassies and handlebar moustaches.
What’s Not
Noise, dust, pollution, too many people, poverty, deformed beggars pulling at your sleeve, Delhi belly or worse, long train rides, ear cleaners with sharp tools, vendors without change, barking dogs and people staring.
Where to Go
Highlights
Taj Mahal: is a gleaming white marble structure and India’s tourist emblem. It won’t disappoint.
River Ganges: where the water is muddy with the sins of those who come to wash them away.
Udaipur: is Rajasthan’s most romantic city, dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’.
Jaipur: the ‘Pink City’, with broad avenues, dodgy gem traders and plenty of charm.
Goa: Portuguese heritage and world-famous beaches, you can still see some of the hippies who lost their way home in the 1960s.
Mumbai: is the kitschy glamour capital of Bollywood cinema and shopping malls that are packed with designer labels.
Darjeeling: tea plantations, hill stations and colonial heritage; the ideal place to cool off.
Things to Do
Trekking: in the Himalayas, but watch out for bandits in Kullu.
Camel safaris: ride a desert ship from gorgeous Jaisalmer or Pushkar.
River trips: from Cochin or Allepey in Kerala through peaceful, spectacular waterways with duck herding and Chinese fishing nets.
Yoga, ashrams and meditation: can be found everywhere. The Beatles went to Rishikesh on the Ganges.
Toy train: Yes, It’s really called that. From Kolkata to Darjeeling through jungle, tea gardens and pine forests.
Partying: in Goa, while it’s not like 1960s here anymore, there are still some freaky full moon parties in Anjuna.
When to Go
Generally, India’s climate is defined by three distinct seasons.
The cool season: (November to February) is the best time to visit with pleasant temperatures and no rain.
The hot season: (March to June) is pretty uncomfortable with scorching heat.
The monsoon: (July to October) is hot, humid and muddy.
Festivals & Events
India is blessed with a massive number of festivals, some so extravagant that missing them is not an option.
January: Republic Day Festival in Delhi features elephants, a procession and lots of military might and Indian magnificence.
February/March: Holi in the north will have you covered in colored powder and soaked with water.
August/September: Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the elephant-headed god with shrines, firecrackers and everyone trying to avoid looking at the moon.
October/November: Camel Fair at Pushkar in Rajasthan is a provincial highlight.
October/November: Diwali is the main event on the Hindu calendar, when lights illuminate the sky.
Getting There
Most travelers arrive at New Delhi Airport, and Indian Airlines has special deals for domestic flights if booked from abroad.
The railway is the most convenient and interesting means for long distance travel, once you’ve managed to get a ticket, which you may have to partake in something not dissimilar to a greyhound race to acquire one.
Buses are often crowded and uncomfortable, and many roads are in poor condition. Ships go from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. Stuttering auto-rickshaws will take you around cities and taxis are sometimes metered.
Health & Safety
India is generally safe, but all those crowds make rich pickings for pickpockets. Water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilized. Milk is often un-pasteurized and should be boiled. The most common health problems for travelers are the famous Delhi belly (make sure to stock up on toilet paper) and malaria. Trips to pharmacies or hospitals are not uncommon.