A trip to India is an immersive experience into the unbeatable charm of its culture and heavenly landscapes. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Around 720 thousand foreign tourist arrivals were recorded in June 2019 to witness the magnificent landforms, ancient architecture, timeless yogic culture, and colorful festivals of the subcontinent.
From modern cities to rustic villages, the lifestyle, traditions, food, and climatic conditions vary widely across the region. It is chaotic, colorful, charismatic or to sum it up just–Incredible India.
Here are a few things you must know to plan an unforgettable trip to India and make the most of your time.
Preparing for your trip to India
India is home to the widest variety of natural splendors, people, and social norms, which may even become overwhelming sometimes. The rules of conduct that may work in one part of the country might not work in the other. You may also notice a few rules related to greetings, and social space may vary from what you observe back home.
Here is a list of things you must know to get prepared to explore the best of India:
- Nationals from 58 countries are eligible to apply for an e-visa to India to reduce unnecessary hassles.
- Note and learn the local customs like greeting people with a namaste (folded hands), dressing up conservatively, and taking off shoes before entering religious and residential spaces.
- The true essence of Indian culture is in its villages and smaller cities, spend some time there. Though language may be a barrier, you will meet the warmest people here.
- Domestic traveling is expensive and time-consuming, so plan your trip zone-wise. Don’t worry about missing out on attractions of the other zones, as India will lure you to keep coming back.
- Try to bargain and get the best deals while shopping for stuff you want to take back home.
Best time to visit India
The best time to visit India is from October to April as these months have pleasant weather and negligible rainfall in most regions. The sub-continent has a multitude of climate zones with varying weather, so it’s advisable to check the same as per your itinerary.
Must-Visit Places in India
There are unlimited interesting places to visit in India, and I recommend stopping in the nearby towns and cities en route for a convenient trip. Depending upon your interest, you can pick one of the following recommended routes:
1. Golden Triangle: A popular tourist route ideal for history buffs. You will cover three major cities, i.e. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur on this route. Start your journey by witnessing Delhi’s impressive monuments such a Humayun’s Tomb and Red Fort. Take a road trip to the magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra. Get on a train to reach Jaipur and behold the pretty Hawa Mahal. The Golden Triangle connects a few famous must-visit historical monuments of India and popular World Heritage sites. You can also hop onto the Maharajas Express for an extravagant yet comfortable journey around these cities.
2. Experience Royalty: If you are planning for a luxe trip, then there is no better place than the state of Rajasthan. The state is full of palaces, history, culture, folklore, and everything gorgeous. You can enjoy folk dances, regional performances, and local art forms in Rajasthan. Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur are the three premier cities to visit for the ultimate royal experience. You can book a trip on the Maharajas Express and stay at the opulent heritage hotels to have the most memorable experience.
3. Spiritual Stroll: India has forever been alluring people who wish to explore the path to mystical enlightenment or the ancient yogic culture. Owing to the diversity of religion, there are several spiritual spots across India catering to people with varied beliefs. On your trip to India, you can travel to places like Mathura, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi in North India to understand the local beliefs and traditions. Another must-visit holy shrine is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, known for its captivating beauty and calm. You can travel to Odisha to witness the Sun Temple at Konark and Jagannath Temple in Puri. In South India, you can explore the Hampi Group of Monuments and other beautiful temples in Tamil Nadu. Apart from these, the Patanjali Yogpeeth at Gangotri, the Art of Living Ashram at Bengaluru, the Ashtanga Yoga Institute at Mysore, and the Isha Yoga Center at Coimbatore are ideal for learning yoga and meditation.
4. Beach and Adventure Activities: India boasts of a vast coastline and some of the finest beaches in Asia. Goa is the most popular destination for beach babies, party lovers, and adventure junkies. Apart from Goa, you can explore beaches in Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andaman. The Backwaters of Kerala are ideal for nature lovers, and Kovalam is a paradise for surfers. Tarkarli in Maharashtra is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving while Alibaug is perfect for water sports. Andaman has some of Asia’s finest beaches, including the pristine Radhanagar Beach.
You can also create customized packages as per your interest through licensed travel agencies.
Takeaway
When you plan your trip to India, remember it is not just a travel destination. India is an experience and you can soak its culture, beauty, and charm only at a slow pace so that the memories of this land will stay with you forever.
With these planning tips in hand, get ready to book your tickets as India is waiting to welcome and amaze you. Remember to pack your essentials like comfortable shoes, cotton clothing, medicines, and local currency.
For any financial requirements during your trip, you can receive money from your loved ones from across the globe through the wide network of Western Union agent locations across India.
This sponsored content was provided by Akancha Tripathi. Akancha creates content on technology, health, lifestyle, environment and sustainability matters. Her contribution for the Tagline for the promotion of Geographical Indicators of India has been awarded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. A qualified HR & Marketing professional, she currently works independently, writing out her mind every day. Tweet to her @AkanchaTripathi.
