India Travel Guide
If you want an eye-opening, life changing experience, travel to India. India is bamboozling, exotic, colorful, frustrating, beautiful, and never, ever boring. On a visit here, expect to see gorgeous places and heartbreaking poverty all in the same day. This is a country where you can climb high into the tallest mountains in the world, relax on tropical beaches, gaze up at one of the Wonders of the World, and dine on flavorful, spicy food. In small doses, at least for first timers, India has a lot to offer. Coming here is a trip of a lifetime.
India in Photos
A Journey through India in Photos
Journey through India in photos…here is a small collection of our favorite photos and experiences from India.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is the second-largest state in India and where Mumbai is located.
This is Mumbai, India
Mumbai, our second stop in India, is a city that exceeded my expectations. After our tour through Nepal, Bhutan, and northeast India, we were all ready for another big city. Mumbai, known as Bombay until 1996, is one of the world’s largest cities by population. This city is the fifth largest in the world and […]
Street Food Tour in Mumbai
As a grand finale in Mumbai, we took a street food tour, and it was by far our favorite thing we did while staying in this city. Using Reality Tours again, who we used for the tour through Dharavi, we spent four hours on our last evening in town trying foods prepared in food stands […]
A Tour of the Dharavi Slum in Mumbai, India
Mumbai, known as Bombay until 1996, was the first major city we visited while in India. Mumbai is known for its film industry, being home to Bollywood, and its slums, made famous by the movie “Slum Dog Millionaire.” Sixty percent of the Mumbai population lives in slums. While in Mumbai, toured the Dharavi slum, Mumbai’s […]
Rajasthan
Located in northeastern India and home to the Thar Desert, Rajasthan is the largest state in India.
Going on Camel Safari In Jaisalmer, India
Jaisalmer, India, a small city located in the desert just 130 kilometers from India’s border with Pakistan, was our home for five days. When planning this trip and learning that we could go on a camel safari in the desert, sleeping under the stars at night, we all got very excited. What a cool thing […]
How to Visit Ranakpur Temple on a Road Trip through India
Ranakpur Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in India, makes a perfect day trip if you are traveling between Udaipur and Jodhpur. We were very pleasantly surprised with the beauty and serenity of this temple. What is Ranakpur Temple? Ranakpur Temple is a Jain temple located in the state of Rajasthan. Jainism is an […]
Snake Charming and Elephant Riding in Jaipur, India
Jaipur is one of three destinations in the “Golden Triangle,” a group of three cities that most people visit even on the quickest trip to India. In the Golden Triangle are New Delhi, the capital of India, Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur, the pink city. From what I read, most tourists do […]
Udaipur, India in Photos
We spent three days in Udaipur, a city that is labeled as India’s most romantic city and one of its least hectic cities to visit. One of Udaipur’s claims to fame is that it was featured in the James Bond movie “Octopussy.” Udaipur in Photos Hotel Boheda Palace We stayed at Hotel Boheda Palace, a […]
Delhi
Walking Through Chaotic Old Delhi, India
During our time in New Delhi, our visit to chaotic Old Delhi was a highlight. This is a crazy place, with the traffic, noise, and congestion. A walk through chaotic, Old Delhi is something to consider doing on your visit to India.
Uttar Pradesh
Located in northern India, Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state. Agra, the Taj Mahal, and Varanasi are located here.
The Taj Mahal in Photos
After traveling almost four weeks through India we finally made it to the Taj Mahal, wonder of the world. Here is our quick tour of the Taj Mahal in photos. Taj Mahal in Photos On our first day in Agra we went to the sunrise point of the Taj Mahal. Here we had our first […]
Varanasi, India’s Holiest City
Varanasi, also known as Benares, is the spiritual capital of India. This is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, dating back to the 11th century B.C. Varanasi is a city of pilgrimage for many Hindu and Jain people. It is auspicious to die here and many people are brought here to be cremated […]
Madhya Pradesh
Photo Tour of the Temples of Khajuraho
Khajuraho, India is home to UNESCO World Heritage temples, some of the finest temple art in the world. It is the erotic carvings that make these temples so famous, with some of the carvings featuring images from India’s famous Kama Sutra.
West Bengal
Located in northeast India, West Bengal borders Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
Happy Diwali from Darjeeling, India
Our experience celebrating Diwali in Darjeeling, India. This was our first stop on a 5 week tour of India and it was a wonderful introduction to the country.
Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever as a 40th Birthday Present
During our visit to India, I became infected with Dengue Fever and this just happened to coincide with my 40th birthday.
Places to Visit Near India
Here are a few more articles about things to see and do near India.
7 Day Bhutan Itinerary: Thimphu, Punakha, Paro & the Tiger’s Nest
Bhutan is a tiny country that is nestled among the mightiest mountains in the world. This is the land of dramatic mountain scenery, Buddhism, prayer wheels, dzongs, ancient traditions, chilies and cheese, rice terraces, and some of the most beautiful woodworking you will ever see. With one week in Bhutan, you can explore the cultural […]
A Journey through Bhutan in Photos
Bhutan is a tiny country nestled away in the Himalayas. This is the land of dramatic mountain scenery, Buddhism, prayer wheels, dzongs, ancient traditions, chilies and cheese, rice terraces, and some of the most beautiful woodworking you will ever see. We spent an unforgettable week here and fell in love with this country. Come journey […]
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary: A Day-By-Day Guide
The Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal was one of the highlights of our trip around the world. In fact, this trek was so important to us that we planned the entire year around this two week adventure. Trekking to base camp was more challenging than we anticipated, both physically and mentally, but was absolutely […]
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking to the Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Takstang, is one of Bhutan’s most recognized spots. Even people on the quickest of tours through Bhutan find the time to make it here. Why? Because this place is extraordinary. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a small collection of buildings precariously perched on a cliff, 900 meters […]
This is Kathmandu, Nepal…a Photojourney
Kathmandu, Nepal…how best to describe this crazy city? Chaotic, dirty, loud…but Kathmandu is also exotic, beautiful, and captivating. The streets are dusty and dirty. Even though you want to look up at the thousands of signs over your head and in the windows of the shops, you must always be looking down to avoid […]
What Traveling Through Asia Has Taught Us
We have now been traveling through Asia for over five months and still have several more to go. It has been quite the learning experience for our family…new foods, new cultures, lots of history to learn about. Most of it has been a wonderful experience although we have had a few difficulties along the way, […]
Top Experiences in India
The Taj Mahal. A Wonder of the World and considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful buildings, the Taj Mahal is already on most visitors must-see lists. It’s best to spend a full day in Agra, giving you the chance to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset for the best experience.
Varanasi. Varanasi in India’s holiest city. Hire a boat at sunrise to watch the people pray and make their ablutions in the sacred water of the Ganges River. This is one of India’s most culturally rich sites. Varanasi can be overwhelming but there’s no better place to absorb the culture of India.
Himachal Pradesh. This is a state in northwestern India. Tour the hill stations, go trekking in the Himalayas, and visit Buddhist monasteries.
Celebrate Diwali. Diwali is a Hindu festival that occurs every autumn. This is one of the most important Hindu festivals and it lasts 5 days. The country is in a very festive mood, businesses shut down, and fireworks are launched every night well past the 5th day of Diwali. It’s a very fun time to be in India.
Go on a tiger safari. Go on safari in India, searching for the elusive tiger. There are several national parks where you can spot a tiger, if you’re lucky. Taking a tour gives you the best chance of seeing tigers.
Udaipur. Udaipur is one of the prettiest, cleanest cities in India and a popular place for tourists. James Bond fans will love this city. It was used as a filming location for the movie “Octopussy.”
The backwaters of Kerala. The Kerala backwaters are a series of lagoons in southern India. The most popular thing to do here is to rent a houseboat and cruise through the canals.
The Pink City of Jaipur. Famous for its pink buildings, people travel here to tour the forts, the Palace of the Wind, and to get up close with Indian elephants.
Amritsar. This is the place to see the Golden Temple, a beautiful temple that is a place of pilgrimage for many Indians.
Hampi. Hampi was once the capital of a 14th century civilization. Now it’s a place to walk among the ruins and explore an amazing landscape with giant boulders as far as the eye can see.
Go on a Camel Safari. Journey on a 2 or 3 day (or longer) excursion into the desert on a camel. Sleep under the stars and go on an adventure of a lifetime.
Andaman Islands. The Andaman Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar than India. They resemble the tropical islands and beaches of Thailand and are a very popular place to go scuba diving.
Mumbai. Once known as Bombay, Mumbai is the capital city of the state Maharashtra. It is home to Bollywood, India’s largest slum population, and India’s largest collection of millionaires and billionaires.
Puducherry. Once known as Pondicherry, this small town in southern India is popular for its French influences.
Ladakh. Ladakh is a remote destination in India, located in the far northwestern corner of the country. While you are here, it may feel like you are in Tibet rather than India.
New Delhi. This is the capital city of India. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, along with Varanasi and Jerusalem. Tour old forts and monuments, walk the chaotic streets of Chandni Chowk, and go shopping in Hauz Khas Village.
Goa. Why go to Goa? It’s home to some of India’s best beaches. And it’s more laid back and peaceful than many of India’s northern destinations.
Darjeeling. Darjeeling was a popular hill station during British rule. It is located in the mountains between Nepal and Bhutan. Some of the world’s best tea is grown here and you can tour the tea estates. This is a place to escape from the heat of India and view the Himalayas to the north.
Things to Know
- Language
The official languages are Hindi and English, which are widely spoken throughout India. However, there are 22 major languages in India.
- Power
230 V 50 Hz, Europlug (Type C, D and M)
- Currency
Indian Rupee, INR.