India tour packages combine the best of the best for you to have an authentic, safe and eye-opening visit to the land of ancient temples, cows that contribute to Delhi’s traffic headache, and rare wildlife such as the Bengal Tiger. There is so much to see and do in India it’s difficult to narrow your must-see itinerary, so we have compiled a list that will help you do just that. Check out our favourite things to do in India!
Tour the Taj Mahal
One of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the striking Taj Mahal, is a monument of love and grief from Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The white-marble building never fails to exceed expectations, and is decorated with Persian, Islamic and Indian design to create the shimmering might of beauty and symmetry. Poet Bina Gupta declares it a “marble symphony by maestro carvers”.
The wonders of Varanasi
As cities go, this one is as ancient and traditional as it gets, with 5,000 years’ worth of bathing rituals in the holy river Ganges. Turn your nose past the sewage and burning bodies, and filter your senses towards the incense, bell chimes, and spiritual candle flower offerings by Hindu devotees from the dozens of gnats (large concrete staircases leading to the water).
See the ‘Pink City’ Jaipur
The capital city of the Rajasthan region was designed by architects with seriously royal ambition. Historic palaces and forts are bathed in rose pink hues, tinged by lively bazaars and chaotic backstreets.
Glimpse Royal Bengal tigers in Bandhavgarh National Park
No longer the emperor’s hunting grounds, rifles have been replaced with binoculars in search of big felines – both rare white tigers and the familiar orange and black Royal Bengals.
Look out for – and respect – Sikh turbans
The Dastaar is an important part of Sikh culture, and is mandatory for all men and women initiated into the Sikh religion.
Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques
Though Hindu is the majority religion, India has played a crucial role in the history of Buddhism as well. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya was the location of Buddha’s enlightenment, while the ancient monasteries at Sarnath near the Dhamekh Stupa Monument were the site for Buddha’s first teachings.
India is also home to 300,000 active mosques – more than any Islamic nation – the oldest of which dates back to 629 AD.
Eclectic Kochi (Cochin)
Throw the Dutch, British, Chinese and Portuguese into a blender, marinate with the Kerala coastline, and the colonial smoothie will taste a little like Kochi, where giant fishing nets wrap around synagogues and mosques and the remnants of old trading days.
Re-centre at spiritual ashrams
Made even more famous by the book and film ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, ashrams offer a quiet retreat focused on yoga, meditation and finding balance, away from the hustle of everyday life.
Mighty Mehrangarh Fort
The imposing Rajput fortress overlooks panoramas of the blue-painted city of Jodhpur, with 17-foot thick walls standing proud atop a 400-foot burnished red sandstone cliff. Scenes for Batman: The Dark Knight Rises were filmed here.
Experience the Pushkar Camel Fair
Every Indian Hindu pledges to visit once in their lifetime, and so should you – if not to join the hum of worship and one of the world’s few Brahma temples, then to witness the annual spectacle of the Camel Fair. Holy men trade up to 50,000 humps, and embark on hoofed pilgrimages out to the Thar desert.
The thrill of Mumbai (Bombay)
In a country of 1.3 billion people, Mumbai is the swollen city. It is the financial capital of India, yet millionaires walk the same streets as desperate beggars, and skyscrapers stand next to slums. The cheerful Bollywood film industry and their hand-raising dances offer popular respite from the contradictions.
Go wild at Goa
This balmy retreat of the South West has summoned hippies and hedonists for decades, and remains the hotspot for Indian Ocean beach vacations attracting locals and foreigners alike. Goa’s tropical beaches are also known for wild rave parties.
Dodge cows in Delhi
Navigate your way through ambling cows, hawkers, unbelievable traffic and crowds, and you will find solace somewhere in the capital, in the forever exciting bustle of New or Old Delhi.
Hindu shrines and temples
As home to around 1 billion Hindus, India has no shortage of breath-taking shrines and temples. Some of the best known include the world’s first complete granite temple, Brihadishwara, the village of Khajuraho’s collection of temples decorated with erotic sculpture, and the colourful Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – one of the largest religious complexes in the world.
Try finding a seat on a crowded train
Train is a popular mode of travel in India, and with a national population that ranks only behind China, you can expect to face some stiff competition for a seat – but standing for a multiple-hour journey is all part of the authentic experience!
Explore Jaisalmer Fort
At first glance it looks like the most epic honey-coloured sandcastle ever – it is in fact one of the largest constructed fortifications, rising from the Thar Desert despite relentless attacks, with housing for a number of temples and over two thousand inhabitants.
The ancient religion of Jainism
The central concepts of Jainism: non-violence and respect for all living beings, were key principles that influenced Mahatma Gandhi, who adopted many of the religion’s teachings. Jainism is still followed to this day by millions of people in India, though it is one of the smaller major religions.
Pick up a bat for some street cricket
Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India, and is not only played on manicured pitches but also streets and backyards across the country – with rules adapted accordingly. Pick up a bat and try your hand and protecting the make-shift wickets against a local bowler.
Visit a tea plantation
India is the second-largest producer of tea after China, primarily growing the Assam and Darjeeling varieties. India also accounts for a whopping 30% of tea consumption worldwide, but even with the dent in their exports due to the thirsty locals, remains the most important exporter of tea behind China.
Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC
