India Tours Highlights
- Attend one of the many festivals like Diwali, Festival of Colors, or Dussehra.
- Stand in awe of the ivory-white marble Taj Mahal.
- Visit the Elephanta Caves and see the 5 Hindu and 2 Buddhist temples.
- Discover the beautiful nature in Meghalaya.
- Drink an authentic Masala Chai, a milk tea with spices born in India.
- See the Rashtrapati Bhavan, a 340-room palace houses the president of India and is the biggest residence of any president the world over.
- History enthusiasts should not miss the National Museum on Janpath.
- As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, you might want to visit Raj Ghat.
- The bazaars of Chandni Chowk have lots of shops and eateries.
- Walk around City Palace, Jaipur.
Travel Tips
- India is huge and diverse, there are 22 official languages and all 29 states have variations in their cultures and traditions.
- India has four major weather seasons- summer, winter, monsoon, and post-monsoon. Each part of India experiences different climatic conditions, so plan ahead on what to wear.
- Some villages won’t have doors on their houses or will leave them open when running errands.
- Mangoes are very popular fruit and should be on your list to try when traveling.
- India takes the sport of Cricket very seriously and you can oftentimes see school children playing.
- Talk with your doctor about any medicines you might need when traveling. Western food and water is different than what is found in India.
- Temples and holy places will require you to dress modestly and take off your shoes before entering.
- Public transportation is vast in India, taking the train or a rickshaw are common ways to travel.
- Haggling is customary in India, especially at local bazaars.
- 220-volt electricity is used in India, so pack necessary converters for your electronics.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN INDIA
1. GET UP CLOSE TO THE TAJ MAHAL
The Taj Mahal is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. This ivory and white marble mausoleum was commissioned in 1632 as a tomb for the emperor’s wife. The huge complex includes a mosque, a guest house, a garden, and a water feature. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was constructed by 20,000 builders and is considered a universally admired masterpiece.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- The Taj Mahal is located about 125 miles from Delhi in the popular Golden Triangle.
- It is worth it to arrive before the sun rises. The changing of light in the day makes the structure appear to change colors.
- Vehicles aren’t allowed within 500 meters of the Taj Mahal because of pollution
2. ATTEND ONE OF THE MANY FESTIVALS
There is Diwali, Dussehra, and many other festivities worshiping the Hindu gods, but Holi has become the worlds’ happiest and most famous festival of India. At this festival, people smear each other with paint and throw colored dye to celebrate the beginning of Spring. The Festival Of Colors is a day full of fun and dancing that invites everyone, and it has even expanded to other parts of the world.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Holi is celebrated in February or March every year during Phalguna. Diwali is 5 days during mid-October and mid-November. Diwali is celebrated 21 days after Dussehra.
3. EXPLORE AMBER PALACE
Amber Palace is a fort located in the small Amer, Rajasthan, outside of Jaipur. Located on a hill, it is known for its artistic style elements, large ramparts, and series of gates and cobbled walkways. The palace was built in 1592 and was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families and is one of the best-known attractions in Jaipur.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The heat can be scorching hot in the Summer, so aim to visit between October and March.
4. WALK AROUND CITY PALACE, JAIPUR
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan, and is still the home of the Jaipur royal family. The palace has lots of artistic buildings, spanning courtyards, galleries, holy shrines, and even places to eat. It is a paradise for art and history lovers. The Chandra Mahal is a four-story building that has a separate entrance fee.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- The City Palace is located in the middle of the old city wall of Jaipur.
- Budget a few hours to walk around. Don’t miss Chandra Mahal, the Mubarak Mahal, and the City Palace Museum.
5. GO TO THE HISTORICAL AGRA FORT
A little north of Taj Mahal sits Agra Fort, a historic walled city built in 1573. It did serve as the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. Agra Fort is known for its rich history and has been owned by many rulers are emperors. The semicircular fort has various palaces and halls and faces the bank of the Yamuna river.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- The entire fort was built using the red sandstone, but then underwent some major changes and many structures were rebuilt with white marble.
- When the British took over the ownership of Agra Fort, they made more changes but some structures were able to still stand.
6. LOOK UP AT THE QUTUB MINAR
This tall, slender tower in Delhi is elaborately decorated with inscriptions and geometric patterns. It is part of the Qutub complex and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tower is the highest tower in India, 73 meters, and is complete with five stories and projecting balconies. It was built in 1193 to celebrate the victory of dominance.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Qutub Minar is open daily. Since it is an outdoor site, it is best to visit during the cooler months in the Winter and Spring for pleasant weather. Plan to stay for about 2 hours.
7. VISIT THE INDIA GATE
The India Gate stands as a memorial to the 70,000 British Indian Army soldiers who died in WWI. Located in New Delhi, it has 13,300 soldiers and servicemen’s names inscribed on the gates. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the monument was completed in 1931. Many say it resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Although the India Gate is grand in any light, the site transforms in the evening when it is dramatically lit up. Their fountains and colored lights with a huge green lawn makes this a popular picnic spot or perfect for a friendly cricket match.
8. VIEW THE GATEWAY OF INDIA
Located in Mumbai, this arch monument as built in 1924 to commemorate the first British monarch to visit India. The triumphal arch made is of basalt and is 26 meters high. It has been called a symbol of conquest and colonization as a way of commemorating British colonial legacy. It is located on the waterfront at the Apollo Bunder area.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- The Gateway Of India is the perfect place to see a mixture of culture, sea level beauty and deep history all at once.
9. SEE THE RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN
The official residences of the President of India is located in New Delhi. The estate has large open spaces, huge gardens, reception halls, guest rooms, and staff offices. Few official head of state residences in the world will match the grandness and sheer size of Rashtrapati Bhavan. It took 17 years to build, has 4 floors and 340 rooms with an area of 200,000 square feet.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Check the schedule of visiting days because the complex has different schedules for different sections of the building. Most circuits are open Thursday- Sunday.
10. SHOP AT THE CHANDNI CHOWK
One of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, it is located by the Old Delhi Railway Station. It was built in the 17th century and has a ton of little shops and local eateries. Everything you’ve imagined about India’s bazaars comes alive here. Not only are they full of vendors that have perfumes, jewelry, clothing, books, and hardware, it is also a wonderful spot for foodies who want to sample the local cuisine.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Don’t feel overwhelmed by looking for something specific. Vendors stay grouped together by what they specialize in. It’s best to hire a shopping tour guide if you want the best deals and specific goods.
- It is common to haggle and if a deal is too good to be true, it usually is because fakes are common.
- Keep an eye on personal belongs because pickpockets are common in this crowded area.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Most shops are closed on Sundays. There is an early morning bazaar close to the Red Fort, we suggest getting there before 8am in order to get your choice of things offered.