The 10 most incredible things to do in India |
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The 10 most incredible things to do in India
From the Taj Mahal's color-shifting marble at sunrise to Meghalaya's living root bridges grown over generations across jungle rivers
India rewards travelers with a genuinely staggering range of experiences within a single country, from snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the north to palm-fringed tropical beaches in the south. Few destinations anywhere in the world pack quite this much geographic, cultural and culinary diversity into one place, and no single trip could realistically cover everything the country holds within just a few weeks.
Planning a trip around a handful of specific regions genuinely serves travelers better than attempting to see the entire country in one visit, since India’s sheer scale means even domestic travel between highlights can take considerable time. Each of the experiences below rewards travelers with a genuinely distinct side of India, whether that means ancient temples, colonial history or simply a stretch of quiet coastline far from the more heavily touristed circuits.
The 10 experiences below appear in Lonely Planet, covering the best things to do throughout India. They range from the classic Golden Triangle circuit to genuinely remote corners such as Northeast India and the Andaman Islands, giving travelers considerable range across both well-established and rarely visited parts of the country. Domestic flights connect most of these regions relatively affordably, letting travelers combine several destinations from this list within a single multi-week trip instead of confining themselves to a single state or circuit. Travelers $TRV -0.43% with limited time should prioritize regions that share a similar climate and travel style, since jumping between vastly different terrain, such as Ladakh’s high mountains and the tropical Andaman Islands, within a single short trip risks spending more time in transit than actually exploring each destination properly. Booking key transport and accommodation well in advance also helps considerably, since India’s most popular sites draw considerable demand throughout the peak winter travel season each year.
1. The Golden Triangle anchors India’s classic circuit
Aditya Siva / Unsplash
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur together form the Golden Triangle. This classic introductory circuit rewards first-time visitors with a genuinely rich sampling of Mughal and Rajput history within a single, manageable loop. Agra’s Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the seventeenth century as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, ranks among the most recognizable buildings anywhere in the world, and its marble facade genuinely shifts color throughout the day depending on the angle of sunlight.
Delhi itself splits into Old and New sections, with Old Delhi’s crowded lanes around Chandni Chowk offering genuinely chaotic street food and the Red Fort’s imposing sandstone walls. At the same time, New Delhi’s wide colonial-era boulevards hold India Gate and the presidential residence. This contrast between old and new gives Delhi considerable range for travelers interested in both centuries-old heritage and the modern capital’s administrative core.
Jaipur, known as the Pink City for the rosy-hued buildings throughout its historic quarter, rounds out the triangle with the Amber Fort, City Palace and the distinctive honeycomb facade of the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds. This particular blend of desert-state architecture gives Jaipur a genuinely different character than either Delhi or Agra, despite sitting just a few hours from both by road or rail.
Travelers $TRV -0.43% should budget at least a week to properly explore all three cities without rushing, since each destination holds enough historic sites to fill two or three full days on its own easily. Travelers should book Taj Mahal tickets for sunrise specifically, since the earliest entry slot genuinely rewards visitors with both softer light for photography and considerably thinner crowds than the middle of the day. Hiring a private driver for the full Golden Triangle circuit often proves more comfortable than relying purely on trains between cities, since a car allows genuine flexibility to stop at smaller sites along the route between Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Comfortable walking shoes also help considerably given how much ground exploring the Red Fort and Amber Fort genuinely covers.
2. Rajasthan’s forts guard centuries of Rajput history
Mayur Sable / Unsplash
Beyond Jaipur, the desert state of Rajasthan holds a considerable concentration of hilltop forts and palaces built by rival Rajput clans over several centuries. Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort towers above the blue-painted old city below, giving the fort’s name, the Blue City, genuine visual drama when viewed from the ramparts at sunset.
Udaipur, often called the City of Lakes, offers a considerably more romantic atmosphere, with the City Palace and Lake Palace both reflected in the still waters of Lake Pichola below. This lakeside setting gives Udaipur a genuinely different character than the more rugged, desert-facing forts found elsewhere throughout the state.
Jaisalmer, sitting deep within the Thar Desert near the Pakistani border, rewards travelers willing to make the longer journey with a genuinely golden sandstone fort still inhabited by families living within its ancient walls. Camel safaris into the surrounding dunes give visitors a chance to experience the desert landscape directly, often culminating in an overnight camp under genuinely clear, star-filled skies.
Travelers $TRV -0.43% moving between these Rajasthani cities should budget considerable time for road or rail travel, since distances between major forts often stretch several hours even along well-maintained highways. Travelers hoping to see Jaisalmer’s fort at its most striking should time a visit for late afternoon specifically, since the golden sandstone genuinely glows most vividly as the sun begins to set over the surrounding desert. Travelers should pack layers even during warmer months, since desert nights throughout Rajasthan, particularly during camel safari camping trips, can turn considerably colder than daytime temperatures might suggest. A reusable water bottle also helps considerably given how much walking exploring these hilltop forts genuinely requires. A camera with a wide-angle lens also helps considerably for capturing the sheer scale of these hilltop fortifications. Sunscreen also matters considerably given how........