How do you describe India? To name just a few adjectives: intoxicating, adventurous, amazing, crazy, wonderful, intimidating, loud and overwhelming.
India is all of that and much more. In fact, India is one of the most inspiring, contradicting and chaotic countries in the world. That is why good travel preparation is important. We have put together five tips - for a relaxed first adventure trip to India.
Classic for short trips
The most popular tour to get to know India in a short time is the Golden Triangle. With a tight schedule, the three top travel destinations Delhi, Agra and Jaipur can be traveled in one week. The tour starts in Delhi with sights such as Humayun's Tomb. Then the journey continues to Agra to the impressive Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Jaipur is the next item on the program to explore Pink City and Fort Amber. The tour ends in Delhi filled with unforgettable impressions. A stroll through the wonderful bazaars of the lively city with millions is recommended before the plane takes off back home.
Diversity of religious sites
Anyone looking for temples in India will find it everywhere. In North and Central India, it can even be difficult to decide on a selection due to the large number. The impressive Golden Temple is in Amritsar. The erotic representations in the temple district of Khajuraho make this rather unknown place a real insider tip. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the Konark Sun Temple. In the small village of Ranakour is the most luxuriant group of temples in India. There are also tons of ornate white marble Jainism temples in colorful Rajastan and Gurjat. The temples in southern India are very different from those in the north. The towering Gopuram towers covered with statues catch the eye here. There are breathtaking examples in Hampi, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Tiruvannamalai. Also impressive: the temple caves in Ajanta and Ellora and the temples on Elephanta Island near Mumbai.
Magic of the Grand Moguls
Fascinating magnificent buildings still testify to the 300-year period of the great Mughal Empire on the Indian subcontinent. Fans of Islamic architecture are guaranteed to delight in and around Delhi. There is the magnificent Red Fort, the mosques and minarets of the Qutub Minar complex and the tomb of Humayun. In Fatehpur Sikri and Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal, there are countless other buildings of Arabic architecture. Jaisalmer, the breathtaking vision of a 1001-night desert fortress, is among numerous Mughal forts in Rajastan.
Chill out on India's beaches and backwaters
The journey along the coast leads to the most beautiful beaches in India in the south. The Girgaum Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai is famous for its munch bhelpuri, a dish made from puffed rice, pasta and green mango. So strengthened, the tour continues to the famous Goa. Arambol, Vagator and Palolem are Goa's top beaches. Kerala is famous for its black sandy beaches Kovalam and Varkala. Anyone who visits Kerala should also travel the backwaters, the widely branched waterways in the hinterland. It is attractive over rivers, overgrown lakes and through narrow canals. Time seems to stand still in the houseboat or canoe, while the landscape gently rocks by. Another dream: Dal Lake in Srinagar in Kashmir, which is worth a visit depending on the security situation.
Encounter India's wildlife
The chances of seeing a tiger are best in the Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan National Parks. But basically there are reserves all over India where exotic animals can be observed. If you want to see lions, travel to Sasan Gir and Gujarat. Rhinos can be seen in Assam. With their colossal size, elephants impress in the wild - they are native to Wayanad and Kerala. Ornitologists will be amazed at the biodiversity of the rich bird life in Bharatpur and Rajasthan. Less wildlife safari, but certainly a wild and unforgettable adventure, is a camel trek through the Jaisalmer or Bikaner desert in Rajasthan.
Adventure trekking and mountains
The north of India with its high mountains is an Eldorado for outdoor fans and adrenaline junkies. The Kullu Valley and the high regions of Uttarkhand and Himachal Pradesh invite you to go skiing and white water rafting. A great starting point for trekking tours is the Shimla mountain station. Manali, located further north, is also a good starting point. The ideal season begins after the monsoons in September and October. The best time for the spectacular two-day tour from Manali to Leh in Ladakh is from mid-June to mid-September. The pilgrimage town of Rishikesh is not just another top spot for rafting. Numerous trekking tours also start there, such as the famous pilgrimage route to the four sacred mountain temples in the Garhwal Mountains. Sikkim also offers tours with breathtaking views of the rugged mountains.
Immerse yourself in India's spirituality
For Hindus, Varanasi is the most sacred city in India. Thousands of believers arrive every day to bathe in the Ganges and for Hindus it is considered desirable to die in Varanasi. Immortality beckons them as a reward. Smoke is permanently over the Ganges, which stems from the many cremations. But Varanasi is only one of the places to encounter the spirituality of India. The whole country is shaped by the diversity of its peoples and their religions. Large pilgrimage centers are located in Ajmer and Pushkar in Rajasthan. The holy Sikh city of Amritsar in Punjab is also worth seeing. Those who want to immerse themselves in spirituality will find meditation and yoga centers almost everywhere, from the suburbs of Delhi to the ashrams in Rishikesh. Even the Beatles made a pilgrimage to the famous place at the foot of the Himalayas to meditate. If you want to get closer to Tibetan Buddhism, travel to Leh in Ladakh and McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala. There is the new home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile.
Many travelers become vegetarians in India. That's not a bad idea. A dubious piece of meat does more damage than half-cooked vegetables. Since many Indians are vegetarians, the country offers one of the most fabulous vegetarian menus in the world anyway. If you still eat meat, you should make sure that it is well cooked. There is no harm in sticking to stalls where many locals frolic.
The sanitary facilities in India are also getting used to. Creativity, flexibility and sometimes a bit of courage are required. You will hardly find toilet paper. One way is to adopt the local method. If you carry a bar of soap in your luggage, you can easily handle a hand and water jug. Of course, antibacterial towels and handwashing gels are also useful companions in your luggage. Then the hands can be washed again before eating with the fingers.
The most important advice for beginners in India is: stay calm, no matter what. Quickly boil up frustration and emotions. Those who manage to take a deep breath and stay in control will enjoy the trip better. It may also be worthwhile to pause for a moment and think about how much theft or fraud loss is. After all, the money was enough for a trip through the chaotic, wonderful country. And you take more of it home with you than a few euros saved.
And now into the adventure of India.
India is all of that and much more. In fact, India is one of the most inspiring, contradicting and chaotic countries in the world. That is why good travel preparation is important. We have put together five tips - for a relaxed first adventure trip to India.
1. Choose the right route
So much in advance: India has gigantic dimensions. It is impossible to see everything on one trip. Rather, it is necessary to think about your own interests. The schedule is also crucial. How long does the trip take and how many sites can realistically be packed into the period? Instead of traveling all over the country, it is advisable to look at the south or north. If you want to see both parts of India in one trip, you can benefit from the plentiful and cheap domestic flights. The route suggested in the Lonely Planet travel guide can help. For the quick start of travel planning, here are some routes.Classic for short trips
The most popular tour to get to know India in a short time is the Golden Triangle. With a tight schedule, the three top travel destinations Delhi, Agra and Jaipur can be traveled in one week. The tour starts in Delhi with sights such as Humayun's Tomb. Then the journey continues to Agra to the impressive Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Jaipur is the next item on the program to explore Pink City and Fort Amber. The tour ends in Delhi filled with unforgettable impressions. A stroll through the wonderful bazaars of the lively city with millions is recommended before the plane takes off back home.
Diversity of religious sites
Anyone looking for temples in India will find it everywhere. In North and Central India, it can even be difficult to decide on a selection due to the large number. The impressive Golden Temple is in Amritsar. The erotic representations in the temple district of Khajuraho make this rather unknown place a real insider tip. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the Konark Sun Temple. In the small village of Ranakour is the most luxuriant group of temples in India. There are also tons of ornate white marble Jainism temples in colorful Rajastan and Gurjat. The temples in southern India are very different from those in the north. The towering Gopuram towers covered with statues catch the eye here. There are breathtaking examples in Hampi, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Tiruvannamalai. Also impressive: the temple caves in Ajanta and Ellora and the temples on Elephanta Island near Mumbai.
Magic of the Grand Moguls
Fascinating magnificent buildings still testify to the 300-year period of the great Mughal Empire on the Indian subcontinent. Fans of Islamic architecture are guaranteed to delight in and around Delhi. There is the magnificent Red Fort, the mosques and minarets of the Qutub Minar complex and the tomb of Humayun. In Fatehpur Sikri and Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal, there are countless other buildings of Arabic architecture. Jaisalmer, the breathtaking vision of a 1001-night desert fortress, is among numerous Mughal forts in Rajastan.
Chill out on India's beaches and backwaters
The journey along the coast leads to the most beautiful beaches in India in the south. The Girgaum Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai is famous for its munch bhelpuri, a dish made from puffed rice, pasta and green mango. So strengthened, the tour continues to the famous Goa. Arambol, Vagator and Palolem are Goa's top beaches. Kerala is famous for its black sandy beaches Kovalam and Varkala. Anyone who visits Kerala should also travel the backwaters, the widely branched waterways in the hinterland. It is attractive over rivers, overgrown lakes and through narrow canals. Time seems to stand still in the houseboat or canoe, while the landscape gently rocks by. Another dream: Dal Lake in Srinagar in Kashmir, which is worth a visit depending on the security situation.
Encounter India's wildlife
The chances of seeing a tiger are best in the Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan National Parks. But basically there are reserves all over India where exotic animals can be observed. If you want to see lions, travel to Sasan Gir and Gujarat. Rhinos can be seen in Assam. With their colossal size, elephants impress in the wild - they are native to Wayanad and Kerala. Ornitologists will be amazed at the biodiversity of the rich bird life in Bharatpur and Rajasthan. Less wildlife safari, but certainly a wild and unforgettable adventure, is a camel trek through the Jaisalmer or Bikaner desert in Rajasthan.
Adventure trekking and mountains
The north of India with its high mountains is an Eldorado for outdoor fans and adrenaline junkies. The Kullu Valley and the high regions of Uttarkhand and Himachal Pradesh invite you to go skiing and white water rafting. A great starting point for trekking tours is the Shimla mountain station. Manali, located further north, is also a good starting point. The ideal season begins after the monsoons in September and October. The best time for the spectacular two-day tour from Manali to Leh in Ladakh is from mid-June to mid-September. The pilgrimage town of Rishikesh is not just another top spot for rafting. Numerous trekking tours also start there, such as the famous pilgrimage route to the four sacred mountain temples in the Garhwal Mountains. Sikkim also offers tours with breathtaking views of the rugged mountains.
Immerse yourself in India's spirituality
For Hindus, Varanasi is the most sacred city in India. Thousands of believers arrive every day to bathe in the Ganges and for Hindus it is considered desirable to die in Varanasi. Immortality beckons them as a reward. Smoke is permanently over the Ganges, which stems from the many cremations. But Varanasi is only one of the places to encounter the spirituality of India. The whole country is shaped by the diversity of its peoples and their religions. Large pilgrimage centers are located in Ajmer and Pushkar in Rajasthan. The holy Sikh city of Amritsar in Punjab is also worth seeing. Those who want to immerse themselves in spirituality will find meditation and yoga centers almost everywhere, from the suburbs of Delhi to the ashrams in Rishikesh. Even the Beatles made a pilgrimage to the famous place at the foot of the Himalayas to meditate. If you want to get closer to Tibetan Buddhism, travel to Leh in Ladakh and McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala. There is the new home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile.
2. Arrive and slow down
Many travelers try to put too much into a visit to India. Time runs there according to its own rules. Those who concentrate on a few places have more of the trip instead of checking off as many as possible. Especially since traveling within the Indian subcontinent requires some nerve strength. It is more worthwhile to arrive at a stain and get involved with it, instead of going to many places and not really picking up one. Those who take their time will gain a deeper understanding of the area, its people and customs. After all, India is not only loud, fast and chaotic, but also quiet, meditative and chilled.3. Escape the crowds
With over a billion inhabitants, many parts of India are overcrowded. The rousing hustle and bustle and colorful chaos can be fun. Especially when there is a festival, and there are many of them. It takes a lot of energy to process the incredible crowds, smells, noise and amazing impressions. The point of oversaturation is quickly reached. Then it says: Escape. Fortunately, India has many idyllic and completely quiet retreats. It is clever to plan this in advance on the trip. The ideal travel rhythm is to follow a few days of chaos in the big city with a time in the country.4. The main thing is to stay healthy
Nobody wants to spend their trip to India with diarrhea. It is therefore worthwhile to observe a few helpful rules. Tap water should be strictly avoided and everything that was washed in it should be avoided. So better avoid salads and ice cubes. Fruit should only be eaten if you have peeled it yourself. It is best to allow your stomach to acclimatize for a few days before you eat on the street. Of course, everything smells wonderful. Nevertheless, it makes sense to take a closer look at hygiene and freshness. Is the owner cooking fresh or has the food been there for some time? Does the stand attract many customers or just hordes of flies? With such considerations, common sense is more useful than carelessness or even panic.Many travelers become vegetarians in India. That's not a bad idea. A dubious piece of meat does more damage than half-cooked vegetables. Since many Indians are vegetarians, the country offers one of the most fabulous vegetarian menus in the world anyway. If you still eat meat, you should make sure that it is well cooked. There is no harm in sticking to stalls where many locals frolic.
The sanitary facilities in India are also getting used to. Creativity, flexibility and sometimes a bit of courage are required. You will hardly find toilet paper. One way is to adopt the local method. If you carry a bar of soap in your luggage, you can easily handle a hand and water jug. Of course, antibacterial towels and handwashing gels are also useful companions in your luggage. Then the hands can be washed again before eating with the fingers.
5. Don't get upset
India doesn't just consist of the many colorful wonders that every traveler is amazed by. The country also has an often deserved reputation for traffickers and scams. It is better to be prepared for it than to tap into it with blue eyes. Again, it is often enough to use common sense. Many businesses sound too good to be serious. Special caution is advised for taxi and rickshaw drivers. Many people who have accepted the friendly offers to be taken to certain hotels or travel agencies have been amazed. The juicy commission ends up on the invoice.The most important advice for beginners in India is: stay calm, no matter what. Quickly boil up frustration and emotions. Those who manage to take a deep breath and stay in control will enjoy the trip better. It may also be worthwhile to pause for a moment and think about how much theft or fraud loss is. After all, the money was enough for a trip through the chaotic, wonderful country. And you take more of it home with you than a few euros saved.
And now into the adventure of India.
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