Top 10 Experiences in India
The young poet and playwright Kiran Millwood Hargrave said "India is a place where colour is doubly bright. Pinks that scald your eyes, blues you could drown in." It's a quote that captures the marvellous intensity of experiencing India.
You’ll flit like a butterfly from a gilded palace to a sun baked fortress, to a bustling bazaar, to an encounter with a big cat, all the while drinking in the colours, sounds, aromas and the relentless energy of Indian life. That collage of glimpses will be there to savour years after you return.
Here we share 10 unmissable experiences while travelling in India:
- Authentic Cultural Experiences
- The Big Cats of India
- Varanasi
- The Maharaja’s Train
- The Golden Triangle
- Exclusive River Cruises
- Temples, Forts and Palaces
- Spotting Snow Leopards
- Mountain Adventures
- Indian Cuisine
Nothing beats dining with the grandson of a maharaja, praying with the Buddhist monks in a gompa, or dancing into the early hours of the morning with the members of a Naga tribe. To be immersed in the midst of the Pushkar Camel Fair, a gathering of thousands of camels, horses and cattle – along with their owners – is an un-orchestrated and genuine cultural experience that bombards the senses.
Enquire now >
Shy, agile snow leopards roam the screes and snow fields of the Himalayas, whilst the fierce Asiatic lion prowls the scrublands of the Gir Forest, their only remaining habitat. All Asian big cats require greater patience and tracking skills than their African cousins, but all things of meaning and significance in life require more effort.
Enquire now >
The rituals of the pooja ceremony, the curling smoke of incense, the lights of thousands of oil lights, the floating floral tributes, the cremations and the seething devoted crowds of humanity on the ghats are best seen from the water itself. Then we suggest seeing just a handful of the 23,000 possible temples in magnificent, throbbing Varanasi.
Enquire now >
Whether it is on the Heritage of India Itinerary or on one of its six other routes, you will have a personal valet on hand even if you don’t opt for the four-room presidential suite.
Enquire now >
The next corner of the triangle is the “pink city” of Jaipur, which will introduce you to the desert state of Rajasthan, a place of countless forts, palaces, temples and gardens. Then it’s on to Agra and the destination that defines India and the power of love; the Taj Mahal. Here at Journeysmiths, we recommend arriving for the glorious blushing pink and peace of dawn.
Enquire now >
We also recommend taking a traditional ketuvallam houseboat from Alappuzha, the Venice of Kerala, to float gently through the labyrinth of canals, inlets, and lakes where the rivers meet the Arabian Sea.
Enquire now >
The erotic carvings at Khajuraho will beguile you, and you cannot fail but to be impressed by the immense size and intense colours of the Meenakhsi Amman Temple in Madurai. In Jaipur, the City Palace, Hava Mahal, and Amer Fort dazzle in the scale and beauty of their architecture, but none come close to the romance of Udaipur’s Lake Palace or the opulence of Umaid Bhawan in Jodhpur. This is truly a fairytale land.
Enquire now >
A realistic chance of encountering a snow leopard is something that has developed only in the last decade thanks to the work of ecologists both working to increase their numbers and also to understand their habits. You’ll stand the best chance of seeing one when you stay at the aptly named Snow Leopard Lodge in the high altitude desert of Ladakh.
Enquire now >
There are other highlands too, such as those supporting the spice plantations and tea estates in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Many are explored in style and comfort aboard the trains of India’s rail network. For the most adventurous of travellers, we recommend the unsurpassed experience of the Tibetan-style landscape and culture of Ladakh.
Enquire now >
We recommend taking a cookery class to pick up skills and ideas, such as those offered at Raas Chhatrasagar. There’s no better or more useful way to take a break from the bustle of cities and the exhaustion of safaris.
Enquire now >
Assam and Nagaland are two states in India’s northeast, separated from the bulk of the country by Bangladesh. The region is comparatively wild and sparsely populated, so it’s excellent for spotting rare wildlife.
Rohet House is a high-end hotel in Jodphur, part of House of Rohet portfolio of properties and the former home of the Rohet family.
The Trident, Agra is a few minutes’ walk from the Taj Mahal and presents an ideal base and relaxed ambience from which to explore the world heritage site.
Woods at Sasan is a stunning, luxury lodge set in an orchard of mango trees on the fringe of the forest.
Ulley is the best place on the planet for snow leopard spotting, and Snow Leopard Lodge is the only specialist accommodation option.
The Himalayas are undisputedly the most impressive mountain range in the world. Their snow-capped peaks hold not only life-giving fresh water, but important national parks and cultural touchpoints.
The landscapes in South India are green and the pace of life is slower. This is an ideal region for relaxing into the local way of life as you float down Kerala's waterways aboard a houseboat.
West Bengal was the first home of the East India Company and for decades the British made Kolkata their capital. A strong colonial influence remains, but the Bengali heritage is undeniable.
Central India doesn’t top most traveller’s itineraries, but we think this is an oversight. The region has a wealth of important cultural sites including temples and caves, as well as superb national parks and reserves.
Rajasthan means “Land of Kings” and the palaces, fortresses and temples of this desert state back up the claim. Once ruled by Maharajas of unimaginable wealth, the opulent legacies remain.
The famed Golden Triangle begins in Delhi, the Indian capital. It’s a captivating, expansive city that lends itself to journeying south to see Agra’s Taj Mahal and the Pink City of Jaipur.
Western India is flanked by the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea. It’s a diverse region, with the industry and large urban populations in Mumbai contrasting with the lush, tranquil beaches of Goa.
If you’re looking for a way to appreciate India’s rich wildlife without compromising on comfort, Diphlu River Lodge is the perfect place to stay.
Set sail for adventure across the plains of Assam as you take in the sights of the northeast Indian state from the comfort of a luxurious riverboat, the MV Rudra Singha.
Wake up to Nagaland’s gorgeous mountain vistas and the sound of a nearby mountain brook.
The Mahua Kothi takes its name from the mahua tree, which is revered as the tree of life by local people.
The Wildflower Hall in Shimla is one of Oberoi’s premier natural retreats, and one of the most luxurious escapes in this breathtaking mountain region.
The Thiksey Monastery looms large over the Indus Valley, both physically and culturally speaking. At its foot is the remarkable Chamba Camp.
The ITC Maratha is luxury hotel which takes its design inspiration from the Maratha dynasty which historically ruled the area around Mumbai.
The Oberoi Mumbai is the most luxurious hotel at the heart of India’s largest city.
The Brunton Boatyard is the pride of Fort Cochin, Kerala’s most historic city.
Carnoustie is a tranquil place to recharge and rejuvenate, surrounded by the beauty of Kerala.
Samode Haveli offers a perfect place to unwind in lush surroundings in the heart of Jaipur, but it is also ideal for guests seeking accommodation within striking distance of the city’s fascinating historical sites.
The Oberoi Amarvilas is a five-star hotel offering luxury, world-class service, and decadent Mughal decor.
Wake up to birdsong in an untouched corner of Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park. Sher Bagh is an ecologically friendly camp offering unmatched luxury in a unique location; it’s a safari camp which harks back to the glamour of a bygone era.
The Leela Palace Udaipur is a modern, slick hotel with jaw dropping views of Lake Pichola.
Aman-i-Khas is the most exquisite basecamp for your Rajasthani safari.
Sujan Jawai - a Relais & Chateaux property in a leopard rich wilderness - takes luxury to an entirely new level.
Mihir Garh is the kind of hotel that Hollywood location scouts dream of: an imposing fortress looking out across a landscape that exemplifies Rajasthan’s wild, rugged beauty.
30 acres of forest run parallel to the Satpura Tiger Reserve and National Park, and its here that you will find the Reni Pani Jungle Lodge.
Samode was featured by the Daily Telegraph as one of The World’s Best 50 Honeymoon hotel destinations, and it’s easy to see why.
This grand palace was built in the 1880s and has hosted countless influential leaders and celebrities throughout its rich history.
The Taj Bengal Kolkata is one of the best situated hotels in the City of Joy, within walking distance of the key city sites.
Our Varanasi choice is the Taj Nadesar Palace, where 40 acres of lush private gardens surround the hotel.
This classic tented camp with a luxury twist is a calm and tranquil retreat set in the heart of the Sri Lankan bush. Enjoy the jungle, rivers and lagoons of Yala National Park by day, then come nightfall, you’ll head back to camp where you can recount the day’s adventures, warmed by the glowing firepit and surrounded by delicate lanterns that illuminate the surrounding trees.