So you're planning things to do in India? Good luck narrowing it down. Honestly, trying to "do India" is like drinking from a firehose. I remember my first time landing in Delhi - total overwhelm. The smells, the noise, the sheer energy. But here's the thing: skip the generic "top 10" lists. Let's talk real experiences, practical details, and some stuff nobody tells you.
North & Central India: Mughal Marvels and Himalayan Heights
This is where most folks start. Incredible history, but crowds? Yeah, brace yourself.
Delhi's Chaotic Charm
Don't just sprint through Delhi. Yeah, the traffic's insane (took me 90 minutes to go 5km last Tuesday), but dig deeper:
| Spot | Why Bother? | Practical Stuff | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hauz Khas Village | Medieval ruins + trendy cafes. Sunset views over the reservoir. | Nearest Metro: Green Line, Hauz Khas. Ruins: Free entry, open sunrise to sunset. Cafes: ₹500-₹1500 meal for two. | Skip weekends unless you love crowds. Try 'Social' for decent coffee & workspace. |
| Nizamuddin Dargah | Sufi shrine. Qawwali music Thursday evenings. | Timing: Qawwali ~7 PM Thurs. Dress modestly (cover head/shoulders/knees). Free entry. Warning: Intense sensory experience. | Authentic? Absolutely. Comfortable? Not really. Worth it? 100%. |
Honestly, skip the Red Fort midday. Go late afternoon, crowds thin, light gets magical. Costs ₹500 for foreigners (Indians ₹35 - unfair, I know). Open 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Tue-Sun.
The Taj Mahal & Agra
Yes, you have to go. No, it won't be peaceful.
- Taj Timing: Sunrise entry (opens 6 AM). Book tickets online (ASI website) - saves hours. ₹1100 foreigners. Closed Fridays.
- Secret Viewpoint: Mehtab Bagh gardens across the Yamuna. ₹200 entry. Sunset view without the selfie sticks.
- Agra Fort > Fatehpur Sikri: Fight me. Agra Fort (₹550 foreigners) is walkable from Taj's south gate. Fatehpur Sikri (₹510) is a 1-hour drive away and often unbearably hot/crowded.
Rajasthan: Forts, Deserts, and Overrated Camels?
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur. The golden triangle plus. But which things to do in India here?
| City | Must-Do (Really) | Skip (Unless...) | Food Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaipur | Amber Fort at opening (8 AM). Nahargarh Fort sunset views. | Elephant ride at Amber (ethical concerns). Hawa Mahal interior (view from outside cafe better). | Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar (LMB) in Johari Bazar for pyaz kachori. Pure veg. |
| Jodhpur | Mehrangarh Fort museum (opens 9 AM, ₹600 foreigners). Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park walk. | Umaid Bhawan Palace tour (expensive for what it is). | Gypsy Restaurant near Fort - killer laal maas (spicy mutton). ₹400-₹600 mains. |
| Udaipur | Boat ride on Lake Pichola (City Palace jetty, ₹400). Bagore Ki Haveli evening dance show (7 PM, ₹100). | Overpriced lakeside dining. Find rooftop spots in the old town instead. | Millets of Mewar near Jagdish Temple. Healthy, local, budget-friendly thalis ~₹250. |
That desert camel safari in Jaisalmer? Magical stars, yes. Comfortable? Think hard saddle and sand in places sand shouldn't go. Budget ₹1500-₹3000 per person overnight.
South India: Spice, Serenity & Seriously Good Food
Slower pace, intense flavors, green landscapes. My personal favorite region for things to do in India.
Kerala Backwaters - Not Just Houseboats
Alleppey/Kumarakom houseboats are iconic but pricey (₹8000-₹20,000+ for 24hrs). Alternatives?
- Public Ferry: Alleppey to Kottayam. Costs ₹20! Slow, local life glimpse. Departs 7:30 AM from Alleppey Jetty.
- Village Canoe Tour: Small groups, supports locals. ₹500-₹1000 for 3-4 hours. Book locally.
- Marari Beach: Near Alleppey. Quiet fishing village vibe. Skip Kovalam crowds.
Book houseboats directly with owners via KTDC website if possible. Avoid touts at the station.
Tamil Nadu Temples & Hill Stations
Coffee, culture, and colossal architecture.
| Place | Core Experience | Logistics | Hidden Gem Nearby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madurai | Meenakshi Amman Temple (opens 5 AM, ₹50 foreigners). Evening ceremony. | Dress code strict. Leave shoes/bags at stalls (~₹10). | Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple (rock-cut, 8km away). Less crowded. |
| Ooty | Toy Train ride (Mettupalayam to Ooty). Takes 5 hours! Scenic but slow. | Book months ahead on IRCTC website. ₹800-₹1000 1st class. | Nilgiri Mountain Railway Museum (small but charming, ₹20 entry). |
| Pondicherry | Auroville (Matrimandir view point needs advance booking!). French Quarter strolls. | Matrimandir booking: auroville.org. Do it weeks before! | Chunnambar Boat House backwaters. Cheaper, quieter than Kerala? Maybe. |
South Indian food is cheap and amazing. Don't miss a simple dosa breakfast (₹50-₹150) or a full banana leaf meal (₹200-₹400). Filter coffee mandatory!
West & East India: Beaches, Tribes & Forgotten Kingdoms
Off the main tourist trail? Often yes. More challenging? Sometimes. Rewarding? Absolutely.
Goa Beyond the Beaches
Baga and Calangute are... well, party central. Different things to do in India here:
- Old Goa Churches: Basilica of Bom Jesus (holds St. Francis Xavier's remains). Free entry, opens 9 AM. Wear shoulders/knees covered.
- Spice Plantations: Sahakari near Ponda. Tour + lunch ~₹800. Cheesy but informative.
- Divar Island: Short ferry from Old Goa (₹5). Cycling paradise, crumbling Portuguese mansions. Rent bikes on arrival.
For quieter beaches: Agonda (South) or Ashvem/Morjim (North). Shacks charge ₹500-₹1500 for sunbeds depending on season.
Kolkata & West Bengal Culture
Intellectual, chaotic, delicious.
- Howrah Bridge at Dawn: Walk across as city wakes. Free, obviously. Best before 7 AM.
- Indian Coffee House: College Street. Intellectual hangout since 1940s. Coffee ₹40, add omelette.
- Kumartuli: Potter's quarter. See Durga idols being sculpted (best Aug-Oct). Easy walk, free.
Must eat: Puchka (₹20 for 6 pieces) at Ganguram's or street stalls. Rosogolla at KC Das (₹250/kg).
Northeast India: Untamed Beauty
Requires planning (permits!) but unique things to do in India.
- Kaziranga NP, Assam: See rhinos! Jeep safari ~₹2000 per person. Best Nov-April.
- Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya: Trek to Double Decker (Nongriat village). Challenging hike. Stay overnight locally (~₹1000).
- Tawang, Arunachal: Massive monastery (2nd largest in world). Need Protected Area Permit (apply via tour agent).
Essential India Travel Intel: Stuff You Actually Need
Forget generic advice. Here's the gritty stuff for planning your things to do in India.
Getting Around: Trains, Buses & Auto-Rickshaw Warfare
- Trains: Book on IRCTC website/App (set up account early). AC Chair Car (CC) for day trips, 3AC for overnight. Tatkal booking opens 11 AM one day before journey - be fast!
- Buses: RedBus app for intercity. Volvo AC buses decent (~₹15/km). State buses cheaper (no AC) - ₹5-₹8/km.
- Auto-Rickshaws: Use Ola/Uber Auto. Meter never works fairly otherwise. Agree price before getting in if no app. Short city hops: ₹50-₹100.
Eating & Drinking Without Disaster
- Street Food: Yes! But choose busy stalls with high turnover. Avoid raw salads/peeled fruit. Chai is generally safe (boiled water).
- Water: Bottled ONLY. Check seal. Refill with filtered water if hostels/hotels provide (common now).
- Vegetarian Reality: North India veg is amazing. South India too. Non-veg often excellent, but choose places with good hygiene. Avoid cheap buffets sitting out for hours.
My gut took 3 weeks to adjust. Carry Imodium. Seriously.
Budget Reality Check (Per Day)
| Style | Accommodation | Food | Transport/Sightseeing | Total (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Backpacker | Dorm/Homestay (₹500-₹800) | Street/local joints (₹300-₹500) | Buses/Trains/Shared Autos (₹200-₹400) | ₹1000 - ₹1700 |
| Mid-Range Explorer | Decent Guesthouse/Hotel (₹1500-₹3000) | Mix street & restaurants (₹600-₹1000) | Ola/Uber/Auto + some AC trains (₹400-₹800) | ₹2500 - ₹4800 |
| Comfort Seeker | Good Hotel/Boutique Stay (₹4000+) | Restaurants mostly (₹1200+) | Private cabs/AC trains/flights (₹1000+) | ₹6000+ |
India Travel Headscratchers: Your Questions Answered
Q: Is India safe for solo female travelers?
A: Generally yes, millions travel safely. Precautions matter: Dress modestly (cover shoulders/knees outside tourist hubs), avoid isolated areas at night, trust your gut, use ride apps (Ola/ShareAuto feature), book female-only train berths (available on IRCTC). Stay alert, but don't be paranoid.
Q: What's the best time for things to do in India?
A: Tough one! **October-March:** Best overall (North, South, West). Cooler, dry. **April-June:** Scorching hot plains, hill stations pleasant (Shimla, Manali, Ooty). **July-September:** Monsoon. Lush green but heavy rain, flooding possible. Great for Kerala backwaters though! Northeast best Nov-Apr.
Q: How long do I realistically need?
A: India is massive. Don't try to 'do it all'. **2 weeks:** Focus on one region (e.g., Golden Triangle + Rajasthan OR Kerala + Tamil Nadu). **1 month:** Combine two major regions comfortably. **3 months+:** Start exploring deeper (Northeast, Himalayas, central tribes).
Q: Visa stuff - how annoying is it?
A: Most nationalities need an e-Visa. Apply online (Indian Government portal) at least 4 days before travel (but weeks earlier is safer). Costs vary (~$25-$100), allows 60-day stay usually. Check requirements carefully - passport validity, photo specs.
Q: Festival or nightmare?
A: Diwali (Oct/Nov) and Holi (Mar) are spectacular but chaotic. Travel prices soar, trains book out months ahead, major cities empty (locals go home). Amazing experience if planned meticulously, stressful otherwise. Decide if you want immersion or ease.
Q: What's the one thing I shouldn't forget?
A> Comfortable, slip-on shoes (temples/shrines require removal constantly). And seriously, pack Imodium.
Planning your things to do in India shouldn't feel like solving a Rubik's cube. Focus on what resonates with YOU - history buffs, beach bums, foodies, trekkers will all find their bliss. Ditch the FOMO, embrace the chaos, pack your patience (and that Imodium!), and get ready. India isn't just a destination; it's a full-body experience. You'll probably hate some moments. You'll definitely love others. You won't forget any of it. Just go.
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