When I booked my 8-day Golden Triangle tour with Intrepid Travel, I didn’t know what to anticipate.
I knew the journey could be greater than its typical Delhi > Jaipur > Agra itinerary. After all, the corporate’s all about journey journey and getting off the overwhelmed path.
But I didn’t know the way rather more there’d be to India than its traditional locations. I didn’t know our native chief, Harsha, would deliver the nation and its individuals to gentle together with her ardour. I didn’t know I’d wish to feast without end on the meals, that I’d so totally immerse myself in an entire completely different tradition, that I’d have experiences that’d make for a lifetime of reminiscences.
I additionally noticed a bunch of issues that for those who’ve been to India, I guess you’ll have skilled too. Here they’re.
(Do you agree? Let me know within the feedback!)
10. The deliciousness that’s Masala Chai, regardless of the time of day
Keeping hydrated with chai
It doesn’t matter what the query is, the reply is chai. The scrumptious drink – black tea brewed with fragrant spices and herbs – rapidly grew to become integral to the happiness ranges of my Intrepid group.
Wherever we had been – Jaipur’s Amber Fort, Old Delhi’s streets, or Agra’s carpet outlets – it introduced us collectively time and time once more. If you’ve been to India, I’m certain you too left greater than a bit of hooked on this always-tempting deal with.
READ MORE: THE WARNING NO ONE GIVES YOU WHEN TRAVELLING TO INDIA
9. The usefulness of locals to navigate the chaos and reveal hidden gems
One of Intrepid’s feminine guides, Ankita
Much of India’s appeal is in its chaos, however that doesn’t imply it’s the simplest nation to navigate. If you discovered the identical, you most likely additionally discovered that that the advantage of native experience right here is second to none.
Everyone on my journey would have been at a loss with out our unbelievable native chief, Harsha. Not solely did she get us safely from place to put, all of the whereas giving us much-appreciated insights into Indian tradition, she additionally acted as a bridge between native and vacationer. In only one morning in Delhi, as an example, she bought us chatting to the friendliest vegetable vendor, defined the rituals of Sikh gurdwaras, and led us to the tastiest paratha breakfast of all the journey.
Would I’ve efficiently achieved the above myself? Let’s be sincere, most likely not. There’s nothing higher than having native experience when adventuring in India.
READ MORE: 10 QUESTIONS WITH ANKITA, ONE OF INTREPID’S INCREDIBLE INDIAN LEADERS
8. The ever-present background music that’s in any other case often called automobile horns
Navigating Mumbai’s chaotic streets
Chances are for those who’ve been to India, you already know what I’m speaking about. And that for those who introduced noise-cancelling headphones with you, you should have patted your self on the again greater than a handful of instances.
When in India, it’s nearly impolite to not honk your horn. After all, why wouldn’t you wish to announce your presence and that you simply’re feeling ANY emotion underneath the solar to any and all autos on the street?!
SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID’S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL DEALS, GIVEAWAYS, STORIES & TIPS
7. The tranquility of India’s rural areas
Exploring rural Bijaipur on an Intrepid tour
Even with restricted trip time, it’d be remiss to go to India’s cities and assume you’ve seen the nation. Wise travellers know simply how magical India’s rural areas might be.
Even on my 8-day journey within the Golden Triangle, Intrepid fitted in an evening in Karauli, part of Rajasthan few vacationers go to. The tempo was slower right here, and the village stroll and heritage keep we had been greeted with had been superb for exposing our group to an Indian life-style far faraway from that of Delhi’s.
Whether you’ve been someplace like Kerala within the south or the distant northeast, for those who’ve been to India, you’ll know the way rather more there may be to it than its city areas.
BROWSE ALL INTREPID’S INDIA TRIPS TO SEE THE COUNTRY’S HIGHLIGHTS AND HIDDEN GEMS
6. The jaw-dropping expertise that’s seeing the Taj Mahal for the primary time
No caption wanted!
Like many guests to India, I used to be extremely excited to go to the enduring Taj Mahal. But a small a part of me thought it could be so over-crowded or over-hyped that it wouldn’t meet my expectations.
Not so.
It was each bit as breathtaking as Instagram made it out to be. I may have sat for hours gazing at its magnificence – and I did! If you’ve seen it for your self, you’ll doubtless agree that no love story, mausoleum or constructing even comes shut.
READ MORE: WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE VISITING THE TAJ MAHAL
5. The talent you’ll discover inside you to eat – and revel in – curry for a number of meals a day
Delicious eats in Udaipur
If you discover, like me, that chai turns into your go-to drink, you’ll likely discover that curry turns into your go-to meals. But there’s a lot variation within the nation – relying on the area, and even for those who’re vegan (!) – that it’s unlikely you’ll discover it blurs into one samey dish.
And if it does? Well, it’s so rattling scrumptious we don’t assume you’ll be complaining.
CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF INDIAN FOOD? YOU’LL LOVE INTREPID’S 15-DAY FOOD TRIP
4. The Old Delhi perception that the extra electrical energy cables, the higher
A typical road scene in Old Delhi
Enough stated. Old Delhi – jam-packed with Mughal structure, road meals, and one of many largest mosques in India (the Jama Masjid) – has oh a lot appeal.
It additionally… would make your electrician again house cry. The tangled webs of wire spaghetti are so far as the attention can see right here.
READ MORE: 7 MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES YOU SHOULD HAVE IN RAJASTHAN, INDIA
3. The innate heat of locals – and their capacity, at instances, to make you’re feeling like a celeb
Street vendor in Udaipur, India
Ah, India. If you’ve been, you’ll comprehend it’s not a spot the place you may soften into the background simply. But embrace it and also you’ll uncover simply how hospitable – and curious – locals might be.
Like the legendary Intrepid information she is, our chief Harsha facilitated tons of native interactions on our Golden Triangle journey. From ingesting chai in an area village house close to Karauli to taking us to an area spice market in Delhi, she ensured we got here face-to-face with Indian heat firsthand.
And you? Well, wherever you’re, you’re certain to be made to really feel particular by locals (and, um, maybe be requested to purchase a bangle or two). And for those who’re on the Taj Mahal and also you HAVEN’T been approached to take not less than a selfie or two with an area. Well, you’re doing one thing incorrect.
READ MORE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO INDIA
2. The photogenic nature of Jaipur’s streets – and dazzling Amber Fort
Jaipur’s vibrant streets
Google “Hawa Mahal” and you’ve got only one instance (a particular palace instance as a result of why not!) of how spectacular Jaipur is. A traveller favorite for good motive, this Rajasthani metropolis is as fairly as it’s pink. Discover it for your self and also you received’t fail to be charmed.
Something my group and I additionally found right here? That the Amber Fort is fantastically otherworldly. Seriously.
NOTE: Appreciate its splendour and wonder however don’t be one of many elephant-riding travellers there. Wild animals belong within the wild. (Intrepid was the primary world tour operator to ban elephant rides on its journeys in 2014. Here’s extra data on why.)
READ MORE: HOW TO SPEND A DAY LIKE A LOCAL IN JAIPUR
1. The feeling that irrespective of how lengthy you journey in India for, you’ve barely scratched the floor
Who can resist the delights of Kerala?
Whether you keep for every week or a month, one factor’s for certain: it received’t really feel like sufficient. I picked an 8-day journey there as a result of I work in North America and don’t have a ton of trip time. But, like each different traveller in my group (and life!), I left feeling I’d barely scratched the floor.
What do I’ve my eye on subsequent? Too many choices… I wouldn’t say no to a meals journey, to going north to yoga capital Rishikesh, to heading south, or to experiencing lesser-known Ladakh. And whether or not or not you could have your eye on related spots, you doubtless can’t go away India with out feeling a have to return.
It has the craziest contrasts, each panorama underneath the solar, 1,000,000 completely different locations, a kaleidoscope of various cultures, and, actually, one thing for everybody.
Travel there and also you’ll discover out simply why a return journey is so as.
It’s time to expertise unbelievable India for your self. Check out Intrepid’s vary of small group adventures there.
—
(All photographs courtesy of Intrepid Travel.)