India

India is not a vacation. It is an experience that recalibrates your understanding of the world. The colors are more vivid. The flavors are more intense. The sounds are louder, the crowds are thicker, the temples are more ornate, and the poverty is more visible than anywhere most Western travelers have been. It is all of these things at once, and that is exactly what makes it one of the most transformative destinations on Earth.

The country is a subcontinent, roughly one third the size of the United States, with over 1.4 billion people speaking hundreds of languages across landscapes that range from Himalayan peaks to tropical beaches to arid deserts to lush rice paddies. No single trip can capture all of India, and anyone who tells you otherwise has not been. But even a first visit, focused on just one or two regions, will leave you changed.

Where to Go

The Golden Triangle is the classic introduction. Delhi, the capital, is a collision of old and new: the Mughal era Red Fort, the towering Qutub Minar, the bustling lanes of Old Delhi with their spice markets and street food, and the grand colonial avenues of New Delhi designed by Edwin Lutyens. The energy is relentless and fascinating.

Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, and seeing it in person is one of those moments that travel exists for. The white marble mausoleum, built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, is heartbreakingly beautiful at sunrise when the stone glows pink and gold. It is worth arriving before dawn to see it without crowds.

Jaipur, the Pink City, is the gateway to Rajasthan and one of the most visually striking cities in India. The Amber Fort, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), and the City Palace are all must sees. The markets sell textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts that are among the finest in the country.

Rajasthan beyond Jaipur offers some of India’s most romantic experiences. Udaipur, the City of Lakes, has a floating palace hotel and a lakeside setting that earned it the nickname “Venice of the East.” Jodhpur, the Blue City, has the massive Mehrangarh Fort towering above streets painted in shades of indigo. Jaisalmer, deep in the Thar Desert, is a golden sandstone fortress city that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale.

Kerala in the south is India at its most tranquil. Houseboat cruises through the palm lined backwaters of Alleppey, Ayurvedic spa retreats, spice plantations in the hill station of Munnar, and the beaches of Kovalam offer a completely different side of the country.

Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges, is the spiritual heart of Hinduism and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on the ghats, with fire rituals, chanting, and thousands of floating candles, is one of the most powerful cultural experiences you can have anywhere.

Where to Stay

India has some of the most extraordinary heritage hotels in the world. The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur floats on Lake Pichola and is one of the most romantic hotels ever built. The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra offers unobstructed views of the Taj Mahal from every room. Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, still partially occupied by the royal family, is a Taj hotel of staggering scale. The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur sets the standard for luxury desert resorts.

Food and Drink

Indian food in India is a revelation even for people who think they love Indian food. Every region has its own cuisine. Delhi is famous for its Mughlai dishes: butter chicken, biryani, kebabs, and chole bhature. Rajasthan has dal baati churma and laal maas (spicy lamb curry). Kerala specializes in coconut based curries, appam (rice pancakes), and fresh seafood. Street food is a major part of the experience: chaat, samosas, pani puri, dosas, and chai served in tiny clay cups are available on every corner for pennies.

Let Us Plan Your India Trip

India is best experienced with a guide, a private driver, and a well planned itinerary that builds in rest days between the intensity. We will design a trip that matches your comfort level, arrange the logistics that can trip up independent travelers, and make sure your first experience of India is as magical as it should be.