India. Beautiful, exotic, overwhelming, crazy, colourful, hectic, delicious India. One of the most challenging countries we’ve travelled, it’s also quickly become a favourite for so many reasons.
We spent just shy of two months travelling through India, starting in the capital city of Delhi before continuing on the circuit known as the ‘Golden Triangle’, before continuing on through the state of Rajasthan. Heading south, we spent the second part of our travels in Kerala before heading inland and finishing in the home of the Bollywood industry – Mumbai.
India will make your jaw drop at its incredible sights – both the famous and less widely known. It will make your your stomach growl with hunger as you smell its fragrant, exotic curries from every corner. It will make you laugh and smile at the hundreds of school children whom you’ll cross roads with, as they shout out ‘Hello!’ and wave madly at you. It will silence you as you commute through less affluent areas, where the poorest of the poor struggle to go about daily life. It’s beautiful, bold colours are a sight to behold – the men’s colourful turbans and orange beards, the glittering saris worn by women in every colour of the rainbow.
India will amaze you, challenge you, humble you and leave it’s mark on you forever.
Cities We’ve Visited to Date
New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Varkala, Alleppey, Munnar, Kochin, Bangalore, Hampi, Mumbai
INDIA FACT FILE
Affordability
India is cheap as chips – your dollar can go as far as you want in India! Accommodation is cheap, eating is cheap, getting around is cheap, attractions are cheap. In saying that though, you do get what you pay for and in most cases for just a few dollars more you can stay in even better rooms and get better seats on transport.
Connectivity
Staying connected in India is easy, with most accommodation and restaurants and cafes offering free wi-fi. Sim cards can be purchased, however we never got one as we read that it was an incredible pain in the backside to do so – stories of mobile companies following you up to verify details, connections cutting out as you travelled different regions, etc. Whilst we managed without one, life would have been a lot easier with access to Google Maps!
Communicating
We couldn’t believe how easy it was to communicate in India. There are dozens of languages spoken here, and English is the one language that unifies the entire country. We thought we’d have to learn many phrases in Hindi to get around, but truthfully we never spoke a word of it – not for lack of wanting to, but that we were constantly greeted and spoken to in English by the locals before we’d even opened our mouth. You won’t have any problems communicating in India.
Getting Around
India has one of the world’s biggest railway systems – you can get anywhere and everywhere in the country by train, but be prepared for long, arduous journeys – however, they are a million times better than commuting by bus. Flying between major cities is an option as well, if you’re happy to spend the extra cash. For getting around locally, the ever present cries of ‘tuk tuk?’ will take you wherever you need to go.
READ more about our adventures in India!
Read about our initial fears of heading to India for just under two months, including our trip outline – did we manage to stick to it?
First Impressions of India So Far
After several days in India’s capital city of Delhi, we realised most of our fears and thoughts of the country were largely unfounded or exaggerated – in fact, we were impressed! Read about our first days in Delhi in this article.
Visiting the Magical Taj Mahal
A visit to India is incomplete without a trip to the Taj Mahal. Yes it’s touristy – but a must do – it’s simply astounding!
Read about our magical morning visiting the famed monument here.
Udaipur – Are We in India or Europe?!
If you feel the need to ‘get away’ from the typical Indian hustle and bustle, Udaipur in Rajasthan is the place to do it. A beautiful city with a European feel, this article explores our thoughts on one of our favourite spots.
Camel Safari in India’s Thar Desert – Part 1
If you’re contemplating a camel safari in Jaisalmer, this article is a MUST read – our expectations vs. the reality was extremely different and it was one of the most disappointing experiences we had in India.
Camel Safari in India’s Thar Desert – Part 2
This article provides the details of the fantastic, second camel safari trip we took in Jaisalmer and we absolutely recommend them. Be sure to check out both parts one and two!
Photo Essay: Ancient Architecture of Northern India
Northern India had the most magical attractions – we spent days exploring forts, palaces and temples. These are our best photos.
Thinking of taking a trip on a houseboat through Kerala’s backwaters? We did, and we loved it! Read on for our tips and suggestions on how to score a houseboat for a bargain!
Munnar – Trekking Through Tea Plantations
Is there anything more photogenic than tea plantations? We think not! A trip to Munnar should be a part of your plans if you’re a fan of these beautiful, green, hilly landscapes.
Photo Essay: Streets of Fort Cochin
We spent a fabulous afternoon exploring the streets and alleyways of Fort Cochin. These are our favourite photos.
Indian Transport – Getting Around the Country
Plane, train, bus or car? Just how should you get around the country? This article outline the pros and cons of each travel type.
What India is REALLY Like to Travel
Unsure of travelling to India because of what you’ve heard and read? We don’t blame you, but the majority of the negatives you hear are hugely exaggerated. Check this article out for a simple, factual run down of what India is really like to travel.
You can also WATCH our adventures in India!
