India Travel Guide
Where the Ordinary is Epic
India doesn’t ask you to visit – it dares you to experience it. This is not a country, it’s a living mythology, a psychedelic fever dream of colors, chaos, kindness, spices, sadness, transcendence and rickshaws. And that’s before breakfast.
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Quick Facts
Capital: New Delhi
Population: Over 1.4 billion
Language: Hindi & English (plus 20+ official languages)
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Time Zone: IST (UTC +5:30)
Climate: Ranges from Himalayan chill to tropical monsoon
Visa Requirements: eVisa available for most nationalities
Top Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism
Safety: Intense but generally safe – trust your gut and your bottled water
Transport: Trains, tuk-tuks, buses, metros, cows
Vibe: Spiritual, overwhelming, poetic
Best for: Culture lovers, spiritual seekers, chaos chasers, the endlessly curious
Top 5 Attractions
1. The Taj Mahal (Agra)
Yes, it's touristy. Yes, it’s worth it. Go early, go quiet, and let the symmetry mess with your soul.
2. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
The oldest living city in the world. Watch cremations on the Ganges, monks chanting at dawn, and your own thoughts getting very quiet.
3. Kerala Backwaters
Palm trees, canoes, and houseboats gliding through silence. South India’s answer to meditation.
4. Jaipur & the Golden Triangle
Pink cities, palaces, and bustling bazaars. Architecture, textiles, and street food for days.
5. Rishikesh
Yoga capital of the world. Ashrams, hanging bridges, and sacred river dips (voluntary or accidental).
Activities
Ride trains. Just… ride them. Sleeper class is a rite of passage.
Attend a local festival — they’re everywhere and unmissable.
Join a cooking class (prepare to level up your spice game).
Take a Ganga aarti boat ride in Varanasi.
Sit quietly in a temple and observe (with your eyes, not your phone).
Wander aimlessly and let India come to you.
Culture & Etiquette
Note: India is like many countries in one. North and south are different, and there are many different regions with their own culture and etiquette.
Shoes off in homes and temples
Right hand only for eating and handing things
Dress modestly, especially in rural areas
Don’t kiss in public – even hand-holding can raise eyebrows
Respect religion – temples, mosques, shrines deserve reverence
Yes can mean no – learn to read context, not just words
What Not to Do
Don’t lose your temper — patience is your best tool
Don’t drink tap water – ever
Don’t point your feet at people or sacred objects
Don’t expect punctuality
Don’t underestimate the spice level – “mild” is a myth
Tipping in India
Tipping in India isn’t mandatory, but it’s widely appreciated — and sometimes silently expected.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
Restaurants (mid-range and up):
5–10% is appreciated if service charge isn’t already included (check your bill).
At small eateries or dhabas: rounding up is fine.Hotel staff:
₹50–₹100 per bag for porters.
₹100–₹300 for housekeeping at the end of your stay (leave it in an envelope or with a thank-you note).Taxi / auto-rickshaws:
Not expected, but you can round up or let them keep small change — especially if they didn’t scam you.Tour guides / drivers:
Yes, they expect tips.
For private guides: ₹300–₹500+ per day.
For drivers: ₹200–₹400 per day, depending on distance and your vibe.Massage / spa / wellness services:
5–10% is a kind gesture, especially if service charge isn't included.
How to tip:
Cash is still king. Hand it discreetly with a smile. No need for a grand gesture.
What not to do:
Don’t overtip out of guilt.
Don’t tip to fix bad service.
And don’t stress — kindness carries more weight than exact rupees.
Cannabis in India (as of 2025)
Cannabis is technically illegal, but traditional forms like bhang (a cannabis-laced drink) are legally sold in some states, especially around religious festivals. That said: possession and recreational use can still lead to arrest, especially for foreigners. If you indulge, do so discreetly, responsibly, and with full awareness of the legal grey zones.
Please note: Always check the current laws and regulations at the time of your travel to Thailand, as they may change after this information was published. I am not responsible for any legal issues arising from changes in the law.
Destinations by Region
North India
Delhi – Madness and Mughal beauty
Varanasi – Fire, water, soul
Rajasthan – Forts, camels, colors
Himachal Pradesh / Ladakh – Mountains and monasteries
Amritsar – The Golden Temple and Sikh hospitality
Central India
Khajuraho – Temples with a sensual twist
Madhya Pradesh – Wildlife safaris and ancient ruins
South India
Kerala – Backwaters, Ayurveda, banana leaves
Tamil Nadu – Dravidian temples and classical arts
Hampi – Stone ruins and chilled-out vibes
Pondicherry – French colonial charm by the sea
East India
Kolkata – Poets, politics and fish curry
Odisha – Temples, traditions, and tribal culture
Sikkim – Himalayan bliss and clean air
West India
Mumbai – Bollywood, business, and beachfront chaos
Goa – Beaches, parties, and quiet inland escapes
Gujarat – Salt deserts, stepwells and thalis
North East India (The Seven Sisters)
Often overlooked, rarely forgotten — the North East is India’s wildest corner. Think misty hills, bamboo forests, tribal cultures, and winding roads that feel like secrets. This is slow, soulful travel with edge and depth.
Assam – Tea plantations, Kaziranga National Park (home of the one-horned rhino), and long, smoky sunsets over the Brahmaputra.
Meghalaya – Name means “abode of clouds.” Visit the living root bridges in Cherrapunji, explore monsoon-soaked caves, and feel rain like nowhere else on Earth.
Nagaland – Fierce tradition meets modern pride. Tribal festivals, war history, and a vibe that feels closer to Southeast Asia than Delhi.
Manipur – Imphal’s war cemeteries and Loktak Lake (with its floating islands) make for deep, serene wandering.
Mizoram – Remote, hilly, and peaceful. Largely untouristed, with warm hospitality and winding roads that hum.
Tripura – Ancient temples, royal palaces, and a rich blend of Bengali and tribal culture.
Arunachal Pradesh – Bordering Tibet and Bhutan, it’s rugged, mystical, and breathtaking. Monasteries cling to cliffs. Clouds roll through valleys. Time slows down.
Final notes
India is not a destination. It’s an initiation.
It confuses you, confronts you, and carves something open in you — whether you wanted it or not.
It’s sacred and messy. Loud and timeless.
And once you’ve felt it, even a little, you’re never quite the same again.
