Namaste ! And welcome to Incredible India. Its the land of infinite riches and limitless heritage. Packed with top things to do in India, this post shows you authentic Indian experiences through the eyes of one. 

We all travel for a change of scene. If you are looking for a peaceful vacation laced with old world charm, then go somewhere like Paris. But if you wanna jolt your senses, with a splash of color and a dash of spice, then pick wild destinations like India.

India is the land of Taj, Tigers and Temples. She is the land of contrasts. Timeless yet ever changing. Chaotic yet serene. India baffles you, dazzles you and then enlightens you. 

Picking just a few top things to do in India, is as complex as the country itself. But I’ll try with 15 🙂

With peacocks in their gardens, pepper in their food and silk on their bodies, Indians have enamored the world since ancient times. Today its a bustling country of more than a billion where technology and tradition go hand in hand.

Top things to do in India – Authentic Indian experiences and must see places!

Here at Three Tickets Please, there is plenty of authentic flavor splashed on every page. Thats just my style. And with India its going to be amplified many times over!

The fact that I was born there may have something to do with it.

Like a child to momma, I belong to her and she to me. So you will see an honest and unbiased perspective of India.

India is just as modern as it is traditional. From software to soul, you will find everything you came looking for. Its teeming with brilliant minds in every field.

So fasten your seatbelts, a wild ride through authentic India is about to begin !

# 1 Be Welcomed by ‘Aarti’

Most Indians live by an ancient Sanskrit saying that goes  ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. Translated, it means ‘Guest is God’. Hospitality runs deep in Indians and they welcome you with abundant warmth. Whether it is a humble home or a luxury hotel, there are chances you will be greeted with a traditional Aarti.

A silver platter with a glowing lamp, vermillion and few flowers is waved before you in circular fashion. Symbolically it is meant to dispel darkness from your life and replace it with prosperity. If its your first time in India, then the minute you experience it, you know you are in for a treat.

#2 Discover Beyond the Taj

You knew this was coming, didn’t you? No trip to India is complete without this wonderful emblem of ivory love. Taj Mahal is the iconic landmark of India. Most international visitors see just the Taj Mahal and head back. But you know we specialize in everything offbeat.

To get the most out of your Taj visit, combine it with the golden triangle tour. On this 430 mile loop across Agra, Delhi and Jaipur, witness architectural wonders of unparalleled beauty. From the milky white Taj to the pink palaces of Jaipur, the Golden Triangle loop is packed with gorgeous sights.

#3 Immerse in Colors

Indians can put a rainbow to shame. Their day literally begins with colors. A common tradition in many Indian homes is to decorate their front yard with vibrant eye catching patterns. Daily!

That beautiful design is called ‘Rangoli’. Most women use their nimble fingers to deftly make an outline with white powder (traditionally this used to be rice flour). 
Then comes the best part.

Filling it with psychedelic colors ! 

Indians even have a festival of colors called Holi, where they become completely ecstatic splashing colors on each other. You’ll have to see them in action to believe it !

#4 Trek the Himalayas – One of the top things to do in India

India wears the world’s most beautiful crown. The Himalayan mountain range caresses India ever so gently, as if kissing her forehead. Almost the whole of North India is lined by breathtaking snowy peaks and studded with colorful Buddhist monasteries. Blessed with alpine meadows and glacial streams, this region is packed with natural and cultural beauty. Don’t miss Ladakh on your trip to India.

#5 Feel their festivals – Authentic Indian experience

To say that India is a land of many religions is an understatement. Make it a zillion. India is a delicious cultural cocktail. A heady mix of fascinating faiths.

The myriad festivals are celebrated with great fervor across the country. People of every religion decorate their homes with lights and joy while music, love and laughter often spill out.

Indians are excellent confectioners and rarely need a reason to indulge in sugar. They have countless desserts in their culinary repertoire, called ‘mithai‘ , made mostly with milk products and ‘ghee’. Each is more divine than the other!

#6 Valley of Flowers – Nanda Devi National Park – Must see in India

Valley of Flowers is just as dreamy as it sounds. Undulating green valleys stretch till the horizon while colorful wildflowers sway in mountain breeze. Gurgling brooks and quaint stone bridges act as milestones as you hike through this UNESCO world heritage site. Did I mention the low lying clouds that you can almost touch?

Nanda Devi National Park in Uttarakhand is an absolute must see in India. Best time to visit is August.

#7 Step inside the Jungle book.

Bagheera ! Mowgli where are you ? Like Rudyard Kipling, many children who grow up in India get a healthy dose of jungle inspiration. Their parents often take them to stunning Jungle Reserves like Pench National Park & Kanha Tiger Reserve. Spotting a big cat in the wild is extremely gratifying. More so while riding an elephant !

That majestic feline has her eyes on you, velvety orange coat and stark black stripes. Regal and soft footed – Tiger is India’s pride and national animal. India’s untamed wilderness is home to the world’s most beautiful tigers. Jungle safaris are very popular with local and international tourists. Do try them for an authentic Indian experience.

Apart from the Tiger, Wildlife enthusiasts from around the world flock to India for her unique birds and beasts. From the one horned Rhino in the grasslands of Assam to the Asiatic lion, India is the home of fascinating wildlife and exciting jungle adventures.

#8 Savor India’s cuisine

Where should I even begin ? The rich creamy curries of north India or delectable chutneys of south India. The cuisine here is phenomenal. Rich fertile plains, abundant rains and tropical climate means a bounty of fruits, vegetables and spices.

The food across the 4 corners of India is completely different from each other. They are poles apart.

In the South, coconut palms line the turquoise beaches and neon green paddy fields fill the countryside. Hence rice and coconut based delicacies are more common. Eating on a banana leaf is a gorgeous experience. You must try it. States of Kerala, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu can give you that !

Being surrounded by an Ocean, Bay and Sea on 3 sides means infinite varieties of fish. From rice grown in foothills of Himalayas to delicious sea food from Indian ocean – the cuisine here is maddeningly diverse.

#9 Follow the Temple trail in India

Most visitors to India return without ever exploring the South, which is  home to magnificent temples. Ancient Indian artisans chiseled away at huge boulders to carve stellar temples.

Hampi is one such jewel. It is absolutely breathtaking. A visit to Hampi can be life changing – For us it was.

#10 Horn OK Please !

Look, I promised you honest views. In this country there is a method in madness. The first few minutes after you arrive at an International airport in India, your ride into the city is smooth and noiseless.

Then the inevitable happens – Outrageous traffic smirks wickedly at you. Witness the world’s most choreographed chaos in the streets of India.

A cacophony of sounds and shrill honks will numb your senses. Motorists, tuks-tuks, cars, pedestrians and trucks will zig zag through a sea of insanity in complete harmony. You may even suspect they are telepathic ! Here honking is not considered rude (in fact its encouraged! )

A first timer’s visit to India can be overwhelming, so always know what to expect.

#11 Pepper, spice and everything nice

From purple crocus fields giving a bounty of saffron to priceless beads of green peppercorns, India has been the spice basket of the world. The Western Ghats are a region of dense jungles and tropical rainforests. It is the cradle of exquisite spices. The landscape here is so incredibly rich in flora and fauna that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Today Regions of Goa, Kerala and Karnataka enthrall tourists with a walk among aromatic spice farms. The scent of cardamom, cinnamon and vanilla leaves you wanting for more.

In ancient times Pepper was literally worth its weight in gold. The fragrance of Indian spices had bewitched Europe in the middle ages.

So much so that Rome and Portugal financed voyages to discover more of this enchanted land. Its another thing that Christopher Columbus stumbled upon a gorgeous piece of real estate while doing just that 😉 !

#12 Relish a Mango

Every March, tiny white mango blossoms speckle the sprawling trees in India. Their sweet heady fragrance fills the air, bringing you the promise of luscious golden fruits to follow.

One of the most delicious things to do in India, that your typical guide book won’t tell you is – Eat a mango. Mangoes are sweet worldwide, but you’ll need a new word to describe the rich creamy succulence of Alphonso mangoes, a variety of the fruit found only in India.

#13 Unity in Diversity

There is no country like India. Every few kilometers, the language, food, customs, attire, and even religion changes. The extent of it’s diversity is mind boggling. Its absolutely one of it’s kind in the world. Centuries of influence has shaped India’s cultural landscape but the subcontinent has retained its identity as ‘Indians’. From snowy Himalayas to azure Andaman islands, India will take your breath away with her unique brand of diversity.

#14 A cup of Chai

Without the mention of this national beverage, I cannot sum the authentic experiences in India. A delicious brew of tea leaves, milk and sugar, Chai fuels India. Many Indians love to pound a few pods of spices & crush a stub of ginger to toss it in the bubbling brew. The result? Sheer heaven.

Vast undulating tea estates are the pride of India. From Darjeeling in the east to Munnar in the South, visiting the tea gardens is one of the top things to do in India.

#15 Traditional art forms

Be it performing arts or fine arts, India is a treasure trove of it all. I am delusional for even trying to cover all of India in a few thousand words. Every region specializes in unique art forms.

One of the best things to do in India is to witness a traditional dance. I wish I could name one, but there are thousands of it.

Rajasthan is a fabulous place to sample tons of traditional art forms, but then so is Kerala with Kalaripayatu (traditional Indian martial arts). I told you its difficult to pick one!

Thats India for you. Didn’t I say she baffles?

Thats it from me ! Hope you enjoyed reading this article on Top things to do in India. If India has been on your mind for a while , then don’t be paranoid, instead be adventurous and go for it. You will be back with a chest of priceless memories. (pun fully intended!)

See you in another part of the world in our next post ! Till then happy traveling 🙂 !