Palaces, temples, spices and endless variety
India is a vast and varied country where every region has its own food, language and traditions. First trips often cover the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, then add Rajasthan's desert forts, Varanasi's ghats or Kerala's backwaters. Himalayan valleys, tiger reserves and Goa's beaches add even more. It suits curious travellers who enjoy intensity, colour and great food, and who plan for crowds and long journeys.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the most famous buildings in the world.
A red sandstone Mughal fortress and palace on the Yamuna River. Its terraces look toward the Taj Mahal.
A hilltop palace fort above Jaipur, the pink city of palaces and bazaars. Jaipur's City Palace and Hawa Mahal are nearby.
The Mughal walled city with the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the lanes of Chandni Chowk. It is crowded, chaotic and full of street food.
A garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, set in formal gardens in New Delhi. It is calmer than many Delhi sights.
Stone steps along the Ganges where pilgrims bathe and cremations take place. The evening aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat is unforgettable.
A city of lakes and palaces in southern Rajasthan. The City Palace and lake views make it one of India's most romantic places.
A golden sandstone fort that is still lived in, rising out of the Thar Desert. Camel trips and desert camps run nearby.
A network of lagoons, canals and lakes lined with palms and villages. An overnight houseboat is the classic way to explore.
Goa is known for beaches, Portuguese era churches and a relaxed vibe. North Goa is livelier and South Goa quieter.
A tiger reserve with ruins of an old fort inside the forest. Jeep safaris offer a good chance of spotting tigers.
A group of Hindu and Jain temples covered in elaborate carvings, some of them erotic. They date mostly from the 10th and 11th centuries.
The ruined capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, scattered among giant boulders. Temples, palaces and the river make it magical.
Rock cut Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves with ancient paintings and the giant Kailasa temple. They are two separate sites.
A high altitude desert in the Himalaya with Buddhist monasteries and dramatic lakes. Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley are highlights.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Capital and gateway, with Mughal monuments.
history, food, gateway · Open the city guideTaj Mahal and Agra Fort.
history · Open the city guidePink city of palaces.
history, shopping · Open the city guideLakes and palaces.
romance, culture · Open the city guideSpiritual city on the Ganges.
spirituality, culture · Open the city guideBusy coastal metropolis.
food, nightlife · Open the city guideBeaches and Portuguese heritage.
beach, relaxing · Open the city guideDesert fort city.
desert, history · Guide comingKerala gateway with colonial heritage.
food, culture · Open the city guideTech hub and the base for Hampi and Mysore.
gateway, craft beer · Open the city guideOld colonial capital with a strong arts and food culture.
culture, food · Open the city guideBeaches and Portuguese heritage.
beach, relaxing · Guide comingThe classic first trip, linking Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Amber Fort
Desert forts, palaces and colourful towns.
Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore
Sacred cities and Buddhist sites.
Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya
Temples, backwaters and spice hills.
Kerala backwaters, Hampi, Madurai
Beaches and big cities.
Goa, Mumbai, Ajanta and Ellora
Mountains, monasteries and hill stations.
Ladakh, Rishikesh, Darjeeling
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: October to March. Cooler, drier weather suits most of the plains, Rajasthan and the south.
The monsoon runs roughly June to September in most areas, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have their own rains, and the Himalaya and Ladakh are best from about May to September.
January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
71°F daily high, 56°F average, 0.6 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates India Level 2 (exercise increased caution) for crime, terrorism and unrest, with Level 4 for some areas such as parts of Jammu and Kashmir and the border with Pakistan, and visitors should take care with scams, traffic and harassment.
A huge rail network and cheap domestic flights connect cities, but roads are chaotic and long trips take planning.
Food, transport and lodging are very cheap for most visitors.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa and entry rules on the official Indian e-Visa website (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/) and on your own government's travel advice before you go, as rules can change. |
| Plugs | Type C, D, M; 230 V |
| Tap water | not safe |
| Tipping | Around 10 percent in restaurants is common, and small tips for drivers, guides and porters are expected. |
| Payments | UPI mobile payments dominate locally, cards work in hotels and bigger shops, and cash is still needed for small vendors. |
| Emergency | 112 |
| Etiquette | Remove shoes before entering temples and homes, and use your right hand for eating and giving. Ask before photographing people and religious ceremonies. Public displays of affection are frowned on in most places. |
| What to wear | Cover shoulders and knees, especially in temples, mosques and rural areas; some sites require head coverings. |
| Driving | On the left |
| Between cities | Indian Railways runs a huge network including fast Vande Bharat trains, and booking ahead is essential. Cheap domestic flights save time on long distances. Hiring a car with driver is common in Rajasthan, and auto rickshaws and ride apps cover cities. |
| Main airports | DEL, BOM, BLR, MAA, GOI, COK, CCU |
| Ride apps | Uber, Ola |
The Indus Valley civilisation flourished more than 4,000 years ago, and later empires such as the Mauryas and Guptas spread Hindu and Buddhist culture. The Mughals ruled much of the north from the 1500s and left monuments like the Taj Mahal. Britain controlled India from the 1800s until independence in 1947, when the subcontinent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Today India is the world's most populous country and a large democracy.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.