The short answer
- Must see
- Taj Mahal at sunrise
- Most atmospheric
- Varanasi's ghats at dawn
- Wildlife
- Tigers in Ranthambore
- Slow down
- A Kerala houseboat
India is a country of experiences as much as sights. This list mixes the famous monuments with the moments travellers remember most, and links to our detailed visitor guides where we have them.
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
- 1. Watch sunrise at the Taj Mahal. Arrive at opening time to see the marble change colour. Closed on Fridays. Taj Mahal guide
- 2. Ride a rickshaw through Old Delhi. The spice market of Khari Baoli, Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid, near the Red Fort.
- 3. Walk the gardens of Humayun's Tomb. The Mughal garden tomb that inspired the Taj. Guide
- 4. Climb to Amber Fort. Mirror palaces above Maota Lake outside Jaipur. Guide
- 5. Photograph Hawa Mahal at dawn. From a rooftop cafe opposite, before the traffic builds. Guide
- 6. Explore Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar's abandoned red sandstone capital on the road to Jaipur. Guide
Rajasthan
- 7. Sunset boat on Lake Pichola, Udaipur. Past the Lake Palace as the City Palace turns gold. Guide
- 8. Walk Mehrangarh's ramparts, Jodhpur. Looking down on the Blue City. Guide
- 9. Sleep in the Thar Desert. A camel ride and a night in a desert camp near Jaisalmer. Guide
- 10. Stay in a palace hotel. Rajasthan's former royal palaces and havelis are some of the world's most memorable hotels.
- 11. Visit Pushkar. A holy lake town with ghats, temples and, in November, the famous camel fair.
Spiritual India
- 12. Take a dawn boat on the Ganges in Varanasi. Then return for the evening Ganga Aarti. Guide
- 13. Share a meal at the Golden Temple, Amritsar. The community kitchen feeds tens of thousands every day. Guide
- 14. Practise yoga in Rishikesh. The town on the Ganges calls itself the yoga capital of the world.
- 15. See the Khajuraho temples. Some of the finest carving in India. Guide
Wildlife and nature
- 16. Look for tigers in Ranthambore. India's most accessible tiger reserve. Guide
- 17. Explore Jim Corbett National Park. Tigers, elephants and Himalayan foothill forest. Guide
- 18. See one horned rhinos in Kaziranga. Assam's grasslands are home to most of the world's greater one horned rhinos.
- 19. Drive the high passes of Ladakh. Monasteries, turquoise lakes and some of the highest roads on earth, from June to September.
South India
- 20. Spend a night on a Kerala houseboat. Drifting through palm fringed backwaters. Guide
- 21. Walk the tea estates of Munnar. Cool hills carpeted in tea. Guide
- 22. Cycle around Hampi. Ruined royal temples among giant boulders. Guide
- 23. Wander the caves of Ellora. Including a whole temple carved from one rock. Guide
- 24. Relax on Goa's beaches. From busy party beaches to quiet coves. Our Goa beach guide
- 25. Eat your way around India. Street food in Old Delhi, thalis in Rajasthan and seafood curries in Kerala. A food walk is one of the best ways to start a trip.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in India?
Seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise tops most lists. Many travellers say the dawn boat ride on the Ganges in Varanasi was their most memorable moment.
What can I do in India in one week?
One week is ideal for the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, or for Kerala. See our guide to how many days you need in India for sample routes.
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