In short: Diwali and Holi, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, street food in Old Delhi, the forts and blue city of Rajasthan, and a spiritual tradition that gave the world yoga. Five reasons India belongs on your list, when to go, and how our 12-day trip strings the best of them together.
In this guide
- 1. A culture that changes every state
- 2. Deserts, mountains and backwaters
- 3. The food
- 4. The spiritual side
- 5. History you can walk through
- When to go
- Our route
1. A culture that changes every state
India is not one country so much as thirty, with their own languages, alphabets, dress, festivals and food. Cross a state line and the temples, the sweets and the way people tie a turban all change. The festivals are the concentrated version: Diwali, the festival of lights in October or November, and Holi, the colour-throwing festival in March, are the two to plan a trip around, and Rajasthan's folk dance and puppetry are still performed for locals, not just for visitors.
2. Deserts, mountains and backwaters
The Himalayas in the north, the Thar Desert in the west, the backwaters of Kerala in the south and tiger country in the middle. On our route it is the desert edge: camel safaris out of Bikaner, and Jodhpur's blue city spread out below Mehrangarh Fort at sunset. If you want tigers, Ranthambore is a day from Jaipur.
3. The food
Indian food at home is a fraction of Indian food in India. Day one of our trip is a street-food tour of Old Delhi, parathas and chaat in lanes that have sold the same dishes for two centuries, and in Udaipur you cook a Rajasthani meal with a local family before you eat it. Between those two, thalis, dal baati, lassi from a clay cup and chai from a roadside stall are the daily rhythm.
4. The spiritual side
Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda all started here, and they are still lived rather than sold. Varanasi's evening Ganga Aarti and the ashrams of Rishikesh are the famous versions; on our route it is quieter, the monkey temple at Galta Ji outside Jaipur, the evening prayers at a Jain temple, and the Sikh community kitchen in Delhi that feeds tens of thousands a day for nothing.
5. History you can walk through
The Taj Mahal at sunrise is the one everyone comes for and it is better than the photographs. Agra Fort next door, Amber Fort above Jaipur, Mehrangarh in Jodhpur and the City Palace on the lake in Udaipur are the Mughal and Rajput story told in stone, and all of them are on our route. Further afield, Hampi's ruins and Mysore Palace show the south's own version.
When to go
October to March is the season for the north and Rajasthan: dry, sunny and 20 to 30°C by day, cool at night in December and January. April to June is brutally hot, and July to September is the monsoon. Our India weather guide has the month-by-month detail, and Diwali and Holi both fall inside the good window.
Our route
Backpacking India, 12 days runs Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur: the Golden Triangle plus the two Rajasthani cities that most people wish they had added. India and Nepal, 18 days does the same loop and then flies to Kathmandu for Chitwan National Park and Pokhara. Both run in small groups with a local guide throughout, and both include the Taj Mahal at sunrise, the Old Delhi food walk and the Udaipur cooking class.
Before you book, three practical guides: how to get your India visa, which vaccines you need for India and which plug adapter to pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is India safe for solo travellers?
Yes, with the usual care, and it is a great deal easier in a small group with a guide who speaks the language. Most of our India travellers are solo, and more than half are women.
How many days do you need for India?
Ten to twelve for the north on its own; the Golden Triangle plus two Rajasthani cities fills twelve days comfortably without feeling rushed.
What is the best month to visit India?
October to March. November and February are the sweet spots: dry, warm days and cool nights, with Diwali at one end and Holi at the other.
Do I need a visa for India?
Almost everyone does. Most nationalities can get an e-visa online in a few days; our visa guide walks through it.
Why book with Backpacking Tours?
We have run small-group trips to India since 2013, with a local guide from arrival to departure, airport transfers, accommodation, in-country transport and every listed activity included. Each trip is held with a small deposit.
Ready to see India for yourself? Let's go!
We run 3 trips in India — and 29 more countries besides. Your next adventure is waiting.
