Exploring India

You will very likely experience culture shock on your first visit to India. Most people are not ready for the level of crowds, pollution, and poverty that you will see first hand while you are in the country. That being said, India is a very diverse and culturally rich country. India has deserts, mountains, plains, and rainforest; while culturally, there are many different dialects and languages spoken in the country and it is very diverse both religiously and spiritually. You will need a Visa to get in, so be sure to obtain one within 6 months of entering the country.

India is a very large country, so the quickest way to move around is obviously by plane. India has several established domestic airlines and travelling this way is both efficient and cheap. A good alternative to plane travel is using the extensive and very well established train system in India. You can book train tickets online before you get to India. Some people opt to take an Indian train excursion throughout the country and there are many companies that range from the low end to luxurious that provide one to two week rides in various regions throughout the country. This is one of the best and most comfortable ways to see India and its countryside. The best train excursion in India is a loop through the Golden Triangle of cities (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur). You will get to see the Taj Mahal and all the surrounding beauty of this northern region. There are also train loops in the south from both Mumbai and Bangalore that are worth checking into.

Other 'Must Sees' in India

The next best 'Must See' sight in India is the Golden Temple located in Amritsar. It is an incredibly beautiful building that is only outdone by the Taj Mahal. The Golden Temple (Also Called 'Harmandir Sahib') was built in the late 16th century and is considered to be the center of the Sikh Religion. The temple is in the middle of a lagoon and shines brilliantly during both night and day. Amritsar is easily accessible by both plane and train, and is around 300 miles northwest of Delhi.

Two cities worth visiting in India include the city of Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) and the city/region of Goa. Mumbai is the financial hub of India, and also the location of 'Bollywood,' the Indian equivalent of the United States' Hollywood. If you love the beach, Goa, located on the Indian Ocean, has some of the best in the world. It is located south of Mumbai and is also accessible by both plane and train.

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