How to Get Ready for a Trip to India

We must remember that India is more than just a country; it is a subcontinent! Traveling any distance in India and seeing more than one area of the country takes time. We love to promote slow travel wherever we can on Soul Travel and in this India travel blog, and there's nothing quite like taking a train ride alongside locals versus flying domestically and missing out on the beautiful Indian landscapes. Continue reading to find out how!

Making Plans for Your First Trip to India

India, the world's seventh largest country, covers more than 3 million square kilometres of land. That's a lot of distance to travel. Assuming most first-time visitors to India have 1-3 weeks to explore, we recommend focusing on one region of the country.

Many first-time visitors to India opt for the Golden Triangle, which consists of Agra, Delhi, and Jaipur, with a bit of Rajasthan thrown in for good measure. The reason is simple: Agra is home to the Taj Mahal and is only three hours from Delhi; Jaipur is home to stunning Mughal architecture and palaces galore and is also easily accessible from Delhi. Also visit: Coorg honeymoon resorts


Because most visitors do this, we recommend that you do not limit yourself to the Golden Triangle when visiting India for the first time. These are India's most touristed (and, to some extent, over-touristed) destinations, so expect to see a lot of people. Because of the high level of (foreign) tourism in these areas, it's also where you'll encounter the most hassle: partly from enthusiastic vendors used to cash-rich-time-poor tourists who aren't used to bargaining, and partly from men hoping to catch a glimpse of less-than-well-covered skin. It's not that I don't like Delhi, Agra, or Jaipur (okay, sorry Agra, I really don't like you), but they aren't the best places to start your first trip to India, especially if you're travelling alone.

Where Should You Go on Your First Trip to India?

This is entirely dependent on your preferences and interests, as well as what you hope to experience during your trip to India. The North of India differs from the South in many ways, including architecture, language, food, and landscapes. Those looking for mountains and trekking should head north to the Himachal Pradesh peaks and the Indian Himalayas in Ladakh. Beachgoers flock to Goa and Kerala, and Rajasthan is hard to beat for princely palaces and sheer grandeur. Connoisseurs of food and architecture will be spoiled for choice, as the country is brimming with delectable thalis and faith-inspiring temples.



Spiritual seekers, yogis, and would-be-gurus flock to Rishikesh and Varanasi, two life-changing cities. When I planned my first trip to India, I knew I had to go to Varanasi, one of the world's oldest cities. Love it or hate it, there's no denying that Varanasi is unlike anywhere else on the planet.