{"id":3944,"date":"2020-01-15T04:19:40","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T11:19:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/?p=3944"},"modified":"2025-01-17T11:45:27","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T18:45:27","slug":"plan-a-trip-to-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/plan-a-trip-to-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Plan a Trip to India: My Favourite Places &#038; Experiences"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3944\" class=\"elementor elementor-3944\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ba8155f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ba8155f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8f38c48\" data-id=\"8f38c48\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a15bd79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a15bd79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>INDIA<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c33d29 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8c33d29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df26e4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"df26e4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes, India really is as colorful, delicious and at times, overwhelming as you imagine<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e1a4d29 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e1a4d29\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-45383f2\" data-id=\"45383f2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04049b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"04049b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>There may be affiliate links within this post which provide me with a commission, at no cost to you. This is a way to help me to provide valuable content. More information at: <span style=\"text-decoration-line: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy &amp; Disclosure<\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a8ae340 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a8ae340\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-545c59d\" data-id=\"545c59d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23c0e39 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"23c0e39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes, India really can be as colorful, delicious and at times, overwhelming, as you imagine.\u00a0 And a little research goes a long way when planning a trip to India. This is a vast country\u2014I&#8217;ve done two 15-day tours, and some solo travel, yet just begun to explore this fascinating country.<\/p><p>If India intrigues you, but you are a little nervous, I felt the same way and can say I would recommend it. So let\u2019s talk specifics\u2014how to plan a trip to India?\u00a0 Because the choices are as bountiful as the delicious buffets you will enjoy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4085921 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4085921\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Google Map - India<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cff0f08 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cff0f08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Favorite Places in India<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4443f7a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4443f7a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1xCRNRBpOqa6l3XwiMOVx9YHJmoSaukaP\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-624dc09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"624dc09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Plan a Trip to India<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-422ca88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"422ca88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When to Travel to India<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ac088f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ac088f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is important because different seasons will bring dramatically different weather in India. I think the ideal months are January through mid-March and September and early October. November and December have pleasant temperatures but the air quality can be poor in Delhi and nearby cities. It&#8217;s still a good time to go, you might kist limit your time in Delhi and bring masks to filter out pollution. I would avoid April through June which are very hot &#8211; often 40 degrees Celsius and higher (110 Fahrenheit).\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monsoon season is July to September.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff1ed31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ff1ed31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/leheyria-spring-gate-city-palace-jaipur.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4083\" alt=\"Momcation - Susan sitting at the leheyria spring gate, at city palace jaipur\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/leheyria-spring-gate-city-palace-jaipur.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/leheyria-spring-gate-city-palace-jaipur-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/leheyria-spring-gate-city-palace-jaipur-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Pleasant temperatures on a winter day in Jaipur, India<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cb06ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8cb06ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The other thing to consider is the timing of festivals. If you want to experience Holi, the Indian festival of colors, make sure you check the date as it varies by several weeks, year to year. It&#8217;s usually some time in March.\u00a0<span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Visiting India during Holi is on my bucket list!\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Diwali, the festival of light is also popular, and takes place in October.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>If you plan a trip to India during November or December, you will be there during wedding season. I have attended two weddings in India and there is nothing like it. If you get the chance to attend a wedding, it is an unforgettable experience.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b346d55 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b346d55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a34950f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a34950f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Should I take an organized tour of India?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7e917c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d7e917c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You don&#8217;t have to plan a trip to India on your own.\u00a0I highly recommend an organized tour to visit India, unless you have Indian friends to guide you. Navigating India for the first time can be overwhelming, and having a guide is fun and adds to the experience. You are going to have a million questions and they will be able to answer them all.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b2412a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1b2412a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gadventures.com\/trips\/mysteries-of-india\/AHLNG\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/group-tour-india-g-adventures.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4080\" alt=\"Plan a trip to India with a group tour. This is our G Adventures Group in Jodhpur, Rajasthan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/group-tour-india-g-adventures.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/group-tour-india-g-adventures-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/group-tour-india-g-adventures-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Plan a trip to India with a tour company such as G Adventures. Here we are in Jodhpur, Rajasthan<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d34eeb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d34eeb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">India with G Adventures<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e9a654 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e9a654\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>On my first trip to India, I spent a few days on my own in Calcutta before my group tour began. I hired a guide to show me around and highly recommend this. A travel agent who specializes in India can connect you with an excellent guide.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most tour companies offer India itineraries and some such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gadventures.com\/destinations\/asia\/india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">G Adventures<\/span><\/a>, which I went with, offers multiple. Be mindful that accommodation in India is not exactly equivalent to what we are used to in the west. Bathrooms are more basic for example, so a three-star hotel will not be the same as a hotel at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India is more affordable than many other destinations, so I would suggest many travelers would prefer an upgraded tour. If you are looking at G Adventures, I recommend their higher end tours, either their &#8220;Journeys&#8221; or &#8220;Geluxe&#8221; tours like this one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpbolvw.net\/click-100431838-11555299?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gadventures.com%2Ftrips%2Fnorthern-india-riverside-safaris-ancient-fortresses-the-taj-mahal%2F9680%2Fitinerary%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Northern India<\/span><\/a>. I went on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpbolvw.net\/click-100431838-11555299?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gadventures.com%2Ftrips%2Fjourneys-discover-india%2F8372%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Incredible India<\/span><\/a> tour and our accommodation was upgraded; not overly fancy but very comfortable with lots of character in most places. It was wonderful, a great mix of cities and smaller towns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20f549c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"20f549c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/monkey-greeting-taj-mahal.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4082\" alt=\"Plan a trip to India to include a monkey greeting at the famous Taj Mahal\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/monkey-greeting-taj-mahal.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/monkey-greeting-taj-mahal-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/monkey-greeting-taj-mahal-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">When you plan a trip to India, you'll want to include a stop at the Taj Mahal - not to be missed<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b0cbd0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b0cbd0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">India Golden Triangle Tour<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2f4174 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f2f4174\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many first-time visitors do a Golden Triangle tour, which visits the three cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, to see the Taj Mahal. When you look at this route on the map, it resembles a triangle, hence the name. This itinerary can typically be completed in 5-7 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\">Delhi and Jaipur are packed with ancient monuments and fascinating markets, stunning colors and delicious food. I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved the sites in Old Delhi, in particular Humayun&#8217;s Tomb Complex and Qutub Complex.<\/p><p>And of course you will see the Taj Mahal in Agra, on most people\u2019s bucket list and for good reason. It is stunning and many people who visit say it was even more beautiful than they imagined. I agree!<\/p><p>Ideally you will have time to explore beyond the Golden Triangle and visit some smaller cities and villages, the latter a lovely respite from the intensity of India&#8217;s big cities. Here are some of the places, large and small, that I&#8217;ve visited and loved &#8211; and a couple on my bucket list for next time.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45b3514 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45b3514\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How long should a trip to India be? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f293b6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f293b6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/train-trip-rajasthan.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4003\" alt=\"train trip rajasthan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/train-trip-rajasthan.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/train-trip-rajasthan-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/train-trip-rajasthan-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-732ca59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"732ca59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I suggest two weeks, especially if you are coming from North America and you will have significant jet lag the first few days. <\/span>Three weeks would be even better, especially if you want to go to the south, to an area such as Kerala, as well as Northern India.\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A longer trip to India offers more choice in tours and a variety of experiences. If you only have 7-10 days, that will be amazing too. You will just want to return.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cf5edb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0cf5edb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Popular Regions of India <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f1dbbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9f1dbbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rajasthan<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-858299f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"858299f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Land of Kings<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9eb7047 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9eb7047\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some tours of India are set almost entirely in the state of Rajasthan, &#8220;the Land of Kings&#8221; with its striking Mughal architecture and glittering palaces. I would absolutely recommend this region. It is a beautiful area of India and you can easily spend two weeks just here. My first tour was entirely in Rajasthan, other than the start and end of the tour in Delhi, India&#8217;s capital city. I loved it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3399709 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3399709\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/jodhpur-blue-city.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4000\" alt=\"jodhpur india&#039;s blue city\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/jodhpur-blue-city.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/jodhpur-blue-city-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/jodhpur-blue-city-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Looking down at Jodhpur, India, known as \"The Blue City\"<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f6fd26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f6fd26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Jodhpur<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-748c0b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"748c0b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">In Rajasthan, I particularly loved Jodhpur, the Blue City. The city&#8217;s Mehrangarh Fort is one of India\u2019s largest, and was my favourite of the many forts and palaces I toured. Built in 1549, it is so massive that Rudyard Kipling called it &#8220;the work of giants&#8221;.\u00a0There is an excellent audio guide available and I learned an enormous amount about the Mughal Empire.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jodhpur also has an interesting old market and some wonderful hotels (I would love to stay at the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/in\/raas-jodhpur.html?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RAAS Hotel<\/a><\/span> if I have the chance on a future trip) and there are rooftop restaurants which look out over the giant fort and city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Jodhpur you can book a visit to a Bishnoi village, a fascinating community of nature worshippers, who live in the nearby Thar desert. Jodhpur is not as modern as Jaipur, so your experience may feel like the India you imagine. There are also many festivals that take place here.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16a2214 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"16a2214\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/palace-udaipur.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4002\" alt=\"palace udaipur\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/palace-udaipur.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/palace-udaipur-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/palace-udaipur-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">City Palace Complex on Lake Pichola, Udaipur, India<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b8f8b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0b8f8b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Udaipur<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0af33c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b0af33c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set amongst four pretty lakes, Udaipur is known as the Venice of India and India\u2019s most romantic city. No one does luxury like India and the famed <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/in\/the-oberoi-udaivilas.html?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oberoi Udaivilas<\/a><\/span> is found here, voted one of the world\u2019s most stunning hotels, by Travel + Leisure and others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If gazillion-star luxury is not your thing, or your budget, there are several lovely hotels set on or around Lake Pichola. A boat cruise at sunset allows you to see the famed Taj Palace Hotel on an island in the lake, and the City Palace which glows at the waters edge as the sun sets. Rooftop dining is ideal here; the views are unlike anywhere else I visited in India.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Udaipur&#8217;s City Palace was my favorite of the palaces I visited in India. Overlooking Lake Pichola, it is a large complex which includes pretty courtyards and gardens, and beautiful mosaics. If you have time, the Monsoon Palace is apparently also worth a visit. I didn&#8217;t get there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba57d37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba57d37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/khajuraho-temples-india.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4005\" alt=\"khajuraho temples india\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/khajuraho-temples-india.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/khajuraho-temples-india-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/khajuraho-temples-india-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The stunning 10th-century Khajuraho Temples<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-916db2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"916db2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Khajuraho Temples<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a541ad6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a541ad6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Beyond Rajasthan, one of my favourite places was the Khajuraho Group of Monuments which I visited on my second trip. These Hindu and Jain temples were built between 950 and 1050 and survived the Mughal Empire (when many temples were destroyed by the Muslim Mughals) because the temples were hidden by the growth of dense jungle.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">They remained a secret until the 1830&#8217;s when they were accidentally discovered by a British surveyor.\u00a0Like many Hindu temples, they face the sunrise.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"p1\">They are located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, and are included on some group tours. If you do visit here, you are well positioned to add on a Tiger Safari to nearby Panna National Park.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-feba3f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"feba3f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Spiritual India<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-469d988 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"469d988\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/aarti-ritual-varanasi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4007\" alt=\"lighting the aarti on the ganges in varanasi\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/aarti-ritual-varanasi.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/aarti-ritual-varanasi-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/aarti-ritual-varanasi-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">On the Ganges River in Varanasi, lighting the aarti, candles offered to Hindu deities<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40ffd11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"40ffd11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Varanasi<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e3b3f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8e3b3f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">The sacred Ganges River flows through Varanasi, India\u2019s oldest city. It is the heart of both Varanasi and more broadly the heart of spirituality for Hindus.\u00a0 Each morning as the sun rises over the river, Brahmin priests sing offerings to the Hindu gods and raise aarti lamps. The candles shimmer as they&#8217;re moved in slow circles, in time with the singing of the priests.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Similar ceremonies are repeated in the evening and watching these from a boat floating on the Ganges River is unforgettable. Afterward, you can light your own aarti, a small floating candle, and set it and your wishes, afloat in the holy river.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Indians travel considerable distances from surrounding villages to bring deceased loved ones to Varanasi\u2019s famous cremation ghats.\u00a0 Pyres burn all day and night on\u00a0these steps at the river\u2019s edge. Hindus believe that being cremated in Varanasi releases a person from the ongoing cycle of reincarnation.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Many visitors say their experience in Varanasi was the most meaningful of the trip. If you have time to add Varanasi,\u00a0India\u2019s oldest and most holy city is unlike anywhere I have ever been.\u00a0But it is also quite far from some of the other cities you will want to see and I didn&#8217;t find it especially compelling beyond the Ganges experience. Overall I preferred the cities in Rajasthan.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-db5ae30 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"db5ae30\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-07904d4\" data-id=\"07904d4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2c893d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d2c893d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/varanasi-plan-trip-india.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8631\" alt=\"The Ghats of Varanasi from a boat on the Ganges River India\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/varanasi-plan-trip-india.jpg 445w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/varanasi-plan-trip-india-223x300.jpg 223w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-384047c\" data-id=\"384047c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b599aab elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b599aab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pushkar-trip-india.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8632\" alt=\"Two men walk with a camel during the Pushkar Camel Fair in India\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pushkar-trip-india.jpg 445w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pushkar-trip-india-223x300.jpg 223w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a45f9b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a45f9b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pushkar<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b28afff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b28afff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Pushkar is a small city in central Rajasthan, at the edge of the Thar desert and the pretty Aravalli Hills.\u00a0It is also considered a holy city by Hindus who come to bathe at Pushkar Lake and its 52 ghats, the steps at the edge of the water. There are several notable temples here, including the Savitri Temple. And a visit to Pushkar allows you to experience the culture of the Marwari people, a nomadic tribe and the camel traders who attend the famed Pushkar Fair.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"p1\">I haven&#8217;t been\u00a0to Pushkar but hope to include it on my next visit. I would love to stay just outside the city at\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/camplandsend.com\/\"><span class=\"s1\">Camp Land&#8217;s End<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> a country hotel with charming cottages and the Aravalli Range as a backdrop. It is ideally placed for access to hiking, camel and jeep safaris. It&#8217;s also owned by a friend of mine, who guided my India trip.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7318629 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7318629\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Rishikesh-India.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8634\" alt=\"Rishikesh India\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Rishikesh-India.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Rishikesh-India-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Rishikesh-India-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1afd68b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1afd68b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rishikesh: The Heart of Yoga Practice in India<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3504b74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3504b74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">If you are interested in studying yoga or meditation in India, you will want to visit Rishikesh, widely considered the yoga capital of the world.\u00a0People come here to develop their practices and to enjoy the beautiful setting.\u00a0\u00a0Rishikesh is in the northern India state of Uttarakhand where the Himalayas begin; the small city is set next to the River Ganges,\u00a0 the Holy River of India.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"p1\">There are many Ashrams here as well, first made famous by a visit from The Beatles.\u00a0 Most organized tours do not include Rishikesh, so if you want to visit, you may have to organize it separately.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99dfce4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"99dfce4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/womens-cooperative-rajasthan-india-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2394\" alt=\"womens cooperative rajasthan india\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/womens-cooperative-rajasthan-india-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/womens-cooperative-rajasthan-india-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/womens-cooperative-rajasthan-india-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/womens-cooperative-rajasthan-india-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/womens-cooperative-rajasthan-india.jpg 1386w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30908cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"30908cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Village Experiences in India<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af885d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af885d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of my favourite experiences in India were in villages. It is such a nice change from the intensity of the cities and offers a chance to interact with local people and learn about rural life. If you have a longer trip planned, I suggest looking for itineraries that incorporate at least one stay in a small town or village.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My Rajasthan itinerary included two nights at a village called Chandelao and the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chandelao.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chandelao Garh hotel<\/a><\/span>, an ancestral estate dating to 1744. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next to it is a woman\u2019s cooperative, set in a pretty bougainvillia-filled courtyard.\u00a0 We were able to purchase and pay a fare price for traditional handicrafts, enabling the village woman to support themselves and their children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I also enjoyed a short stay at a town called Jojawar. The chance to walk around and experience village life was fascinating, as was a train trip through the hills of the Aravalli Range, another chance to interact with local people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5674a75 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5674a75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba6c72d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba6c72d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/kingfisher-birding-india.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3453\" alt=\"river kingfisher spotted birding in india\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/kingfisher-birding-india.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/kingfisher-birding-india-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/kingfisher-birding-india-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6bc90b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b6bc90b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Safaris &amp; Birding on your Trip to India<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4839e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e4839e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>India&#8217;s cities are a riot of color and chaos, unlike anywhere else in the world. But India also has vast wilderness areas with incredible wildlife and birds. If you have time, I recommend you spend a few days at one of India&#8217;s many nature reserves enjoying the quiet contrast to city life.\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An estimated two-thirds of the world\u2019s wild tiger population of around 4000 is in India, and numbers are increasing thanks to conservation measures. Although not guaranteed, seeing a Bengal Tiger is thrilling. And tigers aside, you will\u00a0 enjoy a variety of interesting wildlife.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>The birding in India is also excellent; I saw a variety of birds on two different safaris, one in Panna Tiger Reserve and the other in Ranthambore National Park.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">You can read about my safari experience in <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/on-safari-in-india\"><span class=\"s1\">On Safari in India<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f7c723 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0f7c723\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/tiger-safari-india-ranthambore-park.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8626\" alt=\"Two tigers rest in the forest, seen on safari in India&#039;s Ranthambore Park\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/tiger-safari-india-ranthambore-park.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/tiger-safari-india-ranthambore-park-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/tiger-safari-india-ranthambore-park-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/tiger-safari-india-ranthambore-park-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22986e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22986e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Some useful information<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce3fb84 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"ce3fb84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e947b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0e947b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How To Get a Visa for India<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2caad3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2caad3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/isa-khan-tomb-delhi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4008\" alt=\"Your trip to India will likely start in Delhi: don&#039;t miss Delhi&#039;s Isa Khan temple\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/isa-khan-tomb-delhi.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/isa-khan-tomb-delhi-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/isa-khan-tomb-delhi-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Your trip to India will likely start in Delhi: don't miss Delhi's Isa Khan Temple <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29cb819 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29cb819\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Travelers from many countries are eligible for India&#8217;s electronic tourist visas and can apply for it online. You will need a digital PDF copy of your passport page with your photo, and a passport-style photo in JPEG format, to complete the application. All other information and the applications can be found at this website: <a href=\"https:\/\/indianvisaonline.gov.in\/evisa\/tvoa.html\"><span class=\"s1\">Indian Visa Online.<\/span><\/a><\/p><p class=\"p1\">You will receive an email confirming your application and it should only take a few days to process. If you don&#8217;t get it within a week, you can email: indian-evisa@gov.in to inquire.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Your visa will be emailed to you. The website suggests you confirm your status has been &#8220;GRANTED&#8221; on their website, prior to leaving for India. *<b>Print a copy of the visa and bring it with you to India<\/b>.*<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71f2fa9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"71f2fa9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/marigold-petal-wecome-india.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4006\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/marigold-petal-wecome-india.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/marigold-petal-wecome-india-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/marigold-petal-wecome-india-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Marigold petals are a traditional welcome in India<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab5d404 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab5d404\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">India FAQs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f57c2ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f57c2ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to avoid getting sick in India? <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3b0f08 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f3b0f08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I did not get sick at all in the five weeks I have spent in India. I avoided ice cubes and drank and brushed my teeth with bottled or filtered water. Hand sanitizer is a must because soap and water is not always available to wash your hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will want to avoid all uncooked vegetables\u2014no salads! You won\u2019t miss it because you will be eating all of that delicious Indian food and there are lots of cooked veggies available.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\">As a general rule you will only eat fruit you can peel.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"p1\">This is where a guide will be hugely helpful. They will only take you to safe restaurants and food stalls, and they will be able to tell you if there is anything on the menu to avoid. I love the fresh lime juice sodas they serve all over India, just request it without ice. They are refreshing and made with safe bottled, carbonated water.\u00a0<\/p><p>I did bring antibiotics with me, in case of a significant GI infection, but I never needed them. You can ask your doctor about this when you go for a consultation about the required vaccinations, which you should do as far in advance as possible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64350cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"64350cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/isa-khan-delhi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4001\" alt=\"ladies walking humayun tomb delhi\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/isa-khan-delhi.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/isa-khan-delhi-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/isa-khan-delhi-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7fbde8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7fbde8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Do I need to take malaria pills in India? <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0cdca7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d0cdca7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consult your doctor. This will depend on what parts of India you are visiting and when you are going. Your doctor will help you determine your level of risk. I decided not to take malaria pills on my trips and used bug repellant to avoid bites as much as possible. I would say about half of the travelers on my tours were taking malaria pills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f9d41b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f9d41b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Should I bring gifts for Indian children ? <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc37c54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dc37c54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is understandable to want to bring pencils and stickers to give out to the adorable children who will run up, excited to meet you. And they will ask. For some reason Indian children often ask for hand cream, which perplexed me until I realized it\u2019s because that is what tourists often happen to have, so many will give it to them. This is not advised however, because it encourages a culture of begging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, no, please don&#8217;t hand out gifts to children. If you want to support children in India, there are many NGO&#8217;s doing amazing work. One which I have supported and also visited is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sevamandir.org\/\">Seva Mandir<\/a><\/span> in Udaipur, Rajasthan. They support children&#8217;s education in rural communities. This is especially important for girls; when rural families can&#8217;t afford to send all of their children to school, boys are typically favored over girls in this patriarchal culture.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sevamandir.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> Seva Mandir<\/span> <\/a>supports\u00a0 girls&#8217; education <\/span>and the well-being of entire village communities with funding for infrastructure, clean water and health services.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88d3af7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"88d3af7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/woman-sweeping-bikaner-india.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3999\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/woman-sweeping-bikaner-india.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/woman-sweeping-bikaner-india-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/woman-sweeping-bikaner-india-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb1970f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb1970f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Layovers in Delhi<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec1fffe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec1fffe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The first time I went to India, I travelled first to Calcutta which required a connection in Delhi and a long layover. If this is the case with your trip, I recommend you stay at an airport hotel. There are several excellent ones. I stayed at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/in\/jw-marriott.html?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity<\/span><\/a> and thought the service and staff were excellent. The buffet breakfast was especially delicious. It is not cheap however.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16fe204 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"16fe204\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-050a7a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"050a7a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Managing India's Less Positive Aspects<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b986a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b986a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A final note: it&#8217;s helpful to be aware of some of India&#8217;s less positive aspects. As mentioned, the air quality can be poor, depending on when you travel so do consider that in your planning, especially if you have any respiratory issues.\u00a0<\/p><p>There is also a surprising amount of garbage strewn about in many cities. And of course, there is poverty; you will encounter people begging, often woman with small children.\u00a0<\/p><p>It can also be incredibly noisy, with endless honking and early morning call to prayer at local mosques. I found that I adjusted to many of these changes after a few days. It&#8217;s another reason that a longer itinerary is beneficial.\u00a0<\/p><p>Although these aspects of Indian life can be unsettling at first, once home you may miss the colorful chaos.\u00a0<span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">India is one of my favorite places in the world and I am excited to return one day and explore more of this vibrant country.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2be930 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"d2be930\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e1ad09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8e1ad09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>More Incredible India!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff4294e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff4294e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You might also enjoy these posts about India:\u00a0<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/on-safari-in-india\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">On Safari in India in Search of the Bengal Tiger<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/delhi-historical-places\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Historical Places in Delhi to Visit<\/span>.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p><p>Here&#8217;s the link once more to the 15-day tour I took, and loved: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpbolvw.net\/click-100431838-11555299?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gadventures.com%2Ftrips%2Fjourneys-discover-india%2F8372%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Incredible India<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>INDIA Yes, India really is as colorful, delicious and at times, overwhelming as you imagine There may be affiliate links within this post which provide me with a commission, at no cost to you. This is a way to help me to provide valuable content. More information at: Privacy &amp; Disclosure. Yes, India really can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3945,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,35],"tags":[11,186,30,345,44,48,368,103,54],"class_list":["post-3944","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-solo-travel","category-travel-guides","tag-asia","tag-delhi","tag-dream-trips","tag-favorite-places","tag-india","tag-rajasthan","tag-south-asia","tag-taj-mahal","tag-unesco-world-heritage"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/cows-sacred-hindus-india.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3944","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3944"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3944\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3944"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3944"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}