India

“There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won’t go. For me, India is that place.”
Keith Bellows (Nat Geo)

India is the ultimate test of a traveler. There are few countries more overwhelming & exhausting to travel. But with all the chaos, comes great rewards. India offers a look at the ancient world & spirituality you get nowhere else. You’ll see both the burning of bodies on the ghats of Mother Ganges as well as the modern luxuries of today in mega-city Mumbai. You’ll leave a different person than you arrived.

India Travel Guide

Recommended Cities: Mumbai, Udaipur, Goa, Kerala, Delhi, Amritsar, Agra, Kochi, State of Himachal Pradesh, Varanasi

Minimum Recommended Trip Length: Minimum of 1 month for only the highlights of the country. If you plan to stick to one region then 2-3 weeks would suffice. There really is no recommended time in India. You’ll always wish you had more.

One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss: Sunrise at the Taj Mahal. See wild tigers at Ranthambore National Park.

Things to Consider Before You Go: Being a foreign woman in India attracts attention. Be prepared for sensory overload.

Visa Requirements

India does not have visa on arrival. You’ll apply online. $30 for Americans. Don’t let Visa companies convince you otherwise. Many try to scam tourists into paying $100 for an Indian Visa. This is the official Indian Visa application site.

Estimated Backpacker Budget

On a Shoestring: $15/day

Flashpacker: $25/day

Backpacker Luxury: $40/day

Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be eating street food, sleeping in hostel beds, & skipping the more expensive tourist attractions. Backpacker Luxury opts for private rooms, eats mostly in restaurants, and splurges on activities. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both.