If you’re thinking about travelling to India and feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety, you’re not alone. As someone who recently completed the classic India travel route through the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur), I’m here to tell you what it’s really like. Spoiler alert: it’s loud, chaotic, wildly beautiful, and absolutely unforgettable.
I had been dreaming about going to India forever, but felt that it would not be a safe place to travel as a female. When my friend announced she was going on a ladies’ tour to India with 10 other women and they had not filled all the spots, I was in!
Whether you’re dreaming about the Taj Mahal or wondering how spicy the street food really is, this guide shares the raw, authentic experience of visiting India for the first time—with plenty of India travel tips I wish I’d known.
First Impressions: A Beautiful Shock to the System
The second you step off the plane, India doesn’t whisper. It roars. There’s a sensory storm: heat, honking horns, a thousand new smells, people absolutely everywhere—and somehow, it works.
Delhi was my first stop, and nothing prepared me for how alive the city feels. Life pours onto the streets. Every laneway is full of people cooking, praying, trading, shouting, and laughing. There is so much colour! To my surprise and delight, the streets are filled with beautiful flowers, or at least when I was there in March.
India travel tip: Book your airport pickup in advance to avoid being immediately overwhelmed. You’ll thank yourself. It is one place that I was very grateful to be picked up, and I did not have to worry about negotiating a taxi right away.
🕌 The Golden Triangle: Culture, Colour, and Contrast
If it’s your first visit to India, the Golden Triangle is a great way to explore the country’s highlights in a reasonable time frame, which is what I did on this 10-day adventure. You will get to visit three different cities, offering very unique perspectives of India.
Delhi is a lot—an all-senses-on-deck kind of place. I landed at The Leela Palace, which felt like a peaceful oasis before diving head-first into the chaos of India’s capital.
Delhi Highlights:
- Laughter yoga at dawn in a garden—a strange but joyful way to shake off the jet lag. The gardens in Delhi are so lush, I was so surprised by how beautiful they were and how much green space there was in parts of Delhi.
- An Indian wedding tour through Shahpur Jat, filled with vibrant saris, bridal embroidery, and a henna workshop. We went to a dance studio and learnt to dance Bollywood style to be great guests at a traditional wedding.
- Old Delhi: Walking through Chandni Chowk’s tangled lanes, a rickshaw ride, and exploring Jama Masjid and Agrasen ki Baoli—one of India’s beautiful stepwells. The colour, food and people were all incredible.
- Home-cooked dinner after a spice market tour at INA. Cooking alongside a local chef in her home was one of the most authentic and lovely moments of the trip. I love cooking and eating of course, so to come away with some recipes to take home was fabulous.
India Travel Tip: When in Delhi, always travel light and keep cash in small notes. Don’t shy away from the chaos—it’s where the magic lives.
🕌 Agra – The Taj, Yes. But So Much More
We drove to Agra with traditional head massages on board the bus—a quirky, calming way to begin. While the Taj Mahal is everything you’ve imagined (and more), Agra offered unexpected treasures, including a beautiful view of the Taj Mahal from a gorgeous garden across the river. .
Highlights:
- Agra Fort, which blends Islamic and Hindu architecture with incredible history and views of the city and Taj Mahal.
- Mehtab Bagh for sunset views of the Taj from across the Yamuna River.
- A sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal itself—truly the jewel in India’s crown. But be aware, you will be there with at least 1 million others!
India Travel Tip: Go early and take your time. To get the dreamy photo you have gone all that way for at the Taj Mahal, without everyone else in it, walk halfway down to the Taj to find the photographers. You will have to line up, but it is 100% worth it!
🐅 Ranthambore – Into the Wild
Next up: trains, tigers, and terrain. After a scenic ride to Ranthambore, we stayed at the stunning Khem Villas and embarked on three game drives across Ranthambore National Park. The landscape is dry and dusty, but teeming with life.
Highlights:
- Morning and afternoon safari drives, where we spotted peacocks, deer, wild boars, and—yes on day two—a tiger! It was an incredible encounter.
- Organic, home-cooked meals back at the lodge.
- Campfire chats under the stars, where the jungle soundtrack hummed all around.
India Travel Tip: Bring layers for game drives—it’s chilly at dawn but scorching by midday. Don’t forget a scarf or hat and sunscreen.
🩷 Jaipur – The Pink Jewel of Rajasthan
Ah, Jaipur. This city felt like a dream. Regal, artistic, and surprisingly calm after Delhi and Agra, it was the perfect place to exhale and reflect. The Samode Haveli Hotel was amazing at the next level, with incredible architecture and history.
Day Highlights:
- Holi Festival: It’s one thing to see photos, but quite another to be drenched in pink, blue, and green powder by strangers laughing and dancing. This was so much fun!
- Amber Fort, reached by jeep, where we wandered through mirrored halls and royal courtyards.
- Elephant sanctuary visit at Dera Amer: feeding, walking beside, and painting rescued elephants in an ethical, non-riding environment.
- Henna art, a traditional sari dress-up dinner, and lots of retail therapy in the bazaars.
More Jaipur Gems:
- Visiting the Surman Sansthan NGO for orphaned girls—deeply moving and grounding.
- Photo ops at Hawa Mahal, a stroll through City Palace, and a sunset at Patrika Gate.
- Shopping for block prints, jewellery, and handmade souvenirs.
India Travel Tip: Jaipur is a shopper’s paradise. Bring an empty bag or plan to ship things home and be ready to negotiate!
🍛 Food: A Delicious (and Spicy) Adventure
Indian food is one of the country’s biggest gifts—but also one of its biggest challenges for first-timers.
- In Delhi, try chole bhature and stuffed parathas.
- In Agra, don’t miss Mughlai cuisine—rich, creamy, and full of flavour.
- In Jaipur, Rajasthani thalis give you a sampler of local curries, chutneys, and sweets.
The local food everywhere we went was so incredible, I did not want to leave,e knowing that you can not get real Indian food at home.
India travel tip: Stick to cooked foods early in your trip and always drink bottled water. No sipping water in the shower!
🙏 Culture, Chaos & Kindness
One of the most surprising things about visiting India is how welcome I felt. Yes, people stared—especially as a blonde female traveller—they wanted photos with us and also snuck a few shots when they thought you were not looking. Curiosity is big in India, and it’s not uncommon to be asked for a selfie, especially in rural areas or at tourist sites.
India is a land of deep spirituality. Even if you’re not religious, something is grounding about hearing temple bells at dusk or watching pilgrims bathe in sacred rivers.
I attended a spontaneous Hindu aarti (prayer ceremony) in Delhi that left me in tears. It reminded me that Indian travel isn’t just about sightseeing—it’s about feeling something deeper.
💼 What I Wish I Knew Before Travelling to India
- Expect delays. Plans change. Trains run late. Go with the flow—it’s part of the adventure.
- Book key things in advance. Especially trains, internal transport, and Taj Mahal tickets. We were so fortunate on the tour, because everything was booked, which took all the travel stress away.
- Pack light—but wisely. Loose cotton clothes, closed shoes, a scarf for the temples, and a small daypack are essentials. I did not wear half of what I packed, so next time I would pack lighter.
- Be prepared for begging. In some parts, people beg, including small children and injured people. It is confronting, and you feel so bad, but you simply can’t give to everyone that you see.
📸 Instagram vs Reality
The images you see online—of tranquil moments at the Taj or serene yoga on a riverbank—are real, but not the full story. Getting a photo without other people in it at the sites is very hard. Everywhere is so busy.
Behind every peaceful photo is a moment of chaos: dodging tuk-tuks, finding the right entrance gate, fending off guides and photographers. But that’s India—intensity wrapped in beauty.
India travel tip: Wake up early. Tourist sites are much quieter in the morning, and the golden light makes for the best photos.
❤️ Final Thoughts: India Changes You
Travelling to India was nothing like I expected—and better than I could have imagined. It’s not just a destination; it’s an experience. It teaches patience, presence, and perspective. It shakes you up and leaves you a little different.
If you’re considering travelling to India, know this: you won’t be the same person when you leave.
You’ll come home with dusty shoes, a full camera roll, and a new way of seeing the world.
👣 Planning Your First India Trip?
Whether you’re going for a month or a week, my advice is this: start small, go slow, and stay open. India has a way of giving you what you need, not necessarily what you planned.
