India is a country unlike any other – the people, the culture, the wildlife, and the geography offer a blend of extraordinary experiences. On one hand, spending months or even years would not be enough to discover the country and on the other, you can make the most of your visit in one week if you plan it well.
So what should you realistically expect and how can you use this knowledge to your advantage? Read on to find out.
The Extremities
The country gained independence from the British 75 years ago and in those terms, it is a very young democracy when compared to nations like the US. To keep up with the rest of the world, the governments experimented with multiple policies. As a result, you can find an interesting dichotomy of planned & unplanned areas, modern & ancient architecture, and a general feel of the old & new everywhere. This can be shocking for some, while delightful to others who are quite simply bored of predictable order in much of the developed world.
The Value
Contrary to popular belief, everything is not ‘cheaper’ in India. A lot of stuff is more expensive here than in the United States or Europe for that matter. While the foreigner-friendly exchange rate does give inbound tourists a lot of benefits, it does not work to your advantage in certain categories of goods. For instance, electronics like watches, laptops (especially MacBooks), and iPhones are costlier, often by hundreds of dollars in India. This is usually due to the import tariffs, customs duties and other taxes levied on items that are not made indigenously.
The Travel
Public transport is the cheapest to get around, no surprises here. However, it can be very crowded and the service might not be perfect in rural areas. If you want to avoid the hassle of public transport, take advantage of Uber or similar taxi companies that operate in many major cities. Alternatively, your travel agent/hotel can arrange private taxi cabs for the entirety of your tour.
The Attractions
The best part about India is its tourism offering – no matter who you are and what you like, there is something for you. The sheer diversity of landforms, cuisines, and traditions is enough for a few lifetimes of travel. The country has ancient monuments, lush green valleys, white sand beaches, and towering mountains, you name it.
The Itinerary
Given the massive number of destinations to visit and things to do, it can be difficult to decide what to include in your one-week itinerary. Often, the ‘Golden Triangle Circuit‘ is the best for your first tour of India. It starts with the national capital of Delhi and covers Agra – home of the Taj Mahal and Jaipur – the erstwhile capital of Maharajas. A well-planned and properly executed Golden Triangle tour would have you enjoying everything from flavor-rich local cuisines to visiting age-old monuments and exceptional wildlife encounters.
Bottom Line
Beginning your Indian adventure from the Golden Triangle would help you ease into the cultural shocks that may otherwise be overwhelming. All three cities in this circuit have world-class luxury hotels, excellent road conditions, and plenty of fine dining facilities so you can travel in style. A one night halt in Ranthambhore National Park will give you a chance to spot a Bengal Tiger. Having your tour planned and managed by a reputed luxury tour operator is a sure-shot way to avoid stress and make the best of your time in India.
Luxury Golden Triangle Tours is a well-known brand for bespoke luxury tours. Get in touch with us today for specially curated travel experiences bound to take your breath away!
