Uncovering the many sides of India: 5 insider experiences to have in this country of contrasts 

By: Jamie Gallerani, EF Go Ahead Tours 

In India, almost everything is a dance. Here, balance is found as you go from the bustling, rickshaw-lined streets of Delhi to the serene backwaters of Kerala, where palm trees dot emerald shores. Along the way, royal palaces sidle up to nature preserves, daily life reaches a crescendo at vibrant markets, and spirituality shines in Hindu temples, Islamic mosques, and Sikh community kitchens. With 28 states, 22 official languages, and 1.4 billion people, the country is like a ruby with endless facets: varied and impossible to pin down. Ready to see something new everywhere you look? Here are five experiences that will weave you into the layered fabric of India. 

Zip through Old Delhi’s bustling streets on a rickshaw   

Frenetic vibrancy bursts from every corner of India’s big cities, and one of the best ways to witness it is from the seat of a rickshaw. There’s nothing quite like being whisked into the heart of it all on these motorized, three-wheeled vehicles, which offer an in-the-thick-of-it vantage point that you can’t get any other way. One unforgettable place to ride through? The most storied neighborhood of India’s capital city: Old Delhi. Here, history spills from narrow streets lined with tangled telephone wires, vendors hawk rounds of flatbread called parathas from Moonlight Square—and you’ll discover that how you get around is just as interesting as what you see.  

Watch as fire is offered to the goddess of the Ganges  

From the playful toss of colorful powder at Holi celebrations to candlelit flower bowls floating down holy rivers, spiritual moments spring up everywhere in India. Want to bear witness to one notable practice? Each evening in the cities of Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh, the bathing steps along the Ganges are the place to watch one of the most sacred Hindu rituals: the Aarti, a ceremony of light devoted to the goddess Ganga. During this illuminated, prayer-filled event, bells and conch shells sound, incense swirls, and mantras are chanted as priests offer fire to the deity using large brass lamps. Purification and gratitude underpin this daily ceremony, which is capped off as devotees release small oil lamps called diyas onto the river.  

Go behind Bollywood’s silver screen in Mumbai 

India’s glittery side shines in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), where Bollywood got its start. The name of the Indian film industry is a Bombay-Hollywood mash-up that’s become synonymous with some of the most colorful moments in cinema, from Kashmiri musicals and comedies to Rajasthani dramas and romances. Most of the storylines play out alongside elaborate song and synchronized dance numbers, and you can get a behind-the-scenes peek while touring Film City or taking a Bollywood dance class in the city that launched this cinematic art form.  

Seek out Bengal tigers on a Ranthambore safari 

The busy streets of India only tell one side of the country’s story. Beyond the mesmerizing rush, natural beauty unfurls in the form of Himalayan peaks, sprawling deserts, South Goa beaches—and the world’s largest population of Bengal tigers. Dreaming of spotting the country’s national animal? Lush nature preserves like Ranthambore National Park are calling. This royal-hunting-ground-turned-tiger-reserve is your place to step into quietude on a guided safari (and, if you’re lucky, to catch a glimpse of one of India’s most notable residents). 

Head south to visit the spice capital of India  

Of all the amazing things India offers, plates of culinary greatness sit right at the top. There are the richer, creamier, ghee-cooked dishes in the north. Think: tandoori meats and savory dal scooped up with naan. Then, there are the lighter, spicier, more aromatic spreads in the south, which are often made with coconut oil and served with rice. It’s here in southern India where Kerala reigns as the country’s spice capital, and where markets are dotted with heaping piles of cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, pepper, turmeric, and more. Visit for yourself to find that each of India’s far-flung corners offers its own regional flavors—and that some of the best spring up along the southern backwaters.  

About the author 

As a Senior Copywriter for EF Go Ahead Tours in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jamie Gallerani has been sharing the magic of seeing the world with others for more than 10 years. Her love of travel took root during a homestay in Mannheim, Germany, and has since taken her to 21 countries and counting. From studying in Florence to sipping corn beer with Peruvian highlanders in the Sacred Valley, she’s found inspiration and connection around the world—and strives to capture the wonder of experiencing new cultures in her work. When she’s not writing about guided group travel, she’s looking for her new favorite memoir, visiting her family on Cape Cod, and reminiscing about how blue the water on the Amalfi Coast is. 

About EF Go Ahead Tours 

EF Go Ahead Tours offers more than 200 guided trips across six continents. Each carefully planned, expertly led tour makes it easy for curious travelers of all ages to get to the heart of a destination. With a maximum group size well below the industry average, each trip has the perfect balance of planned sightseeing and free time to explore. EF Go Ahead Tours is one of three tour operator brands within EF World Journeys, a leader in guided, experiential travel. EF World Journeys is part of EF Education First, a world leader in international education that has helped millions of people since 1965 learn a language, discover the world, or earn an academic degree. 

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