Looking for unique travel experiences in India that can stay with you forever?
India is a captivating destination blessed with diverse landscapes, cultures, traditions, languages and history. Hence, when you visit this country the experiences can be at times overwhelming. One of the things that make India unique is that it offers a variety of options. This provides you with incredible ways to experience India.
While there are plenty of things to do in India, you need to look out for options that offer you once in a lifetime experiences in India. This would ensure that you can explore the history and geography of this Asian country in a way that stays with you for years to come.
In this post, we will focus on 18 unique travel experiences in India that you must try as you explore the length and breadth of this country.
1. Journey Across India by Train
One of the cool things to do in India is to explore the country by train. There are plenty of reasons why travel by train in India is a better idea. However, the most compelling one is that you can cover a huge part of India via train. When you travel by train in India you can enjoy the countryside views, interact with the people on the train, understand local culture and language and enjoy some local snacks as you approach various stations. As per the Indian Railways, they run more than 13000 trains daily that carry more than 23 million passengers. You can also explore the Mountain Railways of India when you are exploring India.
2. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
As per the 2023 records, India has around 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many keep adding to the list. If you are looking for unusual experiences in India you can visit heritage sites in India that would offer you a different perspective. If you are on the west coast you can explore the Western Ghats, in the north you can explore the iconic Taj Mahal. Similarly, you can tour the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Sun Temple, Fatehpur Sikri, Elephanta Caves, and many more. This allows you to enjoy some of the unique places in India while learning about India’s history and culture.
3. Visit the Vibrant Cities
While the real India lives in the rural areas you cannot afford to miss India’s vibrant cities that have become a melting pot of cultures and traditions. Some of the top metro cities in India, like Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi and Kolkata offer you unique experiences. If you are visiting India for the first time you would want to choose from some of the safest cities to help you make the most of your holidays in India. The best part about exploring cities in India is that you can enjoy a unique blend of traditional and modern lifestyles. However, keep in mind that these fast-paced cities can often be crowded and overwhelming.
4. Hike Historic Forts
One of the best ways to know more about India’s history and heritage is by hiking various forts in various states. These forts provide you with some interesting stories and insights into how battles were fought. You also get to learn about fort architecture and how various walls and bastions were used to attack and defend from the enemy. Maharashtra has the most number of forts in India. Hence, you can hike various historic forts in Maharashtra which is one of the unique ways to experience India. However, make sure that you know how to hike forts while enjoying it.
5. Unwind at Various Hill Stations
With plenty of mountain ranges, there is no dearth of hill stations in India. India has the Western Ghats, Satpura Range, Aravalli Range, Vindhya Range, Nilgiri Mountains and the mighty Himalayan Range. These mountain ranges and hills are home to some of the most popular hill stations in India. During the monsoon season, these hill stations transform into misty magical places that offer a perfect spot to unwind. If you are exploring the Western Ghats you can enjoy some hill stations in Maharashtra. Similarly, you can enjoy Saputara in Gujarat where you can put your feet up and relax.
6. Participate in Cultural Festivities
India is a land of festivals. Hence, no matter what time of the year you visit India you will get the opportunity to enjoy some local festivities. Participating in these festivities is one of the unique travel experiences in India you must try. These festivals and events allow you to learn more about Indian culture, history and the way of life. From Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai to celebrating Diwali and shopping for Christmas goodies, there’s so much to cover.
7. Walk the Beaches
India has 9 states and 2 Union Territories that enjoy a coastline. This means that a huge portion of India enjoys the coastline. The total coastline amounts to 7516 km (4670 miles) and that translates into an abundance of beaches across these states. Walking these beaches is one of the unique ways to explore India for couples who want to have a good time. If you are close to Mumbai you can explore Suruchi Beach, which is a hidden gem. Similarly, you can find plenty of beaches in Konkan in Maharashtra. Goa is known for its beaches but you can explore other states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu that offer some stunning beaches.
8. Traverse the Wildlife Reserves
With more than 100 national parks and 50 tiger reserves, you can have a great time exploring nature and wildlife in India. You can find various national parks across different states that allow you to spot various mammals, birds and even plant life. If you love to track the tigers you can do that while you are in India. India is also a great spot for bird enthusiasts and therefore you can spot various resident and migratory birds across India.
9. Trek the Himalayas
One of the crazy things to do in India is go trekking the Himalayas. Known as one of the highest mountain ranges in the world, Himalayan trekking can offer you some serious outdoor challenges. You can trek the Himalayas with various groups that would make things easier for you especially if you are doing this the first time. Also, you can look for endless opportunities in Leh-Ladakh and Sikkim. Various trekking trails in India cater to all kinds of skill levels so you need not worry even if you are a beginner.
10. Tour Famous Temples
One of the unique travel experiences in India you must try is visiting various temples. India being a religious country is home to multiple religions and beliefs. Touring the temples of India provides you with an insight into the different religions that have become an integral part of the culture. For instance, when you are visiting Rajasthan you can explore Udaipur’s Jagdish Temple. Similarly, when in Punjab you can visit Amritsar’s Golden Temple and so on. In almost all states you will find popular temples that attract plenty of local visitors.
11. Take Yoga Retreats
When touring India you would also want to try your hands at doing yoga. This is one of the unique bucket list ideas in India that you should try. Rishikesh is the Yoga Capital of the World and you can look for various yoga retreat programs that would help you get some unique experiences. Various celebrities have visited India to learn yoga and that has helped them in many ways. These yoga programs also come with accommodation options so that shouldn’t be a problem for international visitors. If you are visiting India for the first time here’s everything you should know to help you have a smooth experience.
12. Attend Various Fairs
There is so much that a trip to a local fair can offer you. India has various fairs that are organized throughout the year. Hence, you can always look out for ways to attend these fairs and learn about India’s culture, traditions and history. Kumbh Mela is one of the popular fairs in India that has its origin in Hindu mythology. However, you can explore other fairs in India like Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan, the Goa Carnival, and the Sonepur Cattle Fair. If you are looking for something artsy you can visit the annual Kala Ghoda Art Fair in Mumbai as well.
13. Explore Historical Monuments
Indian civilization dates back to at least 8000 B.C. and this means that there’s plenty of history to explore. One of the cool things to do in India is visit various historical monuments. This would be a great way to know about various empires, kingdoms and princely states in India. You can explore various palaces, forts, and other historical monuments that are unique to India’s culture and history.
14. Try the Local Cuisine
Apart from its history, culture and traditions, India is also known for its diverse cuisine. Over the years, Indian food has gained a lot of international recognition. Hence, when you are visiting India you would want to try your hands at some of the best local eateries and lakeside restaurants that offer you a culinary experience that you can remember for years. Similarly, you can also try your hands at some local street food options in India. Even if you are not a foodie, you should always look out for reasons to travel for food in India.
15. Go for a Road Trip
India has an extensive railway network but one of the incredible ways to experience India is to take the roads. This is a great way to enjoy the countryside and see some spectacular landscapes and views in India. You can enjoy long drives through scenic ghats in Maharashtra if you prefer it that way. Similarly, you can also head for a road trip to Leh Ladakh and other places in India to help you get unique travel experiences in India. If you love riding motorcycles you can opt for a motorcycle trip and head to some of the stunning places in India.
16. Explore the Local Handicrafts
While you are exploring India you can also take a deep dive into the local handicrafts as well. These handicrafts are an integral part of India’s culture and are passed on through generations. For instance, you can learn more about Daboo fabric printing when you are in Rajasthan. Different states have different handicrafts to offer and you can explore them to know more about India’s arts and crafts industry.
17. Opt for Culinary Tours
One of the crazy things to do in India is learn how to cook Indian food. This would be a great way to get hands-on experiences and learn from locals who specialize in cooking meals. There are various culinary tours that you can opt for while you are exploring India. This also allows you to interact with locals and know more about Indian food, spices and how you should blend them. If you are interested in cooking this can be a great way to enhance your culinary skills and knowledge.
18. Explore Hidden Gems
As you browse through the internet you will find a lot of information on popular destinations in India. This would include some of the vibrant cities and iconic towns that have historic importance. However, one of the unusual things to do in India is visit hidden gems that are rarely in the spotlight. These small towns are practically tourist-free and you can enjoy meeting people here and relishing local food as well.
Conclusion
India is blessed with so much to explore that it is hard to cover everything in one trip. However, it is also essential that you know how you want to make your trip to India memorable. Researching and narrowing down the options would be a great way to optimize your trip to India.
On the other hand, you can just go with the flow and let fate decide how you want to explore different monuments, forts, castles, palaces and landscapes. This would ensure that you can make some memories that you can take back home.
With these unique travel experiences in India, you can enjoy your trip to India and make the most of it.
4 comments
A home stay would be an interesting was to see another country. I think it would take several trips to take in all the wonderful sights your country has to offer.
Yeah, a single visit cannot provide enough room to explore all facets of the country. At least, when a country is as big and diverse as India.
So many marvelous things to do, Sharukh. Thanks for encouraging everyone to have fun. I liked your thought about “going with the flow.” Sometimes planning excursions can be stressful. One never knows what fun might be had if we just head out to have fun. People here used to have the expression “follow your nose” (just pick a direction and go). Hugs to you and Sarah.
I will keep that expression in mind and use it for my upcoming travel posts. Well, I’m a plannner when it comes to optimizing my holiday time. I do my research and I’m clear about my itinerary. However, I do understand that things can go sideways so I am okay with shuffling priorities and my plans and let fate decide how we spend our time. Thank you for visiting and commenting on the post, Teagan. Hugs.