10 Experiences in India that cannot be missed

Yoga by the Holy Ganges, Varanasi

An early morning yoga session at a ghat by the Holy Ganges in Varanasi is pure, calming and a sublime experience in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. The yoga instructors in this case will be students who are studying at the yoga ashram, which you visit after your session. At the ashram, you can interact with other yogis and understand this ancient form of meditation and exercise unique to India.

Charminar, Hyderabad and Old Delhi on a Tuk Tuk

Standing at 180 ft, The Charminar is one of India’s most revered monuments. Explore the meandering streets dotted with seller’s kiosks in motorised tuk-tuks, perhaps the best way to understand this ancient 400-year-old city. You can also enjoy a tuk-tuk ride through narrow lanes of the 300-year Chandni Chowk market in Old Delhi.

Dine in the Middle of Lake Pichola, Udaipur

If you’re wondering why dining at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, has made it on to this list of best Indian experiences, it’s because this luxury hotel—which sits in the middle of Udaipur’s serene Lake Pichola—has not one, but five dining experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Out of these, however, the Gangaur Cruise stands out. This former royal barge of the House of Mewar can now be chartered by guests of the hotel, upon prior booking, to ferry you out onto the lake for a dining experience like no other. With a live grill and live musicians on board, your oarsmen will take you however far out on to the lake you wish to go.

Carry the Holy Granth Sahib to its Evening Resting Place, Amritsar

In Sikh temples, the Granth Sahib — Holy Book of the Sikhs — is an object of devotion in its own right, and nowhere is this more evocative than at the Golden Temple, the most tangibly spiritual destination in the country.

In the evenings, men line up to carry the precious Granth Sahib from its golden sanctuary at the center of the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar), crossing Guru’s Bridge, which symbolizes the journey of the soul after death, to Akal Takht, where the Holy Book rests for the night.

Men can take part in this ceremony by joining the line that forms behind and ahead of the heavy palanquin. Being part of this ancient tradition is a deeply moving experience and indicative of the embracing atmosphere you’ll find in Sikh temples throughout India.

Walk Over a Frozen River, Ladakh

If the mention of this trek gets you curious, you’re not alone. Because this is exactly what this trek is—a journey over the frozen Zanskar River.

Though the ice is thick, you can see the river raging underfoot, and those who have trekked through this famous gorge with towering rocks on all sides describe the experience as surreal, even life-changing.

Keep in mind, though, that it’s not only difficult in terms of the trek itself, but it’s also the small things—like your boots freezing solid overnight and you having to thaw them by the campfire before you can put them on.

If you enjoy trekking, this is the big daddy of them all. Suit up!

Watch the Airshow, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Keoladeo National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is home to over 230 species of birds. Each summer, thousands descend upon the marshes and grasslands of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep your eyes peeled and you could see herons, storks, oriental ibises and even sarus cranes.

A Night at the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Nothing compares to the surreal feeling, and the goosebumps you get when you spend a night at the Rann of Kutch. Why a night? Because you see white plains as far as you can, washed in moonlight, and more stars than you could count!

Really, the moonlit salt desert makes you aware of the fact that the beauty of barrenness is the best kind there is.

Coral Watching, Andamans

It almost feels like another country – not a part of the dusty, bustling place that India is. Far, far away from the mainland lurks a veritable underwater treasure – the coral reefs in Indian waters have mesmerized divers for ages now.

Some basic training is all you need, and once you have dived and seen the colourful coral reefs under the water, you know you have done more than most people can even imagine doing.

Darjeeling Train Journey – Straight Out of a Bollywood Potboiler

A ride in the toy train of the hills is a scene right out of a children’s story book. The train chugs along the meandering paths of the hills, letting you take in the views of the majestic Himalayas in the background.

No doubt, this journey is one of the best train journeys in India.

Paraglide in Manali

Manali could be India’s official hill station. The place offers a range of activities ranging from white water rafting to paragliding and zorbing, not to mention the warm springs, and the cafes.