10 Essential Excursions to Experience in India

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Exciting Things To Do In India

Oh, the things we do for love! In the new series, 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, six Americans are risking it all and uprooting their lives to move across the world for a shot at love. The show follows Jenny of Palm Springs, California, as she prepares to leave her children, grandchildren and friends to move to India and wed Sumit, who had previously catfished her online.

Inspired by their travels, here is a list of essential excursions that would make any trip to India, be it for a week or for a lifetime, worthwhile!

Holi Festival

If you are visiting India in the springtime, be sure to find a local Holi festival to take part in! Holi is a vibrant Hindu holiday that marks the end of winter. On the second day of a Holi festival, referred to as Rangwali Holi, people gather together to play music and celebrate life.

Jeep Safari

Take in the majestic animals, birds and beautiful flora on a Jeep safari tour of the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, India. The park was once a former royal hunting ground, and is now home to tigers, leopards and marsh crocodiles. This excursion is a must for any nature or animal lover.

Elefantastic

Make a new animal friend! Visit Elefantastic, an elephant rehabilitation center on the outskirts of Jaipur, India. At Elefantastic, you can learn all about the daily lives of Asian elephants, meet and feed the elephants, and even go on a bareback ride. As an added perk, visitors are treated to a delicious, home-cooked vegetarian meal!

Golden Temple

Take a day to visit the beautiful Golden Temple in Amritsar, India. The Golden Temple is a central place of worship for the Sikh religion. You can walk around the lake surrounding the temple, learn more about Sikhism and share a meal in the Temple’s huge dining hall. If you end up staying past sundown, don’t forget to snap a picture of the Golden Temple at night—the golden exterior glows in the moonlight.

Kala Ghoda Art Precinct

If you are an art lover, the Kala Ghoda Art Precinct is a must-visit! Kala Ghoda is the art hub of Mumbai. There are year-round art festivals, art museums and amazing cafés to unwind at after a long day browsing the galleries.

Taj Mahal

What many don’t know about the iconic building is that it was an enormous labor of love. The Taj Mahal was commissioned in 1632 with the purpose of memorializing Emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife. Whether self-guided, with a group or with that special someone, taking a tour of the site will reveal its breathtaking wonders. No trip to India would be complete without a trip to the see the famous Taj Mahal.

Leopold Café

Grab a bite to eat at one of Mumbai’s most famous cafés. It’s located in the heart of the city and reigns as a favorite among both tourists and locals alike. During the day, it operates as a full-service café and restaurant but, after dark, it’s known to be a fun hang out spot with live music and dancing. No matter what time you decide to stop by, you’ll be sure to make some great memories!

Gateway of India

Originally built in 1911 as a gift to the King and Queen of England, this stone archway is now a historic landmark in Mumbai. The archway is a popular venue to visit for locals and tourists alike, and is the perfect place to people watch, marvel at the architecture and take in the sights of the city.

Tuk Tuk Tour of Kochi

See the sights, shopping, and landmarks of Kochi, India by tuk tuk! Tuk tuks are auto rickshaws that are a very popular way to commute throughout cities in India. Many tuk tuk tours allow you to hop off and on, so you can stop, take pictures and grab a bite to eat along the way.

Lady Baga Restaurant

For a great meal and Insta-worthy pictures, head over to Lady Baga! The colorful décor complements the equally colorful menu. The restaurant defines themselves as “part beach shack, full hippie” with a menu that features burgers, snacks, curries and seafood prepared in the regional Goan style. On Thursdays, they have live bands and drink specials guaranteed to keep the party going all night long!