If you click on the links in this post, we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.
India Travel Bucket List: 10 Must-Have Experiences
India is an amazing country to visit. There are so many places to see and amazing experiences you can have that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
So are you planning a trip to India? Then we came up with some great bucket list type experiences you can have in India you will want to check off your list.
Take a Safari in Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is a wildlife reserve that people visit from all over the world to see their amazing animals.
Here are some of the animals you can see:
- Tigers
- Leopards
- Striped Hyenas
- Indian False Vampires
- Jackals
- Nilgai
- Jungle cats
- Toddy cat
- Sambar deer
- Longeared Hedgehogs
- Indian Porcupines
- Black bucks
- Common Yellow Bats
- Macaques
- Small Indian Mongoose
- Caracals
- Rufoustailed Hare
- Indian Wild Boar
- Ratels
- Common or Hanuman langurs
- Indian Mole Rat
Travel Tip
This one-day safari is a great way to see Ranthambore National Park. You’ll get picked up from your desired location in Jaipur, so you won’t have to worry about transportation. And you’ll get a great 3-hour Zeep/Canter Bus tour of the National Park.
Visit the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is regarded by many as the best example of Mughal architecture, a jewel of Muslim art, and a symbol of India’s rich history. In other words, you are not going to want to leave India without seeing the Taj Mahal.
Travel Tip
Save time by purchasing this Taj Mahal Fast Track Entry Ticket.
Visit the Jaipur City Palace
The Jaipur City Palace was first built in 1732. It currently is the home of the Jaipur royal family. They are said to be the descendants of Lord Rama. Being able to visit a building with this kind of history is special. But it is even more special since it houses a current royal family!
Travel Tip
To get the full experience, you’ll want a tour with an expert guide. And that’s what you’ll get with this Forts and Palaces of Jaipur Private Half-Day Tour. Not only will you get to visit the Palace, but you’ll also visit famous forts. And you will learn a lot about Indian history and culture, too. You’ll be pleased with the price of the tour, too.
Stay in an Actual Palace
Do you know what might beat visiting a palace? How about staying in an actual palace? Rajasthan has old royal palaces that have been converted into heritage hotels.
Travel Tip
Book your hotel through this website to find a great price.
Enter the World’s Largest Gate
Buland Darwaza, known as the “Door to Victory”, was built in 1601 A.D. It was built to commemorate Mughal emperor Akbar’s victory over Gujarat. Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and the largest. It is the entrance to Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikr in Northern India near Agra.
Travel Tip
Save time by buying a skip-the-line e-ticket ahead of time. You can buy one at a pretty inexpensive price here.
Visit the Chand Baori
The Chand Baori is one of the largest and most beautiful step wells in the world. It is an Escher-like maze of 3,500 symmetrical stone steps. The steps descent 100 feet into the ground and the water at the bottom of the well is so deep it is often several degrees cooler. It was built in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan over a thousand years ago between 800 and 900 AD by King Chand Raja. It’s believed it was dedicated to Hashat Mata, who is the Hindu goddess of joy and happiness. In fact, stone sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology are carved into the walls of the well. It’s been featured in popular movies like The Dark Knight Rises, The Fall and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Travel Tip
Save time by buying this skip-the-line e-ticket.
Sample Food in Delhi
Part of why traveling to a new country is so much fun is getting to sample their cuisine. And there are a lot of great unique foods in Delhi that you will want to try. You will want to try something, whether it’s aloo tiki, pav bhaji, samosas, etc.
Travel Tip
A great way to sample the food and really learn a lot about it is the Delhi Street Food Crawl. What’s great about doing a tour like this is that it’s led by a knowledgeable food guide. So you will learn a lot about Indian food and culture during the tour. The tour takes you through popular neighborhoods in Delhi where you will sample different authentic Indian dishes. You will even see how the food is made. And you can get a discount price for this Delhi Street Food Crawl by clicking here.
Tour a Mumbai Bollywood Studio
Did you know that Indian cinema is the world’s largest film industry in the world? Bollywood films are famous worldwide – so you don’t want to leave India without seeing where these movies are made!
Travel Tip
If you are looking for a great Mumbai Bollywood Studio Tour, click here – you can find a great one at a discount price. Not only will you get to tour the studio, but you’ll get to witness a live shoot! You’ll learn a lot about filmmaking and behind-the-scenes action. You will learn about how visual effects are used in Bollywood films.
And that’s not all. You will get to see a dance show on classical and famous Bollywood numbers. And this isn’t just any dance. It is made exclusively for you. You even get to dance, too!
Oh, and did I mention that you could meet a celebrity and take photos with them? So if you want a good feel for the Bollywood industry, definitely take this tour!
Take a Camelback Safari
Most of us will never get to ride a camel. Make sure you don’t leave India without doing it. You’ll get to ride through the magnificent golden Thar desert. Then you get to watch a beautiful sunset. This safari tour even comes with an authentic Marwari dinner and see a famous Rajasthani dance performance.
Travel Tip
An amazing way to experience this is this Jaisalmer Camel Safari Tour.
See the Erotic Art at the Temples of Khajuraho
The Khajuraho group of temples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and the depiction of eroticism through sculptures on the temple walls. Khajuraho is a great cultural destination where you can see remnants of the Chandela dynasty rule.
Travel Tip
This tour is a great way to properly see the Temples of Khajuraho.
