India

Asia

India

India moves at a scale and intensity few places match, from the marble symmetry of the Taj Mahal to the ghats of Varanasi where daily rituals unfold along the Ganges. Regional cuisines shift completely from state to state, spice-heavy curries in the south, tandoor cooking in the north, and Rajasthan's fortified desert cities sit within reach of Kerala's palm-lined backwaters and the Himalayan foothills. Color, crowds, and centuries of layered history are constant, and no single itinerary captures the whole country.

Why go thereCulture & heritage Sacred sites Food Ancient ruins Markets & bazaars Wildlife Indigenous cultures Festivals & events Architecture & cities Art museums Beaches Nature & landscapes

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Biryani

Spiced rice layered with marinated meat and sealed under dough to steam in its own aroma.

Butter chicken

Tandoori chicken finished in a tomato, butter and cream gravy, mild and glossy.

Masala dosa

Fermented rice crêpe wrapped around spiced potato, served with sambar and coconut chutney.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Biryani

Spiced rice layered with marinated meat and sealed under dough to steam in its own aroma.

Butter chicken

Tandoori chicken finished in a tomato, butter and cream gravy, mild and glossy.

Masala dosa

Fermented rice crêpe wrapped around spiced potato, served with sambar and coconut chutney.

Rogan josh

Kashmiri lamb curry coloured deep red by dried chillies, not heat alone.

Tandoori chicken

Yoghurt-and-spice marinated chicken seared against the clay walls of a tandoor.

Dal makhani

Black lentils simmered overnight with butter and cream until thick and smoky.

Palak paneer

Fresh cheese cubes in a spinach purée sharpened with ginger, garlic and garam masala.

Chole bhature

Punjabi chickpea curry with a balloon of fried bread big enough to share.

Pav bhaji

Mashed vegetable curry griddled with butter, scooped up with soft buttered rolls.

Vada pav

Mumbai's potato fritter in a bun with dry garlic chutney — the city's commuter lunch.

Samosa

Crisp pastry triangle of spiced potato and peas, fried and eaten scalding.

Idli

Steamed rice-and-lentil cakes, soft and sour, dunked into sambar at breakfast.

Vindaloo

Goan pork in vinegar, garlic and chilli — Portuguese in origin, fierce in execution.

Thali

A steel platter of small bowls: curries, dal, rice, bread and pickle, refilled freely.

Naan

Leavened flatbread slapped onto tandoor walls, blistered and brushed with ghee.

Chaat

Street snacks built on crunch, tamarind, yoghurt and chaat masala, assembled to order.

Gulab jamun

Fried milk-solid dumplings soaked warm in cardamom and rose syrup.

Jalebi

Batter spiralled into hot oil then steeped in syrup, eaten crackling and sticky.

Rasgulla

Bengali cheese balls boiled in light syrup until they float, spongy and barely sweet.

Masala chai

Black tea boiled with milk, ginger and cardamom, poured from height at every station.

Practical info

Drives on the left

Entry & health

Set your passport

incredibleindia.gov.in 112.gov.in worldstandards.eu

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Service charges may be added to restaurant bills automatically Service charges may be added to the bill automatically when you're in a restaurant, hotel or bar in India, so double check your bill before deciding whether to tip ; if not included, at a restaurant, if you have not been charged a 'service charge' on the bill, then leaving a tip worth 5-10% of the total is considered reasonable . For

Remove your footwear before entering a temple, mosque, gurudwara, or any religious building, and before entering most homes.
Dress modestly at religious sites — both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees before entering a temple , and some temples don't allow non-Hindus inside the inner sanctum .
Eat and pass items using your right hand only — the left hand is viewed as unclean, so avoid using it for food or handing things to people.
Don't touch someone's head, as it is considered sacred, and don't point your feet at people or religious objects.
Cover your head when visiting a Sikh gurdwara — in Sikh Gurdwaras, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, both men and women are required to cover their head , and note that stricter temples prohibit leather, including accessories such as belts, wallets and bags .
Avoid overt public displays of affection and try to stay patient/calm in public, as losing your temper is frowned upon.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for India — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA