At the end of 2023, we finally had the chance to visit a destination that had been on our bucket list for a long time: India. This was perhaps the destination we were most nervous about visiting, as we had heard such mixed reviews. Some travelers described it as one of their best experiences, while others said they would never go back.
Over the course of a five-week trip (two of which we spent working), we had the chance to form our own opinions. We focused mainly on the far south, exploring Kerala, and the far north, visiting Ladakh. Additionally, we spent a few days in Delhi and Mumbai.
If you’re unsure whether India is the right holiday destination for you, we’ve put together a list of reasons why we think visiting India is worthwhile, along with a few considerations that might make you think twice. Keep in mind that India is a vast country, and even though we spent five weeks there, we only experienced a small portion of it. The following points are based solely on our experiences in Kerala, Ladakh, Mumbai, and Delhi.
Reasons why a trip to India is worthwhile:
Learn about fascinating cultures India is an adventure like no other. It offers a wealth of Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist culture to explore. Every moment feels like a learning opportunity, full of excitement and discoveries—exactly what we think traveling is all about: expanding your horizons and experiencing new perspectives.
Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh Breathtaking Nature The natural beauty of India always amazed us. Ladakh, in particular, felt unreal, with its stunning landscapes and serene Buddhist temples set against the backdrop of the Himalayas. We also loved the contrast between the harsh conditions of the Himalayas and the beautiful beaches and serene backwaters of Kerala.
Varkala-Hariharapuaram lake in Kerala Vibrant cities with a lot of things to do While visiting cities like Delhi and Mumbai can be intense especially in the beginning, we found them incredibly rewarding. Unlike in other countries where we usually spend a maximum of two days in big cities, Delhi and Mumbai offered so many attractions that we could have easily stayed longer.
Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi Easy Communication with Locals Most Indians speak English, making it easy to connect with locals. Additionally, they are very open and approachable, making conversations effortless and offering help readily when needed.
It is cheap This probably won’t come as a surprise, but India is one of the most affordable destinations we’ve traveled to so far. Everything is inexpensive, from accommodation and food to transportation and tours. On average, a standard hotel room cost around $30 for two people, a large dinner typically ranged between $2 and $5 per person, and a three-hour taxi ride was about $30.
Food Lover Paradise - especially for vegetarians India has very diverse cuisines, from flavorful South Indian dishes to hearty North Indian meals, kept us excited throughout the trip. Plus, we were both pleasantly surprised to experience no stomach issues at all for our whole trip.
Thali Meal, typical dish in Kerala Backpacking easier than expected
From inexpensive flights and trains to a well-organized tour in Ladakh, we found India’s travel infrastructure surprisingly efficient. In Ladakh, for instance, we didn’t book anything in advance, yet our hotel easily arranged a multi-day tour for us. Additionally, because everything is so affordable, if public transportation isn’t an option, you can always rely on Plan B—booking a taxi or tuk-tuk, which remains reasonably priced even for longer distances.
Warm, Friendly, and Curious People Locals are incredibly open and eager to connect, making us feel welcome and adding a personal touch to our travels. While their curiosity can sometimes feel a bit intense (as described below), overall, the people were a major highlight. You often get the sense that they are genuinely happy to have you visiting their country.
Felt save, even in the bigger cities As a couple, we always felt safe, even when walking around large cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Of course, it’s important to remain cautious and use common sense, but in general, we were able to freely walk around—even after sunset in big cities—and still felt completely safe. This was not always the case in countries we’ve visited in South America or Africa.
Reasons against India:
Big Cities Can Get Exhausting Even though we really enjoyed Delhi and Mumbai, the sheer number of people, crowded streets, and constant noise can be exhausting. However, after the initial "culture shock," we found both cities incredibly interesting. That said, it's definitely something to be prepared for.
Curiosity Can Sometimes Feel Overwhelming While the friendliness of the locals is a highlight, their intense curiosity and frequent staring can be overwhelming at times. Especially at popular sights in the big cities, be prepared for people wanting to know where you're from and asking for selfies. Although we enjoy interacting with people, at times it could get a bit annoying. In more rural areas like Ladakh or Kerala, however, people were much more relaxed in this regard.
POV as a tourist in India: At major tourist spots, people will often ask you to take a selfie with them. Environmental Issues Even though people told us it has improved over the past few years, pollution and trash are still noticeable and often sad to see, particularly in coastal areas.
Limited Options for Outdoor Sports Enthusiasts India’s tourism is geared more toward the way that Indians prefer to explore—primarily by car. This was particularly noticeable in Munnar, an area in the mountains of Ladakh, where it was challenging to find any hiking trails. Even in the national park, the experience consisted of only having a few 15-minute marked trails and being prohibited from wandering off the paths. Compared to European national parks, this was quite a different experience, but in our case, it was fine, as Alex had had a knee surgery just a few weeks before the trip and couldn’t walk long distances anyway.
Not a Relaxation or luxury destination India is best suited for those seeking adventure and cultural experiences, not for travelers looking for a purely relaxing vacation. While you can find beautiful beaches in Kerala, we wouldn't recommend the country if you just want to stay at one spot. Additionally, high-end hotels and luxury accommodations often fall below the standards of other destinations.
Conclusion: Better than Its reputation After our travels, we can confidently say that we can’t confirm India’s reputation for being overly chaotic or difficult to travel. While there are certainly challenges and it wasn't the most "chilled" destination, the country exceeded our expectations in many ways and has become one of our favorite places we’ve visited so far. Perhaps it’s due to the route we took or the areas we explored, but the standard of living was higher than we anticipated, and we didn’t encounter the harsh conditions often depicted in documentaries about India. We met friendly locals, enjoyed rich cultural experiences, and had a smooth travel experience overall. India turned out to be a destination brimming with beautiful nature, culture, and warm people—one that is far better than its reputation suggests.