Seven Things You Must Do If You Go To India INDIAN STUNNER ELEANORE’S WORLD

IF YOU want to go to a country that is highly cultural, totally unique and boasts unbelievable food, look no further than India!

From the vast Himalayan peaks in the north to the stunning beaches in the south, India has an amazing landscape marked by rivers, deserts, forests and mountains.

From Agra’s iconic Taj Mahal to the religious experience of the Ganges in Varanasi and the rugged nature of Rishikesh, there is much to see and do in India.

I hit the chaotic country on my round-the-world trip, and there are a couple things I insist anyone visiting should do, including…

1 SEE THE TAJ MAHAL

Obviously a trip to India would not be complete without seeing the most famous monument in the world, the Taj Mahal! Built in the 1600s by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, it is an utterly breathtaking palace, and is best seen at sunset or sunrise.

2 VISIT THE NEW DELHI SPICE MARKET

Full disclosure: I did not particularly like New Delhi. However, if you are travelling from Ireland chances are you will end up there first, and while it is a hectic and crowded place, there are some cool things to do there.

The Chandni Chowk market is brimming with treasures and is best visited by Tuk Tuk. Enlist a local driver to bring you to all the best spots, including the spice market, the spice market roof, the Red Fort and some hidden eating spots! Make sure you haggle first on the price, though.

3 DO A YOGA RETREAT IN RISHIKESH

Yoga actually originated in ancient India so it would be a crime to go there and not take at least a class or maybe do a whole retreat in Rishiksesh in northern India. You would want to be in a very healthy mood, as the best temples and ashrams are in Swarg Ashram; a traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town!

4 CLIMBING IN THE HIMALAYAS

Northern India is also home to the Himalayas, where novice to experienced walkers can do some seriously breathtaking trekking. Spectacular lakes, forests, valleys and more will be some of the scenery you take in along the way.

5 HIT THE BEACHES IN GOA

If you want to relax at the end of a hectic trip to India, a visit to Goa is the perfect way to chill out. Scenic beaches, buzzy nightlife and lavish resort hotels are all on offer for the weary traveller.

6 SUNSET AT THE GANGES RIVER

Another must do in India is a trip to Varanasi to watch sunset at the beautiful and manic Ganges river. One of the most sacred rivers to Hindus, this river is a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs.

7 GO ON SAFARI IN TALA

Much like in Africa, there are many safari opportunities in India to go on safari. Bandhavgarh National Park is known for its large population of royal Bengal tigers, white tigers, leopards, deer and many species of birds.