india during Holi
India is both peaceful yet chaotic, tranquil yet noisy, and filled with wisdom yet modest. There is no string of words that I could pull together that could ever describe my experience of India. You’d need a lifetime to indulge in every part of the rich culture and history.
Let’s start with a few housekeeping rules (as per usual):
‼️Disclaimer ‼️Travel to India is currently not allowed. This itinerary is to prepare those who would like to travel to this magical country in the future
The fear of women traveling solo is very much real. I did a lot of reading on the culture and customs to prepare myself mentally and spiritually. In this blog I will share some resources I used to help guide me for my journey
You must, I repeat MUST, be open to the experience. India is one-of-a-kind and not built for the weak hearted. Yes, there are select 5-star hotels, fancy restaurants, and transportation. While that’s a great experience, it’s not authentic to the culture. I would suggest mixing it up every now and then
When traveling does open, you need to apply for a Tourist Visa. You can do it online (e-Visa) or submit it directly to your local Indian embassy
You will more than likely get ripped off… a few times. It’s all about bargaining when you’re purchasing but also knowing the worth of items
Delhi Belly is REAL YA’LL! You read so much about tourist getting sick when traveling and while you may even prepare for it (packing pepto bismol, Imodium, and other medicine), your chances of getting it are very high and it’s no fun! I would suggest staying away from any meat during your stay in India
In this blog, I rated my hotels, airbnbs, tours, and transportation on a scale of 1-10
Timing: We planned our trip around the Holi, the ancient Hindu celebration also known as the festival of spring, color, or love. The festival signifies triumph of good over evil. The festival always takes place in March with the exact date changing each year. In general, best time to visit is October and March.
Weather: India is scorching hot… like it was Spring and we were experiencing 90+ degrees each day. The weather gets even warmer during the Summer months and can be unbearable. Linen light and airy clothing will be your best friend.
Currency: $1 USD = ₹ 72.77 (rupees). For perspective, a bottle of water is approximately ₹ .20 (reported as of 3/11/21)
Flight: We flew economy with Air India which was okay. Seats were small for a 14+ hour flight. You really do pay for what you get lol. I have vowed to never fly economy in a flight that’s over 10 hours again 😭 Good news though, they offer direct flights right into New Delhi anywhere between $900-$1200+ depending on the season.
The Golden Circle: India is MASSIVE. There are so many places that offer different vibes and experiences. However, the most popular route is The Golden Circle. This includes: New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Agra
We flew from JFK directly into DEL via Air India - Rate (6/10)
As soon as we landed, we hopped right into a private transportation to drive into Agra - Rate (9/10)
This drive is approximately 3.5 hours however, traffic can add on to this
We booked the private transportation on Viator for $120. Our point of contact, Max, was incredibly responsive, kind, and made sure we felt safe
We stayed at the Taj Hotel & Convention Centre Agra - Rate (10/10)
This hotel was absolutely stunning. From the customer experience, the comfort of the beds, the cleanliness of the bathroom (this is majorly important for me), and the food. Such a good way to kick off our India trip!
Day 2: Agra
Spent the day exploring Agra and purchasing marble, silver, and Agra’s natural stone - Star of Agra. This is one of the main stones imbedded in the walls of the Taj Mahal
Day 3: Agra
The most magical day at the Taj Mahal. We booked an Airbnb Experience and had he best time. Our guide, Akash, was phenomenal. Passionate about his country and extremely knowledgeable, I couldn’t imagine a trip to the Taj Mahal without him. Not to mention, he knew all the best photography areas! - Rate (15/10) lol
Day 4: Jaipur
Traveled from Agra to Jaipur (aka the Pink City) which took approximately 5 hours due to Holi festival traffic. - Rate (9/10)
We used the same Viator service for $100
We stayed at the Krishna Palace which is affordable AF but would I stay there again… probably not lol - Rate (6/10)
The only reason why I gave it a semi-decent rate is because the hotel hosted a private Holi festival for the guests.
For dinner, we went to the cutest rooftop! The Peacock Rooftop which is affordable, delicious, and offers a live band for entertainment - Rate (9/10)
We noticed that the restaurant is located at the top of a very cute hotel with affordable pricing. Would deff recommend checking out the Hotel Pearl Palace!
Day 5: Jaipur
✨Holi Festival!✨ As I mentioned, above the Hotel we stayed at provided a private Holi celebration. This included entertainment as well as the Holi powder. Honestlyyyyy, this was one of the highlights of our trip and while we didn’t love our accommodations, the event itself was an experience!
Day 6: Jaipur
We booked a full Day Photography Tour of Jaipur via Airbnb Experiences. Our guide, Puneet was the best person I think we encountered during our trip 😭💛 A travel enthusiast & photographer, who loves to explore and share his passion for forts, palaces, architecture, and culture, Punet gave us a beautiful experience in the Pink City! He knew all the spots to take the best photos and precisely what timing would be best to visit specific areas. - Rate (15/10), yes anotha one!
You can check out his beautiful captures on his instagram: @puneetyadav
Places we visited:
Day 7 : Jaipur
In the morning we visited Gatore Ki Chhatriyan - such a magical and serene place to visit. It’s a bit of a bumpy ride driving up a mountain to get to this site but sooooo worth it. Gatore ki Chhatriyan is a cluster of temples and tombs in the foothills of the Nahargarh fort. - Rate (10/10)
We then had a cutesy…. sort of overrated lunch at Caffe Palladio Jaipur - Rate (7/10)
Pros: Good cocktails and great photo opportunity!
Shopping: Of the three cities we shopped, Jaipur was by far the BEST, cheapest, and most diverse. We regret not purchasing more items lol
Day 8: New Delhi
We flew into New Delhi via Air India - flight was less than an hour, short and sweet!
We stayed at the cutest Airbnb located in a small neighborhood away from the major buzz of New Delhi - Rate (9/10)
For dinner, we switched it up and checked out Diggin’ Italian food with an outdoor summer vibe in India. Spicy but delish! - Rate (7/10)
Day 9: New Delhi
To end our trip, we booked a Food Tour via Airbnb Experience - Rate (10/10)
Our guide, JD, was absolutely fun! Energetic, funny, and passionate af about food, this was the best way to end our adventure. What really made this tour so fantastic, JD took you through a journey of Indian cuisine, culture, spirituality, and why we travel to new places. You MUST book this experience if you plan to explore New Delhi
You can learn more about JD through his Instagram: @foodtoursdelhi
