Our Travels

India by Travel Nation's Lloyd Kane

3 months independent travel with transfers and the first two nights' accommodation booked in Delhi, and some internal flights.

India is like no other country on the planet and is a must-see destination for anybody wanting to experience a different way of life.

I packed my worn out backpack and embarked on 6 week trip that encompassed parts of North and South India. My first port of call was Delhi, a city that will challenge the hardiest of travelers and certainly a true taste of everything India has to offer. The smells of street stalls selling exotic food, mixed with car and motorbike fumes, the sweet waft of incense and of course the sewage and cow dung is what first hit me about Delhi. Once I'd got used to all that it was time to explore and I soon realized that to get the most out of India you need to be strong, open minded and have trust in our fellow human beings.

I travelled around mostly on trains and buses. I would especially recommend the overnight trains for the longer journeys. Second class is slightly more expensive than Sleeper class but you get your own bed and plenty of Chai to keep you going. Local buses are fun but challenging and you can always cheat by flying. I booked a flight with Spice Jet from Delhi to Goa for around £30. Bargain!

The highlights of my trip were as follows:

	The Taj Mahal in Agra: A truly beautiful symbol of a man's love for a woman. It's definitely better to take your own photo than buying the postcard. About two and a half hours by train. The holy city of Varanasi: Sample and take in the spiritual essence of India set in one of the oldest cities on the planet alongside the River Ganges. Here you can take a boat trip along the Ganges at sunrise, study yoga, music or dance and watch or even take part in all manner of religious festivities that take place every day. Approx 15hrs by train from Agra.
	The Golden Temple of Amritsar: The most holy of shrines for the Sikh people. Human nature at its finest, with free food and board if you prepared to clean a few dishes and peel some vegetables. Delhi to Amritsar approx 12hrs by train. McLeod Ganj: The home of the Dalai Lama and a very different side to India. Set in the Himalayan foothills and home to the Tibetan government in exile, a few days wandering the streets and chatting to local monks will certainly give you a different perspective on life. Bus from Amritsar via Dharamsala, approx 10hrs.
	Goa: Maybe not the party centre it once was, but still has some great coastline and a more relaxed feel than most parts of India. Choose your beach carefully as they are all very different. My favorite was Patnem in the south. Don't forget to sample the local specialty the fiery Goan fish curry. Fly from Delhi in 2hrs or the train takes approx 2days! Hampi: A town of ancient ruins, monasteries and bizarre rock formations for as far as the eye can see. A very peaceful, tranquil town and one of the only places I know where you can be blessed by elephant. Bus from Goa, approx 12hrs overnight.

To really see all of India you would need a minimum of 3 months, but ideally 6! The people, food, colours, smells, customs, religion and the Indian way will shock and excite you in the same moment. I fully recommend everyone to travel India and will be a place that stays very close to my heart for ever.

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