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Trip Report

Northern India adventure

Magical exploration of northern India!

  • Agra+ 7
  • New Delhi
  • Yummy food
  • Northern India adventure
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About Me:Hi everyone! I am a grad student living in Colorado. I have traveled quite extensively and am excited to share a little bit about my travels as well as learn more about the world from you all. In my spare time you can find me doing anythin... read more

AsiaIndia18 days / July 2016

Highs & Lows

Dharamsala is a must

Monsoon season!

Itinerary Overview

 I flew into New Delhi from California so it was a very long flight. It was quite a shock as it was incredibly humid and was so chaotic in the airport. I managed to find the driver that my hotel had sent which I’m glad I had because the taxi drivers were very aggressive trying to get me to go with them. Everything from there was also  very busy and chaotic.  After the  first night I stayed in an apartment in New Delhi for the rest of the week. I was there to teach English to the local kids so the lodging was all figured out by the volunteering company. It was great to have a local guide who arranged all of our transportation and  showed us the good restaurants to eat at. I definitely recommend that!

Next, we traveled to Agra. We only stayed here for a few days because we were mostly here to see the Taj Mahal. we stayed in quite a nice hotel that was close to the Taj Majal. It had a pool which was amazing because of how hot it was there. There was a nice breakfast included as well. There doesn’t seem to be much else to do in Agra besides see the Taj Mahal. It was sad ro see how much just poverty there was there. It seems like the whole town is focused on the tourists and the Taj Mahal and the rest of the town isn’t in that great of shape. Still 100% worth it obviously!  We got up at 6am to go see the Taj Mahal the next day.  It gets super busy and is also extremely hot. Later in the day it is impossible to get a good picture of the Taj Mahal because of all the people and it is way too warm so you won’t last long.

 

Finally, we traveled north to see the Himalayas and explore the towns surrounding it. We stayed in Dharamashala. This was one of the most magical places I have ever been. It is situated on the side of a mountain next to forests and the Himalayan mountain range. Fog covers the streets and Tibetan monks are everywhere. Go to the Dali Lama temple it is very special. I also recommend getting some ginger lemon honey tea, as they make it with fresh chunks of ginger and honey and it is so soothing especially since it seemed to be perpetually rainy and foggy there. We had a guide take us to hike the Himalayas the next day and we slept overnight in the mountains in a cabin. in the morning we did yoga outside and drank warm chai tea. There are chai shops everywhere which are so cheap and so yummy.

  • 10 Nights: New Delhi
    Teaching English and vacation
  • 4 Nights: Agra
    Taj Mahal
  • 4 Nights: Dharamshala
    Himalayas
New Delhi - Teaching English and vacation
1

New Delhi Teaching English and vacation

New Delhi - Teaching English and vacation - null
New Delhi - Teaching English and vacation - Yummy food
Yummy food
New Delhi - Teaching English and vacation - null

 I flew into New Delhi from California so it was a very long flight. It was quite a shock as it was incredibly humid and was so chaotic in the airport. I managed to find the driver that my hotel had sent which I’m glad I had because the taxi drivers were very aggressive trying to get me to go with them. Everything from there was also  very busy and chaotic.  After the  first night I stayed in an apartment in New Delhi for the rest of the week. I was there to teach English to the local kids so the lodging was all figured out by the volunteering company. It was great to have a local guide who arranged all of our transportation and  showed us the good restaurants to eat at. I definitely recommend that!

Agra - Taj Mahal
2

Agra Taj Mahal

Agra - Taj Mahal - null
Agra - Taj Mahal - null
Agra - Taj Mahal - null

Next, we traveled to Agra. We only stayed here for a few days because we were mostly here to see the Taj Mahal. we stayed in quite a nice hotel that was close to the Taj Majal. It had a pool which was amazing because of how hot it was there. There was a nice breakfast included as well. There doesn’t seem to be much else to do in Agra besides see the Taj Mahal. It was sad ro see how much just poverty there was there. It seems like the whole town is focused on the tourists and the Taj Mahal and the rest of the town isn’t in that great of shape. Still 100% worth it obviously!  We got up at 6am to go see the Taj Mahal the next day.  It gets super busy and is also extremely hot. Later in the day it is impossible to get a good picture of the Taj Mahal because of all the people and it is way too warm so you won’t last long.

Dharamshala - Himalayas
3

Dharamshala Himalayas

Dharamshala - Himalayas - null
Dharamshala - Himalayas - null
Dharamshala - Himalayas - null1+

Finally, we traveled north to see the Himalayas and explore the towns surrounding it. We stayed in Dharamashala. This was one of the most magical places I have ever been. It is situated on the side of a mountain next to forests and the Himalayan mountain range. Fog covers the streets and Tibetan monks are everywhere. Go to the Dali Lama temple it is very special. I also recommend getting some ginger lemon honey tea, as they make it with fresh chunks of ginger and honey and it is so soothing especially since it seemed to be perpetually rainy and foggy there. We had a guide take us to hike the Himalayas the next day and we slept overnight in the mountains in a cabin. in the morning we did yoga outside and drank warm chai tea. There are chai shops everywhere which are so cheap and so yummy.

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    Less time in New Delhi
  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    I got really sick for about a week! Be careful with what you eat and drink
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Great but stay away from street food or else be really careful
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Make sure to check when the wet season is
  • Packing tips?

    Lots of loose, more conservative clothing

Lodging