Things to Do in India

India rewards anyone willing to meet it on its own terms. Within a few hours of Delhi you have the Taj Mahal, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan, the Ganges at its most sacred, and the Himalayan foothills — and the trains that link them are an experience in themselves.

Our longest-running programs are here, based in Delhi and Jaipur, with two decades of project relationships behind them. That puts the whole Golden Triangle within weekend reach.

The best things to do in India

1. The Taj Mahal, Agra

Still astonishing however many photographs you have seen. Go at sunrise, when the marble shifts colour and the crowds are thinnest. Agra Fort, a short drive away, is the red sandstone complex from which Shah Jahan spent his final years looking at the tomb he built. A comfortable day trip from Delhi.

2. Delhi

Two cities in one. Old Delhi holds the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk, which is best experienced by rickshaw and empty stomach. New Delhi is wide colonial avenues, Humayun’s Tomb — the prototype for the Taj — and the 12th-century Qutub Minar. Give it more than a transit day.

3. Jaipur

The Pink City, and Rajasthan at its most photogenic. Amber Fort sits above a lake on the edge of town, the Hawa Mahal presents its honeycomb facade to the street, and the City Palace and Jantar Mantar observatory fill a day between them. Four to five hours from Delhi by road or express train.

4. Varanasi

The oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, and the most intense place in India. Take a boat on the Ganges before dawn as the ghats come to life, and watch the Ganga Aarti fire ceremony after dark. It is confronting and unforgettable in equal measure.

5. Rishikesh and Haridwar

Where the Ganges leaves the Himalayas. Rishikesh is the yoga capital of the world with ashrams, white-water rafting and suspension bridges over green river water; Haridwar, downstream, is one of Hinduism’s seven holiest cities. An overnight trip from Delhi and a genuine change of pace.

6. Amritsar

The Golden Temple is the spiritual centre of Sikhism and one of the most welcoming religious sites anywhere — its langar kitchen serves free meals to tens of thousands daily, and volunteers are welcome to help. The Wagah border ceremony at sunset is pure theatre.

When to visit India

October to March is the season for northern India: warm days, cool nights and clear skies. April to June is punishingly hot on the plains, often over 40°C. The monsoon arrives around July and lasts to September — humid and wet, but green and far less crowded. Programs run year-round.

Getting around

Trains are the best way to cover distance; book in advance on IRCTC as popular routes fill early, and the air-conditioned classes are comfortable and inexpensive. For shorter hops, hire a car with driver — it costs less than you would expect and removes the stress. In cities, use ride-hailing apps rather than negotiating with auto-rickshaws.

Seeing India as a volunteer

Placements based in Delhi and Jaipur sit at the centre of the Golden Triangle. Our India placements are based in Delhi and Jaipur, include accommodation, meals, airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, and leave evenings and weekends free — which is exactly when most of this list gets ticked off. See volunteer programs in India for live prices and dates, or read our complete guide to volunteering in India for costs, visas and safety.

India travel FAQs

Photo: Antrix3 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)