What are the absolute must see places or experiences you’d recommend? Also, any tips for navigating the culture or avoiding rookie mistakes?
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India is full of amazing places and experiences. If you love mountains and nature - Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Jaipur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) for royal palaces, desert experience and colorful culture. Rann of Kutch in Gujarat during December - January to experience a White Rann Utsav.
To experience deep spiritual and cultural aspects of India - Varanasi, Rishikesh and Haridwar, and ofcourse Agar for Taj Mahal.
Some tips for remember when you visit India: Avoiding drinking tap water, Bargain at markets, and be prepared for some spicy food.
India can feel bit overwhelming at first, but you will surely have some of the best experiences of your life. 
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I know it sounds obvious, but I definitely recommend the Taj Mahal. When I went, I thought well it is probably very touristy and overrated, but I was very wrong. It was spectacular, and I was genuinely awe struck!
One of my favourite places was Udaipur - beautiful there and very serene!
Tips for travelling there:
- Eat only at popular/busy places to make sure the food is safe
- Never drink or brush your teeth with tap water
- Wear modest clothing
- Haggle, and be assertive when saying know
- Enjoy the unique charm of this amazing country
India can be very busy, especially if you arrive in Delhi, I was lucky enough to go for a few weeks and had some time to adjust (as it was a bit of a culture shock for me). But if you have limited time, I think taking a tour would be a great way to navigate the culture, eat at ‘safe’ places, and to see a few different spots. There are many affordable options 10 Best India Tours & Trips 2025/2026 - TourRadar !
Golden Triangle in India - good for first timers
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Be prepared for a sensory overload in the big cities. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes are all extreme and can get overwhelming.
Smaller cities like Shimla, Orchha, and Khajuraho were among my favourites. Of the bigger cities Varanasi is the must see IMO.
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Btw, I’m a big advocate of street food in India. It is cooked in front of you, and consumed by locals. Much safer than cheap restaurants with likely dodgy kitchens.
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