Things To Do in India
The students coming to India must be ready to open their senses to the land of extremes. Obviously, in a good way! A country where one can feel all the four seasons, see mountains clad with icebergs, the cultivated peninsula of the south, sand-filled deserts of the west and vistas of the beaches. In addition to this finger-licking, spicy, tangy or sweet food is a treat to the taste palates. Long story short, students will have a beguiling experience. So, what are the set of activities international students coming to India can choose to do?
Cruising the BACKWATER
The backwater of Kerala is a hidden gem. It is a system of canals that stretches along an area of 1000 kilometres across the state of Kerala. The water bodies surrounded by palm trees and the paddy fields make it an idyllic sight and one of the best travel locations of India. Students can onboard the houseboat at Alleppey, slowly cruise through the aesthetic, spend some peaceful time, soak- up the natural beauty and enjoy fresh fruits or fish meals.
Celebrate a Variety of FESTIVALS
With the basket full of faiths coexisting in India, there are a number of festivals too. From Lohri celebrated in Punjab, Onam in the state of Kerala, hornbills in Nagaland, Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra, to Durga Puja in Kolkata, you can visit various places and closely witness the glory of these festivals. With such varied festivals comes rich and yummy delicacies. So, all the international students studying in India, make sure not to miss the mouth-watering authentic food items specially prepared for festivals. Being a part of these celebrations offers a unique and cherishable experience.
CITY-Hopping
India is kaleidoscopic and if students hop from one city to another, they will observe the change in food, language, culture and architecture. Each city has something new to offer to the visitors. The students can either visit Kolkata and see the influence of British culture in many elements of the city, hop to Mumbai, the city of dreams to see its liveliness, visit the picturesque locations of enchanting Western ghats or Scotland of the East, Meghalaya to be in nature’s lap. The charm of local markets and fruitful conversations with local people is an added advantage.
Trekking in the HIMALAYAS
The Great Himalayas of India are not only home to high peaks, beautiful plateaus and wild forest but presents a viable option for trekking as well. Trekking in the Himalayas focuses on site-seeing, getting acquainted with the local culture and relaxing in the homestays of the Himalayas. Some of the popular trekking regions include Kasol Kheerganga trek, Triund in Mcleodganj or Annapurna in Ladakh. Students can also plan trekking trips in small groups when they come to study in India.
Travelling by RAIL
The Indian rail network is one of the largest in the world and is a widely used mode of travel for long or short distances. So, relishing a rail journey is a must-to-do thing for students. The vibrant environment at the station and in the trains has its own beauty. As the trains foray from one station to another, the passengers get to see the changing world outside of it. For instance, if students take train rail from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, an array of forts and old cities is visible during the journey whereas if they take the train from Kolkata to Darjeeling, the lush green tea plantations will soothe their eyes.
Say Hello! to INNER PEACE
In a fast-moving world, it is important to take a break from the hustle and spend some peaceful time. Be it the scenic beauty of India or the deep-rooted practice of yoga and meditation, students can do several activities to connect with their inner self. For instance, students can take part in yoga/meditation camps or plan a staycation to locations situated in nature’s lap.
Don’t Lose the Chance to See the FIVE BIG CATS’
The Indian landmass is home to diverse wildlife. From the gigantic Asiatic elephants to fierce Royal Bengal Tigers, the country houses many animal species living in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. But, the ‘Big Five Cats’ of India, namely, Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, Snow leopards, Indian leopards and Clouded leopards have attracted maximum popularity. The students can see these jumbo creatures by visiting some of the top national parks like Kanha, Corbett, Bandhavgarh, Satpura or Sunderbans.
CAMEL SAFARI is Worth Giving a Try
The next option in the list is Camel Safari in the rippling deserts of Rajasthan. The state of Rajasthan is not only known for gigantic forts or palaces, yummy daal baati churma or the textile (Bandhini) but it is popular for camel safari too. Firstly, the students can take the safari across the deserts to see the vast sand castles while getting rocked gently on the camel-back and then camp under the stars during the tranquil night.
GoADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES
Lastly, students can do a handful of adventurous activities and witness the quirky side of India. These flamboyant activities help to get rid of the day to day stress and provide a thrilling experience. The students can choose to go for a guided river raft along the stretches of Ganga in Rishikesh or visit Goa and do a range of watersports like banana rides, parasailing, jetski or scuba diving.
Day Out at theBEACHES
India is a country surrounded by water bodies from three sides. There is no shortage of pristine beaches for relaxing by the waterside. As and when students feel their usual schedule is getting monotonous, a trip to the beaches of Goa or Andaman & Nicobar would serve as refreshment. Certain recommendations of beaches include Palolem, the crescent-shaped bay where dolphins might make a surprise visit or Radhanagar, characterised by a breath-taking view of the white and turquoise blue sea.
