My Favourite Photos of India to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on Updated on

Exhilarating, bewildering, captivating, frustrating, inspiring, overwhelming – there’s nowhere else quite like India.

It’s a vast land of contrasts and colours. From the idyllic valleys of Sikkim to the chaotic streets of Delhi, India feels like a world in itself, brimming with experiences as diverse as its people.

Its sheer size and variety mean every corner offers something entirely different – buzzing cities, peaceful temples, fascinating historical sites, and breathtaking natural beauty.

The Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur is a classic introduction to India.

Walking through the bustling streets of Old Delhi, marvelling at the intricate beauty of the Taj Mahal, and exploring Jaipur’s pink-hued palaces are experiences that stay with you forever.

But there’s so much more to India than its famous landmarks.

The tranquil backwaters of Kerala, where you can glide past palm-fringed villages on a traditional houseboat, feel a world away from the frenetic pace of Mumbai or Kolkata.

In the north, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas rise above thickly forested valleys, terraced villages, orchards, and lush alpine meadows.

Rajasthan’s vast deserts are dotted with ancient forts and ornate havelis (mansions), offering a glimpse into its regal past.

What I love most about India is how alive it feels. It’s almost impossible to be bored here – the scent of spices wafting through crowded markets, the clatter of rickshaws weaving through narrow lanes, and the sound of temple bells echoing at dusk.

India is packed with so many incredible places and adventures, it would take many lifetimes to experience everything this epic country has to offer.

It’s a country that challenges, inspires, and rewards every traveller who ventures here.

I’ve been to India three times but still feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface.

These photos offer a glimpse into some of the moments that made this country so unforgettable for me.

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A busy street food stall with a handwritten menu on a board. The vendor stands in front of a rustic blue wooden counter, while others cook behind him, preparing local dishes.

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A monkey playfully hangs from a corrugated roof in Varanasi, with a river and a vast sandy shore visible in the distance under a bright sky.
A man with a long white beard and orange turban, wearing beaded necklaces and holding an orange flower garland. He stands against a backdrop of steps at dusk, offering a gesture with his right hand.
A cityscape with tightly packed buildings, mostly flat rooftops, painted in shades of yellow, brown, and grey.
Boys playing cricket in a narrow alley surrounded by old, worn-out buildings. A sign on the side advertises a bakery and restaurant.
A dimly lit alley with stacks of firewood lining the walls and a guesthouse sign directing towards a night cafe.
A hand holds a floating flower garland and lit candle, ready to be placed in the Ganges River. Boats and distant figures can be seen along the shore.
A boatman rows on the Ganges River near a burning ghat, with ancient structures and smoke rising from funeral pyres on the riverbank.
A silhouette of a man rowing a boat at sunset, with the sun casting an orange glow across the calm waters.
A colorful scene of locals bathing in the Ganges River along a ghat with steps leading up to vibrant, worn-out buildings under the early morning light.
A man washing clothes by the riverbank, slapping wet fabric against rocks, with other laundry laid out to dry on the steps behind him.
Boats filled with people floating on the Ganges River in Varanasi, with a backdrop of colorful buildings and crowds of people along the ghats.
A cow standing in the middle of a busy street at night, with rickshaws and pedestrians in the background.
A riverside scene with a large tree providing shade to small houses, colorful laundry hanging on lines, and the murky river in the foreground.
A sign on a blue train coach indicating a route from Mumbai to Varanasi, with an open window revealing a passenger inside.
A train station platform in India with a long blue sleeper train, labeled in both English and Hindi, and passengers waiting on benches.
The interior of a taxi with leopard-print seat covers and a dashboard adorned with small pictures and religious symbols.
A vibrant sunrise or sunset over distant mountains, with a silhouette of a wooden post in the foreground.
The peaks of the Himalayas bathed in soft pink light as the sun sets or rises, with a hazy sky in the background.
A monastery perched on a mountain with breathtaking views of distant hills and a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of an Osprey backpack resting on a bench in a mountainous landscape, with jugs of water lined up next to it. The lush green valley and misty mountains stretch into the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
A close-up of a water source in the mountains, with a white container and a flowing spout of water. The misty blue mountains in the background enhance the serenity of the scene.
Frost-covered prayer flags fluttering in the wind, against a cold, cloudy mountainous backdrop. The tattered flags display traditional Tibetan symbols and writings, evoking a spiritual atmosphere.
A line of colorful prayer flags strung along a snowy mountain ridge, with mist and clouds hovering over distant mountains. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and devotion.
A vibrant, snow-covered mountain peak with colorful prayer flags blowing in the wind at the summit. The clear blue sky and misty clouds add a sense of elevation and awe.
Close-up of frost-covered vegetation in a mountainous landscape. The red-tipped green leaves are dusted with frost, contrasting with the rocky and snowy terrain in the background.
A blue tent pitched on a flat, grassy spot in the mountains, overlooking a vast, misty valley. The mountains stretch out under a cloudy sky, creating a peaceful, isolated camping scene.
A stunning sunset with a vibrant orange and pink sky illuminating the mountains in the background, as prayer flags flutter in the foreground. The scene captures the serenity of the mountain landscape at dusk.
A view from inside a blue tent looking out toward the misty mountains in the early morning light. The tent flap frames the serene landscape, with gentle sunlight filtering through the clouds.
A solitary house nestled in the mountains, surrounded by tall trees and greenery, with layers of rolling hills fading into the misty distance. The overcast sky adds to the calm and secluded feel of the location.
A small shelter overlooking a beautiful mountain valley with layers of forest-covered hills. A cat rests on a wooden bench, and a table with cups and dishes sits in the foreground under the rustic roof.
A vibrant, crowded street market at night in Delhi, packed with people and rickshaws. Neon signs for hotels and shops light up the scene, while tangled electrical wires crisscross overhead.
People walking and cycling through a busy street at night, with signs for hotels and shops glowing in the background. Rickshaws and motorbikes move through the crowd.
Three men working in a traditional tandoor kitchen, sitting near a clay oven. Freshly baked naan bread is piled in the foreground, while one chef holds a skewer with dough ready to be baked.
Image of traditional houseboats parked along the shore in the Kerala backwaters, surrounded by lush green palm trees and vegetation.
A man paddling a small wooden boat through the Kerala backwaters, with large leaning palm trees and dense foliage lining the shore.
A serene view of narrow waterways in the Kerala backwaters, with a wooden canoe in the foreground and thick forested banks reflected in the calm water.
A misty sunrise over lush tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala, with a winding path cutting through the green hills.
A South Indian thali served on a metal tray with various curries, chutneys, rice, chapati, and papadum.
A misty morning view of rolling tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala, with rows of tea bushes covering the hillsides and scattered trees dotting the landscape.
A dirt path winding through green tea fields on a hillside in Munnar, Kerala, with sparse trees and mountainous terrain in the background.
A panoramic view of a serene beach at Varkala with soft sand and gentle waves, scattered with a few people, boats, and beachgoers under a clear blue sky.

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Essential Travel Resources


🛏️ Book cheap hotels
I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗 Find cheap rental cars
Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍 Book the best tours
Viator and GetYourGuide have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️ Find cheap flights
I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights.

📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.

• World Nomads – for adventurous travellers, covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as skydiving, heli-skiing, rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here).

💻 Do I need a VPN?
YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.
Alex Tiffany

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.

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