India is intriguing for kiwi travellers. Photo / Sylwia Bartyzel on Unsplash
Seasoned India traveller Sarah Meikle shares hard-won tips for first-timers, especially those looking to slow down, stay longer and look beyond the Golden Triangle.
For many New Zealanders, India sits quietly on the “one day” list – intriguing, colourful, and perhaps a little intimidating. But once you arrive, you quickly realise it is far more complex and compelling than any postcard version suggests. As more Kiwis look towards India in 2026, whether driven by curiosity, cuisine or growing economic ties, it’s worth understanding that this is a destination that rewards a slightly different approach.
The first surprise for most visitors is that everything takes longer than expected. Right from my first trip, I was struck by how distances that look manageable on a map rarely unfold that way in reality. The drive from Jaipur to Agra is about the same distance as Auckland to Rotorua, but can take twice as long. Domestic flights often involve multiple security checks. Even a “quick look” at a local market can stretch into hours as colour, sound and daily life pull you in.
The biggest mistake first-time visitors make is trying to see too much in too little time – Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi in a week. It’s technically possible, but physically and emotionally draining. After decades of travelling there, I know India is best experienced at a slower pace – three nights in a place rather than one, time to sit with a cup of chai, space between major sights. The magic often happens in the margins.
Seasons matter too. October through March generally offers the most comfortable conditions across much of the country. Summer, from mid-April to mid-September, can be intensely hot and wet. Festival seasons such as Holi in March or Diwali in October or November are extraordinary, but require planning well in advance. And wedding season adds another layer of spectacle. I have spent many nights where almost the entire hotel has been booked out for a wedding celebration and I’m right in the middle of it.
Yes, the Taj Mahal is extraordinary. Jaipur’s palaces are glorious. The Golden Triangle exists for good reason. But if that is all you see, you have only skimmed the surface. India often reveals itself most vividly beyond the headline attractions – in a textile workshop in Gujarat, a perfume distillery in Kannauj, a dawn boat ride on the Ganges, a wildlife safari in Rajasthan or a cooking lesson in a family kitchen. It’s in these quieter encounters that you begin to feel connected to India.
Food is an area where expectations often need adjusting. In India, “spice” does not automatically mean heat. It means flavour: toasted cumin, green cardamom, clove, coriander, fennel and turmeric layered with care and balance. I’ve had more than a few puzzled looks when asking if something is “spicy” when what I really meant was “hot”. Of course it contains spices, that’s the point. Some dishes do carry chilli heat, but Indian cuisine is one of the most nuanced and regionally diverse in the world. Across major Indian cities you’ll now find tasting menus that rival London, alongside thoughtful farm-to-table restaurants that genuinely surprise. You can always request less chilli; what you cannot recreate is the depth of flavour shaped by centuries of culinary tradition.
If your image of India is stuck in the 1990s, it’s time to update it. India is now one of the most digitally advanced societies in the world. You can pay for a pumpkin – or a Porsche – with your phone. Ride-sharing apps are seamless. Airports are modern and efficient. Luxury hotels are world-class. Yes, poverty and inequality exist, and the contrasts can be confronting. But there is also enormous confidence, innovation and ambition. The India of 2026 is young, entrepreneurial and globally connected.
It can feel intense. India engages all five senses at once: sound, scent, colour and scale. The first 48 hours are often overwhelming and, even as a seasoned traveller, the bureaucracy can sometimes be frustrating. But with patience and a willingness to relinquish a little control, the intensity becomes part of the experience rather than something to resist.
India is not inherently unsafe, but it rewards preparation. Choose reputable accommodation, use trusted drivers, take out comprehensive travel insurance and drink bottled water. Dress respectfully, particularly in more conservative regions. Women travellers may need to exercise more awareness than men, but there is no need to be fearful. Cultural understanding and common sense go a long way.
Finally, do a little homework before you go. Read a novel set in India. Learn the basics of Hinduism or Mughal history. Watch a contemporary Indian film. This is a vast country with 22 officially recognised languages and multiple faiths living side by side. A small amount of context transforms what you see from spectacle into understanding.
India may not be your easiest holiday. It will certainly require more planning than a quick hop to Australia or the Pacific Islands. But it may well be one of your most important and transformative trips. And if you travel slowly and thoughtfully, don’t expect one visit to be enough.