I recently had the opportunity to visit India for two weeks in October. It was my first time travelling to Asia. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was excited to explore a new country, experience new things and visit new places.
Mumbai
My first stop was the bustling city of Mumbai.
I came there in the first place to meet with some colleagues before departing for the journey north for the Hampta Pass Trek.
![An ordinary street views, somewhere in Mumbai, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-mumbai-01.DPptBvAv_Zi37uc.jpeg)
I spent a couple of days there and could see some places in the city.
![Gate of India, Mumbai, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-mumbai-02.BcqD4Jnf_gcYAv.jpeg)
It was definitely a cultural shock, seeing a completely different way of living and how busy and crowded everything was. It took some time to get used to that kind of environment.
![A night view of market street, Mumbai, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-mumbai-04.k_VYAz_a_9LgU4.jpeg)
It was also hot and humid almost all the time, which was also a bit challenging.
![A busy area of Dadar Beach, Mumbai, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-mumbai-03.CRXeu_8R_Z1gazOk.jpeg)
Travel from Mumbai to New Delhi
After Mumbai, I travelled to Delhi and then further north to Manali. We took the overnight train, which was a unique experience.
The train was clean and well-maintained. We were served food for dinner and breakfast, had a friendly chat with other passengers and even played a couple of games of Uno.
![Evening meal served on the overnight train from Mumbai do Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-01.C8NafQaf_1UCLSE.jpeg)
The berths were also quite comfortable, and I managed to get some hours of sleep overnight.
Delhi
Delhi felt busier than Mumbai. It was only a shortstop before departing for a further journey to Manali.
![Some street of Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-04.v6DRKD2-_1EQKNL.jpeg)
We had a few hours to make a short trip through some of the city highlights.
![India Gate, Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-02.Crj2USA-_18sUIT.jpeg)
![Rashtrapati Bhavan - Residence of President of India, Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-03.CKvVjfoD_1cq5Ib.jpeg)
Manali and around
A visit to Manali was obviously the main highlight of the trip. As mentioned earlier, I wrote a separate post about the trekking experience at Hampta Pass.
![A view from trekking base, before departing for a trek in Manali, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-manali-01.DdsMxAZ8_oHdW6.jpeg)
Manali itself also offers some lovely views over the surrounding mountains, which started to get covered by snow around that time.
![A view from trekking base, before departing for a trek in Manali, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-manali-02.BhHvkHsV_ZzVTr2.jpeg)
After the trek, we spent an additional day in the city doing some local sightseeing.
We visited Hadimba Devi Temple and the surrounding park for a couple of hours, which was a great experience.
![A view of a temple in Manali, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-manali-03.BsJvRyha_1jOwwB.jpeg)
![A view from a park around Hadimba Devi Temple, Manali, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-manali-04.vG45PdL7_pUe0z.jpeg)
Later we also took a taxi to make a trip outside the city and see some places in the Kullu Valley.
![A woman selling apples on the road to Kullu Valley, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-manali-05.DEc6K2AW_22VG73.jpeg)
The views on the other side of the Atal Tunnel differed dramatically, with much more prominent mountain peaks.
![Snow covered peaks seen in Kullu Valley, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-manali-06.Dyclsu4D_Z1j017t.jpeg)
We had a chance to visit a local Buddhist monastery, and it was a great experience.
![Views from Buddhist monastery in Kullu Valley, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-manali-08.DYEwL-uM_Z1AbwBh.jpeg)
![Views from Buddhist monastery in Kullu Valley, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-manali-07.BZl2ZdE1_1BRj3l.jpeg)
New Delhi again
After my time in Manali, I returned to New Delhi to spend a couple more days there. My friends left for their homes, and I decided to explore the city on my own.
![Busy market streets of Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-05.DnT8Zzb7_Z7k1Ey.jpeg)
I was definitely a bit brave venturing into the crowded streets of Delhi markets, but this experience was truly unique.
And since I was walking there in the early evening, the golden colours of the sunset only amplified what my senses were perceiving.
![Busy market streets of Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-06.BY89Q2A0_ntPSl.jpeg)
Wandering through the bustling streets of Chandni Chowk markets, I just couldn’t believe my senses. Shops loaded to the limits with socks and goods, people buying and selling literally everything…
![Busy market streets of Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-08.ecKdlL3u_Z25yheS.jpeg)
The street infrastructure was also overwhelming. Cables, cables, everywhere.
![Busy market streets of Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-07.7_xprkWO_mv117.jpeg)
Taj Mahal
Last but not least, the Taj Mahal was a last-minute addition to the trip. I booked the visit there only days earlier.
![Taj Mahal, Agra, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-taj-mahal-01.C5oFGV72_2kPSHM.jpeg)
I knew that it had to be during sunrise if I visited it. I really wanted to get the experience of seeing it during the dawn hours.
![Taj Mahal, Agra, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-taj-mahal-02.fY130yHs_ZQHjLz.jpeg)
I will say it was challenging. I had to get up at 2AM to travel to Agra (a 3-hour drive from New Delhi).
![Taj Mahal, Agra, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-taj-mahal-03.Bna4e_TH_ZUw2bV.jpeg)
The crowds were there from early morning, as the place attracts more than 6 million visitors yearly. Luckily I’ve got some opportunities to take some good photos.
![Taj Mahal, Agra, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-taj-mahal-04.YIV6GO7g_Z1OTgFD.jpeg)
As a part of the tour to Agra, I’ve also visited a few places around: Agra Fort and the “Baby Taj” (Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb).
![A view of Taj Mahal seen from Agra Fort, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-taj-mahal-05.CWt-UPzp_24DR2w.jpeg)
![Baby Taj, Agra, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-taj-mahal-06.hQn-sl0Q_1M8IFY.jpeg)
Back in Delhi on the last day, I also visited some more places of worship, including a Sikh religious site - Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib and a stunning Hindu temple - Akshardham.
![Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib, New Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-gurudwara-01.BFjLiRqz_PWdog.jpeg)
![Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib, New Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-gurudwara-02.CLEdmMiy_1CFx4.jpeg)
Especially the visit to the Sikh place of worship was enjoyable. I was given an almost private tour and learned about Langar - a community kitchen serving free meals, regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity.
![A view of community kitchen (Langar) at Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib, New Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-gurudwara-03.Z2mm4zXJ_15de5C.jpeg)
![Resources at Langar Hall, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, New Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-gurudwara-04.CpQve_c4_ZKJhyq.jpeg)
![People volunteering at Langar, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, New Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-gurudwara-05.CJoJwW5o_Z1QNbLO.jpeg)
My last stop in Delhi was at Agrasen Ki Baoli - a 60-meter long and 15-meter wide historical step well.
![Agrasen Ki Baoli well, New Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-09.ChhDfXt3_d6VfK.jpeg)
Initially, I planned to visit Chand Bawri stepwell, located between Jaipur and Agra. Still, it was too far, and it wasn’t feasible to organize travel there. But this was also a great place to see!
![Yours truly at Agrasen Ki Baoli well, New Delhi, India](/_astro/highlights-from-india-delhi-10.CtCKNgUF_Z2kC4GS.jpeg)
My time in India ended as I left for Delhi airport and boarded a flight to continue my journey. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience. I got to see so many beautiful places and examples of this country’s fascinating culture.