An Indian street seller serves up chai.

The false claims people make about travelling in India

“Beggars are everywhere”. I see more beggars on a stroll through Sydney’s CBD than I do travelling in India.

  • Michael Gebicki
Phugtal Monastery,Zanskar Valley,Ladakh.

This isolated valley is in danger of being loved to death

Ladakh’s dramatic landscapes and rich culture are at risk of erosion as visitor numbers surge.

  • Nina Karnikowski
Flags above Leh,Ladakh.

A simple pair of socks found overseas created my new obsession

As overtourism tears destinations apart,spurred on by social media,a strange new obsession showed me an alternative,more creative,path.

  • Nina Karnikowski
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

I met my hero and was lost for words. It was perfect

Becoming tongue-tied in front of the Dalai Lama may actually have been a blessing.

  • Nina Karnikowski
Devotees take part in a holy bath as part of the grand Kumbh,which happens once in 12 years.

Millions attend the world’s largest gathering,but it’s oddly serene

While the magnitude of this Hindu pilgrimage is theoretically suffocating,it feels uncommonly tranquil.

  • Catherine Marshall
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The journey ahead.

My first Indian train journey was life-changing

Your life can change on a train. And I’m not talking about the romanticised ‘Before Sunrise’ version,where you meet a gorgeous European backpacker.

  • Ben Groundwater
Taj Lake Palace on Lake Pichola in Udaipur,Rajasthan.

This underrated nation has sights that rival anything else on Earth

Grand palaces,stunning waterways,ancient walled cities,jungles of wild tigers,the most colourful street scenes – this country is back on wish lists.

  • Sue Williams
Luxurious quarters.

New luxury hotel in famed ‘Pink City’ takes cues from royal palaces

Raffles Jaipur has 50 suites with private pools or outdoor soaking tubs,and has been fashioned to reflect the old-world charm of Rajasthani palaces.

  • Julietta Jameson
This lemongrass-infused rice noodle and fish soup called mohinga is considered to be Myanmar’s national dish.

On this must-do Delhi food tour,there’s no actual Indian food

A tour through Delhi’s refugee areas explores India’s complex history through food.

  • Nina Karnikowski
Navigating Indian train travel is a rite of passage.

From Delhi belly to haggling:What first-timers need to know about India

India can be as vibrant and soul-filling as it can be terrifying and maddening. Here’s how to ensure your first visit goes smoothly.

  • Nina Karnikowski