India Someday Archives - India Someday Travels

Tips To Obtain Vegan Food in India

Posted on October 1, 2018May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Despite being an extremely uncommon diet in India, many parts of the country are a vegan haven. From the coconut curries of Kerala to the delicious dals in all their various forms, many dishes are naturally vegan. With some preparation, it’s not hard to obtain vegan food in India.

The choice of vegetable curries is huge and vegetarian restaurants are everywhere. Meals, in general, are prepared daily and contain fresh ingredients sourced from local markets. It’s common to see people snacking on fresh seasonal fruits purchased from road stalls. The varieties of nut and pulse-based snacks are endless.

There are a number of considerations you need to make in order to ensure your food is free of any animal products. India produces and consumes an awful lot of dairy and it can crop up unexpectedly. The key to success comes down to having some understanding of the Indian diet and how it changes in different regions. Therefore, with a little pre-planning, it is usually possible to follow a plant-based diet in India without too much hassle.

Punjabi Chana (chickpeas) Masala or Chole is a vegan dish

Common Hurdles In Obtaining Vegan Food In India

When following a vegan diet in India, the main hurdle comes with an ingredient known as ghee. Ghee is clarified butter and is an integral cooking ingredient in many parts of Northern India. In regions like Rajasthan for example, where water is at a premium, food is generally cooked in ghee (and is often quite rich).

Ghee is widely accepted as containing many health benefits and is the base ingredient for many sweets, cakes, and biscuits too. It’s frequently brushed onto different kinds of bread as a garnish. For this reason, it is very easy to accidentally consume dairy in certain parts of the country.

Despite meat and fish consumption is higher than in the North (except Punjab where meat consumption is high), South Indian cuisine tends to contain less dairy as people use coconut oil rather than ghee or any other oil. Therefore, most vegetarian dishes will also be vegan. It’s unusual for dishes to contain any surprise dairy as it will usually be specified on the menu.

If a dish does contain dairy, it’s usually fairly straightforward to ask for it to be cooked without. Likewise, you are unlikely to come across much paneer in South India. This is soft cottage cheese made from cows’ milk and is typically found in North India.

‘Dosa’, a South Indian crepe, is often prepared with Butter or Ghee. However, you can make it made in oil too

Nuances of Vegetarian Food In India

Due to religious reasons, India is home to the largest number of vegetarians in the world. In fact, 40% of Indians are vegetarian, which is around 506,960,000 people. From this, 31% are known as “pure vegetarians”, meaning they do not consume eggs. Across India, you will see restaurants which advertise themselves as “vegetarian” (no meat or fish), “pure vegetarian” (no meat, fish or eggs), or “non-vegetarian”.

These labels can be very helpful, but of course “pure vegetarian” still only refers to Lacto-vegetarianism, which doesn’t exclude dairy. Pre-packaged foods are also required to carry a label. A green dot indicates that it is vegetarian (not pure vegetarian in most cases) and a brown or red dot indicates otherwise.

Green Dot indicates Vegetarian, Red Dot indicates Non-Vegetarian

Milk and Dairy-Based Foods In India

Milk is India’s leading agricultural commodity and India is the leading milk producer in the world. Interestingly, however, there are entire regions, particularly in Eastern India, where people are lactose intolerant. However, once it is transformed into ghee, milk tends to be digestible. Accordingly, these areas are by no means dairy-free. Where people aren’t able to digest milk, protein is obtained through eating meat, eggs, and fish.

Due to the popularity of vegetarian food in India, it shouldn’t be a problem finding vegan options. Sometimes modifications will be necessary, but if you just ask, people will tend to oblige. Despite your best efforts, however, you may find that an explanation of your diet gets lost in translation.

Cows are sacred in India

When communicating your dietary needs, it’s often best to mention that you are pure vegetarian and you don’t eat dairy. It helps to list common dairy products such as milk, ghee, butter, curd, paneer and cream and to gesture that you do not want them.

Even still, this information can sometimes get lost between your waiter and whoever is in the kitchen, so if in doubt, double-check and hope for the best.

Tips for finding vegan food in India when eating out

Eating out, whether it be in a restaurant or from a food stall, is usually the most cost-effective way of eating in India and certainly the most fun. Whether you’re out for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a snack, street food stalls offer a variety of delicious treats. These are prepared right in front of you so it’s often easy to spot if any undesirable ingredients are used.

If you’re heading out, websites like HappyCow can be really useful if you want to pre-plan where you eat and if you fancy take-out. Zomato can help you locate vegan-friendly outlets. In smaller towns and cities, such websites don’t tend to be of much use and you will have to put your trust in local cooks.

If you’re renting an apartment, preparing your own food at home is always an option. However, sourcing all the condiments necessary for preparing a tasty meal is often an inefficient use of both ingredients and money. If you’re on the move a lot, you’re unlikely to want to put opened foods and oils in your bag. Thus, be frugal with your purchases.

If you are travelling for a short amount of time, you may want to consider throwing a few vegan home comforts in your bag for when you can’t get your hands on a snack. Raw food bars travel well, as do sachets of protein shakes and the odd (plastic) jar of nut butter.

Indian curry being the easiest & tastiest vegan option

Some Hindi Phrases That Will Help You Convey Your Dietary Needs

In order to help you to keep your food animal-free, we have put together a free printable “vegan lingo” pack. This contains some useful phrases in Hindi for you to say to whoever is serving you food.

We have also written a short explanation of the vegan diet, including what cannot be consumed in four different languages. The idea is that you can show the explanation in the relevant language to whoever is serving your food.

Useful links

http://www.happycow.net/asia/india/ – vegetarian restaurant guide

https://sharan-india.org/try-vegan/ – for useful vegan city directories

http://www.petaindia.com/blog/mumbais-restaurant-scene-gets-vegan/ – vegan-friendly restaurants in Mumbai

http://www.carrots-india.com – 100% vegan restaurant in Bangalore

Our Favourite Homestays In India

Posted on December 15, 2017May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

There is a saying in India, ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ which literally translates into ‘Guest is God’. That is exactly the kind of service and thought process that goes into many homestays in India. Anytime you walk into an Indian family home be expected to be treated extremely well. The homestays in India range from Royal palaces to lovely bungalows and even small two-bedroom apartments in cities.

We at India Someday highly recommend homestays because they just enrich your experience of the city. You not only get a local’s perspective on the city but delicious home-cooked food along with it.

We began India Someday with helping people travel to India. However, when we started, never did we once think that we would come across such a lovely bed and breakfasts and homestays. After 6 years of running the company and having sent 3000+ people to different homestays in the country, we have tried to make a shortlist of some of our favourite homestays in India.

Spacious dinner area at Tree of life on each floor

Jaipur Friendly Villa – Jaipur

Run by a lovely couple, the Mehra’s, this quaint home is tucked away in a quiet residential part of Jaipur. This is a cosy accommodation which comes with perks like a large projector to watch films and charming hosts, Shveta and Kul, who are always ready for a conversation.

Each room, of course, has en suite bathroom with 24 hours supply of running water (both hot and cold), air conditioning, and all modern amenities that you would need in a room. The two terraces are great places to lounge after a long day of sightseeing. Shveta and Kul both love helping people plan their day in Jaipur so ask them as many questions.

They run an absolutely amazing and friendly homestay, Oh and we must not forget the breakfast! Local food cooked fresh and delicious for every morning.

Clean, spacious and great facilities at Jaipur Friendly Villa (Photo Credit – Jaipur Friendly Villa)

Sunnymead Bed and Breakfast – Shimla

This charming little colonial-style property lies just before the chaos of Mall Road in Shimla. Hidden away by a long flight of stairs, this is one of our favourite places in the mountains. And the best thing about the property is its owner Madhavi, the most delightful lady you could meet, forever smiling, a world of information about the mountains, hidden walking routes and a great cook.

This place has four bedrooms, three double rooms and one small single room. A common area with a cosy fireplace, gourmet-style food, and lovely views from the rooms and veranda of the hills. Just a point to note is that if you are afraid of dogs and cats then this place is not meant for you as there are plenty of in house resident pets.

Witnessing Shimla in the snow is a beautiful experience during the winter months (Photo Credit – Sunny Mead Estate)

Tree of life – Delhi

More a bed and breakfast than a homestay, but this lovely property is home to Ashwani bazaz and his delightful family. In the leafy and green residential neighbourhood in Saket Delhi, Tree of Life has seven rooms and the family lives on the top floor of the building.

The rooms are spacious and clean and have all the amenities like television, air conditioning or heating in winter and earthy Indian interiors with a modern touch. The breakfast is fresh and cooked by the staff. The biggest draw to the place though is Ashwani’s insight on the city.

A big foodie himself he has the best suggestions for places to eat and the hidden gems that make Delhi special. His mum does run another special place called Life Tree and that also is just as nice and in the market area of Lajpat Nagar.

One of the many perfectly sized and nicely decorated bedrooms at the Tree of Life

Mohan Niwas – Jodhpur

Descendants of the Royal family, the owners of Mohan Niwas are a father-daughter duo. The house is full of character and trinkets, pictures and showcases the glorious history of the Royal family. The breakfast here is one of the best spreads you will have and don’t be in a hurry to leave as when you sit down with Madanji conversations get interesting and then you inevitably end up sitting for longer than you expected.

They have five rooms and each are spectacular. Located close enough to the old city maybe 15-20 minutes ride out. A lovely place to come back to after the hustle of the old city.

Perfect Heritage Homestay (Photo Credit – Mohan Niwas)

Dewar – Udaipur

This place is right up on our list, in the small village Sisarma 7 kms away from Udaipur is this beautiful home of colonel and his family. They live in one section where they serve you a delicious breakfast and meals or you can share a beer with them in the evening on the terrace which has a fantastic view of the entire city of Udaipur.

Having worked for the Maharajah of Udaipur for the longest time, hospitality is in this families blood and they are fantastic hosts. The rooms are nicely decorated and are extremely large. Local furniture and rugs brighten up the room.

They do have a few friendly dogs roaming the property. And you would wake up in the morning and spot peacocks and plenty of other birds. You can take a few short hikes from here also.

Open your front door and witness this pastoral, mountainous view from Devra Residency (Photo Credit – Devra Udaipur)

Seetalvan Apple Orchards – Kotgarh

This farm stay is in a small village 60 kms north of Shimla. Imagine 6 wooden cabins tucked away in the Indian Himalayas. A wood-fired pizza oven, great Indian food, a warm fireplace and a common room, an evening fire and with that two lovely owners.

They live in a separate house maybe 50 flight of stairs above the rooms and are always there for advice and conversation, but also give you enough space to just soak in the view of the property. Each room has a verandah which overlooks nothing but the Himalayan mountain range. You could snuggle up with a hot chai, blanket and a book for days.

You could explore the small towns nearby and visit a lovely little church, one of the oldest in India if we are not mistaken. If you visit in September it is apple season and the colours of the orchard are spectacular. A lovely offbeat destination for some downtown. Definitely a contrast to cities in Rajasthan and Varanasi.

Dive Into: Rajasthan’s Finest Places

Breathtaking views day or night (Photo Credit – Seetalvan Orchards)

Aashray homestay – Varanasi

Another homestay made special because of the owners. The first thing we have to mention is their amazing food, we could go back there just to eat. The location is unfortunately not on the ghats. However, the wealth of knowledge that the Kapoors have about Varanasi history and heritage make up for that.

And it is a half an hour walk to the ghats. Sometimes Kamalji would accompany guests and share little details about the alleys. The trinkets of information that he shares make Varanasi so interesting.

This city can have a profound effect on you. The fact that living and dead seamlessly coexist can be alarming for a few. It is always good to have the comfort of a home to go back to at the end of the day. They have four rooms and have recently renovated the rooms on the first floor.

Luxury Retreats: Top Hotels in India

Feel welcomed at a homestay as though it was your own (Photo Credit – Aashray Homestay)

Note: We, the India Someday team have stayed in all of these properties. We further recommend these to our guests all the time. So if you would like to stay at any of these or a combination of them during your trip to India we would love to help you plan your trip.

Weather in India in July

Posted on June 9, 2017May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

If you are planning a trip to this subcontinent in July, you need to understand the weather in India in July. Known as the wettest month in India, the rain is in full swing in most parts of the country. Read on to find out more about the weather in different regions of India in this month.

India weather in July

The Indian climate is intense and ever-changing and offers you all kinds of climate, from snow to heavy rain, from dry heat to humidity, and from blistering cold to unbearably hot temperatures.

By the end of June, monsoon season covers most of the country with a thick and wet blanket of clouds. The weather in India in July is wet. The rain starts in full swing during this month. It is followed by warmer weather in absence of rainfall.

From Kerala in the South to the Himalayas in the North, and from the Arabian Sea in the west to the Bay of Bengal in the east, it rains throughout the country, although the intensity of the rain greatly varies in every region, as does the average temperature. Compared to the previous months, the temperatures in July are comparatively cooler, and you can enjoy a great India trip.

Besides the negative effects of the monsoon season – floods, landslides and an outdated infrastructure to cope with this, certain regions of India are breathtakingly beautiful at this time of the year. The vast stretches of lush green landscapes in the South and the beautiful weather in the state of Rajasthan, make for the best regions to visit during this time of the year. It is also a great time for trekking and nature enthusiasts.

Here’s a guide to help you plan the ideal trip despite the weather conditions in India during the monsoon season.

Wondering when is the best time to visit India, you can read this! Here is a detailed overview on what the weather conditions would be like each month in India, in different regions of the country. Feel free to explore.

July is the wettest month in India.

Best places to visit in India in July

At India Someday, we would recommend visiting the far north amidst the mountains, the Western Ghats, and some parts of Tamil Nadu.

If you want to escape the heat and the heat all together and enjoy stunning landscapes, then the mountains are where you should go. Ladakh might be the best destination to visit in India in July. In the midst of the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, it offers breathtaking views and great opportunities for hikes. Ladakh is also called the cold desert for a reason as the precipitation is very low up there. In July, the temperatures are at their maximum but the average highs rarely exceed 30°C. It is also the prime tourist season for this part of India so be prepared as it won’t be as tourist-free as the rest of India! Check out our blogs on travelling to Leh and Ladakh, and some potential travel routes that we’ve drafted for you!

You can also explore Rajasthan and towns like Varanasi and Khajuraho. If you still want to experience the gorgeous monsoon season in all its glory, you can visit Goa and Kerala. While you explore this region, stay at some exquisite boutique hotels at much cheaper rates and enjoy South India devoid of tourists.

We’d also recommend exploring the Western Ghats. The region is covered with national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and some charming hill stations. You’ll find a variety of rare species of flora and fauna in the hills with endless fruit, tea and coffee plantations. In July, the temperatures are cool and the air is a lot cleaner. Other regions which you could definitely explore during the monsoons in India are Wayanad, Munnar and Thekkady. Further, the Dudhsagar Waterfall Hike in Goa is an excellent experience this time of year. Ooty in Tamil Nadu is very popular among domestic tourists, to flee the constantly changing climatic conditions of the cities in the monsoon season.

Experience Luxury: Hotels in India

Dudhsagar Waterfall

North India in July

The far north regions of India such as Leh, Ladakh, Lahaul, and Spiti are excellent destinations for a trip in July. These regions are not as affected by the rains, but the weather is pleasant and precipitation is low. The average temperatures range from 11 to 25 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, and sightseeing.

However, the regions along the Himalayan foothills, including Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala, can experience heavy rains in this month. Landslides are also a common occurrence, which is why this region is not recommended for a trip in July.

By the end of June and beginning of July, the monsoon season hits Rajasthan and other Central and Northern regions with moderate downpours. All the popular cities of the North like Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Varanasi, Rishikesh and Amritsar experience a respite from the sweltering summer heat in the months between July and August.

This month brings mixed weather in the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan regions. There is a good amount of rainfall in the Golden Triangle regions of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. The climate is cloudy on most days, which means the temperature is cooler and humidity is higher at this time. However, Rajasthan receives a low amount of rainfall even in July, making it a good destination for the wet month.

The drop in temperature makes it easy to go sightseeing the various forts, palaces, and temples, but the sporadic rains and heat spells can be exhausting if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

The Karsha Gustor Festival is a celebration of the Karsha Monastery in Zanskar, Ladakh. The festival includes masked dance performances by monks to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

The festival of Guru Purnima often takes place in mid-July in Rishikesh. The festival, honoring spiritual teachers and mentors, is marked by prayers, discussions, and fasting.

The Delhi Tourism Mango Festival in July showcases more than 500 varieties of mangoes. The festival is attended by farmers and mango producers all around India and there are many mango products for sale as well!

Dive Deeper: Discovering North India’s Top Attractions

Our two week travel routes for North India can get you started with travel ideas. Most of these are fine in the month of July.

North India in the month of July – Photo Credit Faisal Fraz.

South India in July

In India, weather in July in South India is different on the east coast and the west coast. Compared to June, Kerala experiences lesser rainfall in July; however, the rainfall is more frequent and lasts for a longer time. It is a great time to visit the national parks in the region or go for some monsoon treks. However, if you want a dry holiday with sunshine, July is not the best time to visit Kerala.

In Goa, rain is in full swing and most restaurants, shacks, and beach activities are closed from June to September. However, you can get great discounts on luxury resorts and accommodations. Enjoy a luxurious staycation indoors with spa treatments or ayurvedic massages. If you love nature, Goa and Kerala offer lush green landscapes and breathtaking views.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand experiences a lot less rainfall in July, ideal to explore this cultural region. The only flip side is the heat spells due to the lack of rainfall. Tamil Nadu doesn’t experience heavy rainfall until October, so July is a good time to explore some beautiful regions in this state such as Chennai and Pondicherry.

The festival of Njangattiri Aanayoottu takes place in Kerala in July. This festival celebrates elephants by lining them up in a row in the Njangattiri Bhagavathi Temple and feeding them fruits and other foods. You may also have a chance to see a snake boat race in the town of Champakulam in July.

The Nishagandhi Monsoon Music Festival is organized by Kerala tourism in July, where people can enjoy traditional music and dance performances.

When to Go: Best Time for a Kerala Getaway

Munnar, Kerala

East India and Northeast India in July

The east stream of the monsoon winds hit the Northeast of India by the beginning of June. The eastern Himalayan region of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Meghalaya experience heavy downpours in this month. In fact, Meghalaya sees the highest rainfall in the world during June and July. We would suggest planning a trip to the northeast after October.

Even east India experiences heavy rains during July in regions like Kolkata and foothills of the Himalayas. However, the temperatures can go high in regions like Odisha.

The Behdienkhlam Festival is celebrated in July by the Phar tribe in Meghalaya. After the process of sowing in agriculture is completed, this festival is celebrated to eradicate negativity.

The Drupka Teshi Festival is a Tibetan festival celebrated in Northeast India. You can experience a yak race during this festival in Deer Park.

The Puri Rath Yatra takes place in Orissa in July at Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Puri Rath Yatra

West India and Central India in July

July in Western India and Central India is extremely wet. The regions of Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and the west coast see the worst of monsoon season in this month. July is the peak monsoon month, with heavy downpours, cloudbursts, flooding, and landslides in many parts of the region. There is also a hindrance in the daily commute with traffic jams, potholes, and flooded streets.

The average temperature is much cooler in July, but there is little scope for sightseeing. The weather department and government often issue warnings during this month to stay indoors, which is probably not the best way to spend a vacation.

Monsoons in Mumbai have an impact so magical and irresistible. A cup of tea, Vada Pav and the waves crashing against the shore while people simply stand and stare in awe.

Islands in July

Both the south-west islands like Minicoy in Laccadive, and south-east islands like Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar, experience high, frequent rains in July. With the high tidal waves, heavy rains, and strong winds, the islands of India are not recommended in July.

Tips for visiting India in July

While packing for a trip to India in July, keep in mind that this is the wettest month in most states, so be prepared for rain and humidity. Pack light and breathable clothes. Keep some clothes extra in case you get wet, since clothes will not dry quickly. Also keep a waterproof jacket or raincoat and an umbrella with you. Wear comfortable sandals which won’t slip or get ruined on the wet roads.
No matter which season you are visiting India in, carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or a cap for sun-protection.
Monsoon season means a higher risk of getting sick. Keep an emergency medical kit handy with important medicines that you might need.
If you do visit India in July, keep your schedule flexible, since random rain showers can disrupt your plans.

Beautiful Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Goa (Photo Credit – Bishnu Sarangi)

Was this blog helpful to find out the India weather in July? For more detailed information on the best places to visit in India in July, or for any help to plan your ideal holiday to India, simply get in touch with us or hit that Plan Your Trip button.

Feeling Like Royalty in Udaipur

Posted on September 11, 2015May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Thank you, India Someday, for putting me up like royalty in Udaipur and for these first couple of cities. The air-conditioned bus (with plush reclining chairs) from Ahmedabad to Udaipur dropped me on the outskirts of town. Post this, I proudly negotiated an INR 50 rickshaw ride to the Old City.

Beautiful sunset in Udaipur (Royalty in Udaipur!)

The Madri Haveli

My room (or shall I say rooms) at the Madri Haveli, in the master suite, made me feel like a queen. With multiple seating areas to choose from, nooks and crannies with beautifully shaped windows looking out onto the charming old city. Also, a separate regal bedroom, and an eye-catching stone bathroom (larger than my NYC bedroom), replete with a giant tub, two sinks and a great supply of adorable Colgate toothpaste and other toiletries.

I made my way to the rooftop and was awe-struck by the stunning views of the lush mountains, beautiful lakes and the enchanting city. I knew I’d be more than content if I never left the grounds and treated myself to some laptop time in what became one of the world’s prettiest offices.

Madri Haveli Udaipur

Boat ride around Pichola Lake

I meandered the busy colourful crooked streets and worked my way towards the quintessential boat ride around Pichola Lake. I entered at Lal Ghat (where all tourists were Indian) and took the INR 250 ride around the beautiful waters, staring out onto City Palace and Jagmandir and Jagniwas Islands, quickly gaining a sense of the regal life of India.

Drawn to the green park space nearby, I wandered the windy paths, checked out some sculptures and spotted my first monkey hanging out.

Breakfast on the rooftop – Madri Haveli (one of the many royalty in Udaipur)

Jagdish Temple

Working my way back to the haveli, I stopped to visit the Jagdish Temple. All dressed up with lights, streamers and statues, and packed with folks celebrating Janmashtami; Lord Krishna’s birthday.

I slipped off my shoes and joined the packed line of exquisitely dressed women in colourful saris to enter the temple, built in 1651. A clay pot dangling high above the open public square, I grew excited for the community celebration that would happen the following eve.

For now, it was teeming of people, lots of music, and in the evening, a midnight procession marking the birth of Krishna.

Pilgrims walking up to the temple in Udaipur

The food

I was thrilled to meet the Udaipur artist, Rajesh Soni. In addition to photography, he does beautiful work hand-colouring, in fine detail. Also, he does others’ digital pictures, many of which were on display in the Madri Haveli Gallery.

We drove to the new part of Udaipur, passing the famous Fateh Sagar Lake (or FS as they call it here). This is where droves of locals go to hang out in the evening. You would find them sitting on the water’s edge and eating at the plentiful food stands across the road.

He brought me to a typical Indian thali place where unlimited vegetarian dishes are served by eager waiters. I’m so loving the yoghurts and delicious aromatic flavours of each meal more than the next in this country!

Our drive back was insane. His small car is in competition with the motorbikes, bicycles, rickshaws, people, cows, goats, and who knows what else. The streets are windy, super narrow, and barely have room for one car to go by.

He had an impeccable sense of the car size. And he magically finessed his way through the tightest of squeezes, at impressively high speeds.

I retreated to my royal room and woke to a rooftop breakfast fit for a king. Fresh fruit, black tea, cheese omelette, banana crepes, and four pieces of toast with an assortment of jams and that delicious Indian butter.

I enjoyed learning that the Amul brand of butter I’ve been loving started out as a women’s cooperative. As it goes, some women started a milk society collecting milk from everyone’s house. This eventually got developed into a large, established company.

Breakfast with a view at Madri Haveli

Ayurvedic Massage

I spent the day having my first Ayurvedic massage, meandering the Udaipur streets, and lap-topping atop my glorious shaded rooftop. Struggling to find the place listed in Lonely Planet and overwhelmed by the plethora of choices, I decided to go with a place in the Lal Ghat area. This is where I was sold on having a massage provided by a woman.

Loving a good massage and having experienced some of the best throughout my travels, but never an Indian Ayurvedic treatment, I was curious. Throughout my hour of being gently massaged, I was curious if this woman’s work was indeed a good sampling of Ayurvedic massage. Because if so, I was going to exchange my rupees for bahts and head to Thailand!

Thankfully, the guy who ran this questionable operation wanted a genuine debrief. He has also offered earlier to return my money if I wasn’t satisfied. Dissatisfied though I was, I didn’t intend to ask for a refund. We spoke at length about Ayurvedic massage, and I much more enjoyed the next half hour of treatment he gave me.

The moral of the story is to make sure you go to a reputable place. Especially if having a woman is important for you. It became clear to me that this woman had no idea what she was doing.

Overall, it was a restful day in charming, well-touristed Udaipur, the City of Lakes. I loved hearing the sounds of the Krishna celebrations and staring out at those beautiful hills.

Thank you, India Someday.

Thank you, You Wander We Pay.

Namaste.

If you’re looking to experience royalty in India but don’t know where to start planning, get in touch!

Lounge area in Madri Haveli

My first nights in India: Staying at the Travellers Inn

Posted on September 5, 2015May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

I made it to India! A lifelong dream finally realized, thanks to India Someday and the amazing contest called #YouWanderWePay, which basically has my name on it! A social worker from New York City with a deep passion for all things local and an insatiable zest for experiencing life around our globe, I devoured my delicious Indian food aboard my Jet Airways flight and eagerly awaited the adventure of a lifetime.

Colaba vegetable market (Photo Credit – Tjeerd Wiersma)

The Journey Begins

After a smooth landing, I donned my well-travelled backpack and exited the air-conditioned terminal. Experienced my first dose of the hot, astoundingly humid air, immediately feeling my curls frizz. I connected with Harsh, one of the India Someday founders, and his exceptionally warm and friendly wife, Arpita. They pampered me with good water, my first late-night veggie roti, and a fun drive orienting me to the layout and design of Bombay. Driving alongside the sea, scores of people lined the walls overlooking the water. I found the streets mostly empty, but the size, sound,s and shapes of the various vehicles (and animals on the street) quickly reminded me that I had almost magically entered this mind-stirring land.

Marine Drive, Mumbai’s iconic curved coastal boulevard (Photo Credit – Stephaniemonot)

Travellers Inn

Harsh dropped me off at my first accommodation, the Travellers Inn – a clean, basic, well-located hotel in the Fort neighbourhood. Not having any perspective on accommodations, I was pleased with the smooth late-night check-in and the helpful staff. My air-conditioned room had a full-size bed, en-suite bathroom (with showerhead basically right above the toilet) and cable television. This provided the perfect background (who doesn’t love an Indian cooking show!). while I settled in and used their speedy Wi-Fi network to connect with family and friends back home. I confirmed my safe arrival and shared my excitement for some epic travel.

My bed was adequately comfy. I enjoyed a solid night of sleep and loved the breakfast of eggs, fruit, deliciously buttered toast and Indian tea. It was delivered to my room in the morning (included in the room price). Getting ready to venture out into the streets of Bombay/Mumbai, I had hoped to run into some fellow backpackers. Besides a couple of computers and a book-swap shelf, there didn’t seem to be much common area for socializing. The very sweet owner, however, brought me to the roof to show me the great work in progress for a new community space. He even sought my ideas for what would make it best.

Keeping aside other accommodations in Mumbai to compare to, Travellers Inn is safe, well-located, clean and perfect for my fellow budget travellers. The ambience might not yet be its strong point but it does seem like it’s on its way. The helpful staff, cable TV, strong AC and good Wi-Fi surely enhanced my first experiences of India.

Comfy room at Travellers Inn, Mumbai

Mumbai

Huge thanks to the India Someday team! The “clean” food vendors whose flavors I loved (and I haven’t yet gotten sick from), to the cows and goats on the streets! The beautiful people and amazing banyan trees, Harsh’s family for their wonderful Indian hospitality and to the fun characters like my friend Aditi’s friend Joseph. What a fabulous welcome to India you have offered. Next up…train to Ahmedabad. Can’t wait for more!

#YouWanderWePay

Eating thali with Harsh from India Someday

Getting from Rajasthan to Goa

Posted on December 26, 2014May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Often, while travelling in India, travellers look at stopping at a beach destination like Goa after exploring the cultural diversity of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan and Goa both lie on the western coast of India. However, travelling between these two states is not very easy and can take a considerable amount of time.

by train

Probably not the best way to get from Rajasthan to Goa or vice versa as the distances are considerably longer and the trains extremely slow and tend to run late. The trains start from Jodhpur and Jaipur in Rajasthan and go to Madgaon. But if you don’t mind long train rides and a few delays, you can pick some of the following trains.

Most of the trains that connect Goa to Rajasthan originate from further North, some originate from Delhi, and others from more northern cities in Rajasthan like Ajmer and Bikaner. What you could do is travel to Mumbai by flight/bus/train and try catching a train that starts from Mumbai as chances of it getting delayed is less than the other trains.
Some trains reach Goa in the middle of the night between 02:00-03:00 Hrs. While Goa is generally safe, it is better to avoid these trains as the railway stations can be deserted at that hour and check-in at hotels is of course not the easiest.
Goa has a number of railway stations. If you are staying in North Goa then either Pernem or Thivim should be your boarding station. For South Goa, Madgaon or Canacona should be your boarding station.
Similarly, Rajasthan has a number of railway stations as well. It really depends on which city is your last destination, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ajmer/Pushkar or Bikaner.
Udaipur and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan do not have direct train connections to Goa. You will have to change trains in Mumbai.
The train journey is between 25-30 hours, and it’s advisable to book your train tickets well in advance. Ideally, as soon as bookings for your travel date open up, i.e. 60 days prior to the date of travel.
The train journey from Rajasthan to Goa has extremely diverse views from deserts to lush green hills and waterfalls in the monsoons. It is also the cheapest way to travel.

Enjoying the view from Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur

by bus

There are no buses that run between Goa and Rajasthan. It just takes too long and is too far and well, just not possible. Hiring a car and driver to drive you between Goa and Rajasthan will be extremely difficult to arrange, it would be a very long and expensive journey even if you found a driver that agreed to drive you.

Colourful beach hut accommodation in Goa

by flight

Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur are the three cities in Rajasthan, from where you’d have a flight options to Goa, but all of them have connecting flights via Delhi/Mumbai. The flights are slightly expensive and have layovers but are still the most efficient mode of travel.

This one-stop flight tends to be more expensive as compared to the other direct flights that you might take in India. It’s advisable to book in advance as the fares for one-stop flights can really soar closer to travel dates.

If you are in Udaipur you could drive up to Ahmedabad and then fly directly to Goa.

Note: Do take the same airline flight for both sectors, as then you are not liable to have any errors in case of delays in the first flight.

Our suggestion

We at India Someday would really recommend that you plan to break your stay in Rajasthan and Goa with a few days in Mumbai. This is a little biased as we are based on Mumbai, but it is a fun city to visit. So if you do have time then a stopover in Mumbai, else take a flight and save yourself the travel time by train.

Planning on visiting Kerala after Goa? Here’s how you can get between the two states.

Marine Drive Mumbai