Debating on next adventure.

[HI SPEED]

We are torn between going to India, or South America for a month or so next year.

Anyone with experience in both care to chime in.

South America would consist of Peru, brazil, and a week of diving in Belize.

India would be a free form meandering trip from top to bottom of the country. Mostly focusing on food.

We are somewhat fluent in Spanish but would be relying on books to get through India.

[GeoffD]

We are torn between going to India, or South America for a month or so next year.

Anyone with experience in both care to chime in.

South America would consist of Peru, brazil, and a week of diving in Belize.

India would be a free form meandering trip from top to bottom of the country. Mostly focusing on food.

We are somewhat fluent in Spanish but would be relying on books to get through India.

I presume you know that Brazil speaks Portuguese?

[HI SPEED]

Yes I do and I have dabbled in it. You are also pretty likely to find Spanish/English speakers there from what I have heard. Whereas in India I would be relying on sign language in the countryside.

It is exciting to have a language barrier when traveling, but it ads quite a bit of stress.

[GeoffD]

Yes I do and I have dabbled in it. You are also pretty likely to find Spanish/English speakers there from what I have heard. Whereas in India I would be relying on sign language in the countryside.

It is exciting to have a language barrier when traveling, but it ads quite a bit of stress.

You won't find much of a barrier in India since English is the de facto national language in parallel with Hindi. Higher education is conducted entirely in English. Advertising billboards are almost all in English. Almost any good-paying job in the country requires English. You will have no problem at all using spoken English in any urban or tourist area.

[TwoLitreVW]

south america is a really good time.

nothing wrong with the countries you're considering, but have you thought about south cone?

particularly, patagonia, chile, etc?

the southern part of the continent is a truly amazing place to experience.

sounds like you're about to have quite the adventure either way.

[evosky]

I think it really depends on what you want to get out of this trip.

I haven't been to either region, but everything I've heard about India has been really positive, save for the fact that yes, you will have to acclimate to local conditions and smells, to be blunt.

South America would have some incredible food as well, and of course, the beaches and jungles would be unparalleled.

[mob6000]

If you end up going to India, besides enjoying the backwaters in Kerala, I would concentrate your time in the northern regions. If you enjoy the mountains, I would recommend the Himalayan mountains.

Either way, to adjust to the general chaos that is India, definitely start your trip on the beaches of Goa. It'll be a great introduction to the country and you can focus more on the food / culture aspects vs. being overwhelmed by the crowds, noise, pollution, smells, constant haggling...

I've been to a few countries in SA and I think it'd be more easy going vs. India.

After spending 2 months in India doing what you plan- I went from Goa all the way to the southern tip of Kanyakumari, back up the northern mountains- I was happy to get out with some sanity remaining.

[HI SPEED]

Thanks for the insight. We are leaning towards India.

We spent a month traveling through morocco. I picture India as a similar place full of intense smells, and throngs of people.

It really wasn't very enjoyable in the moment but in retrospect I wouldn't trade the experiences i had on that trip for the world.

Getting bored of the easy trips. Going to save them for when I'm old.

[mob6000]

Getting bored of the easy trips. Going to save them for when I'm old.

Agreed!

You'll definitely be challenged in India in every possible way, and like you with Morocco, in retrospect, it was an amazing experience; one I'd do again given the resources.

SA or India, it's a tough choice... you can't go wrong with either. My vote goes to India, though.

[olivia_murphy78]

India is an amazing country to visit. So colourful and so different culturally to the Western World. When I was there I had a wonderful time and was particularly fascinated by the variety of animals all over the place. You will have to be prepared for a culture shock and to see some things that you might find upsetting such as the poverty - particularly young children on the streets. But from what you have already posted it sounds like you are ready for that.

I stayed for most of the time in Pune in Maharashtra when I was there and particularly enjoyed meeting local people and learning about local customs. We had a typical Maharastrian dinner where you sit on the floor and eat off plates made of leaves using your hand (make sure you use your right hand not the left!!) and this was great.

We also rode elephants up to the Amber Fort (Jaipur) - that is definitely something to experience!

I have never been to South America (although I would love to sometime) so I am not best placed to advise which would be the best option of the two, but I am sure you will have an amazing trip wherever you decide to go. Everyone who I know who has been to India has been really enthusiastic about their visit.