Spanning an area that could well be a continent, India’s boundaries hold in them a diverse repository of things to experience – the grand frozen Himalayas, ancient cities like Varanasi, tranquil backwaters, golden beaches and countless historic locations. Find out the top places to see in India.
1. Taj Mahal and Around
Not speaking of Taj as a top place to visit in India, would be heretical. Visit Agra for the Taj and other Mughal monuments and reserve some time for the neighbouring Fatehpur Sikri. This is one of the most popular circuits and a definite highlight of India.
Getting There: Easiest access to Agra is via New Delhi. A cab or train can get you there in 4 hours.
Best time to visit: October to February
Reasonable time to spend: 3 Days
Tips: Avoid weekends when visiting the Taj Mahal
2. Backwaters of Kerala
A truly unique and inimitable experience, cruising on the backwaters in Kerala on well-equipped houseboats is the cornerstone of the state’s tourism draws. Houseboats in Kerala are the major highlights to the state.
Getting There: Ernakulum and Trivandrum have International Airports for easy access.
Best time to visit: October to February in the cooler months
Reasonable time to spend: 1 week
Tips: The state is high on the list for international tourists and hotels and experiences get swiftly booked well ahead of the season.
3. Ladakh’s Cold Desert
Spectacular sights of cold desert topography, meandering silver tarmac looping around high altitude mountains, monasteries perched on hilltops and a unique local culture is what one can expect in Ladakh. This is one of the best summer destinations of India, and holds a near equal charm for winters as well.
Getting There: Arrive in New Delhi and fly to Leh. Overland journeys are also popular and recommended for acclimatization.
Best time to visit: Mid June to end September
Reasonable time to spend: 10 -12 Days
Tips: Be mindful of acclimation as one traverses heights as much as 18000 plus feet.
4. Ancient Enclaves of Varanasi
Presumably the oldest living city on earth, Varanasi has a definitive religious tenor. Hindus believe that getting cremated here helps in the smooth transition to life on the other side. Apart from exposure to this, Varanasi is a major hub for classical music and silk weaving. Its stepped ghats along the Ganga and life around are the main draw. This is one of the essential destinations in India, that one must visit.
Getting There: The Varanasi Airport is well connected to major cities across the world. The other access is via New Delhi or Lucknow.
Best time to visit: November to February in cooler months
Reasonable time to spend: 4 days
Tips: Varanasi can be overwhelming with its sights and sounds. It is a photographer’s dream come true.
5. Rajasthan’s Cultural Charm
With a profusion of blogs and brochures about Rajasthan, it is easy to build an image about its colourful festivals, grand heritage hotels and sandy mounds for camel safaris. In truth, Rajasthan is all this and more. It is one of the most popular destinations of India, and should be counted amongst essential experiences.
Getting There: Jaipur, the capital and Udaipur have International Airports.
Best time to visit: November to February in the cooler months
Reasonable time to spend: 1 week
Tips: Book your hotels and experiences well in advance, as this is a top spot of the country.
6. Tribal Culture In the North East
From Meghalaya, Arunachal to Nagaland, the seven states of the northeast have a vibrant tribal culture. You can choose one of the states to explore. Nagaland, with the Hornbill festival as a veritable time, is a good option.
Getting There: Guwahati (Assam), Dimapur and Jorhat (Assam) are some important nodes to get into the state.
Best time to visit: 1-10th December, when the Hornbill Festival is on.
Reasonable time to spend: 1 week
Tips: Be ready to see India that is not covered in the brochures. Expect long hours on the roads and decent infrastructure, but not high-end.
7. Wild Belly of India
Madhya Pradesh holds in it, the greatest wildlife treasures of India – a robust population of Royal Bengal Tigers. Visit national parks like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench and Satpura to spot the striped cat and other wild species. Best wildlife parks dot this state, and offer a fabulous loop for travellers.
Getting There: Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Bhopal are the key air nodes to enter the wildlife regions of Madhya Pradesh.
Best time to visit: October to May (hotter months from March to May are best for sighting)
Reasonable time to spend: 1 week
Tips: Book the safaris well ahead of time as entry is rationed
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