by India boasts an alluring blend of cuisine styles, landscapes and spiritual practices – offering travelers an experience you won’t forget!
As soon as you think about India, its name immediately springs to mind and all its great superlatives come flooding back: salt deserts; the largest river island; floating parks that span an ocean or two; villages which disappear during heavy rainfall but then reappear after drying; parks featuring white leopards and lakes galore are just some of the distinctive experiences offered in this nation.
Experienced travelers should choose one region or state at a time and study it intensively; otherwise it would take years before fully experiencing all that country offers in terms of language, culture and landscape changes across every mile traveled.
Are You Lost Where to Begin Your Journey to Retirement? Below are a few key points.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh
History-rich Agra is frequently part of one of the best-known tourist routes: The Golden Triangle. A major draw to Agra for many travellers is to see The Taj Mahal – widely revered as one of today’s Seven Wonders of the World and widely considered one of the greatest monuments ever to love by many, which was constructed under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as his tomb to Mumtaz Mahal as part of The Golden Triangle tour route.
Mausoleum in ivory stands in an area containing two mosques, gardens and an art museum – in fact all historic landmarks can be found within easy access of each other along the Yamuna. Further downstream stands Agra Fort’s red sandstone construction known for its Delhi Gate and private palaces with mosques as well as private palaces located close by on its riverbanks – these features make Agra one of the greatest historic cities ever.
At sunset and dawn, Agra’s Taj Mahal shines its most magnificent radiance; stunning views can be enjoyed across Mehtab Bagh Park across the river and Mehtab Bagh Park can also be admired from this angle. Agra is famous for petha petha (Candied White Gourd Candied Snack), frequently purchased as keepsake souvenir.
DetourOn the road back from Agra lies another fascinating historical site – Fatehpur Sikri. Once capital city of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Akbar, it now lies abandoned and in ruin.
Delhi
Ideal for historians as well as architecture lovers
Delhi was India’s capital before independence and today forms its highest point of the Golden Triangle. Consisting of Old Delhi (also called Shahjahanabad) and British-built New Delhi as India’s current capital city. What’s your reason to go? When strolling around Old or New Delhi it’s likely you will come across at least one landmark construction, monument from history or even one of several mosques, tombs or forts!
At the forefront of this list are Mughal- and Delhi Sultanate-era buildings such as Humayun’s Tomb – a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nizamuddin; Qutab Minar located in south Delhi and Jama Masjid and Red Fort located in Old Delhi as well as Jantar Mantar observatory located in New Delhi; don’t miss visiting Lotus Temple located within India Gate’s District of Government for another unforgettable visit!
Delhi is an endlessly captivating and lively metropolis where one can discover some of the nation’s finest cuisine and street fare. Additionally, Delhi remains a premier location for entertainment purposes.
Visit Hauz Khas Village’s cafes and bars late at night will demonstrate this fact, while markets such as Karol Bagh Janpath Paharganj Sarojini Nagar Khan Market Chandni Chowk offer great places for cheap fashions souvenirs other items.
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Ideal for tea as well as toy trains!
Darjeeling was once the summer capital of British Raj and is situated amongst the Himalayan mountain range. Kanchenjunga (Khangchendzonga), at 8586m (28,169ft), towers majestically over this city displaying silver fir forests with meandering streets, lush tea gardens and rolling valleys below it.
Visitors to Dharamshala can also explore remains from British colonialism by camping through Singalila National Park or visiting Himalayan Mountaineering Institute where Tenzing Norgay was previously director; climbing Tenzing Rock; shopping along The Mall or strolling tea estates for authentic Indian tea estate brews; taking a sightseeing boat cruise along The Ganges; or just seeking peace at Japanese Peace Pagoda or one of The Ghum, Dali or Bhutia Busty Buddhist monasteries before visiting Mahakal Temple (where Hindu and Buddhist divinities live together).
Darjeeling stands out for its miniature “toy train”, known as Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and listed by UNESCO. Although this railroad travels downhill towards New Jalpaiguri (NJP), where trains from Kolkata arrive to connect, tourists primarily focus on its few miles of steam locomotives that link both Darjeeling and Ghum.
Detours If you want a change of scene, there are numerous beautiful hill towns nearby Darjeeling such as Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik that can all be reached via 4WD vehicle sharing services like Darjeeling’s public four wheel drive fleet.
Goa
Goa is an ideal holiday destination with sun, sea, cuisine and ambience – everything that one would hope for in an ideal holiday spot! At just the tiniest state in India, Goa boasts sun, sea, cuisine and atmosphere – which combine perfectly. Although small in size, Goa features cultural diversity due to four years under Portuguese colonial rule. Discover its rich heritage at demolished Basilicas in Old Goa; century old Goan residences such as Figueiredo House or Palacio Do Deao; mando music shows or shows featuring mando and Fado music shows featuring mando or Fado music shows featuring mando and Fado music performances.
Goa boasts an expansive sandy coastline, featuring many activities – water sports, yoga and surfing among them – taking place along its beaches. Away from the shoreline lie quiet towns filled with local traditions and festivities that draw many to Goa as a tourist destination. Plus it now ranks high in terms of food tourism offerings for both Indian and international cuisine as well as new variations on its signature local dishes!
Local Advice: When it comes to picking out a beach in Goa, North Goa offers night and party markets, hippie-style surfing schools, packed beaches and trendy new bars and cafes; while South Goa stands out for its beauty and tranquil beaches with wildlife refuges like Bhagwan Mahavir and Netravali close by Palolem plus prehistoric archaeological locations like Usgalimal.
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer is one of India’s best places for desert romance, boasting glittering golden-hued sand dunes awash with color that gently roll along and sun-kissed structures made of sandstone drenched in sunlight. One of its main draws is Jaisalmer Fort which houses numerous havelis (traditional manors and palaces), royal palaces, classic Hindu and Jain temples as well as vendors selling local-made objects, accessories, artwork and jewelry – among many other attractions abound!
As one moves further from the fort, Jaisalmer’s history can be explored by visiting luxurious residences of old such as Patwa’s Kotha Haveli (and museum), or visiting 5-story Tazia Tower of Mandir Palace complex. Don’t miss a stop by cenotaphs made of stone at Vyas Chhatri or stone structures near Gadisar along with Amar Sagar Lakes for further insight.
Plan Tip: Don’t miss: Jaisalmer lies within Thar Desert and features world-famous Sand Dunes called Sam Sand Dunes and Khuri; these locations attract numerous tourists each day, but overnight camel safaris further into it can offer peace of mind from large crowds. For an alternative experience in Jaisalmer itself, reserve one of its desert tented campsites close by!
Kerala
Great for both backwaters and beaches
Kerala, an idyllic paradise that runs along India’s western coastline. Kerala boasts stunning beaches, tranquil backwaters, abundant wildlife, arts and crafts galore and an extraordinary cultural legacy which justifies its status as a popular travel destination. Beyond Ayurved massages alone, Kerala boasts rich festivities like Onam Vishu that provide visitors with glimpses into its vibrant cultural life: dancing music culinary handicrafts martial arts styles as well as handicrafts martial arts with onam vishu celebrations offering live Kathakali as Mohiniyattam dance performances for something completely unique to experience during their travels to Kerala!
Kerala will captivate beachgoers who seek unspoiled shorelines such as Kovalam or Varkala as well as Alappuzha (Alleppey) where houseboat cruises begin on backwaters. On its eastern coast are hills such as Munnar, Wayanad and Thekkady where tea coffee, spice and tea plantations thrive; wildlife refuges like Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary Aralam Neyyar Begur as well as national parks like Periyar Tiger Reserve provide habitats for sloth Bears along with Indian bison as well as Tigers;
Plan Tip:If visiting Kochi (Cochin), take time out for an unforgettable art experience by attending the biennale, an internationally acclaimed exhibition featuring contemporary art.
Leh, Ladakh
An ideal way to gain experience of mountains.
Ladakh is an enigmatic land situated atop of the Himalayas with breathtaking mountainous vistas and scenic mountain valleys that create beautiful valleys in its mountains, providing visitors with stunning vistas as they rejuvenate both mentally and spiritually by reconnecting with nature. Ladakh provides the ideal opportunity to unplug from digital media consumption or relax digitally before reconnecting with natural elements of their world.
There’s plenty of adventure waiting to be experienced when visiting Ladakh – whether trekking into Markham Valley and Nubra Valleys, or climbing 6153m (20,187ft) Stok Kangri mountain is sure to offer unforgettable moments of trekking adventure! Ladakh also provides unmatched road journeying experiences; particularly thrilling is crossing Khardung La Pass which serves as one of the highest motorable highways worldwide!
As their starting point in Ladakh’s “Little Tibet”, most visitors will begin their trip by exploring Leh, an oasis-like city blessed with mild dry, sunny weather as well as significant sacred sites like Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. There’s plenty to learn from Tibetan and Buddhist traditions with visits to Ladakh’s numerous monastery sites like Thiksey Gompa nearby; or warm yourself with authentic Ladakhi cuisine which blends Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese influences into an original experience!
Tips for Planning: Recall that summer is by far the most popular time and place for visitors to Ladakh; Leh is even more bustling with activity in summer as many parts of Ladakh close down during winter; most visitors arrive via road between April and November when pass are clear of snowfall.
Madhya Pradesh
Ideal for getting up close and personal with Tigers
Madhya Pradesh lies at the geographic heart of India and is widely recognized for being “Tiger State”, due to its abundance of national parks with staggered tiger reserve systems containing staggered tigers that make this state the Tiger State. Kanha Tiger Reserve in particular stands out as being an effective conservation initiative – this spot also makes an excellent place for seeing barasingha (swamp deer).
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is famed for tiger sightings. Pench, considered by some to have inspired The Jungle Book, hosts uncommon black leopards that reside there; giant squirrels also call Satpura home, while Panna may house seven endangered vulture species.
Consider visiting Khajuraho, which boasts stunning architecturally rich temples renowned for their colorful murals. Additionally, don’t miss the Buddhist pilgrimage site at Sanchi and Bhimbetka Rock Shelters which provide evidence of early India.
Meghalaya
Ideal for natural-based beauty regimes
Meghalaya in northeast India stands as an impressive testament to India’s stunning landscapes, filled with majestic waterfalls and green mountains as well as caves and lakes that stretch far and wide across this vast country.
Travelers looking for adventure as well as delicious cuisine will find Mawlynnong near Bangladesh an ideal stopover, known for being among Asia’s cleanest settlements.
Khasi communities created live root bridges as one of the primary attractions in this state, using Indian rubber plant roots as natural bridges across rivers. Crossing one such famous double-decker root bridge – Nongriat in particular – requires some cardio training but other beautiful examples can be found around Dawki or Cherrapunji (Sohra).
Plan Tip:Meghalaya should be visited near the end of monsoon season when rainfall has tapered off but waterfalls remain at their best. Due to a lack of public transportation options available here, we strongly suggest renting a car with driver as the only mode of travel.
Odisha
Ideal for temples, crafts and arts programs
Odisha (formerly Orissa) is an ideal state in many ways. Not only is its religious traditions impressive, but there’s also its excellent food items, Indigenous art and craft as well as natural beauty that attracts numerous wild animals as well as interesting tribal cultures – not forgetting more than 100 sacred monuments of Buddhist significance around Odisha that tell its own unique tale.
An essential aspect of visiting any state is experiencing its amazing temples; among the most iconic is Konark’s Chariot-shaped Sun Temple which stands as an impressive example of Kalinga architecture design. Puri sits along its coastal region and is home to multiple major temples like Jagannath Temple which host Ratha Yatra in June or July each year.
Cuttack, Raghurajpur and Pipili are famous for their various crafts and arts forms; Cuttack for silver filigree art while Raghurajpur specializes in cloth painting or pattachitra (painter’s cloth painting) techniques and Pipili boasts of its applique work skills. Additionally, Gahirmatha wildlife sanctuary hosts various items of value; Gahirmatha being home of Olive Ridley turtles being one such value-add;
Bhitarkanika provides shelter to endangered saltwater crocodiles as well as herons; Nandankanan contains black-and-white Tigers with pseudomelanistic hues.
Plan Tip:Odisha hosts many festivals and fairs year-round. Puri Festival’s Ratha Yatra attracts the greatest attendance; Konark Dance Festival held during February is another popular option as is Puri Beach Festival during November.
Rann of Kachchh (Kutch), Gujarat
Desert environments tend to favor colors like brown and gray for maximum peace and seclusion.
Thar Desert in Gujarat boasts one of the biggest salt deserts on Earth that makes for ideal photography and wildlife observation, providing plenty of unspoiled natural beauty and perfect conditions for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. Additionally, Rann of Kachchh (Kutch) provides visitors with opportunities to spot animals such as migrating flamingoes as well as threatened Indian wild ass – both can be found within Kutch’s Kutch Wilderness Sanctuary as well as The Wild Ass Sanctuary located within this huge salt desert environment.
Learn about the Kutchhi people of this area as well as their traditional embroidery. Visit Dholavira and discover its ancient location; in winter the state hosts this festival of traditional dance, arts and music; Rann Utsav celebration.
Detour One major festival that occurs annually in the Thar Desert is Pushkar Camel Fair held every November, an annual camel fair accompanied by multiple-day culture festival that takes place near Ajmer City in Rajasthan and Holy city Pushkar.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
An enjoyable lake experience
Rajasthanians take great pleasure in calling their cities by different names: Jaipur is known as the Pink City while Jodhpur boasts of being known as Blue. Udaipur stands out as being both White and Lake-covered – which fits nicely for this city that contains seven lakes!
There’s much to experience and discover in Delhi’s vibrant cityscape, from exploring The City Palace’s breathtaking vantage point over Fateh Sagar Lake to climbing Sajjan Garh Monsoon Palace that provides views across Fateh Sagar. Experience floating palaces at Udaipur without tourists; it is highly recommended! Additionally, Udaipur boasts Ghats of its own with Gangaur being one of them most widely sought-after.
Experience the spiritual side of this city at Jagdish Temple or take the ropeway that leads to Karni Mata Temple on Lake Doomaha’s shoreline via ropeway. Near Gangaur Ghat, Bagore Ki Haveli serves both as museum during the daytime as well as being transformed into performing space at night – visit it then and witness some traditional Rajasthani dance performances!
Udaipur, described by many as a city of romanticism, is an increasingly popular wedding destination and may offer you the chance to witness one or more baraat ceremonies for bridegroom ceremonies during your trip through this romantic destination.
Tips for planning:Udaipur’s whitewashed walls offer great photo opps. Take some time out of your day for a stroll along its narrow streets and admire all of its vibrant murals as well as graffiti artwork adorning both them.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Great combination for spirituality and street food!
Varanasi (Benaras), one of India’s holiest cities, provides visitors with an unforgettable spiritual experience. Situated along the Ganges (Ganga), its banks serve as pilgrimage spots where pilgrims from across the world come to wash themselves of sins or attend funeral services; also participating in ceremonies or participating in practices related to burial or practices related to living on these banks of this river that has witnessed life cycle through death over centuries. It can even offer unparalleled vantage point of watching life itself unfold along its banks!
A Ganga Aarti ceremony held every evening around dusk can be one of the most breathtakingly beautiful sights to see, drawing large numbers of attendees – particularly for funeral services held on Manikarnika Ghat.
Strolling through the city’s ghats offers visitors an excellent opportunity to witness historical buildings such as Ramnagar Fort, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Alamgir Mosque and Man Mandir Observatory – not forgetting Sarnath where Buddha delivered his inaugural sermon! All can be found within easy driving distance of each other in Sarnath – perfect for sightseeing trips!
Varanasi offers a vibrant street food market. The city’s bazaars and winding streets are bustling with vendors selling tasty treats such as kachoris (fried filled pastries), chaats (savory snacks), jhal muri (puffed rice with vegetables and spices), as well as its most beloved dish: an aloo puri (puffed flatbread filled with spicy potatoes).
Advice for planning: Two souvenirs unique to Benaras include Benarasi paan (betel nuts made of dried dates that is consumed while chewed) and Benaras saree, made with local silk decorated with high-grade metals or gold threading.
