India leaves you speechless with the diverse yet breathtaking tour destinations it has to offer. Get a chance to explore ancient India while you still get to enjoy the ease and comforts of today’s time. The uniqueness of India is that it offers a variety of natural gems across all regions.
The old-world India can be visited in the by-lanes of old Delhi, the colonial heritage of Kolkata or the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. Dive into the spiritual side of India at the ghats of Varanasi or choose to dig into the royal life of the past; this beautiful country has the best of destinations for every kind of traveler.
You can choose to travel by train, go cycling or take a stroll amidst the villages. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the stunning places. Each state and region here is known to serve their authentic local delicacies and you can get lucky to learn them by attending a culinary class. With amazing activities to choose from for kids and adults of all ages, India remains the top choice for family tours.
Rajasthan is well acclaimed for its magnificent forts and beautiful palaces. The colorful cities of this state have a historical past that narrates interesting stories of an era gone by. The intricate mirror work, precious stones embedded in the structure and different artefacts adorn the palaces of Rajasthan. The magnificent architecture makes these forts and palaces as popular as they are and takers you back in time to visualize the life back then. The city palace, Amber Fort & Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace & Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, and The Maharaja’s City Palace in Udaipur and are some of the popular sights to visit.
Home to more than 60 Royal Bengal tigers, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is the most famous Tiger Reserve in North India, marked in different, the jeep safaris embark for morning and afternoon safaris at each zone for about 3 hours safaris. While your camera lens is ready to capture the majestic tiger, do keep an eye on other wild animals in the jungle. Leopards, Nilgai, Indian wild bears, black bucks, deers, sloth bears, and several other reptiles can be spotted in the wild. The tigers here have unique names and interesting stories after their names. Best time to catch these wild cats in action is between November to May.
Among the most beautiful wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal has managed to attract several tourists to explore its charm. Built as a gift of love, this structure was designed and crafted skillfully over many years. The sunrise is said to cast magic on this grand architecture, which sits beautifully on the river Yamuna. Built in white marble, the structure is adorned with unique stone inlay art. The golden colour of the sun on the Taj Mahal makes it a stunner to watch as the rays shine through the arches. The masterpiece is not just beautiful in the pictures, so take time to admire the fine details of this symbol of love.
Old Delhi is well known for its charm, scrumptious street food and Mughal architecture. The narrow by-lanes of Old Delhi has interesting attractions that are best explored in a Tricycle rickshaw. Pay visit to India’s largest Mosque, Jama Masjid. Stroll through Chandni Chowk, visit Asia’s largest wholesale spice market or rush to the Paranthe wali gali for some lip-smacking variety of parathas. A flatbread made with different ingredients and a popular meal in Delhi.
Munnar, the green beauty in the God’s own country Kerala is a scenic hill station located 1600 metres above sea level. The beauty of Munnar is best explored by hiking. The widespread greenery across the hills and not to forget the well-trimmed plantation that stands synchronized make it a picture-perfect sight. There are options for short hikes for 2-3 hours and longer, full-day hikes. The most popular and oldest plantation is the Kannan Devan plantation, which has been there since the British era. Discover how tea is manufactured at the Tea Museum, which also displays tools used for tea manufacturing in the ancient time. Between breaks, enjoy the original tea of India while treating your eyes to the breathtaking scenery around.
Goa is a globally popular and favorite destination among international travelers. Laidback and peaceful, the sun, sand and sea make Goa a great choice for rejuvenating holidays with family. There are numerous fun water sports activities available here. Feel the thrill of parasailing over the blue ocean or get on the banana ride with your family that dashes through the waves, Jet ski being most in demand. Goa is the right choice for quiet time by the coastline. Clubs, flea markets and stroll through the by-lanes, and relish the seafood in typical Goan style.
The city of lakes, Udaipur is best experienced with a stay amidst the serene lake Pichola and there are several castles around the lake which are turned into boutique and luxury hotels. A stay in the middle of the water is like a stay in a fairyland with all modern-day amenities. stay at one of the lakeside hotels to enjoy the serenity and charm of the lake, step out and take a sunset boat-ride on the lake and make a stop at the Jagmandir palace island for a drink. The Taj Lake Palace is the top-rated choice along with other economical options like Jagat Niwas Palace and Jaiwana Haveli.
The backwaters of Kerala are worth exploring by cruising on a houseboat. The mesmerizing network of lakes, rivers and canals lets you discover the different side of nature. Designed out of natural things like wood and palm leaves, these houseboats are still equipped with all the modern-day comforts and assure hospitality as well as a hotel. The onboard cook and helpers are always at your service narrating the stories of the land. A remarkable experience, the houseboat cruise gives you a glimpse of the tiny villages, paddy fields, temples, wildlife, interact with farmers and observe the way to farm or go fishing.
Himalayas are the pride of India, offering the best of peaks and landscapes. Exploring some of these beautiful wonders is best done on a Toy train ride where you sit back and slip into dreamland. This magical tour can be availed by getting into a Kalka Shimla toy train, which passes through 18 stations via the pine forests, lush greenery, mountains, and waterfalls before it reaches Shimla. The train is said to pass through 100 tunnels and about 800 bridges twirling around the mesmerizing landscapes.
Varanasi, the religious capital, is the holiest city of India. It has a charm of its own that attracts people of different faiths from across the globe. Travelers from across the world especially flock to Varanasi to get a deeper understanding of the Hindu faith. The best way to observe and learn about the things happening at various ghats is by hopping onto a boat ride at sunrise in the holy Ganga. As you ride you can see the ghats coming alive with the sunrays as several rituals take place early in the morning. Pay your respect at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremation takes place as per Hindu rituals. Every ghat here is sure...
Explore the blue architectural maze in the old parts of Jodhpur. It is more than a delight to walk through the narrow lanes at Navchokiya to get a glimpse of these blue quarters which have been adorning the old city for years. Strolling around these blue quarters is nothing less than a fairyland with the walls painted in blue and windows and doors in green. They make a picture-perfect sight. The locals narrate different stories about the blue quarters; while some believe it stands for Lord Shiva, others convey that it helps get away from the hot sun and keeps the insects away. These blue quarters are best viewed from the Pachetia hill or Mehrangarh fort as well.
Mumbai is a melting point of cultures and faiths from across India. This glamorous city leaves your spellbound with its lively vibe and architecture. Stroll through the bustling Colaba Causeway market and click pictures at the iconic Gateway of India. Pay reverence at Siddhivinayak temple, or offer prayers at Haji Ali Dargah, the Indo-Islamic style mosque. Explore the gothic architecture of Mount Mary church, the indo-saracenic architecture of South Bombay or choose to indulge in the nightlife of Mumbai. With numerous options to choose from you will never have enough of this city. The local trains, Dhobi ghats are some of the places that give an insight of the common life of Mumbaikars.
Tamil Nadu, the land of temples, is home to several ancient temples, most of them standing there from the medieval era. Most of the places of worship are a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting numerous devotees every year. Apart from the spiritual reasons, these temples are an attraction for their carefully designed structures that depict the ancient culture and have been of significance to many generations. Visit the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, constructed on a single rock in 1569; this majestic temple has 1000 pillars and is home to about 30000 sculptures. The Shore temple in Mahabalipuram, is a structural wonder located by the Bay of Bengal. It is recognized to be the first store structure in India and one of the most...
Amritsar is home to the most spiritual place of the Sikh faith – The Golden Temple. This place is open to all, irrespective of their faith and religion. The articulately done structure stands amidst the holy pool called the Amrit Sarovar. Originally built in marble, this temple got a gold cladding later. The temple is also recognised for the World’s largest community kitchen that serves an average of 50,000 people daily, you can even volunteer in the cooking and be a part of this blissful job of feeding people. Apart from the temple, visiting The Wagah Border between India and Pakistan to witness the energy beating of the retreat ceremony is the other major attraction in the city.
The best way to explore some of the mesmerizing landscapes of India is by traveling on an Indian train. India is known to have a strong network of trains which connects several cities, states and far-away villages. Running amidst the massive green mountains or passing by the farms, waterfalls and tiny habitats, commuting via train is sure to give you an experience of its kind. Book yourself in first- or second-class AC compartments to have a comfortable journey.
The old streets and structures in Kolkata narrate stories of the past through marvelous monuments across the city. Dive into the rich history of Kolkata, and visit the prominent British-era buildings; the iconic Victoria Memorial is a must-visit site. Also visit the St. Paul’s cathedral, stroll on the streets to take a glimpse of city high court, Writers building, Governor’s house all done in neoclassical style, a tram ride takes you back in time and a visit to the flower market in Kolkata is not be missed experience.
Mumbai and Delhi have always been famous for their sumptuous street food, A must-try in Mumbai is the Vada Pao (Indian style burger), a street snack which is available at every street corner, Khau Gali at to Mohammed Ali Road is popular for snacks, juicy and delicious mutton kebabs, spicy red meat dishes. The Zaveri bazaar is known to serve small treats like samoosas, kachoris and chaat. The streets of Old Delhi are equally popular for its mouthwatering dishes. Head to the Chandni Chowk stroll through the Paranthe Wali gali to relish some Indian flatbread cooked with various veggies and spices and Chicken Tikka is the most popular in the meat selection. Do not forget to try famous Indian desserts – The Gulabjamun and Kulfi.
Apart from the architectural wonders, there is more to explore in this city of lakes, Udaipur. Bicycle tours are a great way to tour around the hidden gems in the countryside. As you ride, get a chance to halt and get personal with the villagers, take a look at how their day looks or spend your time birdwatching around the lakes. There are many favorable routes to ride a cycle amidst the breathtaking view of the mountains to explore various temples, rural life, and more. You can explore the temples on the Kumbhalgarh to Delwara tour or choose to lunch with the local family by opting for a rural tour.
If Indian food has touched your heart, you will be happy to know you can carry its secrets of cooking back home by enrolling in a culinary class. There are several culinary tours across India that train you to prepare traditional dishes. The number and hours of classes depend on the dishes you plan to learn. Right from picking up the veggies or raw material and spices to getting it ready everything is well guided for you to be able to prepare these mouthwatering dishes back home.
The pink city of Jaipur is well known for its vibrant markets that offer a wide variety of handicrafts to choose from. There are several handicraft shops located in and around the prominent monuments; however, to buy them at good prices, one must stroll through the main markets. Jaipur is popular for hand block printed textiles, traditional handloom and mirror work textiles. Jaipur is also home to traditional handmade jewelry, ethnic footwear with delicate work, precious stones and gems, handmade paintings, and numerous other articles that display the rich culture of Rajasthan.
