travel

From scenic destinations to historically and culturally soaked sites, from cities bustling with chaos and confusion to destinations offering laid-back and relaxed stays – India is filled with some of the most amazing travel destinations that will leave you spoilt for choices.

Listed below are few of the many breathtaking places in India which are a must visit:

• Manali – A paradise for adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts, Manali is one of the most sought-after hill stations in India and is also known as the ‘Honeymoon Capital’. Presenting some of the most spectacular and magnificent views of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges topped with snow, Manali has grown to be a spot for travelers who wish to get an escape from the hustle-bustle of life. It is in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh and is often referred to as its twin town. Manali is an enchanting place for people who wish to trek and explore the side of the Himalayan ranges. Enjoy river rafting in river Beas or explore the Spiti Valley through trekking or mountain biking, experience the thrill of paragliding or skiing in Rohtang Pass or just sit beside a lake to have a family picnic, the opportunities are endless here and Manali caters to all of them. A souvenir of the Himalayas endowed upon us, Manali is a town rich in its cultural legacy and age-old traditions that offers reprieve to the visitors from the searing heat of the plains and hectic city life.
• Andaman –Replete with turquoise blue water beaches and a bit of history, Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a little slice of paradise tucked around 1,400 km away from the east coast of mainland India. Port Blair, the capital of this union territory, has a major airport and seaport connected with the rest of the country and with various tourist islands via multiple daily ferries. Havelock and Neil Islands are popular among tourists for their white sandy beaches and excellent diving options. Andaman & Nicobar Islands comprises 572 islands, only 37 of which are inhabited, and a few are open to tourists. Havelock Island is one of the largest and the most popular islands of all Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Travellers typically enter from Port Blair via flight or ship and spend multiple nights in Havelock and Neil Islands that offer some great resorts. The southern coast of the Havelock Island has the charming Radhanagar Beach, while the azure beauty of Vijayanagar Beach is situated towards the east of the island. Perhaps the most endearing feature of Neil Island is its three sandy beaches, namely Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach and Lakshmanpur Beaches. Port Blair is generally used as a base city to catch ferries to nearby islands. However, tourists also spend a day or two here to explore the town and nearby beaches. People also take day trips to Ross Island and North Bay Island or Baratang and Jolly Buoy Island from Port Blair.Andamans have the most exotic beach and some of them also give the opportunity of trying out a number of Water sports such as Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Sea Walk etc. North Bay Island near Port Blair, Elephant Beach in Havelock Island and Bharatpur Beach in Neil Island are three popular beaches to try out watersports. Elephant beach and Kalapather beach are two other beaches where the sunrise and sunsets are absolutely divine.
• Leh Ladakh –Ladakh is a union territory in the Kashmir region of India. Formerly falling in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh was administered a union territory on 31st October 2019. Extending from the Siachen Glacier to the main Great Himalayas, Ladakh is a land like no other. Dominated by dramatic landscapes, Ladakh is known as the world's coldest desert. Stunning Gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries), fluttering prayer flags, whitewashed stupas, Ladakh is a riot of intricate murals and red-robed monks. With a culture similar to the Tibetans, the people of Ladakh are friendly and welcoming to tourists. Ladakh is divided into two districts: district Leh and district Kargil. The former district has a famous town, "Leh", and is a great tourist attraction because of its beautiful monasteries nearby, Shanti Stupa, cafes and Leh Bazaar defining the place's culture. Ladakh is an adventure playground for rafting and high-altitude trekking. Note that Leh Ladakh is inaccessible by road outside the summer months. The route passes close altogether from around October to May, and the only way to reach is by air. Chadar trek on frozen Zanskar river takes place in January to the end of February.
• Coorg – Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is a popular coffee producing hill station. It is popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. The Kodavas, a local clan specializing in martial arts, are especially notable for their keen hospitality. Coorg, officially known as Kodagu, is the most affluent hill station in Karnataka. It is well known for its breathtakingly exotic scenery and lush greenery. Forest covered hills, spice and coffee plantations only add to the landscape. Madikeri is the region's centre point with all transportation for getting around starting from here. On a visit to Coorg, cover the beautiful towns like Virajpet, Kushalnagar, Gonikoppal, Pollibetta, and Somwarpet, and experience the beautiful concept of "homestays" to make your experience more memorable.
• Udaipur – Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is one of the most visited tourist places in Rajasthan. Located around stunning water lakes and enveloped by the Aravalli Hills in all directions, Udaipur is known for its azure lakes, magnificent palaces, vibrant culture and delectable food. Along with being a must-visit destination, it is also one of the best places to experience luxury in India. Boating through the shimmering Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful sights and highlights of every Udaipur trip. Also known as the "Venice of the East", Udaipur is inarguably one of the most romantic cities in India. Visit its larger-than-life havelis and monuments, stroll through the bustling street markets, ride through one of the seven lakes of the city or relax in one of the extraordinary hotels, and you will discover the charm of Udaipur. Lake Pichola, Jaisamand Lake, City Palace, Monsoon Palace, Jagmandir, Fateh Sagar Lake, Jagdish Temple and Saheliyon ki Baari are some of the popular tourist places in Udaipur. The city was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of the Mewar kingdom. The grandeur of the Rajput era is still prevalent in the city's architecture. A trip to Udaipur is often combined with a visit to nearby Kumbhalgarh (80km) and Mount Abu. The revered Nathdwara temple is about 60 km from Udaipur.
• Goa – Lying on the western coast, Goa is India's smallest state and unlike any other, known for its endless beaches, stellar nightlife, eclectic seafood, world-heritage listed architecture. Spread across just 3,702 km, Goa lies in the Konkan region. It is a far cry from the hippie haven or a beach getaway, and one of the only few destinations that is open 24x7. The laid-backness (susegad) of Goa attracts as many international tourists as it does Indians, or even more so. The Goans are quite friendly towards tourists and celebrate many festivals throughout the year, the most famous being the New Year and Goa Carnival. While the seafood is excellent, Goa has one of the best nightlives in India with trendy bars, beach shacks, elegant cafes and many clubs and discotheques. Thanks to lower alcohol prices in the state, Goa is also great for younger tourists with relatively tighter pockets. For those of us perpetually confused between North Goa and South Goa, this might help - the state of Goa is divided into North Goa and South Goa. While North Goa is the nightlife hub where all the touristy beaches, flea markets, and beach shacks are located, South Goa is the land of luxurious resorts and laid-back beach vibes. Having been a Portuguese territory for almost 450 years, the Portuguese architecture is nowhere as prevalent as in Goa - visit one of the many whitewashed churches, crumbling forts or spectacular churches. The yellow houses with purple doors, ochre-coloured mansions and oyster shell windows is what completes the kaleidoscope of Goan architecture. Panjim, the capital city located in the centre overlooks the calm Mandovi River where the famous floating casinos of Goa are docked. The centre is well-connected with an international airport and roads and trains run from North to South part of Goa. With a coastline stretching for over 100 kilometres, Goa has stunning beaches. While Baga and Calangute are more popular among the Indian family crowd, Anjuna and Arambol draw a lot of foreign tourists. The beaches in South Goa are relatively lesser explored, but some of them like Agonda and Palolem are more beautiful.
• Srinagar – Famously known as 'Heaven on Earth, Srinagar is located in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, on the banks of river Jhelum. Srinagar is known for the stationary houseboats and gondola-type rowboats- Shikaras on Dal Lake. Adorned with tranquil Dal Lake & Nigeen Lake, Srinagar is the dream destination for honeymoon and family holidays. The tourists use Shikaras to see attractions like the Floating Vegetable Market and the Mir Bahris – a lively community of people who live on the lake itself. In addition, there are a lot of houseboats that provide a beautiful and unique stay experience on the lake. Srinagar is home to some of India's most exquisite Mughal-age gardens, with the top attractions being Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashm-E-Shahi Garden. It is also home to Asia's largest tulip garden. Kashmiri cuisine or Wazwan is famous all over the globe. So when in Srinagar, trying out the local dishes, which are rich in unique fragrant spices, is a must. Srinagar is also famous for the Kashmiri shawls, Kashmiri apples, and dried fruits (almonds and walnuts) from the Lal Chowk Market. Heavy snowfall affects the connectivity of Srinagar during the winter months of December to February. Communal tensions also lead to frequent curfews in some parts of the city; however, things have improved in the past few years. So, make sure to check the situation before visiting.
• Darjeeling – Darjeeling, the former summer capital of India under the British Raj, has evolved into one of India's most sought-after hill stations. This picturesque hill destination in West Bengal is ideal for a romantic honeymoon. Darjeeling, nestled among acres of tea estates, is 2,050 metres above sea level and thus has a cool climate all year. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway established back in 1881 is conferred the title of World Heritage Status by UNESCO. The train begins its journey from the plains and rises to over 2000 metres above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the mountains as it chugs along. Darjeeling is also famous for it's tea plantations with over 86 tea estates responsible for producing the worldwide famous 'Darjeeling Tea'. The third highest peak in the world and the highest in India, the Kanchenjunga peak, is visible from here, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the peak. Some of Darjeeling's most popular attractions include monasteries, botanical gardens, a zoo, and the Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway cable car, which is the longest Asian cable car. Tiger Hill is a fantastic spot to see the sunrise over the mountains in all its fiery glory.
• Shimla – Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and a popular hill-station among Indian families and honeymooners. Situated at the height of 2200m, it was the summer capital of British India. The hill station still retains its old-world charm with beautiful colonial architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road and the ridge lined up with multiple shops, cafes and restaurants. Shimla is well connected with many cities and is just 4 hours from the nearby city of Chandigarh. The city has an airport as well; however, there aren't many daily flights from here. The railway station connects Shimla with the plans and is famous for the Kalka-Shimla train route; a UNESCO listed World Heritage site. Shimla is often covered along with nearby towns of Kufri, a hill-station almost always covered by snow and Chail, famous for a huge palace and the highest cricket ground in the world. Tourists also visit the famous Jakhu Temple and engage in sightseeing at various viewpoints during their trip to Shimla.
• Mussoorie – Mussoorie is one of the most popular hill stations located at a distance of 290 km from Delhi in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. With a backdrop of the Shivalik range of Himalayas and doon valley, Mussoorie, also known as Queen of The Hills, stands at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level. With a cool and pleasant climate throughout the year, Mussoorie was once the British summer capital. The British remnants can be seen in the city in the archaic architecture of the hotels and churches. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Mussoorie is The Mall (also known as the Mall Road), which is a slightly steep boulevard with eateries and other shops lining its entire stretch. From the little houses spread around the area to the architecture of even the lamp posts, The Mall gives off a distinct colonial vibe. Another major highlight of Mussoorie is the Ropeway to Gun Hill. Gun Hill is the second highest peak in Mussoorie, and tourists can avail of the cable car ropeway ride to Gun Hill, which offers an enchanting view of the entire city as well as the surrounding Himalayan mountains. The adjoining little hill station of Landour, along with Mussoorie, Barlowganj and Jharipani together form the greater Mussoorie. With a lot of waterfalls, the town of Dhanaulti in the vicinity and the remains of colonial architecture, Mussoorie has everything to make a memorable vacation.
• Jaisalmer – Jaisalmer is a prominent tourist spot located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan in India. It is known as the 'golden city' due to its golden dunes and castles clad in golden honey sandstone. Jaisalmer is adorned with lakes, ornate Jain temples and havelis. Climb onto the camel saddle and make your way through this desert to camp under the starry night sky for an unforgettable experience. The Jaisalmer Fort stands as a citadel with narrow alleys inhabited by people for generations and shops selling colourful handicrafts. Jaisalmer is a town, and to reach the Sand Dunes, travellers have to take a jeep safari followed by a camel ride. Thus, Jaisalmer is an amalgamation of exotic Indian desert culture, heritage and adventure.
• Lakshadweep – Formerly known as Laccadive Islands, Lakshadweep translates to 'one hundred thousand islands' in Malayalam. Home to a few of the most beautiful and exotic islands and beaches of India, Lakshadweep lies 400km off the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea. The smallest union territory of India has only 36 islands having a total area of 32 sq. kilometres. It's made up of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks out of which ten Islands are inhabited. Lakshadweep is typically accessed from Kochi (Kerala) and a permit is required to visit Lakshadweep for all tourists (including Indians). After permit, Indians are permitted to visit all islands, however, even after permit, foreigners are permitted to just visit Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat Islands. Permits can be obtained from Kochi itself. Perhaps the charm of Lakshadweep islands lies in their remoteness. Far off the beaten track, they attract no hordes of merrymakers to their shores. The islands, though all equally mystical and beautiful, each offers a unique blend of tourist spots. Some islands have been promoted for diving and water sports, still, others have been developed so that people enjoy the charm of relaxation.
• Munnar – Famous for the tea estates, greenery, winding roads, blanket of mist, and viewpoints, Munnar is a hill station in Kerala, located in the Idukki district. Lying in the Western Ghats at 1600 metres, it is one of the most sought after and visited travel destinations globally, especially popular amongst honeymooners. Once the summer resort of the erstwhile British government, the main reason to visit Munnar is to explore the sprawling tea plantations and the exotic flora and fauna. The Eravikulam National Park, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and tea plantations are its major attractions. Munnar is also famous for being home to the rare Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years (the next bloom is in 2030) and the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Munnar is divided into Old Munnar, where the tourist information office is, and Munnar, where the bus station and most guest houses are located. It is also an ideal place for trekking, camping, paragliding and boating. As it's a hilly region, Jeep safari is also a popular activity to experience. Munnar is often visited along with Alleppey and Thekkady, the two most popular tourist destinations in Kerala. The hill station is a haven for shopping for tea and spices. Cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, coffee and a variety of homemade chocolates can be bought from the number of shops spread across the hill town.
• Jaipur – Also called the Pink City, Jaipur is the capital of the royal state of Rajasthan. Along with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur forms the Golden Triangle and hails as one of the most famous tourist circuits in the country. Rajputs ruled Jaipur for many centuries and developed as a planned city in the 17th century AD. With the old city surrounded by walls and gates decorated with drawings on the backdrop of a beautiful pink hue, Jaipur, the pink city, successfully retains its old-world charm. Home to a few UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Amer Fort and Jantar Mantar, Jaipur holds many magnificent forts, palaces, temples and museums and brims with bustling local bazaars where you can shop to your heart's content. The city is also very well known for its local food, and the most famous dishes include the Ghewar, Pyaaz Kachori and Dal Baati Churma. The city also hosts the Jaipur Literary Festival, which is Asia's biggest festival of its kind.
• Allepey – Officially called Alappuzha, Alleppey is known for its network of canals and lagoons with beautiful backwaters and the houseboats offering overnight stays. Located in the southern part of Kerala, the coastline of Alleppey offers some of the best beaches with water sports during the dry season. Coupled with other beautiful places in Kerala like Munnar and Thekkady, Alleppey is often considered for a honeymoon or for a great family vacation. Alleppey's palm-fringed inter-connect network of canal backwaters attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. Kuttanad, also called the 'Rice Bowl of Kerala' covers a large part of Allapuzha and is home to lush green paddy fields, lakes and backwaters. There are plenty of houseboats, homestays, and rejuvenating Ayurvedic resorts that make staying in Alleppey brilliant. The houseboats pass through the serene backwaters, where you can catch glimpses of green paddy fields, choir-making activities, and witness the life of locals in Kerala. Alleppey is also dotted with famous temples like Chettikulangara Devi Temple and Mullakkal Temple.