10 Places You Need To Visit In India
1. Goa- for beaches , sunset & parties
When you think of Goa, you think of sandy beaches, amazing parties, beautiful little villages, delicious food, and a magical holiday experience. Yes, Goa is rightfully known as the most popular tourist destination on the West Coast of India, and not just because of its scenic beaches, but also because of its tropical climate and its rich Portuguese heritage, which you can still find lingering on in some parts of the town. Nestled in the Konkan Coast Belt, Goa has a coastline stretching for over a 100 kilometres, and attracts millions of visitors both from within and outside the country all year round.
Goa is one such holiday destination which has something to offer to every traveller, regardless of budget and travel tastes, which is a reason why Goa is as much of a family retreat as it is a very popular honeymoon destination. The multitude of beaches in Goa ensures that you can take your pick depending on whether you want to experience the posh beach life from balconies of luxury resorts or get in touch with nature in makeshift huts. Some of the best beaches in Goa include Agonda beach, Baga Beach and Candolim Beach. Calangute Beach is the busiest beach in Goa, while Baga Beach is comparatively a lot less crowded.
2. Leh-Ladakh - for its unmatched trekking options
The land of majestic snow-capped mountains, serene alpine glacial lakes, enchanting valleys and ancient colourful Buddhist monasteries, Leh-Ladakh is one of the ‘must-visit’ destinations in India for nature lovers and people seeking peace and serenity away from the busy city lives. Being home to plenty of serene alpine glacial lakes, some of the world’s highest mountain passes and high-altitude scenic trekking trails, Ladakh is also a dream destination for intrepid travellers and adventure freaks across India and different corners of the world. Be it the feeling of extreme spirituality and divinity listening to the chants and hymns of lamas in the ‘Hemis Monastery’, the tranquillity of ‘Pangong Lake’ offering an indescribable sense of peace and solitude, an unforgettable adventurous experience of trekking on the frozen ‘Zanskar River’, the fun of a unique sand-dune safari sitting on the back of Bactrian camel discovering the rugged landscapes of ‘Nubra Valley’ or the excitement of spotting a snow leopard in the thick of the ‘Hemis National Park’ – Ladakh has in its store, something for its every tourist. Being part of the colourful ‘Hemis Festival‘ is something which must definitely be on the itineraries of every tourist to the mystic land of Leh-Ladakh.
3.Sikkim – For its breathtaking natural vistas
One of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in India, Sikkim is a glittering gem of the North-East Himalayas. With its enchanting snow-capped mountains, quaint little villages, pristine lakes and vibrant Buddhist monasteries, Sikkim is one of the best destinations in India to spend a peaceful and laid back holiday amidst extreme tranquillity and solitude. Teeming with some of the world’s best scenic trekking trails and rivers ideal for indulging in real thrill of white water rafting, this little North-Eastern state also makes for a perfect adventure destination in India for trekkers, rafters, mountaineers and rock climbers. Be it the breath-taking panoramas of the rhododendron carpets as you trek to the enchanting ‘Yumthang Valley’, the surreal experience of reaching the ‘Gurudongmar’ and ‘Cholamu’ lakes or an ecstasy of braving the strong currents of River Teesta as you navigate through twist and turns of the torrential river during the white water rafting adventure; Sikkim never ceases to hypnotise you with its serene magic of nature.
This quaint state of India is also a perfect place to go for some meditation sessions at one of the numerous old monasteries, indulge in a thrilling fun of hand-gliding or paragliding, experience a unique ‘Yak Safari’, satiate your taste buds with delicious Sikkimese delicacies, shop till your heart’s desire purchasing incredible Sikkimese handcrafts, thangka paintings and mural items or be part of one of the state’s fascinating festivals.
4. Delhi - the city of cities
From historical monuments to crowded shopping malls, from Mughal gardens to Delhi University campus, the capital city has multiple personalities making it 'The good, the bad and the ugly'.
The Capital city of India and the base location to explore North India, Delhi is considered to be the city with a heart.
The Capital city of India and the base location to explore North India, Delhi is considered to be the city with a heart.
Delhi has a plethora of things for tourists to do, and it is up to you to pick and choose which items you want to tick off your list, depending on what you want to see and where you want to go. If Delhi’s rich Mughal history pulls you, then you should take time to explore historical monuments such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb and Purana Qila. Delhi has famous temples scattered all across the city, a few noteworthy ones being the Akshardham Temple, the Lotus Temple (also known as the Bahai Temple), and the ISKON Temple.
The narrow, winding lanes and bylanes of old Delhi are a testament to the former Mughal rule. Old Delhi houses one of the country’s oldest and busiest market – Chandni Chowk. Taking a morning walk at Lodi Gardens is an activity that plenty of locals indulge in, and for a very good reason. Not only are the Lodi Gardens aesthetically beautiful – lush, sprawling stretches of green for as long as you can see, but the gardens are also a place to chance across Delhi’s political and social elites.
The narrow, winding lanes and bylanes of old Delhi are a testament to the former Mughal rule. Old Delhi houses one of the country’s oldest and busiest market – Chandni Chowk. Taking a morning walk at Lodi Gardens is an activity that plenty of locals indulge in, and for a very good reason. Not only are the Lodi Gardens aesthetically beautiful – lush, sprawling stretches of green for as long as you can see, but the gardens are also a place to chance across Delhi’s political and social elites.
5. Allepey - for backwaters , beaches & lagoons.
Extremely famous for its beautiful backwaters, the city of Alleppey in Kerala is also known for its beaches, temples and traditional boat races. This popular tourist destination also has some very well reputed Ayurvedic spas and wellness centres.
Dotting the coastline of the Arabian Sea, Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha) is the oldest planned backwater town of Kerala. This place is famous for its numerous rivers crisscrossing the Sea and is home to many canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons. Alleppey is often referred to as the Venice of India. The backwaters coupled with houseboats and the tropical village life makes Alleppey worth a visit.
7. Mount Abu- beautiful hillstation in Rajasthan
The only hill station of Rajasthan, its cool atmosphere and lush green surroundings make it a major tourist spot within the state. The most important attraction, however, are undoubtedly the Dilwara temples, which is one of the most stunning piece of architecture in the country. If you are a history or architecture buff, this is one of the places you should absolutely not miss out in India.
The exceptionally intricate architecture of the Dilwara temples are of course the main attraction here, and you can easily spend hours wondering how these temples were built over 2 centuries, almost a 1000 years back. The temples were specifically made so that they are plain from the outside to avoid attraction of plunderers, and have withstood the test of time extremely well. If architecture is not your thing, then there are various lakes and viewpoints such as the Honeymoon Point, Sunset Point, etc. Tourists enjoy calm and relaxed boating in the Nakki lake, and a view of the sunset from the Sunset point. The highest peak of the Aravali Range also lies in Mt. Abu, surrounded by dense green forests. Mt Abu will offer you all you can demand from a popular and typical destination of a romantic and simpler nature.
8. Andaman & Nicobar – For its pristine beauty and array of water sports
Known for their picturesque beauty with pristine beaches, azure waters and verdant forests, Andaman & Nicobar are a group of more than 500 shimmering islands tucked in an infinite expanse of the Bay of Bengal. Relatively unexplored, these islands have that enigmatic charm to them that lures thousands of tourists every year. Packed with an array of interesting activities, a holiday in Andaman & Nicobar is sure to be one of the best vacations in India. The Asia’s best beach, ‘Radhanagar Beach’ on the ‘Havelock Island’ is a paradise for honeymoon couples who can be seen here immersed in romantic walks holding each other’s hands and witnessing the beautiful sunset. For water sports lovers, the azure waters teeming with a diverse marine life and coral reefs, offer a perfect ambience to indulge in some world-class scuba diving and sea walking experience. If you are looking out for an adventurous twist in the serenity of these beautiful islands, go for boat safaris through thick mangrove forests leading to dark limestone caves at the ‘Baratang Island’, take a challenging trek to the ‘Saddle Peak’ snaking through scenic terrains and thick forests sighting few exotic colourful birds or camp under the open moonlit sky and try your hands at a bar-be-que experience of cooking your own fresh catch of a fish or crab.
9. Kochi - queen of Arabian Sea
Situated on the south-west coast of India, Kochi or Cochin is a bustling commercial port city with a trading history that dates back to at least 600 years. Called as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city is the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.
The city is marked by influences of Arabs, Dutch, Phoenicians, Portuguese, Chinese and the British city as well as that of the Indian rule of Chera Dynasty followed by rule of the Feudal Lords. A gaggle of islands inter-connected by ferries, this cosmopolitan town has upmarket stores, art galleries and some of the finest heritage accommodations. In a true vintage-meets-future fashion, pubs, restaurants, shopping hubs and futuristic stores crowd Ernakulum, Jew Town and Fort Kochi while palaces, beaches, temples and heritage sites marking their presence too.
10. Rishikesh - yoga capital of the world
Situated along the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga, Rishikesh on the foothills of Himalayas is the hub of many ancient temples, popular cafes, yoga ashrams and adventure sports.
Rishikesh is the most beautiful blend of spiritual and adrenaline pumping experiences. With Whitewater Rafting industry growing and a number of camping and cafe spots springing up, Rishikesh has grown immensely as a favourite, catering to people with different needs.
Rishikesh is the most beautiful blend of spiritual and adrenaline pumping experiences. With Whitewater Rafting industry growing and a number of camping and cafe spots springing up, Rishikesh has grown immensely as a favourite, catering to people with different needs.
Rishikesh, over the years, has become extremely popular as the top spiritual destination in the world, especially after the Beatles association with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi here in the late '60s. As it lies on the holy banks of river Ganga, this place has been a hub of Sadhus (saints) and there are numerous ashrams teaching spirituality, yoga, meditation and Ayurveda. With the tourists coming in, there has been a surge in the number of cafes and restaurants in the town and there a lot of cafes serving English and American food and beverages. However, in the last few years, Rishikesh has also been developed as the hub of Adventure Sports in India as there is a multitude of options including White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Flying Fox, Mountain Biking, etc. here. It also serves as the gateway to many Himalayan treks and is used as a popular camping site. Rishikesh is a must visit for everyone visiting India to truly experience something new.
