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India
It’s almost impossible to tour India and not fall in love. From the glistening white salt flats to the snow-tipped mountains looming overhead. The sleepy backwater canals lead to the lively, vibrant cities. The serene rolling tea regions, to the pungent spice farms. The dry, barren deserts to the verdant, lush jungles. India has a place for everyone.
Nowhere else can you find such striking, poetic contrasts. It’s relaxing, yet completely overwhelming. It’s messy, yet shockingly beautiful. Everything seems complicated, yet life is so simple. And did we mention, it has some of the best food in the world? Welcome to our India tours.
Top 15 places to visit in India
Being one of the largest countries in the world, with so many different landscapes, areas, cities and beaches to explore, a backpacker in India is like a kid in a sweet shop. One of the biggest problems about visiting India is knowing just where to start! Saying that you can never really go too wrong, but here are a few places which should definitely be on your list.
1. Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Said to be one of the most beautiful places in the world and offering up yet another side to India which many people don’t realise is there. Home to the top three mountain passes in the world, this is an excellent place for adventure travellers. Search for snow leopards on a safari, hike through snow coated mountains and tiptoe across crystal glacier lakes. Try your hand at mountain biking, rock climbing or join a camel safari.
Ladakh is also a great place to unwind. Search out the monasteries, meditate next to the tranquil lakes and take leisurely walks exploring the beautifully stark natural landscapes. Trek to the famous hilltop spot, Spituk Gompa to learn about the history of Buddhism in an 11th-century monastery.
Travel Tip
Travelling between areas does take time in India. Opt for sleeper trains. They’re social, safe, easy to navigate and are a great way to save time.
2. Agra, Uttar Pradesh
When many think of India, the Taj Mahal often springs to mind. The marble white mausoleum built to honour the memory of the emperor’s deceased wife is one of the most impressive structures in the world. Taking 22 years and 20,000 workers to complete, it’s no wonder it’s earned a spot on the 7 new wonders of the world list. But the Taj Mahal isn’t the only thing which makes this city special. Agra is the only city in the world to claim 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Agra Fort should also be on your must-see list in India. One of India’s most beautiful Mughal forts, this colossal fortress is nothing short of magnificent. Marble pavilions, 20-meter-high red sandstone walls, mosaics of mirrors covering every inch of the rooms and gardens made of dreams. Just beautiful.
3. Jaipur & Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Two cities, two colours, about 5 hours apart, are some of the most popular stops on the India tourist trail.
Jaipur is breathtaking! It creates lasting images of luxury, royalty, imperial Mughal architecture, jewels, elephants and indulgence on every scale. Jaipur’s nickname as ‘the pink city’ dates back to 1876 when Queen Victoria visited India, and the Maharaja painted the entire city pink to welcome his guests. The pink sandstone used to build the monarchic structures of palaces, temples and forts brings a certain romantic charm to this iconic Rajasthan City.
Jodhpur, ‘the blue city,’ is dominated by the imposing Mehrangarh Fort. Standing 400 feet above the skyline and looking down to a sea of blue-washed houses below. Getting lost amongst the winding maze of blue streets is easily one of the best ways to spend your time in this vibrant city. The reason why these houses are painted blue is a bit of a mystery. Some say the Brahmins used blue due to its association with Lord Shiva, some say it’s to keep the houses cool. No one knows for sure, but it is definitely worth the trip to see it for yourself!
4. Srinagar, Kashmir
Kashmir is often (quite rightly) referred to as ‘heaven on earth’, and Srinagar is one of the most visited areas of this stunning part of India. Srinagar will show you an entirely different side to the country. From the romantic houseboats floating on the serene Dal Lake with a majestic backdrop of the Himalayas, to the fairytale alpine forests, verdant green fields and picturesque streams carving through the hills. Picture lush Mughal gardens flooded with flowers in every colour, glistening white shrines, apple orchards and floating markets. This is also the perfect place for adventure seekers with lots of trekking opportunities, horse rides, skiing and paragliding trips. The food here is very unique compared to the rest of India and absolutely must be tasted!
5. Goa
Goa is India’s little slice of Paradise. A string of golden sand beaches line the western coast, inviting people in from all over the world to revel in the laid-back haven. Each beach town has something different to offer. From the hippy vibes of Anjuna, the resort atmosphere of Baga, to the paradise sands of Palolem to name just a few. Goa is also another great place in India to practice yoga, meditation and all sorts of spiritual activities. Goan cuisine is centred around seafood, with fish curry (particularly a vindaloo) being the staple on any menu, and it is delicious! Visit the cascading Dudhsagar Falls, the nearby spice farms, flea markets, ancient temples and heritage buildings. Goa really does have something for everyone.
6. Kerala
‘Gods own country’ Kerala is a paradise of backwater canals, houseboats, seafood curries and lush green landscapes. One of the most popular things in Kerala is to take a cooking class, learning the secrets of the Keralan curry. The beaches in Kerala are also absolutely stunning and should not be missed. Palm-fringed, soft-white beaches and calm turquoise waters add to the sleepy atmosphere of Southern India. Kerala is famous for houseboats, which are a must-have experience in the region – Alleppey being the central hub for organising trips. Another popular sleeping option is to stay in the treehouses of the Wayanad coffee plantation. Both very different experiences, both equally as relaxing.
7. Darjeeling, West Bengal
It probably comes as no surprise that Darjeeling is most famous for its tea. Picture a sea of green as far as the eye can reach, rolling tea fields, orchids in every colour and the white-tipped Khangchendzonga towering overhead. ‘The tea garden of India’ is incredibly stunning. Witnessing the sunrise at Tiger Hill is a much sought-after experience, as is a ride on the famous toy train – a steam engine which runs one of the most beautiful journeys in the world. Darjeeling is located at the base of the Himalayas in West Bengal. One of the best ways to see the landscape’s natural beauty is with a ride on the Darjeeling Ropeway, which travels from 7000 ft high down for 45 minutes. This is also a great place for avid trekkers. Head out to Sandakphu for incredible views of the Kanchenjunga Peak and Mount Everest.
8. Delhi
Often the arrival destination when landing in India, Delhi is the perfect place to wake you up from a long flight. Noise blaring from every direction; car horns, cows, chanting, Bollywood music and general city ruckus. Add all that to the mix of fragrances drifting across streets; chaats, curries, sweet chai, smokey incense and bags of spices, it can be a bit overwhelming, to say the least. But bear with it, because it is one of the most intensely wonderful places in the world. Considered one of the oldest cities, it has a rich history and monuments. Hidden mosques, beautiful forts and iconic landmarks make this incredible city unique.
9. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
The holy city of Varanasi is a place of contrasts. Located in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi centres around the holy River Ganges. This is where Hindus come to be cremated. 84 burning ghats line the river while people bring their deceased to be first dipped, then burned. The Hindus believe that Varanasi brings salvation and ends the cycle of reincarnation so that you can be sent directly to heaven. But surprisingly, it isn’t a sad place at all. They celebrate life rather than mourn death. But whilst this is a place for funerals, it is also a vibrant, happy, buzzing place. Winding streets are filled with delicious smells from street vendors, honking cars, chanting, dancing and singing. It’s one of the most unique places in India, and should always be on your list if you want to really feel the culture of the country.
10. Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur ‘the city of lakes’ is relaxing, romantic and luxurious. Lake Pichola (the largest of the five lakes) houses the City Palace along its banks. With hanging gardens, grand courtyards and entirely silver rooms, it’s impressive, to say the least. Take a boat cruise along the many lakes of the city, visit the Lake Garden Palace, and take in the beauty of the Aravalli Hills surrounding you in every direction. When it’s time to relax, there’s no better place than Udaipur. Explore Old Town’s lazy maze of side streets, sipping chai at one of the cute cafes by the river. And for the foodies, Udaipur is street food heaven! The whiff of delicious grub can be sniffed out on every street corner, but for an authentic, local experience, head to Sukhadia Circle.
11. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Dubbed as the ‘yoga capital of the world’, Rishikesh is a special place, to say the least. Resting in the foothills of the Himalayas is a small but mighty hub of ashrams, temples and retreats. It’s also famously where The Beatles came to write songs and experience the spirituality of place. Side streets are filled with fruit stalls, children playing, and holy men waiting to test their English skills with you. It’s a great place to practice yoga, learn how to meditate and simply relax into the hippy yogi lifestyle for a while. The energy from the people, the Buddhist chanting at 4 am, and the serenity of the tropical gardens with the Himalayas in the background give Rishikesh a charm that can’t be found anywhere else.
12. Munnar, Kerala
Located in Kerala, this idyllic hill station is like a breath of fresh air from the humid Southern Indian climate. It’s famous for its luscious, verdant, rolling hills and tea estates as far as the eye can see. The long chug of the bus up the winding mountain paths may be tiresome, but it is well worth the journey. Some of the best things to do here are simply to walk around and explore. Trek through the spice fields, hike around the tea plantations and picnic at the waterfalls. A highlight of Munnar is always watching the sunrise at the Top Station Viewpoint, the highest point in Munnar. Reaching there before midday, you will find yourself engulfed in clouds, which eventually disperse to reveal one of India’s most breathtaking panoramic views.
13. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
The Rann of Kutch is a bit off the tourist trail, but it is definitely worth the trip. In one of the world’s largest salt deserts, vast salt plains stretch as far as the horizon. The stark beauty of white salt flats, clear blue skies and a mosaic of stars illuminated by the moonlight is hard to put into words. Make the most of your experience by staying in thatched circular houses in a traditional village to get the authentic Kutch experience. One quick tip, however, is to make sure you visit from November to February; otherwise, the entire place will be submerged in water.
14. Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi is spectacular. A vast area of temples against a stunning backdrop of gravity-defying boulder formations. This is the ideal place for tourists searching for that quintessential, laid-back India they’ve heard so much about. It has a rich history with stone carvings, giant statues and some of the most beautiful temples in India.Â
15. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
A trip to Rajasthan or India would not be complete without visiting the golden city of Jaisalmer. Resting in the Thar Desert region, Jaisalmer is a city made of sand with a massive fort towering above. It’s the perfect place to explore if you want to experience desert life. Take a few days to hike, sleep under the stars, and cook curry on a fire in the dunes. One of the best things about Jaisalmer Fort is that it’s one of the few that still have people living there. Stay inside the fort, wander the maze of narrow streets adorned with colourful tapestries and fabrics. Dine at rooftop restaurants with views over the entire city. Explore the many beautiful Jain temples, enchanting villages and viewpoints that are some of the best in India.
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