Leh Ladakh

In India’s Kashmir area, Ladakh is a union territory. Ladakh, which formerly belonged to the state of Jammu & Kashmir, became a union territory on October 31, 2019. Ladakh is a place unlike any other, stretching from the Siachen Glacier to the main Great Mountains. Ladakh, the coldest desert on earth, is famed for its spectacular vistas.

Ladakh is a riot of complex murals and red-robed monks, with stunning Gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries), fluttering prayer flags, whitewashed stupas, and more. The people of Ladakh are hospitable to visitors and share a culture with the Tibetans.

Leh and Kargil are the two districts that makeup Ladakh. The former district contains the well-known town of “Leh,” which is a popular tourist destination due to the lovely monasteries surrounding, the Shanti Stupa, the cafes, and the Leh Bazaar, which characterize the local culture.

High-altitude trekking and rafting are popular activities in Ladakh. Keep in mind that Leh Ladakh, cannot be reached by road outside of the summer. From about October to May, the routes pass quite near each other, and the only way to get there is by plane. January through the end of February are the months for the Chadar trek along the ice-covered Zanskar River.

Srinagar

On the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar, also referred to as “Paradise on Earth,” is a city in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Shikaras, gondola-style rowboats, and immobile houseboats on Dal Lake are symbols of Srinagar. Srinagar, the ideal location for a honeymoon and family vacation, Srinagar is adorned by the serene Nigeen Lake and Dal Lake.

Shikaras are used by tourists to access sites like the Floating Vegetable Market and the Mir Bahris, a bustling neighborhood of residents on the lake itself. Also, there are several houseboats that offer a lovely and distinctive lodging option on the lake. Some of India’s most beautiful Mughal-era gardens may be found in Srinagar, with Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashm-E-Shahi Garden being the main draws.  It is also home to Asia’s largest tulip garden.

Wazwan, the cuisine of Kashmir, is well-known worldwide. Thus it is essential to eat the regional cuisine, which is rich in distinctively scented spices while visiting Srinagar. In addition, Srinagar is well-known for its dried fruits (almonds and walnuts) from the Lal Chowk Market, Kashmiri shawls, and Kashmiri apples.

The connection to Srinagar is impacted by heavy snowfall from December to February. Curfews are frequently enforced in some areas of the city due to racial tensions, but conditions have improved recently. Hence, before going, be sure to examine the circumstances.

Manali

At the northern end of the Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh, Manali is a lovely hill station with breathtaking valleys, breathtaking views, snow-capped mountains, and rich forests of oak, deodar, and pine. It is recognised to be one of the most popular honeymoon places and was given to the globe by the powerful Himalayas. Manali boasts breathtaking views of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar peaks, which are mostly always covered in a thick layer of snow.

Manali has changed over the past few years into a favourite destination for young people seeking longer stays. Old Manali is one of these people’s favourite neighbourhoods because of the calming cafes, reliable wifi, quaint restaurants, and practical stores.

Manali is a must-see for trekkers in addition to vacationers and business travellers since it makes a great base for exploring this side of the Himalayas. The nearby town of Kullu offers fantastic rafting opportunities on the River Beas. The Parvati Valley, which borders the Parvati River, is home to small towns like Kasol, Manikaran, Tosh, and others that draw vacationers for prolonged stays. Via the Atal Tunnel, Sissu may be reached by passengers in a matter of hours, improving accessibility to Spiti.

Travelers swarm to Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley to partake in adventure sports like skiing, paragliding, horseback riding, and zorbing. January and February get the most snowfall, followed by December and March. If you’re lucky, April might still have some snow.

Andaman

Just 37 of the 572 islands that make up the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are inhabited, and only a few are accessible to tourists. Of all the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Havelock Island is one of the biggest and most visited. Typically, tourists fly or sail into Port Blair and stay several nights on the fantastic resort islands of Havelock and Neil.

While the azure splendor of Vijayanagar Beach is located towards the east of the island, the lovely Radhanagar Beach is located on the southern shore of Havelock. The three sandy beaches of Neil Island—Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach, and Lakshmanpur Beaches—might be its most charming characteristic.

Ferries to adjacent islands are frequently taken from Port Blair, which serves as a hub city. Tourists stay here for a day or two to explore the town and the adjacent beaches, though. Moreover, day trips from Port Blair are taken to Ross Island, North Bay Island, Baratang, and Jolly Buoy Island.

The beaches in the Andaman Islands are the most exotic, and some of them also provide the chance to try out other water sports like scuba diving, snorkelling, sea walking, etc. Three well-liked beaches for trying out watersports include Bharatpur Beach in Neil Island, Elephant Beach on Havelock Island, and North Bay Island close to Port Blair. Other beaches with spectacular sunrises and sunsets are Elephant Beach and Kalapather Beach.

Udaipur

The City of Lakes, popularly known as Udaipur, is one of Rajasthan’s most popular tourist destinations. Udaipur is renowned for its azure lakes, splendid palaces, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering cuisine. It is situated around gorgeous lakes and is encircled by the Aravalli Highlands on all sides. It is one of the top locations in India to experience luxury and a must-visit location.

One of the most breathtaking sights and pleasures of any vacation to Udaipur is taking a boat through the sparkling Lake Pichola. Unquestionably one of the most charming places in India, Udaipur is also referred to as the “Venice of the East.” You may experience the charm of Udaipur by visiting its enormous havelis and monuments, strolling through the busy street markets, taking a boat trip over one of the city’s seven lakes, or unwinding in one of the amazing hotels.

Some of the well-known tourist attractions in Udaipur include Lake Pichola, Jaisamand Lake, City Palace, Monsoon Palace, Jagmandir, Fateh Sagar Lake, Jagdish Temple, and Saheliyon ki Bari. Maharana Udai Singh II constructed the city in 1559 to serve as the Mewar kingdom’s new capital. The architecture of the city still bears the grandeur of the Rajput era. A trip to Udaipur is frequently paired with excursions to Mount Abu and the 80-kilometre-away Kumbhalgarh. It takes 60 miles to get to the famed Nathdwara temple from Udaipur.

Goa

Goa, the smallest state in India and unlike any other, is located on the western coast and is renowned for its unending beaches, fantastic nightlife, diverse seafood, and world-heritage-listed architecture. Goa is a small Indian state in the Konkan area, covering only 3,702 km. It is a long cry from a beach retreat or a haven for hippies, and it is one of the very few places that is open every day of the year. Goa’s relaxed atmosphere (susegad) draws just as many foreign visitors as it does domestic ones, if not more.

The New Year and the Goa Carnival are two of the most well-known holidays that the Goans celebrate throughout the year. The Goans are also highly hospitable to tourists. Goa offers some of the best nightlife in India, with hip pubs, beach shacks, classy cafes, and several clubs and discos, despite the fact that the seafood is outstanding. Goa is also a wonderful destination for younger travelers with comparatively smaller budgets because the state has reduced alcohol pricing.

The state of Goa is separated into North Goa and South Goa, which may be helpful for those of us who are incessantly perplexed. South Goa is home to opulent resorts and a laid-back beach ambience, whereas North Goa is the nightlife center and home to all the touristy beaches, flea markets, and beach shacks.

Visit one of the numerous whitewashed churches, dilapidated forts, or magnificent churches in Goa, a region that was a Portuguese colony for approximately 450 years. The kaleidoscope of Goan architecture is completed by the ochre-coloured mansions, yellow residences with purple doors, and oyster shell windows.

The peaceful Mandovi River, where the renowned floating casinos of Goa are docked, is visible from Panjim, the state’s capital city, which is situated in the center. An international airport, as well as highways and trains running from Goa’s north to south, provide excellent access to the center. Goa offers beautiful beaches along its more than 100 kilometers of coastline. Anjuna and Arambol are very popular with Western visitors, although Baga and Calangute are more well-liked by Indian families. South Goa’s beaches are generally less well-known, but some of them, like Agonda and Palolem, are more stunning than others.

Lonavala

The most popular hill station in Maharashtra and the place to be in the monsoons is Lonavala, which is located in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats, close to Pune and Mumbai. It is a well-liked location for camping, trekking, and other adventure activities because of the abundance of waterfalls, lakes, and hills around.

It is a must-see if you love the outdoors because it is surrounded by thick forests, waterfalls, and dams next to lakes. Lonavala is one of the twin hill towns of Lonavala and Khandala, rising 624 meters above sea level (these two can be easily visited together). The Bhaja Caves, Bushi Dam, Karla Caves, Rajmachi Fort, and Ryewood Lake are some of the well-known tourist destinations in Lonavala. Treks like the Andharban trip, which begins in the town of Pimpri and ends in Bhira, are also well-known in Lonavala.

Lonavala is renowned for producing the hard candy known as chikki, a tasty treat made from a variety of nuts and jaggery. It serves as a significant stop on the railway line that runs between Mumbai and Pune.

Jaipur

The capital of the regal state of Rajasthan is Jaipur, which is also known as the “Pink City.” Jaipur is one of the most well-known tourist routes in the nation and forms the Golden Triangle with Delhi and Agra.

Jaipur was dominated by the Rajputs for many years and became a planned city in the seventeenth century. The pink city of Jaipur, which has gates embellished with artwork and walls around the ancient city, has managed to preserve its old-world beauty. Amer Fort and Jantar Mantar are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Jaipur, which is also home to a number of other spectacular forts, palaces, temples, and museums as well as a plethora of busy local bazaars where you may buy to your heart’s delight.

The most well-known local foods include the Ghewar, Pyaaz Kachori, and Dal Baati Churma, and the city is also well-known for its cuisine. The largest literary event in Asia, the Jaipur Literary Festival, is also held in the city.

One of India’s major cities, Jaipur is also home to some of the most luxurious and fascinating hotels and resorts in the world. The city has an international airport and excellent rail and road connections. Because of this, Jaipur serves as the entryway to Rajasthan and the point from which to explore the state’s interior. The commuting issue is resolved by the metro, local buses, shared tuk-tuks, autorickshaws, and cab aggregator applications like Uber and Ola.

Shimla

The Himachal Pradesh state capital and a favorite getaway for Indian couples on their honeymoon is Shimla. It served as the summer capital of British India and is located at a height of 2200 meters. With stunning colonial buildings, a pedestrian-friendly Mall Road, and a ridge dotted with several stores, cafés, and restaurants, the hill station nevertheless exudes an old-world charm.

Shimla has excellent transport options and can be reached from Chandigarh, which is close by, in around 4 hours. The city also has an airport, however, there aren’t many flights from here every day. A UNESCO-designated World Heritage landmark, the railway station connects Shimla with the plans and is well-known for the Kalka-Shimla train line.

Shimla is frequently blanketed, as are the surrounding towns of Chail, known for its enormous castle and the highest cricket pitch in the world, and Kufri, a hill village that is virtually constantly covered with snow. During their journey to Shimla, tourists also go to the well-known Jakhu Temple and go sightseeing at numerous vantage points.

Most of the year, the weather is favorable, and many visitors come, especially in the summer. From mid-December until the end of February, the winters are chilly, with occasional days of snowfall.

Agra

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, is home to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and is situated on the banks of the River Yamuna. It offers a glimpse into the Mughal empire’s architectural heritage with Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Agra is a must-visit for anybody who lives in or travels to India because of the combination of history, architecture, and romance that gives the city its enchantment.

Agra ranks as the 24th most populated city in India and one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh. It is hardly surprising that Agra, along with Delhi and Jaipur, is a part of the well-known Golden Triangle Circuit for tourists, given its lengthy and rich history. It also forms part of the Varanasi and Lucknow Heritage Arc in Uttar Pradesh. The vast array of Mughal art and culture on display here is likely to delight history enthusiasts and fans of architecture.

Agra has amazing food-related attractions in addition to its monuments. It is equally well-known for its Petha (a pumpkin-based dessert flavoured with saffron and rose water) as it is for the Taj Mahal. The Sadar Bazar or Kinaari Bazaar areas of Agra are the greatest places to purchase marble artefacts, which are also widely renowned.

Most people go to Agra from New Delhi or other neighbouring cities in Uttar Pradesh in one day, but it is well worth the trip. Prepare yourself to be shocked, astonished, moved, and thrilled. Be wary of swindle artists posing as unreliable tour guides and bogus handicrafts, though.