| 1. Varanasi | 7. Rajasthan |
| 2. Darjeeling | 8. Shimla |
| 3. Ladakh | 9. Shillong |
| 4. Srinagar | 10. Goa Beaches |
| 5. Manali | 11. Agra |
| 6. Jaipur | 12. Mumbai |
1. Varanasi [View map]
Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed. Mark Twain, the English author and literature, who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Benaras, once wrote : “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages.
Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals. Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Dubbed the City of Lights or Kashi, Varanasi is a holy town situated on the west bank of the River Ganga.
Call it the land of Shiva or simply a historic city that has several mysteries concealed deep within; this holy city has a spiritual legacy that dates back to more than 3000 years. Varanasi has stayed an important pilgrimage centre in India and for those visiting from outside the country it reflects authentic India. Today, Varanasi is a busy hub, where all winding roads look similar, ghats are always crowded and the fragrance of incense and the smell of burnt firewood dissolve in the air.
2. Darjeeling [View map]
Darjeeling is one of the most scenic and hugely popular hill resorts in India. At 2,134 meters above mean sea level, it is 686 km from Kolkata in West Bengal. Amidst the backdrop of the mighty snow-clad Himalayan peaks, Darjeeling has been popular with tourists for its beauty and pleasant climate. You can get a clear view of the world’s third highest peak, Kanchenjunga, from the town on a sunny day. Avoid the monsoons as Kanchenjunga is not visible. Skip June, July and August and definitely avoid December and January.
Darjeeling creates a mesmerizing attraction to the tourists and travelers. The snow-white peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, is seen reflecting the orange color of the rising sun and Mt Makalu gives it company to enhance the level of your experience of watching sunrise from Tiger Hill. Even Mt Everest is seen partially in cloud-free days with clear sky. The water bodies including Senchal Lake are very popular and frequently visited by people for picnic and relaxation purpose.
The restaurants and hotels nearby the lake provide good food and comfortable accommodation. Researchers, educationists and students prefer the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Botanical Garden, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Dowhill Eco Park etc. for their expedition or seminars in the sublime version of nature. The photographers, nature lovers, bird-lovers regard these places as their pilgrims. As for the religious people, the Observatory Hill is perfect place to halt because of Mahakal Temple and Bhutiya Busty Monastery, representing Lord Shiva and Lord Buddha respectively.
3. Ladakh [View map]
Leh – Ladakh is the northern province of India which has become and Union Territory recently on 31 October 2019, covering approximately 60,000 square miles (100,000 sq. km). It has two district Kargil and Leh with a total population of approx 3 Lakh. It is surrounded and bisected by some of the highest mountain ranges in the world. Running in a generally northwest to southeast direction through Ladakh, the great Himalayan Range separates the Vale of Kashmir from Ladakh.
Ladakh, which is generally referred to as the “Land of high passes”, “paradise on earth”, and by many more names is a treasure trove of cultural and traditional heritage. Boasting a plethora of enchanting landscapes, snow-clad peaks, and high-altitude passes, Ladakh is no less than a heaven on earth. There are numerous tourist attractions in Ladakh that lure a large number of people from not only the different states of India but all over the world.
Encompassed by two of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, Ladakh is embraced by the Ladakh range, and the Zanskar range as well. Apart from top-notch attractions, Leh-Ladakh is well-known for its pristine beauty, glaciers, high-altitude mountain passes, glorious history, mesmerizing monasteries, pristine lakes, shimmering rivers, and diverse flora and fauna. Leh Ladakh is one of the prime tourist destinations in India.
4. Srinagar [View map]
Srinagar is the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies in the Kashmir Valley, on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits. However, the earliest records mention the name as siri-nagar which in turn is a local transformation of the original Sanskrit name surya-nagar, meaning “City of Sun”.
The city is said to have been named by the King Pravarasena II over 2,000 years ago, named it Parvasenpur. Kalhana notes in Rajatarangini that Maurya Emperor Ashoka built the city of Srinagari in the 3rd century BC and also built many stupas in Kashmir. The city was then a part of the Maurya Empire, one of the largest empires of the Indian subcontinent. Ashoka introduced Buddhism to the Kashmir valley, and the adjoining regions around the city became a centre of Buddhism.
When you talk about places to visit in Srinagar city, the list can really be a long one. From beautiful gardens to gorgeous lakes, vibrant markets to places of religious significance, colorful Shikaras to snow-capped mountains, Srinagar has them all. Most of the tourists visiting Kashmir rush towards places like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Not a lot of them want to spend time in Srinagar. A common notion is that it is just another city and there isn’t much to see here which is not true at all.
5. Manali [View map]
Manali, at the northern end of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, is a hill station situated at a height of 2050m (6398 ft) in the Himalayas. Situated on the Beas river (Vyaas in Hindi) and near its source, it is a popular tourist spot for Indians in summer and a magical, snow-covered place in winter. A staging point for a number of treks (Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass) and sports such as white-water rafting, Manali is also on the road to Ladakh via the valley of Lahaul and Spiti and the Rohtang Pass which is the main attraction near Manali.
Manali is a dream-like town in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Known to be a tourist magnet owing to its enchanting landscapes, the places to visit in Manali are Manali is a well famed spot for adventure lovers owing to opportunities available for trekking, paragliding or skiing here. Long stretches of green littered with colourful flowers and fruits, the gushing Beas River, the glow of the sun, and the picturesque cottages all together make Manali a piece of heaven.
Pack your bags, slip into your travel shoes, and march forward to this delightful little town.
6. Jaipur [View map]
Jaipur, also known as the pink city, is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in India. It was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in November 1727 and also got its name from this brave Hindu ruler. Located in Northern India, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and also the largest city in this state. Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. As the capital of the deeply cultural and historical state of Rajasthan, a number of tourists flock to this city throughout the year.
Being a member of the Golden Triangle circuit due to its proximity to Delhi and Agra, Jaipur has seen a boost in its tourism as well, becoming one of the most visited cities in the state as well as the country. There are a variety of places to visit in Jaipur, such as forts, palaces, monuments, museums, markets among many others. These places are well-known to provide insight into the past and culture of Rajasthan as well as offer an authentic local experience to tourists.
7. Rajasthan [View map]
Rajasthan, with its enchanting heritage, culture and art, has mesmerized the world for centuries. Interestingly, Rajasthan has now also started featuring prominently on the list of an entirely new category of people. Rajasthan’s business environment is powered by an enterprise-friendly government, good infrastructure and abundance of highly skilled young workforce. The remarkably peaceful and politically stable state offers a set of unique advantages and opportunities for profitable investment in the Industrial sector.
Rajasthan, which is also the largest state in India, is also one of the major tourist locations in the country. The country has tremendous scenic beauty and the old and majestic palaces and forts only add to its beauty. Each city in this state has something unique to offer to the tourists however, the places that capture the attention of most of the tourists are – Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Bikaner, Ranthambore National Park, Mount Abu, Bharatpur and last but not the least, Ajmer. Here is a little about the major tourists sites in Rajasthan.
8. Shimla [View map]
Come for a holiday and get opportunity to spend quality time close to Mother Nature and make your trip most relaxing. What more you can expect from your holiday trip. Shimla is such a trip, especially for those who have a passion of explroring natural beauty and serene environment, nothing can be compared with such amazing places. If you are also one of them, defiantly the warm welcome from tourism in Shimla would make your dream come true.
Talking about Shimla, the Queen of Hills is situated at an altitude of 2215 meter above the seas level. Being one of the largest hill stations/cities in India, Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, where honeymooners, couples, nature tour lovers and those who look for serenity and tranquility come to enjoy their holidays. Depending on your preferred timing and choice, you can visit Shimla in any season as every season has its own importance and pleasure.
However, during the winter season, you should go with woolen clothes. On the other hand, spring and summer time is the best time to explore Shimla. Moreover, walking at Shimla Mall Road in autumn season is memorable experience. In Monsoon season, you should avoid visiting it because it rains heavily and sometimes for several days. Temperature also downs to extreme chill level. In addition, humidity also increases to some great level.
9. Shillong [View map]
Founded in the second half of the nineteenth century by the British, Shillong town has enjoyed a cosmopolitan core since its beginnings. This reflects in the unique culture of Meghalaya’s scenic capital – a place where every festival is celebrated with zest and travellers will stumble across cuisines from across the country and the world. Shillong’s modern reputation is built on its love for music and there have been many legendary musicians who call this home.
There are many faces to Shillong – the quiet neighborhoods with whistling pine still thrive but there is also a vibrant downtown area. Shillong is also known for its emerging café culture. Attractions here include the pleasant, tree-lined Ward’s Lake and the sprawling Golf Links – a favourite outdoor recreational space for the residents. Shillong has plenty of hotels, guesthouses and homestays spread across the landscape especially in the centrally located Police Bazaar.
If you want to chart the colonial history of the place, we would recommend the Shillong Heritage Walk.
Very easily people find themselves lost counting the ways Nature on hills can surprise them. The same theory applies in Shillong as well, especially during monsoons. Briskly walking locals, enthusiastically searching tourists, shyly honeymooning couples and the people engrossed in routine life, together with pleasant climate present an admirable picture.
10. Goa Beaches [View map]
When in doubt about the life you lead, you need an escape to a land where struggle takes a back-seat and you drive on a road that leads to a beautiful sunset. Goa beaches are just like that beautiful sunset which calms you down and inspires you to cherish things that matter in life. Your footprints on its soft sand make you proud of how far you have come. The beautiful sunset along with the welcoming strangers remind you of how grateful life has been to you and you find yourself melting in its magnificent culture where everyone is cherished.
One of the most unique tourist attractions in Goa is the serene Butterfly Beach. This union territory houses several beaches, yet few provide a solitary and peaceful experience as Butterfly Beach does. Tourists are mainly attracted to this beach because of its surrounding clear blue waters, which make it the perfect spot to watch the native aquatic life. One can also enhance their experience by going for a boat ride or trying out snorkeling, which is often the prefered option for those who wish to see aquatic flora and fauna from up-close.
11. Agra [View map]
The Taj Mahal has made Agra India’s capital of romance, but there is more to the city than this spectacular monument. Discover its hidden marvels, like Akbar’s Tomb and the ‘Baby Taj’ – the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah. Lose yourself in its lovely food and glittering bazaars, and journey into the old Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri.
The Taj Mahal is an icon of India and one of the top tourist attractions in the world, drawing millions of visitors to the city of Agra every year. This breathtaking landmark is every bit as incredible as you we imagined.
But while most travelers might be eager to escape Agra’s pushy touts and exhausting crowds as soon as they we left the Taj Mahal, you should consider sticking around a bit longer. The Taj Mahal is just one of many amazing places to visit in Agra. While here, you can explore the historically significant Agra Fort; experience the impressively beautiful Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah; see one of the largest mosques in India at Fatehpur Sikri; and find respite in Mehtab Bagh, a serene park in the shadows of the Taj.
12. Mumbai [View map]
The financial and entertainment capital of India, Mumbai is the country’s largest and the most affluent city. Originally a fishing village, Mumbai is now a unique melting pot where starlets and day laborers jostle down busy streets. The mega-city is also a cross of old and new: ancient traditions rub against skyscrapers, while Bollywood shares the stage with Victorian architecture from British rule. Most of all, Mumbai is a city of dramatic contrasts – a place where the yesterday meets today, creating an exciting tomorrow.
Travellers have often struggled to describe Mumbai simply because there is so much to say and even more to see. The City of Dreams, India’s financial capital and a world within a city – Mumbai means different things to different people and that’s where the magic lies. Travellers visiting the city have a long itinerary since there are so many places to visit in Mumbai. From popular restaurants, beaches, historical sites to art galleries, shopping streets and lush gardens, you’ll never be short of options.