Anpu has always wanted to travel to India and when he asked me about the best places to visit, I just had to make a blog post about it. This post will act as a travel guide not only for Anpu, but for all of you who also want to venture into the vast lands of India.
The exotic aroma of spices from Kerala to the roof of the world- the Himalayas, India is wrapped up with wonderful surprises and unexplored havens of nature. So, here are my top 29 picks for the best places to visit in India:
Please note: ALL photos are not taken by Anpu
1.Leh-Ladakh –Every biker’s paradise!
Undisputedly Leh-Ladakh is on the bucket list of every Indian. Get stuck in the middle of nowhere, sleep with the locals, ride on the whimsical winding roads and learn to savour every part of your life and be independent as you undertake this adrenaline filled journey.
2. Srinagar- A gem in the heart of Kashmir!
If there is a heaven on Earth, then this is it. Experience the charismatic charm of Kashmir which will surely take your breath away and leave you spellbound.
3.The Valley of Flowers- Where flower blossoms, so does hope!
The valley of flowers is carpeted with over 300 flower species. This paradisaical UNESCO World Heritage Site located at an altitude of 3858 meters above the sea level. You have to get to this place only by trekking; the route is treacherous yet fascinating.
Even if you are a novice in trekking, throw your caution to the air and give this place a try.
4.Hampi- Where time stands still…
Not influenced by the sands of time, time stands still here. The old monumental and architectural beauty will dispose you to another dimension of aesthetics.
5. Andaman Islands- An amazing archipelago!
A haven in the Bay of Bengal, an aqua lovers’ paradise, Andaman has the most vibrant coral reefs in India. If you want to delve a little deeper into the blue seas, then you should come to Andaman.
6.Goa-The official party hub of India!
Young and energetic, amazing nightlife, dirt cheap prices, variety of booze, beach shacks makes Goa one of the best holiday destinations in India.
7. Udaipur- The romantic white city!
Tagged as the Venice of the East this city’s vibes are romantic, soothing and energetic at the same time. Udaipur boasts the most gracious luxury hotels in India.
Boating, trekking, sightseeing are some cool activities which will make your trip memorable.
8. Darjeeling- The Darjeeling Limited.
Darjeeling is a common name to all those who love chai more than anything else as many international renowned tea brands import tea from Darjeeling. Refreshing greenery, toy trains run by the Himalayan Railways, amicable ambiance by the locals and an unforgettable experience.
9.Ziro Valley- An escape for peace seekers.
Silent, serene and sublime is what Ziro is synonymous with. It is famous for the Ziro Festival. Not a very popular tourist destination yet, still this place never fails to please you.
You can also visit the Tawang Monastery which happens to be the world’s largest working monastery located in the same state.
10. Varanasi- The spiritual capital of India.
The land of the mystic saints and the ghats of this world which act like bridges between life and death make Varanasi or Banaras a must visit place. Then there are the narrow alleys where you can get lost and have whimsical encounters.
11. Kutch- A riot of colours in the sky!
The state of Gujarat offers a panoramic scene of a plethora of colours and heritage. The famous Kite Festival will make you feel that there is no difference between the sky and the colourful land of Gujarat.
12. Delhi- The “small capital” of India with a big heart!
Call it New Delhi or simply Delhi, the city is filled with exquisite delicacies, amicable people, crowded alleys, a lot of quirks and architectural marvels.
Delhi is like a colour palate representing the colours of all the cultures present in India. After all it’s the capital city of India.
13. Jim Corbett National Park- An adventurous jungle adventure.
If you are an adventurer and love jungles, then this place is just for you. It’s famous for tiger sightings. The wilderness here becomes hospitable with luxurious resorts that allow you to stay closer to the nature while you enjoy the best of comfort. And if you are a photography enthusiast like Anpu, Corbett will never leave you disappointed.
14. Auli- A heaven for ski lovers!
The skiing capital of India, Auli is one of the most beautiful places to travel to if you’re into skiing. Auli is the land of the most beautiful sunsets, captivating views of the Himalayas which you will never have enough of. If you wanna try skiing you need to visit here in winter and even in other time this place never fails to mesmerise you.
15. Sikkim- Home of ancient Buddhist monasteries.
Feel the mystical essence of Buddhism, be close to nature and make your soul calm. Maybe you can volunteer with the monks and master the art of giving at one of the best places in India.
16. Agra- The land of the Taj: An epitome of love.
Home to the Taj Mahal- one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this place never fails to amaze us. Tourists across the world visit this place just to witness this spectacular symbol of love.
17. Jodhpur- This royal city will make you bleed blue!
Not all blues are gloomy and Jodhpur is a perfect example of that. Most of the houses in this city are painted blue. If you want to enjoy the rich culture and heritage of India, then the state of Rajasthan is only for you. It still shines in its full royal glory.
18. Mumbai- The city that never sleeps!
Mumbai is the city of dreams.
A popular saying goes on like this: “If this city accepts you, it will make you a king from a vagabond but if it doesn’t you will turn into a vagabond from a king.”
This city is all about a carefree lifestyle, buzzing nightlife and of course the Arabian Sea.
19. Assam- The home to one horned rhinos.
Set amidst lush greenery and comprised of rich flora and fauna, Assam is always awesome. You should visit the Kaziranga National Park and the Manas National Park at least once in your life.
20. Jaisalmer- The Golden City of Rajasthan.
Jaisalmer is surely one of the best cities to visit in India.
Exhibiting the magic of velvet sand dunes meshed with the ever colourful culture of the state. Jaisalmer is also about adventure sports such as camel safari, dune bashing, desert camping. Overall, it is an experimental stay with all the luxuries you could wish for.
21. Manali- The snowy paradise!
Nestled in the lap of the snow-capped mountains, Manali is unarguably a popular gem in the heart of Himachal Pradesh. A mesmerising combination of nature, peace and adventure is totally worth visiting.
22. Cherapunji- The land of living root bridges!
Come get wet in the wettest place on this Earth. Situated in the state of Meghalaya (translates into “the abode of the clouds”), home to natural wonders, living root bridges, limestone caves and the surreal beauty will leave you awestruck for sure.
23. Kolkata- The sweetest part of India!
Literally the sweetest part of India and also my hometown, this city is an amalgamation of charm, culture and creative minds. The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated here with pomp and grandeur. The divine taste of the Bengali sweets will surely make your trip
memorable.
24. Kasol- The trekker’s paradise!
If you wanna challenge yourself and find a new direction, not only a new direction but a new you then there’s no better place than Kasol. You will return will experiences of a lifetime. So what are you waiting for, pack your bags and get ready.
25. Pondicherry- French toast served with Indian curry!
Famed to be the French Riviera of the East, this quaint little French beach town happens to be one of the famous tourist destinations in India. Those who are looking for a laid back beach vacation; this town is more than perfect for them.
26. Coorg- Breathtakingly Beautiful!
A sweet escapade into the arms of nature will rejuvenate your body as well as your soul. Known as the Scotland of the East this place is not buzzing with tourists and is too calm and serene that will help you intoxicate of the stress of your daily life.
27. Rishikesh- The adventure sports capital of India.
Adrenaline gushing through your nerves and the feeling your heart beating in your chest is what Rishikesh is all about. A place bursting with energy and enthusiasm on the banks of the fiercely fast flowing Ganges, this place will never fail to leave you in splendour.
28. Rameswaram- One step closer to spirituality.
This town is situated on an island in the state of Tamil Nadu offers a lot of spirituality. It is not as much crowded as Banaras. If you want a spiritual experience without the crowd, then I would suggest that Rameswaram is the perfect place for you.
29. Kerala- The Magical God’s Own Country!
To all the nature lover’s out there. A trip to the God’s Own Country is a must at least once in your life for its enchanting wilderness. Luscious green trees, pristine water, crazy wildlife experience- visit Kerala for more such wonderful delights. Some of the must visit destinations are Alleppey, Munnar, Wayanad, Thekkady, Kovalam, Bekal, Kozhikode, and Varakala.
The rich cultural and geographical diversity of India cannot be framed into these 29 places. The list is endless.