India is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous country in the world. It is a country known for budget travel and famous for its many forts and palaces. Here you to discover and explore the mighty mountains of Himalayas or visit the numerous ancient temples. The country offers a myriad of experiences for your senses – from the crowded bazaars, blaring traffic, bollywood music, the crowded roads, the noise and not to forget, the chaos – you're sure to be overwhelmed when you travel through India.
The country can be broadly categorised into Northern India, Southern India, North-Eastern India, Western India and Eastern India. Visit the overwhelmingly beautiful Himalayan ranges in northern India, the culturally rich northern plains around the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, Kerala backwaters in the southern part of India, the famous tea gardens in north-eastern India, the royal palaces in Western India and the ancient cities in the eastern region.
Personally, I prefer to head straight for the Himalayas, far from the madding crowds. Kashmir, by far, is the best abode in the Himalayas as it is relatively less densely populated than other parts of the country and offers scenic views of the encompassing Himalayan range from the Srinagar valley.
Fun Facts About India
- The Taj Mahal is slowly changing color
- During World War II, the Taj Mahal was disguised as a bamboo stockpile
- Cows are considered sacred
- Tea is the national beverage of India
- India has one of the lowest divorce rates in the world
- India is the wettest inhabited place on Earth
- Shampoo originated in India
- India has the world’s highest motorable road
- Around 70% of the world’s spices come from India
- India was the first country to mine diamonds
- India has 22 recognized languages
- India has the highest population of vegetarians
- The world’s largest sundial is located in India
What To See, Where To Go
Although my personal favourite tourist destination is Kashmir, there are other places of interest that you can explore while on holiday in India. Some of the places that might be worth a visit are:
Manali
Kashmir
Gulmarg
Leh Ladakh
Andaman
Mount Abu
Kanha National Park
Jim Corbett National Park
Ranthambore
Coorg
Lakshadweep
Goa
Gangtok
Cherrapunji
Kaziranga National Park
Kalimpong
Munnar
Ooty
Best Time To Visit India
The best time to visit India is in the winter, from December until early March. The whole country tends to get very hot from April onwards and most regions experience the summer monsoon in at least June, July, August and September.
Where to Stay in India
Here is a list of luxury hotels, lodges and resorts that you could consider when choosing your accommodation during your vacation in Zimbabwe:
- Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
- Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
- Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
- The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg
- The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
- Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
- Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
- Aman-i-Khas, Ranthambore National Park
- Solang Valley Resort
How To Get There
India is connected to the world through numerous international daily flights via its many international airports. Travellers from the Middle East usually enter India through one of its two biggest airports for international visitors, namely New Delhi and Mumbai. Others also use Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai airports for regional travel.
Visa Requirements
For most nationalisites a visa is required to enter, exit or transit through India. India issues various types of visas, including e-visas. Apply for the right visa for your travel and ensure that it’s valid for the purpose and duration of your stay to avoid problems at the immigration desk at the Indian airports.
Getting Around
The best way to travel between cities is to take one of the many domestic flights. Most of India’s major cities are connected via multiple daily flights and the cost of a domestic ticket is often competitively prices. Tickets for domestic flights can also be booked online.
You can also hire a car with a driver at a nominal price from any of the cities. This is a popular and affordable option in India. Exploring India using a car is, by far, the best way to explore the country's various tourist attractions although frequent traffic snarls in cities can get frustrating at times.
Itinerary: Editor's Suggestions
India is huge country and preparing an itinerary can get confusing. I, therefore, prefer to concentrate on my areas and places of interest when preparing for a trip to India. Here is one such itinerary I share with you:
- Days 1-3: Delhi
- Day 4: Fly to Srinagar
- Day 5: Dal Lake + Round of golf at the Golf Club
- Day 6: Gulmarg and surroinding areas
- Days 7-9: Pahalgam
- Days 10-11: Sonmarg
- Days 12-14: Leh, Ladakh.
- Day 15: Fly back home!
India in Pictures
