Exploring 20 Must-See Attractions in Vibrant India

The options for a vacation in India that reflects the beauty of this diverse country are almost endless. There are national parks, religious sites, cooking classes, and a variety of places to stay that will deliver authentic experiences immersing you in Indian culture.

These fascinating places to visit in India are representative of the culture and color of the country, so when you are planning your vacation, consider taking a risk, getting off the beaten path, and exploring all that India has to offer. You may find yourself staying in a palace or floating in the backwaters on a houseboat. These varied destinations will provide you with some extraordinary ideas for your trip to India.

Cook Indian Food

Address: Devakottai Rd, Senjai, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu 630001, India

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Phone: +91 94431 83021

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Tourists can take cooking classes in India and learn about Indian cuisine. No matter what your level of interest, you will find classes that meet your needs. Single‐day classes are popular among beginners who have a general interest, while extended residential programs cater to those who want to embark on a more in-depth culinary journey. Many homestays in India offer casual Indian cooking classes to guests. The Bangala, located in Chettinad in Tamil Nadu, is one of these options.

For some recommendations on places to hone your Indian cooking skills, visit 12 cooking classes and cooking schools in India. One notable place is Saffron Palate in Delhi, which offers cooking experiences featuring cuisines from all over India, including popular street food. Market walks and customized classes are also available.

Spot Wildlife at a National Park

There are almost 100 national parks and 450 wildlife sanctuaries in India, which serve as huge attractions. Each national park presents unique wildlife and scenery, allowing you to observe everything from tigers to rhinoceros. Many parks are known for having distinct types of wildlife, so your destination will depend on what you wish to see.

• Ranthambore, where you are likely to see Bengal tigers, offers a perfect blend of history and nature with a 10th-century fort and scenic steep cliffs.
• Kanha National Park, the backdrop of Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel The Jungle Book, is home to swamp deer and many other animals in a lush setting.
• Kaziranga National Park allows exploration via elephant safari, providing the opportunity to see the one-horned rhinoceros.

Uncover India’s History and Heritage

Address: Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India

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Phone: +91 562 222 6431

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From the Taj Mahal to Khajuraho, India is filled with historical monuments and rich heritage. Its past showcases a melting pot of various religions, rulers, and empires—all of which have left their marks, providing ample opportunities to see and learn.

If you seek to venture off the beaten track, consider lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Champaner and Pavagadh, which reveal architectural and archaeological treasures from both Muslim and Hindu traditions, including imposing fortresses, palaces, and temples dating between the 8th and 14th centuries. The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is the only unaltered Islamic pre-Mughal city in India.

There are numerous beautiful palaces, primarily located in Rajasthan, built by clans of warrior Rajput rulers. The Pink City of Jaipur features a particularly large number of ornate palaces. Many have transitioned into luxurious hotels due to financial necessity. The remarkable Umaid Bhawan Palace incorporates a museum, royal family residence, and luxury hotel on its premises, all while perched atop Chittar Hill, overlooking the historic Blue City and the Mehrangarh Fort.

Additionally, you can visit impressive historical monuments and significant temples, particularly in southern India. While the Taj Mahal stands as the most renowned, places like Agra Fort, one of the finest Mughal forts, deserve a visit as well. You can explore the various buildings within the fort and enjoy an evening sound and light show.

Be Adventurous

Adventure travel is immensely popular in India, particularly in the Himalaya region, which serves as the backdrop for numerous adventure activities. However, there are abundant options for adventure enthusiasts in southern India as well. Trekking, white-water rafting, paragliding, hot-air ballooning, and even heli-skiing are just a few of the opportunities available.

Some of the most sought-after adventure travel destinations in India include northeast India, which is ideal for exploring tribes, spotting wildlife, climbing peaks, caving, trekking, and jungle exploration. Uttarakhand, bordered by Nepal and Tibet, is replete with unspoiled natural beauty, from ancient holy places and forests to stunning valleys. The Valley of Flowers National Park attracts many visitors for seasonal trekking in that area.

Be Regal

India boasts opulent and authentic palace hotels, formerly the residences of royalty, that have since been converted into luxurious accommodations. Staying in these palaces allows you to experience how royalty once lived. The majority are located in Rajasthan, which was historically divided into separate grandiose Rajput kingdoms.

One romantic option is the Taj Lake Palace, a white marble palace floating in the beautiful Lake Pichola. Guests arrive by boat to this 83-room luxury hotel, where rooms and suites are adorned with elegant yet traditional Indian décor. The elegance continues in the upscale restaurants and bar, all offering sweeping lake views.

Travel on a Houseboat

A trip on a houseboat along Kerala’s backwaters is a quintessential experience in India. The lush green palm-fringed landscape, diverse wildlife, and the villages lining the backwaters make a journey on these waterways seem like an adventure in another world.

The majority of houseboats can be hired from Alleppey, the gateway to the backwaters situated between Kochi and Kollam. Many resorts and luxury hotels also possess their own houseboats, offering sunset cruises and overnight trips. This provides travelers the flexibility to embark on a quick day trip or leisurely explore the scenic backwaters over a week.

Please note that Srinagar in Kashmir also features houseboats, albeit they are moored to the edge of the lake.

Get an Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayurveda represents the medical aspect of yoga and is India’s traditional natural healing system, practiced for over 5,000 years. Ayurvedic resorts have emerged as popular relaxation and rejuvenation destinations in India, while Ayurvedic hospitals provide treatment for more serious health issues. The ideal time to visit is during the monsoon season.

Kerala has been a pivotal center for the development of Ayurveda, thanks to its lush forests and hilly terrains, which are replete with herbs and medicinal plants.

Go on a Camel (or Yak) Safari

Embarking on a camel safari across the rippling, windswept desert allows you to camp under the stars and experience the enchanting rural life of India. Alternatively, you can also ride double-humped Bactrian camels in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley or embark on yak safaris in Spiti.

Learn About Farm Life

Agriculture forms the backbone of the Indian economy, and agritourism is a burgeoning concept revolutionizing travel within the country. The rise of homestays in India has given way to farm stays, essentially homestays on a farm, allowing visitors to experience the delights of rural life and breathe in the fresh country air.

A Syrian Christian family runs Vanilla County, set on a 150-acre organic rubber and spice plantation. Guests can stay in bungalows or “glamping tents” and select from various activities, including swimming in natural rock pools, exploring the plantation grounds, visiting local villages and meditation ashrams, and cruising the Kerala backwaters. Visitors may also opt to stay on a tea estate and tour the beautiful tea plantations.

Meander Through the Mangrove Jungles

Among the largest mangrove jungles globally, India boasts the Sundarbans near Kolkata in West Bengal, which is particularly famous. However, the lesser-known Pichavaram in Tamil Nadu features a significant mangrove jungle and allows deeper exploration by rowboat, unlike Sundarbans National Park, where access is more limited.

Visit India’s Tribes

India, alongside Africa, has one of the world’s largest tribal populations. The tribes of India live closely with nature and inhabit some of the most pristine environments in the country. Remaining largely unaffected by modern civilization, they still practice their rituals and customs, often welcoming visitors with open arms.

If you intend to visit tribes in Odisha, consider joining a tribal tour group, as some tribal regions require permits and can be quite remote. Visitors will benefit from having translators and guidance on local customs. One option to experience this is the 7-day Tribal Wonders tour from Heritage Tours.

Additionally, the small state of Chhattisgarh, bordering Odisha, is home to significant tribal populations, particularly in the Bastar region. Erco Travels provides a 10-day Bastar Tribal Tour, which includes sightseeing in Delhi.

Watch the Sun Set Over the White Salt Desert

Sublime and surreal, much of the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat consists of the world’s largest salt desert, spanning approximately 10,000 square kilometers. Even more remarkable is that this salt desert is submerged during the main monsoon season in India; for the remaining eight months of the year, it presents a vast stretch of solid white salt. Any sunset here is special, especially when accompanied by a full moon.

Explore Spirituality

India holds considerable spiritual allure for both locals and visitors alike. You can attend a Buddhist Vipassana meditation retreat, join an ashram, or learn yoga. A profoundly moving experience is partaking in an evening aarti (fire worship) along the Ganges river, available in locations such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, or Varanasi.

Enjoy a Festival

As a profoundly religious country, festivals are central to the lives of people in India. The diverse and vibrant festivals held throughout the year uniquely present Indian culture in its fullest expression.

Diwali is one of the most recognized festivals, celebrating the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It’s referred to as the “Festival of Lights,” characterized by fireworks, clay lamps, and candles lit across the nation.

The Holi festival, known for its fun and vivid colors, centers around the annihilation of the demoness Holika; however, the most enjoyable aspect involves people playfully throwing brightly colored powders at each other.

Have Fun at an Amusement Park

This segment caters to children and the young at heart! Numerous theme and amusement parks are available throughout India. You can enjoy thrilling rides at venues like Wonderla Bangalore, which features 12 water-based rides, or tour Ramoji Film City near Hyderabad, a popular site where thousands of Indian films are produced annually.

Moreover, you can connect with Indian culture at amusement parks like Kingdom of Dreams, an extensive live entertainment hub that merges Indian culture with performing arts.

Taste Wine at a Vineyard

India’s wine industry is experiencing significant growth, spearheading wine tourism in Nashik, located about four hours from Mumbai in Maharashtra. With nearly 50 wineries operating in and around Nashik, many vineyards now accommodate tasting rooms open to the public.

Catch a Wave

India features some renowned beaches, making surfing a popular activity. Most prime surfing locations can be found in southern India. Intermediate and advanced surfers should aim for the remote spots in the Andaman Islands, accessible only by boat.

For those uninterested in surfing, Varkala beach, approximately 45 minutes north of the capital Trivandrum in Kerala, presents a picturesque setting with a paved walkway along the cliffs offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Yoga and Ayurveda are also prevalent there.

Shop Til You Drop

Address: Chor Bazaar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

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It’s simply impossible to visit India without buying something. Each region specializes in a specific industry passed down through generations. You’ll also find some exceptional handicraft stores in India showcasing unique local crafts. Additionally, explore the top markets in Delhi and visit places like Chor Bazaar in Mumbai for an authentic shopping experience. It’s even possible to embark on a dedicated handicraft tour within India.

In Rajasthan, you will discover vibrant handmade crafts ranging from textiles embroidered with colorful mirror work to block-printed designs. Odisha is famous for its intricate silver jewelry, specifically delicate filigree work found in its second largest city, Cuttack, regarded as the finest in the world.

Immerse Yourself in Indian Culture

Experiential tourism is rapidly gaining popularity in India, offering fabulous off-beat tours that significantly broaden your knowledge of the country beyond standard tourist attractions. From handicraft and art workshops to village visits and even attending an Indian wedding, diverse activities await.

Attending a dance festival presents a wonderful opportunity to understand Indian dance and its cultural significance. One of the major classical Indian dance forms, Kathakali, narrates a story through its vibrant performances. View the elaborately made-up and costumed dancers in various centers across Kerala.

Participating in a walking tour in India also provides a fantastic connection to daily life.

Interact With Elephants

Select carefully when considering places in India where elephants are the main attraction, as some do not treat them well. However, there are ethical tourist-oriented establishments focused on positive interactions with elephants, ensuring the animals are treated humanely. As an alternative, consider visiting rehabilitation centers dedicated to the conservation and well-being of elephants.

Wildlife S.O.S operates as a non-profit organization striving to protect and rescue wildlife in India. The center located in Mathura offers medical treatment to injured and sick elephants and rescues them from abusive environments.