Discover the best places to visit in India, from the Golden Triangle and the royal forts of Rajasthan to the Kerala backwaters, the Himalayas and the beaches of Goa. These India travel destinations bring together UNESCO World Heritage sites, vibrant culture, temple tours, spiritual tours of India, wildlife safaris and scenic landscapes. As a trusted India tour operator based in India, we design customised India holidays with private guides and handpicked hotels, so you experience the best of Incredible India at your own pace.
Agra is the heart of India’s Mughal heritage and home of the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest example of Mughal architecture. Also see Agra Fort and the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, known as the Baby Taj. Sunrise is the best time to see the Taj, which is closed on Fridays.
Delhi, India’s capital, blends Mughal heritage, colonial avenues and lively bazaars. The top places to visit in Delhi include three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, plus India Gate, Jama Masjid and the lanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. The best time to visit Delhi is October to March.
Fatehpur Sikri is Emperor Akbar’s abandoned red sandstone Mughal city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about an hour from Agra. Top things to see are the Buland Darwaza, the Jama Masjid, the Panch Mahal and the white marble tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chishti, all masterpieces of Mughal architecture.
Jaipur, the Pink City of India and a UNESCO World Heritage City, is known for Amber Fort, the Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory. Top things to do in Jaipur include shopping its bazaars for textiles, gemstones and jewellery. The best time to visit is October to March.
Jodhpur, the Blue City of Rajasthan, spreads beneath Mehrangarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest forts in India. The best places to visit in Jodhpur are Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, the blue lanes of the old city and the clock tower market, known for spices and handicrafts.
Jaisalmer, the Golden City, rises from the Thar Desert around Jaisalmer Fort, a living fort and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Top things to do in Jaisalmer include the carved Patwon Ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake and a sunset camel safari on the Sam sand dunes.
Udaipur, the City of Lakes and the Venice of the East, is Rajasthan’s most romantic destination. The best places to visit in Udaipur are the City Palace, Lake Pichola, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon Ki Bari and Fateh Sagar Lake, with a sunset boat ride as the highlight.
Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places in India to see Bengal tigers in the wild, set around the UNESCO-listed Ranthambore Fort. The tiger reserve is open from October to June, with jungle safaris each morning and afternoon. The hot months before the monsoon often bring the best tiger sightings.
Ajmer and Pushkar are two neighbouring holy towns in Rajasthan. Ajmer is home to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, while Pushkar has the sacred Pushkar Lake and a rare Brahma Temple. The famous Pushkar Camel Fair is held each autumn.
Kashmir, often called Paradise on Earth, is known for Srinagar’s Dal Lake, Mughal gardens and houseboats, with the meadows of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg a short drive away. The best time to visit Kashmir is April to October for greenery and tulips, or December to February for snow.
Ladakh, the Land of High Passes, is a high-altitude desert of Buddhist monasteries, mountain passes and blue lakes. The best places to visit in Ladakh are Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and the Thiksey and Hemis monasteries. The best time to visit Leh Ladakh is May to September.
Himachal Pradesh is a land of hill stations, apple orchards and Himalayan valleys. The best places to visit in Himachal are Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and the Spiti Valley. Visit in summer for cool mountain weather and in winter for snowfall.
Manali is a Himalayan hill station on the Beas River in the Kullu Valley. Top places to visit in Manali are Hadimba Temple, Old Manali, Solang Valley for snow and adventure sports, and the Atal Tunnel. Rohtang Pass opens in summer, subject to permits.
Shimla, the Queen of Hill Stations, was the summer capital of British India. The best places to visit in Shimla are the Mall Road, the Ridge, Christ Church, Jakhoo Temple and Kufri. Ride the Kalka-Shimla toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage railway.
Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, known as Little Lhasa, are home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community. Top things to do are visiting the Tsuglagkhang complex and Bhagsu Waterfall, and trekking to Triund for views of the Dhauladhar range.
Dalhousie is a quiet colonial hill station in Himachal Pradesh spread over five hills. The best places to visit in Dalhousie are its pine-lined trails, Dainkund Peak and the meadow of Khajjiar, known as the Mini Switzerland of India.
Amritsar is the spiritual centre of Sikhism and home of the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib). The top places to visit in Amritsar are the Golden Temple at dawn or after dark, Jallianwala Bagh, the Partition Museum and the Wagah Border ceremony. Do not miss the Punjabi food.
Uttarakhand, known as Devbhoomi or the Land of the Gods, is a Himalayan state of pilgrim towns, lakes and forests. The best places to visit in Uttarakhand are Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of the World, Haridwar, Nainital, Mussoorie, Jim Corbett National Park and the UNESCO-listed Valley of Flowers.
Nainital, the Lake District of India, is a hill station in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand. The best places to visit in Nainital are Naini Lake, Snow View Point by ropeway, Naina Devi Temple and the Mall Road. Nearby Bhimtal and Sattal are quieter.
Mussoorie, the Queen of the Hills, is a hill station above Dehradun in Uttarakhand. The best places to visit in Mussoorie are the Mall Road, Camel’s Back Road, Gun Hill by cable car, Kempty Falls and the quiet lanes of Landour.
Jim Corbett National Park is India’s oldest national park and a leading tiger reserve, known for Bengal tigers, elephants and birdlife. Jungle safari zones include Dhikala, Bijrani and Jhirna. Most of the park is open from mid-November to mid-June.
Kausani is a small hill station in Uttarakhand, often called the Switzerland of India, with a wide Himalayan view of Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchachuli. Top places to visit are Anasakti Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed, the Kausani tea estate and the Baijnath temples.
Binsar is a forested ridge near Almora inside the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand. Top things to do are walking to Zero Point for panoramic Himalayan views, birdwatching and visiting the old Binsar Mahadev Temple.
The Char Dham Yatra is the sacred Hindu pilgrimage to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand. The shrines open around late April or May and close in October or November.
Sikkim is a small Himalayan state of Buddhist monasteries and Kanchenjunga views. The best places to visit in Sikkim are Gangtok, Pelling, Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass and Lachung. The best time to visit Sikkim is March to May and October to December.
Darjeeling is a famous hill station and tea town in West Bengal. Top things to do in Darjeeling are watching sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill, riding the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and touring a Darjeeling tea estate.
Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, strung along a Himalayan ridge. Top places to visit in Gangtok are MG Marg, Rumtek Monastery, Hanuman Tok and the ropeway, with Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass as day trips.
Pelling is a quiet hill town in West Sikkim with close views of Mount Kanchenjunga. The best places to visit in Pelling are Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, the glass Skywalk and the sacred Khecheopalri Lake.
Kerala, God’s Own Country, is known for the Alleppey and Kumarakom backwaters, the Munnar tea gardens, Periyar wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady, historic Fort Kochi and the beaches of Kovalam and Varkala. The best time to visit Kerala is September to March.
The Lakshadweep Islands are a chain of coral islands off the Kerala coast with turquoise lagoons, coral reefs and white-sand beaches. Entry requires a permit and visitor numbers are limited, which keeps the islands unspoiled.
The Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal are known for clear water, coral reefs and white-sand beaches. The best places to visit in Andaman are the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island and quiet Neil Island. The best time to visit is October to May.
Ahmedabad is India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City. The best places to visit in Ahmedabad are the Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi, the Adalaj Stepwell, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque and the old city on a morning heritage walk.
Hyderabad, the City of Pearls and the city of the Nizams, is known for the Charminar, Golconda Fort, Chowmahalla Palace and the Salar Jung Museum. Do not miss the famous Hyderabadi biryani.
Mumbai, the City of Dreams, is India’s largest city and the home of Bollywood. The best places to visit in Mumbai are the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Victorian Gothic buildings, and the Elephanta Caves by ferry.
Goa is India’s favourite beach destination, known for beaches, Portuguese-era churches and nightlife. North Goa is livelier and South Goa is quieter. Top places to visit in Goa are the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fort Aguada and Dudhsagar Falls. The best time to visit Goa is November to February.
Rajasthan, the Land of Kings, is India’s royal state of hill forts, lake palaces and Thar Desert towns. The best places to visit in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer, along with six UNESCO-listed hill forts. The best time to visit Rajasthan is October to March.
Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is the spiritual capital of India and one of the world’s oldest living cities. Top things to do in Varanasi are a sunrise boat ride on the Ganga, the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and a trip to Sarnath.
Prayagraj, formerly Allahabad, stands at the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Top places to visit are the Sangam, Allahabad Fort and Anand Bhavan. Prayagraj hosts the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Bodhgaya is the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage site, the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the sacred Bodhi Tree are surrounded by monasteries built by Buddhist countries.
The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The Ajanta Caves are known for ancient Buddhist paintings and the Ellora Caves for the rock-cut Kailasa Temple. Ajanta is closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays.
Central India means Madhya Pradesh, the Heart of India. Top places to visit are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Khajuraho, Sanchi Stupa and the Bhimbetka rock shelters, and the tiger reserves of Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench.
Bangalore (Bengaluru) is the Garden City and the Silicon Valley of India. The best places to visit in Bangalore are Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore Palace, Cubbon Park and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. It is the gateway to Mysore, Coorg and Ooty.
Mysore (Mysuru), the City of Palaces, is best known for Mysore Palace, which is lit up on Sunday evenings. Top places to visit in Mysore are Chamundi Hill, Brindavan Gardens, Devaraja Market and Srirangapatna. Mysore Dasara is the main festival.
Ooty, the Queen of the Nilgiris, is a hill station in Tamil Nadu. Top things to do in Ooty are riding the Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visiting the Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak and the tea estates of Coonoor.
Bhopal, the City of Lakes, is the capital of Madhya Pradesh. The best places to visit in Bhopal are the Upper Lake, the Taj-ul-Masajid and the Tribal Museum, with the UNESCO-listed Sanchi Stupa and Bhimbetka rock shelters as day trips.
The Khajuraho temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Chandela dynasty, famous for their detailed stone sculptures. The Western Group of temples, including Kandariya Mahadeva, is the highlight. Panna National Park is nearby.
Odisha is a state of temples, beaches and craft villages on the Bay of Bengal. The best places to visit in Odisha are the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jagannath Temple in Puri, the temples of Bhubaneswar and Chilika Lake.