Have you ticked off these essential places in India?

Culturally immersive and topographically enthralling India has a boundless charm for travellers. Whether it is the monuments full of royal legacies, UNESCO accredited locations, the grand Himalayas, ancient cities like Varanasi, tranquil backwaters, golden beaches or the simple pleasures of local life, there is ample for travellers to do and see. Find out which are the essential places to visit that will give you a rite of passage to call yourself a true India traveller.

Ladakh – Fantastic sights of cold desert glimpses, silver tarmac looping around high altitude mountains and monasteries perched on hilltops are the hallmarks of a Ladakh experience. This is one of the best summer destinations of India, but true adventurers are found here in the winter as well. Despite the snow-clad streets, it is a stunning destination. The Manali-Ladakh sector is a rite of passage for many motorcyclists.

Getting There: Arrive in New Delhi and fly to Leh. Overland journeys are also popular and recommended for acclimatization. The trip from Manali takes 2 days.

Best time to visit: Mid June to end September

Ideal time: 10 -15 Days

Tips: Be mindful of acclimatization as one traverses heights as much as 18000 plus feet. Even travel veterans are prone to altitude sickness.

 

Taj Mahal and Around – Not speaking of Taj as a top place to visit in India, would be ludicrous. Despite being one of the most visited places, it still holds a compelling charm. Visit Agra for the Taj and other Mughal monuments and reserve some time for the neighbouring Fatehpur Sikri and other monuments. This is one of the most popular circuits and a definite highlight of India.

Getting There: Easiest access to Agra is via New Delhi. A cab or train can get you there in 4 hours.

Best time to visit: October to February

Ideal time 3-4 Days

Tips: Avoid weekends when visiting the Taj Mahal, as it is crawling with local travellers. Friday is closed.

 

Backwaters of Kerala – Cruising on the backwaters in Kerala is truly a unique experience. Hop aboard a well-equipped houseboat and glide through the slim canals that make and see local life at close quarters. This is the perfect mix for a plush holiday with a local flavour.

Getting There: Ernakulum and Trivandrum have International Airports for easy access.

Best time to visit: October to February in the cooler months

Ideal time: 24 hours on a houseboat and 4 days for sightseeing around.

Tips: Hotels and experiences get swiftly booked well ahead of the season, so plan early.

 

 Varanasi – Presumably the oldest enclave on earth, Varanasi has a definitive religious tenor but is great for cultural immersion as well. Hindus believe that getting cremated here helps in the smooth transition to breaking the cycle of life and death. Apart from exposure to many burning ghats, everything is not so poignant about the city. Varanasi is a major hub for food, classical music and silk weaving. Its stepped ghats along the Ganga River and life behind them, draw many travellers.

Getting There: The Varanasi Airport is well connected to major cities across the world.

Best time to visit: November to February in cooler months

Ideal time: 4 days

Tips: Photographers will find plenty of subjects here.

 

Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur– With a profusion of blogs and brochures about Rajasthan, its image about grand heritage hotels and camel safaris over sandy mounds precedes it. It is one of the most popular destinations of India, and should be counted amongst essential experiences if you’re here. Each city is blessed with great architecture, shopping hubs, unique food and relics in the form of palaces and forts. But what trumps the experience is staying in one such refurbished property and feeling like royalty.

Getting There: Jaipur, the capital and Udaipur have International Airports.

Best time to visit: November to February in the cooler months

Ideal time: 1 week

Tips: Book your hotels and experiences well in advance, as this is a top spot of the country.