India is a land of many religions, cultures & people. It seems like every state is a treasure trove for travellers who want to explore. It has something for all kind of travellers! From the mighty Himalayas to the chaos of Kolkata, the beautiful backwaters in Kerala to the dusky dunes of Rajasthan; India is this and so much more!
We have the top 21 things to do in India listed out for you below! Prepare for a wild ride ahead:
1) The unforgettable train ride in the midst of the Darjeeling tea estates: Imagine old school train engines, the smell of burning coal, small steam engines winding through the hilly city of Darjeeling to Batasia Loop and back. This ride will take you to a fantasy land which you will never want to come back from!
If you’re in Darjeeling for a short while & can’t think of where to start from, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the best thing to experience! This romantic ride to the yesteryears will leave you feeling refreshed!
Get to know the vibrant culture up close by volunteering, here’s how: https://volunteeringjourneys.com/volunteer-india/
2) Trek on the hills of Mcleod Ganj: This little city is in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. McLeod Gang is also known as the “Little Lhasa” because of its large population of Tibetans. It is also hosts an abode to the Dalai Lama. This small little city has much to offer from the monasteries to Tibetan trinkets that they sell on the roads.
The most amazing part of Mcleod Gang are the mighty view of the Dhauladhar range. The best way to get a better look is to trek to Triund, which is one of the most popular trekking path in the city. You can also camp the night on the beautiful hill-top, not only will you get amazing scenic views of the place but the trek will be unforgettable!
Want to get up close & personal & experience the multicultural life of Indo-Tibetan community? Volunteer at Dharamshala: https://volunteeringjourneys.com/volunteer-india/
3) Get mesmerised by the beauty of the backwaters in Kerala: Kerala is called God’s own country for a reason! The amazing backwaters surrounded by lush green palm trees & quaint boathouses sailing in the lakes are a sight that you will never forget!
If you want to level your experience up a notch, stay in the houseboats overnight & feel the joy of catching your own dinner from the backwaters of Alleppey!
You can also interact with the locals in a much more personal way by volunteering to teach English at the Volunteering Journeys: https://volunteeringjourneys.com/volunteer-india/
Not only will you get to meet some amazing people, but you will also experience the tasty cuisine of Kerala.
4) Visit Asia’s cleanest village- Mawlynnong, Meghalaya: Some places are worth visiting, one such place is Mawlynnong in Meghalaya. Not only is this village spotless, but it’s also one of the prettiest ones you will see! From the cobbled streets to the thatched Khasi huts, this village is a sight to behold! To keep the cleanliness a practice, there are Bamboo huts outside every house.
You will also come across spectacular natural bridges made only from the roots of rubber trees! These bridges are unique to Meghalaya and a sight to behold!
5) Go Scuba Diving in the crystal clear waters of Andaman: Tick of Scuba diving off your bucket list by diving into the deep oceans in Andaman! Conquer your fear & dive in, what you see in the crystal clear waters will blow your mind! The life underwater is another paradise that will keep calling you back for more!
6) Ride on the highest motor-able road in Leh- Get the adventurer in you moving! Plan a trip to the highest road in the world, Khardung- La. The pass on the Ladakh Range lies north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. This is also historically important as it was a major caravan route from Leh to Central Asia. The trans Himalayan road safari is for pure adrenalin junkies. It’s a journey you will never forget. This is the most adventurous road trip in India & even in the world! This will be a road trip of a lifetime, of around 500 km in the midst of snow clad mountains, beautiful roads.
7) Walk over water on the Chadar Frozen river trek: Experience something that very less people do, walking on water! Yes, it’s true. You can do this at the Chadar Trek where the temperature ranges from -5 to -35 degrees. Though it might be daunting, it’s an experience of a lifetime! This trek is stated as one of the most glamorous treks by National Geographic Channel!
The Zanskar river is a fast flowing river confined within a steep canyon. The idea of walking there in a weather which freezes you to the bones can be scary. This river freezes in these temperature and it is then that the most terrifying & beautiful treks take place. People also die in this trek, so be careful of all your possibilities & precautions before taking on this trip.
8) Explore the hills in Kerala, Wayanad: Wayanad is a weekend getaway for many in Bangalore. It has everything that you would want to refresh your mind, great weather, lush green hills & peace. The beautiful coffee & tea plantations add to the place. You can visit many plantations on your trip to get a closer look at how coffee is planted. Drinking freshly brewed coffee? Hell yes.
From pre-historic, Edakkal Caves which date back to 8000 years to the largest dams in Asia with sweeping views; Wayanad has this & a lot more. It even has a couple of Wildlife Sanctuary’s which hosts a number of exotic birds & animals. It has Indian Bison, elephants, deers & tigers too!
If you’re still in the mood for some more adventures, try volunteering at the amazing “Volunteering Journeys”: https://volunteeringjourneys.com/volunteer-india/
9) Explore the ghats in Banaras: Banaras is the most popular pilgrimage site in India & is definitely the most visited! Banaras was in antiquity an area of gently rolling hills, lush forests, and natural springs bordered by the magical waters of the river Ganges. A favoured hermitage site for many of India’s most venerated sages – Guatam Buddha and Mahavira, Kabir and Tulsi Das, Shankaracharaya, Ramanuja and Patanjali all meditated here – Banaras has been and continues to be one of the most visited holy places on the planet.
Everything that you will chant or pray for in Banaras will come back to you multi-fold because of the immense power that this place holds. Though you might get overwhelmed by the sensory overload & the chaos, it will soon give way to a spiritual calm of this place. You will forever carry this peace within you after your visit to the holy Banaras.
10) Experience the charm of the city that never sleeps, Bombay: The largest city of India was initially an accumulation of seven islands on the Konkan coastline. There are numerous attraction in Mumbai from the massive & historical Gateway of India to the famous Marine Drive. The island city has many monuments, museums, gardens, amusements parks & beaches to explore. Some places that wouldn’t want to miss out on are Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Elephanta Caves and Gateway of India.
11) Get in touch with your spiritual side at Auroville, Pondicherry: The French influence on the Pondicherry way of life still lingers in the cobbled streets of Auroville. If you have the time, you can spend days here at this spiritual hub & find lots to do. The Visitors Centre always has a range of programs & workshops for people to enrol in. There are many locally manufactured clothes, spices, bakeries here which you can explore at your own pace. The Matri- Mandir is something that you should visit once for sure! There are a few rules that one has to follow before visiting the Mandir.
Its a peaceful place where one can practice the art of concentration on ones own God. It’s a beautiful experience which you must try out.
Auroville is a small city in itself, where one can live for a couple of months to get back to the roots & reunite with nature.
12) Explore the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary: Get the adventurer in you out, here at the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s located in the Kumaon Hills & is very rich in its flora & fauna. Many call it the valley of flowers because of the flowers that comes to bloom in March. You will get to see the Black Himalayan Bear, Wild boars, Monkeys & many more exotic birds as well. There’s the Binsar Tourist Rest House inside the Sanctuary, where you can stay close to the nature.
13) Explore the Scotland of South, Coorg: Coorg is a quick getaway for many from Bangalore. With its sweeping tea gardens & lush green forests; its the ideal place for that weekend getaway! A visit here will surely bring you closer to nature & yourself. Coorg is officially known as Kodagu. The forest covered hills, coffee & spice plantations are a major attraction & add to the beauty of the place. Coorg is also a honeymooner’s paradise as it offers the peace & quite you would love to have with your special someone!
14) Watching Kolkata come alive during Durga Puja: Kolkata has a charm that no other city has in India. The old-school trams & taxis, the amazing Bengali sweets & chats which line up the streets go Kolkata; is just an added advantage.
If you want to see Kolkata in its true form, visit during Durga Puja. This is the time when the entire city awakens to life & there’s hustle bustle everywhere. As the festival approaches, you will see many artisans making Durga idols on the streets. The beauty & simplicity of the hand work & paintings are astonishing. Kumortuli is a special place where all these idols are made.
You can also try volunteering here to get a closer feel of the culture. You can know more at: https://volunteeringjourneys.com/volunteer-india/
15) Explore the Caves of Meghalaya: Many adventure seekers are obsessed & fascinated with caves. If you are one of them, Meghalaya is the place for you. The caves here are some of the deepest & longest in South Asia. There are more than 20 caves which you can choose to explore during your time in Meghalaya. There are still many unexplored caves here still.
16) Visit the Monument of Love, Taj Mahal: Your visit to India is incomplete without visiting one of the seven wonders of the world. Taj Mahal is located in Agra city of Uttar Pradesh. With the National Highway going here from Delhi, it’s become very easy to reach here if you have your own vehicle.
Go here early, if you want to avoid the crowds & get some good snaps of the monument. Even after visiting it many times, Taj Mahal still leaves many speechless with its grandeur.
17) Rafting & Camping in Rishikesh: Explore the joy of white water rafting in the Ganges at Rishikesh. Not only is it a beautiful city to soak in the Indian culture & spirituality, it offers so much to the thrill-seekers as well. You can camp on the small white sand beaches beside the Ganges & go rafting in the day-time!
18) Wildlife trip to Corbett: Corbett is one of the most popular National Parks in India. Many spot Tigers there. The most endangered species is quite prevalent in this park. You can drive through the thick jungles in jeep safaris & spot the exotic birds & animals here. There are special night-time safaris also! The thrill of a night-time safari is incomparable.
19) Trek to the Valley Of Flowers: Doesn’t the name itself make you excited? In summers, the entire valley located in Himalayas comes to full bloom with vibrant flowers like Blue poppy & Cobra Lilly. This place is so beautiful that you will feel like you’re in a fairytale story! But, beware this is one of the toughest & longest hikes to do. You require good stamina & must be in a good health condition to reach here.
20) Chilling & Partying in Goa: Goa is the party place of India. Many foreigners & hippies make their way to Goa at least once a year to let their hair loose & party! With vast stretches of beautiful beaches & amazing cuisine & people, what’s not to love?
21) Exploring Sikkim: Sikkim is one of the cleanest states in India. There are many spectacular sights here, from the amazing view of the Himalayas to the aesthetic monasteries in Ganktok & the yummy momos on the streets; Sikkim has something for everyone!
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