Travel to India for an Addictive, Unforgettable Experience
India is multi-dimensional, intriguing, interesting, intimidating, alluring, captivating and stunning. The diversity, topography, history, culture, wildlife, cuisine and people make it a fascinating South Asian country like no other. If you are looking for unique, amazing and incredible holiday experiences, India is the destination to visit for a holistic vacation. A country of architectural wonders, historical monuments, expansive coastlines, scenic waterfalls, lakes and alpine meadows, dense forests, deserts, and the mighty Himalayas – India finds a place of prominence on the world tourism map. The myriad attractions here are enough to pique the interests of the tourists.
Flights to India will bring tourists to a wonderland where they are offered a thrilling adventure. Get ready to unravel India’s diversity by exploring its different regions, which are unique, vibrant, colorful and full of life.
Top Regions to Visit in India
North India is home to palaces, forts, monuments and mosques. With its iconic Taj Mahal, Amritsar’s Golden Temple, Delhi’s Mughal architecture and grandeur, and Rajasthan’s majestic forts and palace hotels, North India offers a perfect holiday experience for all those who want to soak up the region’s unparalleled history and heritage. The vibrant cultures, colonial charm and scenic vistas will keep you spell-bound when you visit this North India region.
South India is essentially about charisma, culture and cuisine. It is an amazing destination to visit for holidays. Kerala’s famed Ayurvedic treatments and massages, luxurious houseboat tours on lush backwaters, Kochi’s colonial buildings and historic churches, and Kathakali dance performances at night are prime attractions for international tourists. Other attractions worth visiting in the region include the temple town of Madurai and capital Chennai in Tamil Nadu; the sculpture and art in Belur, rock-cut temples in Hampi, and India’s Silicon Valley Bengaluru in Karnataka; the city of Nizams and Telangana’s capital Hyderabad; and the former French enclave of Puducherry.
If you are looking for diverse travel experiences then plan a trip to Central and Western India. The colonial and art deco architecture in Maharashtra's vibrant capital Mumbai and cave paintings of Ajanta and Ellora are enticing. The region is also home to palaces, desert landscapes and gorgeous coastline. Get ready to be welcomed with panoramic beaches, coconut groves, warm waters and delicious seafood as you head to Goa, barely an hour’s flight from Mumbai. A fascinating adventure awaits you at the national parks of Central India, renowned for tiger safaris. The region is also a major attraction for history and culture enthusiasts and spiritual seekers with a series of palaces, medieval forts, and the erotic temples of Khajuraho.
The landscape of East India is varied and dramatic. A trip in this fascinating part of India is a great adventure. Start your trip with a visit to West Bengal’s capital Kolkata, formerly the capital of British India Empire. The Armenian Church, the Paresnath Jain temple, moss-covered headstones in South Park Street cemetery and the 19th-century colonial architecture in the bustling B.B.D. Bagh – aptly portray the multi-cultural influences that shaped Kolkata over the past centuries. Visit Darjeeling for a blissful experience. Sipping a cup of pure Darjeeling tea amidst a colonial ambience in mist-covered tea gardens is a favorite pastime for tourists here. Head to Sikkim for a spiritual journey where the chanting of Buddhist monks reverberates in the air. The dazzling views of snow-capped Mount Kanchenjunga here are bound to mesmerize you. End your East India adventure with a visit to Assam’s Kaziranga National Park where one-horned rhinos will amaze you. This region also attracts tourists with its hidden caves, spectacular waterfalls, unique wildlife and exceptional natural beauty.
The choices are overwhelming for tourists when planning a trip and booking tickets to India. This vivid land of cultural and geographical contrasts has been intriguing and inspiring visitors since several centuries. You will find no other country in the world except India which makes its way right into your heart and mind. A trip to India is totally addictive and veritable treats to the senses. Make your dream come true with astounding travel deals to India now.
Best Time to Visit India
India is a huge country where the weather conditions wildly vary between regions. The best time for enjoying vacation in India is between the months of October and March. This is a great time for attending major Indian festivals like Diwali and Holi. Tourists mostly avoid visiting the country during the monsoon season from July to September. You can however plan a visit to North India during this period when the weather is generally sunny and lovely in summer.
What and Where to Eat
India is a foodie’s paradise. It abounds in street food and snacks. If you are fond of street food then you will enjoy eating the lip-smacking vada (a deep-fried spicy lentil cake), pakoras (potato or vegetables dipped in chickpea flour and deep-fried), samosas (fried pastry triangle with vegetables or meat fillings), bhajis (deep-fried cakes of vegetables in chickpea flour), bhel puris (a mix of puffed rice, potato, deep fried vermicelli and crunchy puri with tamarind sauce), idli sambhar (vegetable and lentil sauce with rice cakes), and chana puri (a chickpea curry with a puri or kulcha). Kebabs are commonly served in North India. You can look forward to relishing different versions of kebabs, such as seekh kebab, shami kebab, and kathi rolls.
Backpacker cafés and tourist restaurants offering a wide choice of Western food can be found across India, especially in big cities frequented by a large number of Western tourists. Several specialist non-Indian restaurants in major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai prominently serve Tex-Mex, French, Italian, Japanese and Thai cuisines. These restaurants are usually found in luxury hotels. Apart from these, international fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, Domino’s and Pizza Hut can be found in many Indian cities serving the same standard fare of international quality at much cheaper prices.
Where to Stay in India
India is affordable where you will accommodate every budget. Whether you are a backpacker or high-end tourist, finding places to stay suiting your needs is easier after spending a few dollars. Whether you choose to stay in hostel dorms or more western 5-star hotels, you will find it all here. Staying in big cities and famous tourist spots has its own advantages as finding mid-range and luxurious 5-star hotels is relatively easy. In major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, boutique stays have become popular. Few big Indian hotels also offer women-only rooms and floors. The choices are however fewer and far between if you head to the countryside for local experiences. Plan to book your hotels much in advance if you are travelling during peak season or national holidays.
Major Festivals in India
India’s rich amalgamation of different religions, languages, ethnic backgrounds, different traditions, diverse history and cultures has rightly made it a land of festivals. Tourists visiting India will revel in taking part in some of these important festivals in the country.
Diwali: Also called the festival of lights, the festival of Diwali is celebrated by Hindus with traditional gaiety and fervour to mark the return of Lord Rama and the triumph of good over evil. The holiday is usually celebrated between mid-October and mid-November, and is marked by the lighting of traditional diyas or candles, fireworks displays and street markets, and fireworks.
Ganesh Chaturthi: This important ten-day festival celebrates the birth of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha. It is mostly celebrated in Maharashtra, with large crowds of worshippers and tourists descending on to the streets of Mumbai to see life-size Ganesha idols being displayed in public areas, homes, and paraded through the streets. The festival concludes with the immersing of Ganesha idols in a body of water on the 10th day.
Navratri: This 9 night festival is mostly celebrated in Gujarat and Maharashtra in the honor of Goddess Maa Durga. It is one of the greatest Hindu festivals, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. The festival is marked by Dandiya dance by youngsters each night. The beautiful idols of Goddess Durga can be seen worshiped everywhere.
Dussehra: Also called Vijaya Dashami, the major Hindu festival of Dussehra denotes the victory of Lord Rama over Demon king Ravana. It is a prime attraction in West Bengal, where large numbers of domestic and international tourists arrive to enjoy the festivities. This most important festival of the country is celebrated on the 10th day of Navratri. The festival is celebrated in various forms throughout India.
Onam: This popular ten-day festival is full of rich traditions, and celebrated in South India, especially Kerala. The festival is celebrated to mark the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. The homes are decorated with intricate floral designs during the festival. It’s a great occasion for feasting, dancing and taking part in spirited snake boat races.
Holi: This is best festival celebrated in India. Also called the festival of colors, it draws huge tourist crowds from all over, especially in Vrindavan. Holi is celebrated to usher in the arrival of Spring. Celebrated in mid-March, Holi marks the triumph of good over evil and converts the whole country into a kaleidoscope of colors. The festival is messy, but is great fun.
Travel Tips for American visitors
- India is a vast country packed with incredible attractions and experiences. Plan a two-week itinerary to visit major places
- No visa is needed for American citizens visiting India for fewer than 60 days stay for tourism purposes. You should instead apply online for an ETA at least four days before departing to India. Without the electronic travel authorization or ETA, visas are not available upon arrival for U.S. citizens. You may be denied entry if you don’t have a valid passport and visa
- Dress modestly throughout your India trip and follow cultural etiquette
