India is the largest country in the South Asia Region, and shares International borders with Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Tibet. From magnificent Himalayan ranges to vibrant beaches of Indian Ocean, india has a blessed topography. Talking about the tourist places in India, it is a land of timeless monuments, forts, palaces and their ruins and many heritage and archeological sites which are built around stories from the past. The capital of India is Delhi. It is a city of many mughal monuments and colonial-era parliament buildings and bustling lanes and busy streets. Indian Islands like Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep are some secluded land which are surrounded by the Indian oceans and are best for the water enthusiasts. Indian is a country of colorful festivals, amazing remote mountainous villages, famous rivers like Indus, Brahmaputra and Ganges and serves as base to many Himalayan treks. You get to see vestiges of lost empires in almost every neighborhood in India which are evidences to its glorious and rich history.
India is a land of turbans, moustaches, bright saris, palaces, rivers and mountains, one thing which you must know that there are more than 20 languages which are spoken in India, Hindi is not commonly spoken by everyone but a large chunk of the population speaks Hindi. English can be understood in almost every parts of India, perhaps, not remote villages. India is a multitude of culture and tradition topped with a history that still stands in its forts and palaces, which form the major part of the tourist places in India.
There are a number of foreigner tourists visiting India and hence, there are a lot of scammers who try to fool tourists by selling souvenirs, local dresses, jewelry and a lot of other things. So, do not speak to strangers easily.
Always carry sufficient cash with you but take care of it because incidences of pick pocketing and stealing are very common here.
Do not trust any tourist agency unless you check for their authorization. Usually book your tour facilities from an authorized tour agency.
Do not travel alone at night in lonely areas.
Carry your passport and other identity proofs at all times.
Try to find fellow travelers from your city/country and keep in touch with them if you are a solo traveler.
People can fool you and send you to wrong addresses and hence, carry a map and GPS device and trust only the given directions.
The drinking laws in India are different for every state, being from 18 years to 25 years, but in most of the states and Union territories, it is 21 years.
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The best time to visit India is from October to March. India is large with diverse weather patterns. The Himalayas stop cold winds from reaching most of India so winters remain warm and summers can get very hot. The majority of India is tropical and is affected by three main seasons; summer, winter and monsoon.
Fly to India from any corner of the world. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad are some major international airports in India. These airports serve traffic across the globe and are tend to be situated on the outskirts of the cities, not all though. To get in and around the city, there are prepaid taxis and auto rickshaws stationed outside the terminus.
Visa is required to everyone who is traveling to India. A 60 day, double entry electronic visa for citizens of 161 countries was introduced by the government of India, for further inquiries check on the official website. One can obtain a tourist visa for maximum of 6 months.
Rupee is the currency of India and you can exchange your money on arrival at the airport of India. There are several booths for currency exchange where you can get your money exchanged, which are usually available before you leave the custom area so keep checking. Always insist on a currency exchange receipt.
Spain being large in size, has many destinations to visit with Madrid and Barcelona being the most popular. Even the lesser visited destinations like Ibiza is now growing on the rise as a popular destination among youngsters. Here is a list of the major tourist attractions in Spain:
Indian people live around food and just food; boasting a taste for uniqueness and varieties, here are some of the famous local foods which Indians are fond of.
Bhel Puri and Sev Puri in Mumbai
Malaiyo and Rasmalai in Banaras
Chhole Bhature, Golgappe, Haleem and Nihari in Delhi
Apang, Arunachal Pradesh
Gushtaba, Rista, and Roghan Josh in Kashmir
Biryani in Hyderabad
Galawati beef or mutton kebabs in Lucknow
Dal Bati Churma and Laal maas in Rajasthan
Paratha and Lassi in Amritsar and Delhi
Darjeeling Tea and Kerala coffee
Dhokla, Khakra, Khandwis and Thepla in Gujarat
Litti Chokha and Jhaal muri in Bihar
Dosa and Idli in Mysore
Sondesh and Gulab jamun in Kolkata
In metro or big cities, auto rickshaws and Taxis are available. If you plan to travel interstate of inter cities then planes and trains are some good options, however trains in India can be notoriously crowded and may exceed the expected arrival or departure time, hence try to book in advance for a confirm seat.
Another great option is hire a cab or a car with a driver and wander if you wish to travel at the ease of your comfort.
Confirm with your health specialist about your routine vaccination. Besides the routine vaccination, all the travelers are also advised to get travel vaccines like Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, and rabies after discussing with your travel health specialist. As India is a developing country, the effect of food and water content may vary from individual to individual but getting the above mentioned vaccines can ensure a safe travel in India.
There are more than 20 languages which are spoken across the country and each region can have a different local language than the other. Hindi is spoken widespread but not by everyone and English can be understood in most part of the country.
"Namaskar" (hello), "shukriya" (thank you), "aap kaise hai" (how are you), "kitna hai" (how much) and "naam kya hai" (what's your name), these are some of the common greetings, expressions which are used in India and can be helpful on your trip to this country.
If you do not shop in India on your visit, you are doing injustice to yourself as where else can you find the colorful, varied and multitude of art inspired stuffs?
India is a land of diverse flora and Fauna and a unique Himalayan jungles. This list of famous wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in India is given below:
This seven days celebration is held on the auspicious day of full moon in Kartik month which falls between October and November. This year the Puskar Mela/ Pushkar Fair is from 28th October till 04th November.
This is an annual camel and livestock fair, which is celebrated in the town of Pushkar. This fair is famous for being one of the world’s largest cattle fairs.
The places which are famous for water-sports activities are Goa, Andaman Islands, Gokarna, Lakshadweep and Maharashtra. If your trip is solely dedicated to water sports activities then head to Goa, Lakshadweep and Andaman islands to experience the best of India.
The eco friendly way of exploring India can grant you some of the best routes and trails to pedal through and enjoy the scenic panorama.Also there are some best motorbike tours in India that is the dream of every bike rider. Take a note of these routes for the best cycling tours in India:
The impressive interiors, breathtaking carriages and opulent lights of the luxury trains are just not enough. You get to live the royal lifestyle of former rulers of India while travelling on these trains. Trains visiting Rajasthan can be an impressive journey across the breadth and length of the state that displays the heritage, culture, richness and the traditions of this country in its hospitality, opulence and grand luxury.
India is a vast and bewildering country, it is a huge land so this is literally can give a culture shock but some things which are to be kept in mind while traveling to India are mentioned below:
The Thar Desert is the main desert land in India, however sand dunes and deserted areas can be found in some more regions of India which are listed below:
There are uncountable treks to which India can serve as a base, given below are some of the famous trails which are trekked with sheer fondness and love.
The coastal region of India is quite large and phenomenal for activities such as scuba diving, check out these destinations for watersports like Scuba.
Listed below are the most famous Hill stations in India; as being the popular destinations, you can find a swarm of tourist in these hill stations but these main stations can connect you to some equally majestic location in villages nearby or towns which are less famous but are less crowded too.
o India is a land of history, regal lineages and archeological ruins. Here is a comprehensive list of the ageless forts and palaces which were crafted ages ago yet they stand testimony to the test of time.
There are all types of places in India for a family holiday. From the architectural trails of the past to the serene valleys of Himalayas and Nilgiris, religious getaways to ocean hideaways; India is a package that no one denies.
o The paradise of India: Himachal Pradesh
o Heaven on Earth: Kashmir
o The Golden Triangle: Delhi-Agra-Jaipur
o Northeast: Meghalaya, Darjeeling, Assam, Nagaland.
o The religious and adventurous combo: Haridwar and Rishikesh
o Rajasthan Jewels: Jodhpur and Udaipur
o Nainital and Jim Corbett National Park
o The Indian Islands: Andaman and Nicobar
o God’s own country: Kerala
o The holy city: Banaras
o Puri in Orissa
o City of Dreams: Mumbai
o Kashmir of South: Coorg, Ooty, Kodaikanal
There are myriad of things which a couple can enjoy in India depending on the interest of a person. Some of the things which are trending as couple activities are mentioned here:
A comprehensive list of places which are mostly visited for a honeymoon in India are:
o Srinagar (Kashmir)
o Jaisalmer (Rajasthan)
o Lakshadweep
o Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
o Andaman Islands
o Manali (Himanchal Pradesh)
o Goa
o Udaipur (Rajasthan)
o Alleppey (Kerala)
o Coorg (Karnataka)
o Gangtok (Northeast India)
o Munnar (Kerala)
o Coonor (Karnataka)
o Matheran (Maharashtra)
o Mussoorie (Uttarakhand)
o Mt. Abu (Rajasthan)
o Lonavala and Khandala (Maharashtra)
o Hampi (Karnataka)
o Meghalaya (Northeast India)
o Leh (Ladakh)
There roads are scenic and loaded with adventure on these routes. Make your India bike trip an exhilarating experience by riding on these terrains.
o Guwahati to Tawang
o Manali to leh ladakh
o Shillong to Cherrapunjee
o Jaipur to Jaisalmer
o Mumbai to Goa
o Delhi to Nainital
o Ahmedabad to Kutch
o Shimla to Spiti Valley
o Valparai to Vazhachal Forest
o Chennai to Pondicherry
o Delhi – Ranthambore
o Darjeeling to Sikkim
Himalayas are the strength of India and is considered a shield that is worshipped by the people in India. The magnificent appearance and firmness of these mountains can be experienced from many places in India, some of which are listed below.
o Suru Valley, Zanskar Valley, Nubra Valley (Leh Ladakh)
o Parvati and Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
o Spiti and Lahaul Valley, Himachal Pradesh- Kaza, Tabo, Nako.
o Betab Valley
o Kinnaur Valley, Himachal Pradesh- Sangla, Raksham Chitkul
o Bhagirathi Valley, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
o Brahmaputra Valley, Assam
o Doon Valley
o Har ki Doon Valley, Uttarakhand
India is surrounded by the Ocean on three sides and that denotes the presence of endless beaches. The most famous beaches in India are:
India is known as the birthplace of Yoga Vidya. The best places where you can find numerous yoga retreats to learn and practice are:
If you don’t find timeless temples in India, where else in the world will you find then? The most famous temples in India are:
India is a treasure trove of archeological sites, some of the most famous UNESCO world heritage sites in India are:
A large chunk of the Indian land still belongs to rustic and raw villages and the best way to experience them is by taking a village safari on the given routes and destinations:
Some of the must carry things to your trip to India are listed below based on people’s experiences.
Ayurveda healing in India is an art of medication since inception and the best places to enjoy a retreat can be:
India is known for its heritage and cultural diversity; some of the famous heritage destinations in India are:
India is a very vast countries and not every city is a night city. The nightlife culture is mainly seen in the metro cities of India such as:
There are river and ocean Islands in India and some of the best islands are listed below:
Being surrounded by the sea from three sides, India is an ideal cruising destination. Some of the destinations which can serve your desire of cruising at the best are:
There are many water parks in India to beat the summer heat but the best and the craziest ones are listed below:
India is a gifted land, bestowed with some of the famous rivers in the world. Almost all the rivers of India makes good tides for rafting adventures, some of the places where you can enjoy rafting are:
India celebrates every month with one or the other festivals and the most famous ones are:
Some of the famous and old museums in India are:
The Himalayan slopes make India an idyllic destination for ski enthusiasts. Some of the destinations where you can slide and plunge with your ski gears are:
The North India has Himalayas, river Ganges and Indus; this is side of the country is rich in beautiful places to enjoy a scenic sojourn.
South India is the land of culture, tea, spices and coffee cultivation and beaches.
West India envelops the famous Thar Desert in its lap, the heritage forts and the economic capital of India- Mumbai.
East India is a slice of India and a well kept jewel, the Himalayan ranges are also found in the east India.
The most famous waterfalls in India are scattered across the country’s length and breadth and are listed below:
Review by: Aditi Rathore
Talking from my own experience I find THRILLOPHILIA a very reliable company as they made my Kashmir trip perfect. They took care of everything and I even got to customise my whole trip so everything in it was as per our choice. We even got a chance to stay in a luxurious houseboat, booking which requires you to stand in large cues. The whole six days were stress and hassle free. I would really RECOMMEND everyone to get their trips BOOKED FROM THRILLOPHILIA if they want to stay away from all the hassle.
Let me simplify things for you. Pros of THRILLOPHILIA-
We booked a family tour to Kashmir and this whole week was nothing less than a dream come true for us. We have always seen how beautiful Kashmir is, in movies and in photos but witnessing it upfront is nothing less than magic. Our trip was private so everything was as per our requirements and they made sure that we got whatever we wanted. We visited Pahalgam, and places like Gulmarg and Sonmarg were also covered.
At Gulmarg we enjoyed a splendid skiing session which made this trip more thrilling. The best thing about this trip was our stay on the very first day. Yes we got a chance to stay in a houseboat. The whole day we could enjoy the beautiful dal lake around us and then we visited a nearby bakery on our own to enjoy the local cookies.
We spent our second day exploring Gulmarg or as they say the most beautiful destination in Kashmir. The cable car ride from Gulmarg to Kungdoor and marry shoulder was even more delightful. We had a photography session while riding the Gondola and watched some of the most beautiful scenery around us. Our other visit was to Sonmarg which is also known as the meadow of gold. We halted around the corner of the river and watched its flow while taking part in numerous activities. We even enjoyed a session of fishing. The best thing about this place was sledging which made us fall in love with this place even more.
Fourth day was dedicated to the beauty of Pahalgam. This place is also known as the Valley of Shepherds. On this day we visited the Aru Valley which is known for its dramatic mountain ranges and the beautiful Lidder river flowing along it. We also visited the Betab Valley where we enjoyed a fun photography session. The whole journey became even more delightful for my parents when we visited chandan valley which is the starting point of holy amarnath yatra. At the end of the day we were so stressed out that we slept as soon as we reached our rooms
On our fifth touring day we visited the Mughal Gardens. The greenery, the beauty, the flowing water, everything about these gardens was truly amazing. We explored the famous Shankaracharya temple and the Hazrat Bal Shrine after which we got enough free time to go shopping at Lal Chowk. My mom bought a pashmina shawl from a local vendor and all of us got pheran, which is a local dressup to take back home as a memory of this trip.
From my point of view everything about this trip was truly perfect. We didn’t face any kind of issues regarding the facilities or the amenities which were offered to us. The itinerary was crystal clear and everything was followed in a proper order to make enough space for us to relax for a while. You know when you’re on a family trip you don’t want to spend every second talking to vendors and getting things fixed and thrillophilia made sure not a single second of our trip was wasted battling the facilities. This was certainly the best trip I had with my family and I would recommend everyone going to Kashmir to check it out. The trip I booked was “Family Tour to Three Jewels of Kashmir” and it was so brilliantly and professionally crafted that it covered every major location of Kashmir within 6 days.
The vehicle provided to us was an AC sedan for our sightseeing and our driver was so friendly that the experience became even more fun. Overall I loved how the Thrillophilia team planned out the whole trip for us. They covered every major location, made us experience every major activity and, that too at a budget friendly price.