Rajasthan
Steeped in tales of chivalry and romance, and famous for its striking desert landscape and colorful festivals, Rajasthan is one of India’s best-loved regions. From its legendary cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer, built by the mighty Rajput warriors, to its indigenous tribal and artisan communities, Rajasthan is a unique combination of royal and tribal India. The variety of its landscape is unparalleled: the region is packed with awe-inspiring forts, sparkling palaces, soothing lakes and gardens, and exquisite temples and shrines.
When to go : Mid October to mid March
Top destinations : Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bundi, Pushkar and Shekhawati.Sample Itineraries
Ladakh
Bound by mountains on all sides, this rugged region is home to one of the last undisturbed Tantric Buddhist populations on earth, protected from colonial interference, rampaging Mughals and the ravages of the Cultural Revolution by sheer force of geography.
When to go : June to September
Top destinations : Leh, Likir, Alchi, Zanskar Valley, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Thiksey, Hemis and Lamayuru.Sample Itineraries
Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh
Madhya Pradesh is home to some of India’s finest Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist monuments. For the spiritually inclined there is Ujjain, one of the seven holy cities, and the holy island of Omkareshwar. Historical sites include the millennia-old Bhimbetka rock paintings and Gwalior’s lavish Jai Vilas Palace. Among the temple towns, Khajuraho is famous for the erotic carvings writhing across its 10th-century temples. Another historical hotspot near the Agra–Varanasi route is secluded Orchha, where riverside cenotaphs and palaces exude a ‘lost world’ atmosphere matched only by Mandu’s plateau-top tombs. Bandhavgarh National Park is perfect for tiger spotting.
With 3 National Parks and 11 Wildlife Sanctuaries, Chattisgarh provides a real treat for nature lovers.The forests abound in wildlife like the Tiger, Leopard, Wild Boar, Cheetal, Langoor, Rhesus Monkey, Barahsinga, Sambhar, Bison, Wild Buffalo, Civet Cat, and Black Bear.
When to go : September to March
Top destinations : Khajuraho, Bandhavgarh, Orchha, Mandu, Bhimbetka and Sanchi.Sample Itineraries
Uttar Pradesh
Nothing draws tourists like India’s most famous icon, the Taj Mahal, and the other Mughal monuments in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. The nawabs in UP’s capital Lucknow and the British in Allahabad have left behind an impressive architectural legacy. The mighty myth-laden Ganges, Hinduism’s most sacred river, rises in Uttarakhand and flows through the state providing a spiritual backbone exemplified by the bathing ghats of Varanasi and the pilgrimage centre of Allahabad. Just outside Varanasi, Sarnath was where Buddha first preached his gospel of the middle way, and Kushinagar, near Gorakhpur, is where he died. Devotees of Krishna are drawn to Mathura and Vrindavan, the birthplace of the much-loved god.
When to go : October to March
Top destinations : Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Varanasi and Sarnath.
Kashmir
Rightly dubbed as Heaven on Earth with friendly people, beautiful gardens, vast lakes and pristine streams and stunning landscapes. It continues to draw tourists with its high snow covered mountains, captivating serenity, picturesque Dal Lake with long and beautiful shikaras.
When to go : April to October (December to March for skiing)
Top destinations : Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Yusmarg, and Pahalgam.Sample Itineraries
Himachal Pradesh
Few states can match the incredible diversity of Himachal Pradesh – rolling foothills, lofty hill stations, madcap traveller towns, serene pine forests, endless apple orchards and the high-altitude deserts of Lahaul and Spiti, cut off from the outside world by snow for six months of the year.
When to go : April to June, October to November (July to October for Lahaul and Spiti)
Top destinations : Gushaini, Shimla, Lahaul & Spiti, Dharamshala, GHNP, Kinnaur Valley, Manali, Parvati Valley, and Sangla Valley.Sample Itineraries
Uttarakhand
For a small state, Uttarakhand packs in an incredible amount. You can be taking yoga classes at an ashram in Rishikesh and white-water rafting down the Ganges one day, trekking in the shadow of the Himalayas the next. Walk with pilgrims to ancient temples near the source of Ganges and Yamuna Rivers, or witness pumas with thousands of devotees on the ghats at Haridwar. Put your feet up and relax in Raj-era hill stations, or ride an elephant and take your camera on a tiger trail at Corbett or Rajaji National Parks.
When to go : Highlands (May to July and September to November), Lowlands (November to March).
Top destinations : Corbett Tiger Reserve, Dehra Dun, Haridwar, Kausani, Mussoorie, Nainital, Rajaji National Park, and Rishikesh.
Delhi
India’s capital is sprinkled with glittering gems – captivating ancient monuments, magnificent museums, a vivacious performing arts scene and some of the subcontinent’s yummiest eateries. Spacious New Delhi was built as the imperial capital of India by the British; rambunctious Old Delhi served as the capital of Islamic India.
When to go : November to March
Top destinations : Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar Complex, Akshardam, National Museum and Chandni Chowk.Sample Itineraries
Chandigarh and Punjab
Enter the land of the Sikhs. Gurdwaras replace temples as the most popular places of worship, and the personable, turban-clad population generally provide a break from the stresses found elsewhere in India.
When to go : October to March
Top destinations : Amritsar and Chandigarh.
Gujarat & Diu
Gujarat is a dazzlingly diverse state that reveals treasures hidden from the tourist hordes. It is known for its vast, varied, and dramatic Indian landscape unlike any other. It is also a haven for some of the most interesting craftwork in India.
Diu is known for its fine beaches, whitewashed churches, an imposing fort, colourful Lisboa streets, a gorgeous climate, and fabulous seafood.
When to go : October to March
Top destinations : Shatrunjaya, Little Rann and Kutch.
Maharastra
Sprawling Maharashtra stretches from the gorgeous beaches of the little known Konkan Coast right into the parched innards of India’s beating heart. Within this massive framework are all the sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences of India.
In the north there is Nasik, a city of crashing colors, timeless ritual and Hindu legend. But it is central Maharastra with its treasure house of architectural and artistic wonders, topped by the World Heritage–listed cave temples of Ellora and Ajanta, that really steals the show.
When to go : September to April
Top destinations : Ajanta, Ellora, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Konkan Coast and Nashik.Sample Itineraries
Goa
A solitary Portuguese outpost in India for almost 500 years, the influence of colonial rule can still be seen everywhere – in the exquisite, crumbling architecture; in the East-meets-West cuisine which combines coconut milk, palm vinegar and chillies with the refined flavous of Lisbon; in the melancholy strains of fado that still waft occasionally on the bougainvillea-scented breeze; and in the siesta-saturated joie de vivre that Goans themselves call susegad.
When to go : October to March
Top destinations : Panaji, Old Goa, Vagator, South Goa, Mapusa, Fort Aguada & Candolim, Calangute & Baga and Anjuna.Sample Itineraries
Karnataka
If you’re looking for variety in your Indian travel experience, Karnataka fits the bill nicely. The state’s capital and international entry point is the IT powerhouse of Bengaluru (Bangalore), a modern, energetic city best savoured for its restaurants and shops. Ancient architectural gems are abundant, including the World Heritage–listed monuments of Hampi and Pattadakal. Practically untouched beaches and devout temple towns dot Karnataka’s quiet tropical coast, while in the cool highlands of Coorg you can trek between lush coffee and spice plantations along paths trampled by migrating elephants.
When to go : October to March
Top destinations : Hampi, Pattandakal, Bijapur, Badami, Aihole, Bandipur National Park, Coorg, Mysore, Nagarhole, Haelbid, Belur and Sravanbelagola.Sample Itineraries
Kerala & Lakshadweep
A strip of land between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, its perfect climate flirts unabashedly with the fertile soil, and everything glows. An easy-going and successful socialist state, Kerala has a liberal hospitality that stands out as its most laudable achievement.
A string of 36 palm-covered coral islands 300km off the coast of Kerala, Lakshadweep is as stunning as it is difficult to get to. The real attraction of the islands lies under the water – the 4200 sq km of pristine archipelago lagoons, unspoiled coral reefs and warm waters are a magnet for flipper-toting travelers and divers alike.
When to go : October to March
Top destinations : Alappuzha, Bekal, Kochi, Kollam, Kovalam, Munnar, Periyar, Thiruvanthapuram, Varkala and Wayanad.Sample Itineraries
Tamil Nadu & Poducherry
Long coastlines and forested mountains form stunning backdrops to this cradle of Dravidian civilisation. Manifestations of its ancient culture are everywhere, from vast temple compounds with steeply stepped, riotously coloured gopurams to beautifully detailed rock carvings, and classical music and dance that are both complex and compelling.
With its seafront promenade, wide roads, enduring pockets of French culture and architecture, and a popular ashram, charming Poducherry is unlike anywhere else in South India.
When to go : November to March
Top destinations : Mamallapuram, Auroville, Kodaikanal, Madurai, Gangaikondacholapuram, Darasuran, Thanjavur and Trichy.Sample Itineraries
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a relaxed tropical destination with superb, near-deserted beaches, incredible corals and marine life, an intriguing colonial past and the remnants of a Stone Age culture lure travelers to these mysterious islands.
When to go : December to April
Top destinations : Havelock, Neil, Port Blair, Diglipur and Mayabunder.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is a place with subtle charms, quiet traditions and a long history of spiritual scholarship and religious harmony. The state’s rich Islamic history announces itself in its huge, lavish mosques, its opulent palaces and the stately Qutb Shahi tombs.
When to go : October to February
Top destinations : Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Nagarjunakonda.
Orissa
Orissa is a captivating state with diverse, vibrant living cultures and an unrivalled architectural legacy. It is where mighty temple chariots carrying powerful deities are pulled through city streets by a heaving throng of devotees, where serene stone carvings of exceptional beauty continue to be excavated from early Buddhist sites and where Adivasis maintain remarkable traditions that predate many of the great empires of the subcontinent.
When to go : November to March
Top destinations : Bhubaneswar, Konark and Puri.Sample Itineraries
West Bengal
Emerging from the tempestuous Bay of Bengal in a maze of primeval mangroves, West Bengal stretches across the vast Ganges plain before abruptly rising towards the mighty ramparts of the Himalaya. It offers a wide range of attractions including bustling cities, a mangrove forest, temple towns, hills stations, tea estates and lots of opportunities for trekking.
When to go : Hills (October to December and March to May); Plains (October to March)
Top destinations : Kolkata, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Shantiniketan, Sunderbans, and Mirik.Sample Itineraries
- Rural Sikkim
- Sikkim Homestays
- Sikkim Trek : Yambong - Uttarey
- Sikkim Trek : Yambong - Singalila
- Sikkim Trek : Tholung Monastic
- Sikkim Trek : Everest - Singalila
- Sikkim Trek : Barsey
Sikkim
Sikkim is clean (plastic bags are banned) and the mountain air is fresh. Best of all the people are among India’s most friendly, with a charming manner that’s unobtrusive and slightly shy. Plunging mountain valleys are lushly forested, interspersed occasionally with rice terraces and groves of flowering rhododendrons. Tibetan-style Buddhist monasteries add splashes of vermilion to the green ridge-tops and are approached through atmospheric avenues of colorful prayer flags set on long bamboo poles.
When to go : Late September to mid November; April to May
Top destinations : Gangtok, Pelling, Ravangla, Yuksom, and North Sikkim.Sample Itineraries
- Rural Sikkim
- Sikkim Homestays
- Sikkim Trek : Yambong - Uttarey
- Sikkim Trek : Yambong - Singalila
- Sikkim Trek : Tholung Monastic
- Sikkim Trek : Everest - Singalila
- Sikkim Trek : Barsey
North East – 7 Sister States
The flat Brahmaputra valley was traditionally a Vedic heartland and backdrop to several Krishna tales. Assam beautiful tea plantations and wildlife are the highlights of this region. In contrast, most of the mountainous surrounding states are home to a fascinatingly fragmented jigsaw of tribal peoples. Arunachal Pradesh offers an especially phenomenal patchwork of hill tribes amid seemingly endless mountain ranges. These are mostly forested but crest in a series of gorgeous Himalayan ridges dotted with colorful Tibetan-Buddhist monasteries, including India’s largest at wonderful Tawang.
7 Sister States : Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram.
When to go : September to March
Top destinations : Kaziranga National Park, Majuli Island, Manas National Park, Tawang, Cherrapunjee, Agartala and Aizawl.Sample Itineraries
Bihar and Jharkhand
As the birthplace of Buddhism, Bihar holds great significance in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Gautama Buddha spent much of his life here and attained enlightenment underneath a bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, making it the most important pilgrimage site in the world for Buddhists. Following a trail of ancient and modern Buddhist sites, you can visit the extensive ruins of Nalanda, the largest university in the ancient world, the many shrines and temples at nearby Rajgir, and the great Ashokan pillar at Vaishali.
When to go : October to March
Top destinations : Bodhgaya, Sonepur, Betla National Park and Nalanda.
| About 10 Year Itch Travel Company |
|---|
 We are a boutique travel company offering custom travel packages to India, which include custom-designed itineraries, hotel & transport bookings, all based on the travelers' interests, needs, and budget.Get in touch with us and together we'll start drafting the perfect india travel tour for you. Email : contact@10yearitch.com / tours@10yearitch.com Phone : +1 408 621 3858 Enquiry Form |
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