India, as anyone who has travelled there would agree, is a magical and fascinating country to visit. This vast country has many diverse aspects. Its geography extends from the mountains of the high Himalayas to the jungles of Burma, the deserts of Rajasthan to the hills around the Deccan plateau of the south and the Ghats along the coast.
By Cristina Vaccaro
Over 20 languages are spoken, all the major religions are represented, with the Hindu, Bhuddist, Jain and Sikh religions all originating in India. And the many visitors India attracts come for an equally diverse range of reasons; searching for spirituality and inner peace, which in a country that is so chaotic on many levels could seem a contradiction in itself, the cuisine, the landscape and wildlife, or simply to discover this “jewel in the crown”.
When I travelled around India, like many others, I did it on the cheap, backpacking around the country for a month and half, yet saw just a tiny fraction of the country. For those with more money there are more luxurious ways to discover the country including Rail Tours which hark back to a bygone era.
When planning a trip to India, it is good to keep in mind that distances are long and travelling between destinations takes time. Many travellers try to see too much in too little time and end up spending most of their holiday in transit. It is impossible to see all that India has to offer during just one trip, but here are some highlights.
Discover the North
The North of India is famous for the Golden Triangle of Agra, Delhi and the cities of Rajasthan. These three places attract the maximum number of tourists each year. Agra is home to the Taj Mahal the most recognised symbol of India. Delhi is the capital and has many historical sites from ancient through the Mughal emperors and the Raj to the modern India. Rajasthan hosts the desert cities such as Jaiselmeer, Jaipur and Jodhpur which remind the traveller of the stories of the Arabian knights. From here one can embark upon a Desert or Camel Safari, an experience of a lifetime, from one night to a few weeks, visiting remote villages of Rajasthan on camel back, exploring the Thar Desert, spending a night under the stars, around a campfire with Rajasthani folk dances and music.
The best time to travel to the northern states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh is between November and March when it is moderately cooler.
Discover the South
Some of India’s most beautiful temples can be found in its Southern part, from the magnificent Shri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai to the Shore Temple of Mamallapuram.
Kerala is a lush piece of tropical land on India’s South-Western coast and boasts some of India’s most beautiful beaches. Kerala’s most famous beach resorts, Kovalam and Varkala, are busy with domestic and international tourists alike, but on its Northern coast beaches become less developed and more peaceful. If sunbathing on a tropical beach gets boring, a boat trip on Kerala’s backwaters is a classic South Indian travel experience.
Goa, a little state with so much soul, is the ultimate haven for beach lovers. Laidback, Goa is a merry blend of Portuguese and Konkani, with the atmosphere of a lively carnival town. Goa, also known as 'the pearl of the east', is known for its Gothic churches, age-old ruins, palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, and bubbly folk music. With its 131-km-long coastline, Goa is an important destination in every tourist's itinerary. Sun, sand and sea being the major attractions, Goa is a perfect heaven for the ones who need and want relaxation.
Several wildlife sanctuaries come together in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka and Wayanad in Kerala. It is possible to see tigers in these woods, although elephants, antelopes and deer are more common. Coorg, or Kodagu, in Karnataka is filled with coffee plantations, forests and cosy homestays, and is a popular trekking area.
South India’s hill stations are the best places to escape to when the heat gets too much. The most popular hill stations in South India include Munnar in Kerala and Ooty, Coonoor and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu.
The rainy season starts in South India around June and ends in October-November. The best time to go to South India is right after the monsoon, in November. In March the heat starts to build up and makes many areas of Southern India unbearably hot in April and May.
