India is blessed with cultural, natural, ethnic, culinary, and artistic diversity. Owing to this diversity people from around the world love visiting India. We thought of sharing the list of best things to do in India.

These are the top 10 things you can’t miss while visiting India:

1. A wonder of the world - Taj Mahal

• The most widely known, iconic architectural structure of India, the Taj Mahal is located in Agra and one must definitely visit this place when they’re on their trip to India!

• It is a symbol of love, made of marble by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, as a gift for his wife Mumtaz.

• Also keep in mind that there are special tickets available for evenings with a full moon.  These can be purchased in person at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), 24 hours in advance.

   

2. The holy city – The Golden Temple

• One of the best things to do in India is visit the Golden Temple. Situated in Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs, the Golden Temple is truly an iconic place to visit.

• The best time to visit this place is at 4am and at 5am in the winters. The Guru Granth Sahib, holy scripture of Sikhism, gets installed into the temple for the day among their ritual chanting and humming at this time.

• The Amrit Sarovar is a pond that is found near the temple, when the moon still shines, the whole complex is lit up in lights of gold from the temple and is reflected here in this pond.

• This place of worship is open to everyone. People here are filled with hospitality and key values like charity; they are very welcoming and kind.

• They have an incredible community kitchen known as the Guru-Ka-Langar which is widely known for its free and simple vegetarian meals throughout the day. They serve up to around 100,000 devotees.

   

3. The world’s largest mangrove forest – the Sundarbans

• This National Park is full of remote and wild biodiversity. The three major rivers, Brahmaputra, Meghna, and Ganga flow out from here and join the Bay of Bengal.

• It is a maze of mangrove forests, mud flats, swamps, riverine islands and a number of channels that one can adventure through by a boat.

• Since this place is like a huge maze, and that there is dark and dense growth of vegetation, it provides spots for snakes, crocodiles, and other predators.

• Bengal tigers are also found here. While you are on your trip here, keep an eye out for kingfishers, water birds and others up from the observation towers.

• In a few places you can also take walks across the village along with the locals who will tell you a few tales about living here.

   

4. Cruise your way through the Kerala backwaters

• Kerala is one of the best places to visit in India. The Kerala backwaters is not only filled with brackish lagoons, silent rivers and small channels that are interconnected with the Arabian Sea. It attracts tourists widely and is also a lifeline source of farming and fishing for the locals.
  
  
• A fun activity to do here is to house boot on an overnight cruise, visit small villages, try fishing, do bird watching or just sit back and watch as the world passes by slowly. There are many itineraries available from the start in Alappuzha, to the south of Kochi.
  
  
• Get in touch with the tour operators for suggestions as they plan your customized itineraries by using travel CRM software.

5. Goa and its beautiful beaches

• How can you visit India and not visit Goa? Goa’s name itself brings up images of sun, sand and the sea! It’s beaches are the main attraction.

• The place is filled with dense forest, spice, cashews, mangrove swamps and wonderful experiences waiting to welcome you!

• You could visit the Colva beach and try different water sports activities like parasailing, jet skiing and banana boat rides.

• If you have kids with you while traveling, you can always go to Benaulim beach. They have quite a few restaurants that have kid friendly menus here.

• It’s full of super soft white sand and one can see a variety of birds and the Olive Ridley Turtles at the shore of Morjim Beach. The cathedrals of Goa are also one of its greatest attractions.

   

6. The divine and creative - Varanasi

• India is known for its deep roots in spirituality, and if you plan to experience it, there is no better place to visit than Varanasi.

• One of the best things to do in India is to take a dip in the Ganges that is believed to wash away your sins and then return to the Dasaswamedh Ghat for the press ceremony of Ganga aarti which is fueled by fire after sunrise.

• One of the major highlights of visiting Varanasi is the distinct blow of the conch shell which commences the ritual. 

• They also have two beautiful ghats – the Assi Ghat and the Varun Ghat, these hold a large amount of cultural heritage and they are one or Varanasi’s major attractions.  The textiles of this place are known worldwide!

• The Sarai Mohana village is very popular for its silk weaving. One of its finest creations are the Banarasi sarees woven here!

   

7. The ancient monasteries of Ladakh

• Being a place that is situated between 3000 to 6000 metres above sea level, Ladakh is dotted with icy glaciers, wild meadows, snow clad mountains and valleys in the lowlands making it the best places to visit in India.

• There are many rivers and high-altitude lakes and is popular for bikers, hikers and people who love adventure.

• During the winter season, many travellers come here for the snow leopard expeditions and field tracks across the Zanskar River.

• The Tibetan Buddhist stupas, also known as Chortens and the Buddhist Monasteries, known as Gompas are found scattered across this desert. Tourists can explore this place to have a greater understanding of Buddhism.

• The oldest monastery here is at Alchi. Thiksey, Hemis gompas, and Stok are three monasteries that are closer to the capital of Ladakh & Leh, and are the most visited ones here. While you’re on your trip here, try not to miss the moonscapes from Lamayuru Monastery!

   

8. Relaxing in the chill of Shimla

• When the summer heat is too much to bear, locals as well as tourists together move to one of India’s hill stations, especially Shimla.

• This is situated at the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. Previously known as the summer capital for the British in India, it is known for its lush and dense green hills and snow mountain views.

• Thus, the best thing to do while you are in Simla is ride the antique Kalka-Shimla railway, stroll the car free pedestrian artery, commonly known as The Mall, and visit the historic Jhaku temple. The best part about visiting Shimla is definitely its cool weather and the unforgettable scenery.

9. Ride on Darjeeling’s infamous toy train

• One of the most amazing things to do in India is visit the hill station of Darjeeling located in West Bengal, which attracts railway enthusiasts from all over the world to its famous toy train, called the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway!

• Here, one takes a two-hour journey from Darjeeling to Ghum on the steam locomotive, which has been running for more than 140 years.

• It is considered to be one of the world’s most scenic train rides!

• Buckle-up for the most incredible views of large mountains and beautiful thick forest surrounded by fog as the train takes you on its narrow zigzag tracks!

   

10. The metropolitan city of dreams – Mumbai

• Last but not the least on your list of amazing things to do in India should be a visit to the city of dreams- Mumbai. This city is infused with immense diversity.
  
  
• You can have your meals from food trucks and stalls to five-star dining hotels! You can travel in a chauffeur driven car or experience the hustle of the Mumbai local train! Mumbai caters to the needs of all travellers, from a budget friendly travel to a rich luxury traveller.
  
  
• You can visit the Sanjay Gandhi national park and the Gateway of India which is one of the most iconic structures in India. Mumbai is a mix of architectural wonder and a huge influence from British rule.
  
  
• You can visit the Haji Ali dargah that is the world famous mosque built on water, and has the most iconic view of the Arabian Sea, the Siddhi Vinayak and Mahalaxmi temple, the two most popular Hindu temples. You can also visit the annual fair at the Mount Mary church, in Bandra, in the month of September.
  
  
• Other places to visit here are the elephanta caves and the Kanheri caves, which are the two major UNESCO tourist attractions.

As you call up your tour operator to plan your tours ensure that they are tech savvy and use travel management software. Infact, ETOS  is one of the best travel software providers in India. So connect with our team now and ask for a free demo.

See you soon!!