drop of life

DESTINATIONS

India's 75 best experiences

History and mystery, food and drink, music and dance, lions and tigers, beaches and
mountains, sun and sand, rain and snow—everything that you ever want to experience,
it is right here

BY CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER

14 August 2022

How do you celebrate India? Through festivals, through food, through its landscapes
and seascapes, through music and art, through tradition and innovation, through
sights and sounds… There are so many ways to enjoy India, we cannot list them all. In
no particular order, here are only 75 of the many incredible experiences of Incredible
India.
Experience the Ganga, in many different ways
Evening aarti at Varanasi
ozgurdonmaz

Known as the spiritual capital of India, the city of Varanasi draws thousands of
visitors every year to witness rituals, faith and belief. Take a boat ride and watch the
locals take a dip in the river, pray and meditate by the ghats as the sun rises. Later, at
Dashashwamedh Ghat, watch the pandits perform the evening aarti dedicated to
Goddess Ganga, Lord Shiva, Agni and Surya. Orange and yellow marigold flowers and
large oil lamps make the space all the more vibrant and bright. Further upstream,
adrenaline junkies can immerse themselves in a different way—on the white waters of
Rishikesh. And for those who like it slow and languorous, there are river cruises,
including the world’s longest river cruise that will take you on a 52-day cultural
immersion from Varanasi all the way to Assam.

Experience India’s farm life

Farmlife at Punjabiyat, near Amritsar
Kamal Sidhu, her husband, Nico Goghavala, and their son driving a
tractor at Punjabiyat. Photo: Chiara Goia

India lives in its villages, Gandhi said. For those who’d like a slice of this life, head to
one of the many spectacular homestays for a first-hand experience. Tucked away in the
Aravali hills is Destiny, The Farm Resort. This organic farm is home to horses, cows,
sheep, rabbits, dogs and a cat and also grows radishes, strawberries, basil and more.
Recreate your favourite scene from DDLJ in the mustard fields of Punjab, with
Punjabiyat, a homestay in the heart of Punjab. Indulge in stuffed parathas, local curd
and mango lassi with a view of the fields. In Sikkim, the Sikkim Bon Farmhouse is
surrounded by cardamom fields and forests with edible bamboo shoots and ferns.
Learn how to cook local delicacies such as gundruk (fermented spinach) and enjoy
fresh, farm-to-table meals. There are so many more!

Watch them bottle the scent of wet-earth in Kannauj

Rose collecting in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh
Tuul & Bruno Morandi
Love the smell of the Earth with the first downpours of the season? Take the attar trail
in the town of Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh, famous for the distilling of scents. It is a
hotspot for rose water, tobacco and 200 other perfume distilleries. Known as the
‘Perfume capital of India’, with a history spanning centuries, Kannauj is famous for its
mitti attar or Earth’s perfume, which is made by extracting parched clay and other
distillery techniques.

Dig into the street food of India

Pani puri
IndiaPix/IndiaPicture

The Indian experience would be entirely incomplete without indulging in the host of
street food that the nation has to offer. A separate cuisine altogether, it’s the perfect
blend of traditional spices and other ingredients with each vendor adding his own
twist to commonly known dishes. Whether it’s the Galouti kebabs and kulcha nihari of
Lucknow, the dahi bhalla and aloo tikki chaat in Delhi, puchkas and kathi rolls in
Kolkata, vada pav in Mumbai, pyaaz ki kachori in Jodhpur or khaman dhokla and
dabeli in Ahmedabad - there’s little chance that you’ll go hungry. Wash this down with
a glass of falooda, creamy lassi, or a plate of malai kulfi.
Savour recipes from the royal kitchens of India
The General's Table dining experience at Jehan Numa Palace hotel, Bhopal
Dine like the Indian royals did, with these palaces-turned hotels that offer the perfect
royal treatment. At Garden Palace in Balasinor, Gujarat learn about the culinary
legacy of the royals, from the former royal family themselves. Borrowing from its
Afghani roots, some of the dishes served include the mutton warqi samosa, hariyali ki
nazakat, an ode to the greens gote ka pulao and the Ramzan dessert Jarees. Located in
the heart of Bhopal is the Jehan Numa, a palace built by General Obaidullah Khan,
commander-in-chief of Bhopal State force in 1890. The General’s Table is a dining
experience at restaurant at what is now the Jehan Numa Palace hotel and offers an
authentic Bhopali 13-course meal, with recipes exclusively from the royal kitchen.
Start off with the murgh badam ka shorba, dahi ke kebab and khameeri roti. But the
signature is  the yukhni pulao and murgh makhane ka korma. Finish off the meal with
the shahi tukda and iconic sheer korma. Adaa at the Taj Falaknuma palace in
Hyderabad is another unmissable dining experience. Enjoy a carefully crafted Nizami
meal right from the royal kitchens. Try the Akthari murgh tikka, Dakhmi paneer tikka
along with the nalli gosht, khatti dal and of course the Hyderabadi biryani.

Enjoy the spirits of Goa

World's first feni cellar in Goa

L-R: Inside the distillery; a based cocktail. Photos: Athul Prasad

The sunshine state is home to many indigenous spirits including whiskey, gin and the
native, feni. Take a whiskey distillery tour with master distiller Michael D’souza, at
Paul John distillery, and get a chance to see the making of the award-winning single
malt. Homegrown gin brands such as Samsara, Jin Jiji, Pumori and Tickle have been
experimenting with local flavours and ingredients like hemp, cashew, cardamom,
cloves and pepper and offer an exciting concoction. Nestled amidst a spice plantation
in the Cansaulim foothills, visit the world’s first feni cellar, Beco das Garrafas for a
fragrant and flavourful experience.

Go on a biryani trail in South India

Hyderabadi chicken biryani
Suman Vikram / 500px

Rice, biyyam (Telugu), arici (Tamil), ari (Malayalam) are only some of the words used
for what is almost a staple. South India does so many versions of the one-pot wonder
that is biryani. There is the famous Hyderabadi biryani, of course, with layers of slow-
cooked rice, crispy fried onion, chillies and chicken. Then there is another classic from
the city of Nizams—the Kalyani biryani with mutton and distinct flavours of tomatoes,
cumin and coriander. Along the coastal region of Karnataka, the Bhatkali biryani is a
popular delicacy with chicken infused with tomatoes, onions and other spicy masalas
native to the region. And then there is the Ambur biryani from the Arcot region in
Tamil Nadu, packed with meaty flavours, chilli paste and whole spices. The Kozhikode
or Thalassery biryani of Kerala is made from a thinner rice called jeeraksala and
cooked in lots of ghee. There is more…

Feast on a Kashmiri wazwan

A wazwan
A Kashmiri wazwan (image for representation only). Photo: Julien Capmeil

An elaborate affair involving 36 courses, a wazwan is a feast fit for the royals.
Meatballs, seekh kababs, spare ribs, Kashmiri pulao, phirni and kahwa… it’s a meal
you won’t finish or forget in a hurry.

Sign up for a tea trail through Darjeeling and Assam

The Wild Mahseer Lodge on the lush 22-acres Addabarie Tea Estate in Assam.
The Wild Mahseer in
Balipara, Assam, is an angling lodge turned boutique stay. Photo: Michel Figuet

Earn your badge as a tea connoisseur with a trip through India’s tea country. It helps
that there are several tea estates that provide fine luxury accommodation and
extensive courses in tea appreciation.

Watch a Test match at Eden Gardens

Scenes from that iconic Test match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Hamish Blair

Cricket is a religion in India. The temple? Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The 2001 India
versus Australia test win, will be ingrained in the minds of Indians forever and it took
place right here - the mecca of Indian cricket and one of the oldest and largest stadiums
in the country. Enter a stadium with 1 lakh Indians singing the national anthem at the
top of their voices and feel the reverberations as the crowd cheers on the Indian team.
The stadium is brimming with emotions - building nervous energy mingled with
excitement, the sinking feeling when your favourite batsman gets out and the
immense joy when we finally win a match. With every single person feeling exactly
what you’re feeling, is what makes the experience incredibly special.

Play the archery lottery in Shillong

Archery lottery, Shillong
Photo: Satish Krishnamurthy [under CC BY 2.0] via Flickr

At the grounds near Ward’s Lake, archers from across Meghalaya bet on the number of
arrows they will hit on a bamboo drum. After they send thin arrows at the drum, the
organisers count the ones that hit the mark. Meanwhile, people across the state have
placed bets on the final score. Those who get it right go home richer.

Grab a seat at India’s rural Olympics

Qila Raipur, Punjab
AFP/Getty Images
Known as the rural Olympics, Qila Raipur is the annual sports festival held near
Ludhiana, Punjab in the month of February every year. The three-day carnival with a
90-year history has a range of very local sports—from races to riding events to polo.
Also on show are various displays of strength (pulling trucks by hair!) and acrobatics
and indigenous martial arts. And with all this, there is food and dance and plenty of
music.

Soak in the wettest place on Earth

Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Rajan Dutta / EyeEm

With living root bridges made from rubber trees and river caves, Mawsynram, near
Cherrapunjee is considered to be one of the wettest places on Earth. When it rains, it
pours, quite literally. Take this chance to explore the river caves of Meghalaya such as
Mawsmai and KremMawmluh Caves.
Experience India’s colourful festivals
Holi festival in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Bhupesh Pal
We possibly cannot list all the festivals on India’s calendar—and each is special and
beautiful in its own way. Celebrate as the Assamese do with the Bihu festival that takes
place thrice a year in the months of January, April and October and marks the end of
the harvesting season. Gorge on dishes such as til pitha, murir laru and jalpan, made
with ingredients such as coconut, rice and jaggery during this gastronomical affair.
Take in the festive fervour of the Durga Puja in Kolkata, inscribed in UNESCO’S list as
an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. If you happen to be in Mathura during the
month of March, experience Holi, the festival of colours that takes on an unbelievable
form and pair it with bhaang, lots of food and music. In Vadodara, you can dance the
night away to folk tunes, and deck yourself up in traditional ghagras, during the 9-day
festival of Navratri. There is Ramzaan, the month of fasting and feasting, and
Christmas comes alive in many forms across Kolkata, Shimla, and many parts of India.
Last but not least, the festival of Diwali is celebrated across India, each in its own
distinct style. Witness the larger-than-life fireworks and brightly lit houses from the
holy city of Ayodhya to the town of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.

Meet the top writers at the world’s largest literary festival

Poet Gulzar at the Jaipur Literature Festival

Hindustan Times/Getty Images
A festival of a different kind, the Jaipur Literature Festival is for all book lovers, theatre
enthusiasts and curious souls. Held at the start of the year in the pink city of Jaipur,
this is your chance to rub shoulders with the best of the world’s literati and
cognoscenti.

Experience the best of Indian music

Rajasthani International Folk Festival, Jodhpur

STRDEL/Getty Images

With a history spanning several millennia, Indian music continues to be an integral

part of our socio-cultural and religious lives. Its genres are expansive, to say the least,
so here's what you need to know to experience the best of Indian music. Held in Pune
during the month of December every year, the 3-day Sawai Gandharva Music Festival
is a Hindustani classical sangeet mahotsav. The festival numbers more than 15,000
and has witnessed mesmerising performances from Pandit Jasraj to Tukaram
Daithankar on the shehnai over the years. Down south, the Madras Music Season
holds true to its name and spans nearly 9 weeks from November to January each year.
With over 1200 performances by singers such as Kunnakkudy M Balamuralikrishna
and Sudha Ragunathan, it is the place to be for all aficionados of Carnatic music. Head
to the blue city of India, Jodhpur for the Rajasthani International Folk Festival. Taking
place on Sharad Purnima in October this year, this 5-day festival will happen at the
Mehrangarh Fort. Previous performances include local Rajasthani artists such as
Shamsuddin(Maand), Kamaycha Ghewa, Hindustani classical artist Pandit Jayateerth
Mevundi, and a tamburitza band Sondorgo. Also, nestled amidst the green hills of
Arunachal Pradesh is the Ziro music festival. Paying homage to nature and the love of
music, the festival brings in independent Indian artists such as Guru Rewben
Mashangva and international musicians like Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley.

Enjoy the bazaars of India

Mullick Ghat, Kolkata
DEA / GIANNI OLIVA
From Mullick Ghat in Kolkata to Johari bazaar in Jaipur, the Indian experience would
be incomplete without splurging at some of the most famous bazaars across the
country. Head to Kolkata for the the largest flower market in Asia, where thousands of
visitors arrive at day break to purchase fresh flowers like roses, marigolds and the
native Tagore phool. Delhi’s Khari Baoli is an ancient spice market where you will find
both local and exotic spices such as dried mango, cloves, apricots and more. At the
Johri Bazaar in Jaipur, find intricately carved traditional silver jewellery. In the
bustling bylanes of Hyderabad is the Laad Bazaar, famous for its lacquer bangles and
artificial diamonds. In Ahmedabad, Indore, Chennai, wherever you go, there is a
bazaar waiting to be explored…

Walk in the footsteps of Buddha

Bodhgaya, Bihar
Marji Lang/Getty Images
Allow yourself a deep cultural immersion into Buddhism, by travelling in the
footsteps of the Buddha. Visit the Mahabodhi tree where Gautam Buddha attained
enlightenment, the Barabar caves dating all the way back to the third century, the
ancient monastic university, Nalanda, the town of Vaishali, Pawapuri and Patna
among several others.

Admire the cherry blossoms in Shillong

Cherry blossoms in bloom in Shillong, Meghalaya
You don’t have to leave the country to appreciate the fragile, transient beauty of cherry
blossom season! Time your visit around the annual India International Cherry
Blossom Festival in October.

Spot the tiger, if you can

Bengal tigers in action at Ranthambore, Rajasthan

The No. 1 item on every safari-lover’s list is worth all the fuss. The majestic but shy
Royal Bengal Tiger is quite a sight. For best odds of spotting the cat, head to
Bandhavgarh or Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh or Ranthambore National
Park in Rajasthan.
Admire the last of the Asiatic Lions in Gir
Asiatic lion, Gir National Park
Prayag Dave
Gujarat’s Gir National Park is the only place in the world where Asiatic lions roam
free. Take a jeep safari of the dry deciduous forest to see these majestic creatures as
well as peacocks, marsh crocodiles, and the world’s only four-horned antelope, the
chowsingha.

Go horse-riding in Rajasthan

Horses in Pushkar

The historic Shekhawati countryside is best explored regally—on a horseback. Take

the equestrian ride from Dundlod to Alsisar, and end up enchanted by Shekhawati’s
forts, palaces, painted havelis and quaint villages. The state is home to all kinds of
equestrian experiences–from horse-trading fairs to elite polo matches. Pick a place and
saddle up!

Dance with the fireflies in Purushwadi, Maharashtra

Fireflies, Maharashtra
Photo: tomosang/ Getty Images

Close to Nashik, the tribal village of Purushwadi burns bright with the light of a
million fireflies in the few weeks preceding the monsoon. Hook up with Grassroutes,
which conducts trips to bask in the firefly glow and enjoy a slice of rural life.

Spot the snow leopard in Ladakh

Snow leopard, Ladakh
Photo: Aditya Singh / Getty Images

India’s wildest experience is possible spotting the elusive and majestic grey ghost in
the snowy tracts of Ladakh’s Hemis National Park. Tough going, but an experience to
remember for a lifetime. Here’s our guide.

Go flamingo-spotting in Mumbai
Flamingoes in Mumbai
Hindustan Times/Getty Images

Give Mumbai’s daintiest winter visitors a warm welcome from November to May,
aboard a boat at Thane Creek, as the flamingoes fly in for a pit-stop en route to Kutch
in Gujarat. Several birding organisations in the city offer guided tours; you can also go
bird-spotting in the mangroves.

Watch the airshow at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Snake bird at Keoladeo National Park
Chaithanya Krishnan
Also known as the Keoladeo National Park, the sanctuary is home to over 230 species
of birds. Each summer, thousands descend upon its marshes and grasslands. Keep
your eyes peeled and you could see herons, storks, oriental ibises and even sarus
cranes.

Go on a textile trail in Ahmedabad

Textiles of Ahmedabad
anand purohit
Shilpa Sharma’s Breakaway specialises in textile and craft tours and their Textile Trail
in Ahmedabad picks out the connection between fabric and the freedom struggle. The
tour includes a walk-through of the Calico Museum of Textiles, embroidery
techniques at RaasLeela, meeting the weaver whose father initiated Gandhiji into
spinning cotton and a session on the hand-painted ritual textile, Mata ni Pached with
Vagheri artisans.

Get your art fix at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale

Kochi-Muziris Biennale
steeve-x / Alamy Stock Photo
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is India’s largest exhibition of art held every two years for
a period of three-four months. Previous editions have seen a cross-section of works
curated by the likes of Anita Dubey and Sudarshan Shetty, and presented by
individuals and groups like Edible Archives, Sister Library, Anamika Haksar and
Yoko Ono.

Travel in time in Lucknow

Bara Imambara, Lucknow
Davik Chaudhary

Modern-day Lucknow is imbued with the old-world charm of its Awadhi past. Hire a
tonga and allow your tongawallah to guide you to Lucknow’s best spots. Don’t miss the
Bara Imambara and its legendary Bhool Bhulaiya, the Chota Imambara, and the
massive Rumi Darwaza between the two Nawabi monuments. Spend an evening
dining on kebabs around the Chowk and Aminabad areas, off tiny street stalls or at
standalone restaurants like Tunday Kababi (168/6, Old Nazirabad Road, Aminabad)
and Raheem Hotel (29, Phool Wali Gali, Chowk).

Watch a palace light up with 1 lakh lights!

Mysuru Palace, Mysuru

The grand Mysuru palace of the Wodeyars turns into an even grander spectacle on
special occasions when the 1 lakh-odd lamps light up this spectacular wood-and-stone
edifice. The city turns into a veritable feast for the senses during the 10-day celebration
of Dasara with food, traditional games, performances, and an impressive procession of
the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari atop an elephant.

Visit the Sun Temple in Konark 

Sun temple, Odisha

Odisha’s Konark Sun Temple is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for being a
monumental representation of the sun god Surya’s chariot. It is spectacular any day of
the year, but a visit on Makar Sankranti (14 January) is considered particularly
propitious. The beaches nearby are also a sight to behold from February, with
thousands of Olive Ridley turtles coming in to nest.

Enjoy a qawwali at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah

Qawwali at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi
Marji Lang/Getty Images

Dedicated to the Sufi saint Khawaja Nizamuddin Auliya, is the Nizamuddin Dargah
tucked away amidst the narrow streets off Mathura road the nation’s capital. Known to
have established the Sufi tradition of poetry and music in the area, especially the
qawwali, the dargah of Nizamuddin is a must-see.

Drive the Indian peninsular route

A stretch of road on the Konkan coast. 
ePhotocorp

Beaches, hills, history, culture, good roads and great food make this road trip an easy-
breezy choice. Start early from Mumbai to reach Ratnagiri in 8.5 hours (340km), with
a lunch stop at Chiplun. Next, the six-hour (237km) drive to Goa, where you can pause
for a few days in the sunshine state before driving seven hours (344km) south, past
Gokarna to Mangaluru, a treat for seafood-lovers. From here, a 12-hour (418km) dash
will take you to Kochi, where you can spend another day or two before the 7.5-hour
(288km) drive to Kanyakumari. Next stop, Puducherry (nine hours; 578km), with halts
at either Madurai or Tiruchirappalli. Three hours (150km) away is Chennai, from
where you set out for the 16-hour (800km) drive to Visakhapatnam with halts at
Nellore and Vijayawada and some killer Andhra fare.

Test your skills in the mountain desert of Spiti

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Smaranda Angelica / 500px
Rugged and remote, the Lahaul & Spiti district is a part of Himachal that’s yet to see
the hordes of descend. The roads are bad, the passes high and tricky, but the journey is
its own reward. Head here to discover the simple life in a Himalayan desert.

Drive across the spectacular Rann of Kutch

Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

A massive salt flat, the Rann is surprisingly full of colour, thanks to its people. Stay at
the Hodka Artist Village, home to artists who specialise in everything from Banni
embroidery to leatherwork. Sign up for a safari at the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary or
just drive across the salt flats and imagine you have the Earth to yourself.

Drive out for the dhabas

R43ME3 28-Dec-2014-Kitchen of Traditional Indian roadside Food joint(Dhaba) 70 KM from
Jamshedpur Jharkhand INDIA asia Anil Dave / Alamy Stock Photo

It seems entirely impossible to go without speaking about the mouth-watering meals

at the dhabas along the highways of India. Stop by the Amrik Sukhdev dhaba in
Haryana and indulge in the makkhan-laden parathas and lassi. If you happen to be
driving along the north-eastern belt, a halt at the Samaroh En Dees Dhaba in Assam is
a must for its signature pigeon curry and aloo pitika. If you’re all about traditional and
authentic meals try the lassan aloo and besan gatta at the Hotel Ummiya Annapurna
Kathiyawad in the Anand district of Gujarat.

Pamper yourself on a private spa boat in Udaipur

Jiva Spa Boat, Udaipur

A Jacuzzi on a boat in the middle of lake is the perfect way to spoil yourself. Charter the
Taj Lake Palace’s Jiva Spa Boat to relax and rejuvenate, a glass of wine in hand.

Get the full Ayurvedic experience in Kerala

Cleansing ritual before treatments, Sitaram Resort, Kerala. Photo: Crookes and Jackson
Cleansing
ritual before treatments, Sitaram Resort, Kerala. Photo: Crookes and Jackson

Monsoon is the best time to check into an Ayurvedic centre for a reboot. Be like Halle
Berry and book a room at the Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Centre, pick the
clifftop Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra Kovalam, or sign into CGH Earth's Kalari
Rasayana or Kalari Kovilakom that’s set in the former palace grounds of the Vengunad
chieftains. 

Heal at a Himalayan spa

Frequently ranked among the world’s top spas, Ananda in the Himalayas offers
myriad treatments, from Ayurveda to stress management. Now ready after a
calibrated three-year refurbishment programme, this wellness resort includes a new
physiotherapy facility with localised cryotherapy treatment, gait and posture analysis,
and a new infra-red sauna chamber. The design incorporates elements of traditional
gond and yantric art with colourful tapestries inspired by the ancient Himalayan
kingdoms.

Get married in a Rajasthani palace

Samode Palace, Jaipur
Samode Palace

Can there be a more spectacular setting for your wedding than a historic palace with
all its attendant royal trappings? Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace; Udaipur’s
Jagmandir Island Palace, The Leela Udaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas, Taj Lake Palace
and The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace; and Jaipur's Samode Palace, all offer the perfect
setting for you to exchange your vows.

Take in the Taj Mahal on a full-moon night

A meal with a view at The Oberoi Amarvilas

On any day, the Taj is gorgeous. Under a full moon, it turns ethereal. Sign up with the
Archaeological Survey of India for a tour. Or book the Kohinoor Suite at The Oberoi
Amarvilas for an uninterrupted view.
Visit Kashmir’s tulip gardens

Tulip garden, Srinagar

Raouf Dar
Come March, Kashmir’s Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar blooms
with rows upon rows of purple, white, orange, yellow and red flowers. The 80-acre
garden of tulips and other spring blooms—from daffodils to roses and irises—are
months-long labour of love by the Department of Floriculture Kashmir.

Visit the floating islands of Loktak Lake

Loktak lake, Manipur

Peter Adams

Manipur’s famous phumdis, or floating islands of biomass, are homes for the local
fishing community. Take a boat ride to see these indigenous, ingenious creations,
where you can stay on for lunch or sleep over at a homestay.

Stay with the king of Ladakh

Stok Palace, Ladakh

When in Ladakh, what better place to stay than where the king lives! At Stok Palace,
you can watch the royal family go about its routine and the in-house monk practise his
rituals. The best part: you can even chat with the king on all things Ladakh! The fact
that all areas of this nearly-200-year-old palace are open to guests makes this an
experience by itself. Ladakhi royalty permeates every corner—be it the rugs, the
painted woodwork or the colourful interiors. Do visit the palace museum and check
out the family treasures, including the queen mother’s ancient turquoise-and-gold
crown and a collection of thangkhas (Tibetan silk paintings). 

Watch the Western Ghats glow up at night

Bioluminescent mushroom in the Western Ghats. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Benjamin Derge

Remember the living island from the Life of Pi? You can have a somewhat similar
experience in the rain-drenched and dense forests of the Western Ghats. Monsoon
brings with it bioluminescent fungi and mushrooms, which can be witnessed from
afar with the glimmering neon yellow or bluish-green light that they emit. Watch the
forest come alive with this mesmerising phenomenon with a trek along the hills of the
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa, rock climbing on the Chorla Ghats, or during an
overnight hiking trip at the Bhimashankar Wildlife Reserve in Maharashtra.

Trek to the Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Vivek_Renukaprasad
Between June and October, plod your way to this beautiful park in Uttarakhand for a
stunning carpet of over 300 species of wildflowers. With luck, you may even spot the
tahr or the Himalayan black bear.

Float over a fort, forest and fair

Amer Fort, Jaipur

Photo: Website of SkyWaltz

Hop into the basket and look at Rajasthan from above. Soar over the ramparts of
Jaipur’s sprawling Amer Fort, the colourful Pushkar camel fair, the wilderness of
Ranthambore or the countryside of Kamshet—the views are guaranteed to blow you
away. Website

Watch a boat race in Kerala

Boat race, Kerala
Frédéric Soltan/Getty Images

Dubbed as the largest team sport in the world, snake boat racing is a heart-pounding,
adrenaline-pumping affair. The splash of dozens of oars in perfect rhythm is a treat for
the eyes. Catch Alleppey’s Nehru Trophy, Valam Kali, on the second Saturday of
August every year.

Ski in Gulmarg
Slopes of Gulmarg

India’s most popular ski destination pulls everyone, from amateurs to professionals.
Its gondola is one of the highest in the world, and the ski-town offers world-class
lodging facilities. Sign up for heli-skiing to take things a notch higher, quite literally.
Read our guide on how to make the most of winter in Gulmarg.

Take the palace trail through Madhya Pradesh

Inside the Jai Vilas Palace
Atid Kiattisaksiri/Getty Images

From the Jahangir Mahal of Orchha to Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior to Ahilya Fort in
Maheshwar, the state is rich with royal homes, most of which are in excellent
condition.

Hope for a glimpse of the Kanchenjunga

Photo: 123Rf/Alamy

At 8,586m, the Kanchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world and Sikkim’s
most sacred landmark. The snow-capped Kanchenjunga plays peek-a-boo with you
from behind the mist, and you could spend an entire week without as much as
glimpse. But when it does reveal itself, it’s a sight to remember for life.

Spend the night in a houseboat in Srinagar

An eco-friendly houseboat located in a secluded corner of Dal Lake, Sukoon has five en-suite
bedrooms, a dining room and a large sun deck overlooking the lake. They also conduct nature and
heritage walks all over Kashmir Valley. Doubles from Rs16,500 Photo: Athul Prasad

Pick one of the many ‘floating palaces’ anchored on the Dal or Nagin Lake for a classic
Kashmir experience. Each houseboat comes with lavishly furnished rooms, verandahs
and a terrace that serves as a sun-deck for evening cocktails. That’s one way to float in
paradise.

Explore the forts of Maharashtra

Photo taken in Torna, India Shantanu Magdum / EyeEm

With nearly 350 forts scattered across the state, Maharashtra is a haven for history
buffs and trekkers alike. Make the tricky climb to Pratapgad fort, drive along the coast
to Sindhudurg or sail to the Murud fort in the middle of the sea—the journey is as
enjoyable as the destination.

Visit the Kumbh Mela

Getty Images

What does a sea of humanity look like? To find out, head to Allahabad, Haridwar,
Ujjain and Nashik for the Kumbh Mela. It’s considered a life-altering experience even
by those who don’t take the holy dip.

Read Ghalib at Ghalib’s home in Delhi

Mirza Ghalib Ki Haveli at Old Delhi. Mirza Ghalib Ki Haveli at Old Delhi.

This restored haveli where Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib lived is charming enough to turn
anyone into a romantic. Take a copy of ‘Ghalib: Life & Letters’ and find yourself a spot
under one of its many archways.

Pretend you have Tagore and Ray for company

Photo: Soltan Frédéric / Contributor

Find yourself a seat at India Coffee House in Kolkata, one of the country’s most iconic
coffee shop. Over the last six decades, it has been a favourite with writers, poets, artists
and political leaders. Greats such as Tagore, Bose, Ray and Amartya Sen have been
regular patrons. Little has changed over the years: cigarettes, chowmein and coffee are
still the staple, and you can easily pretend you are in Calcutta of the ’60s, smoking
Charms, spewing Marx.

Party with the tribes of India’s northeast

The Hornbill Festival: Photo: NurPhoto / Contributor The Hornbill Festival: Photo: NurPhoto /
Contributor

Named for the bird commonly found in the state, the annual Hornbill Festival of
Nagaland showcases the cultures of its tribes. Performers often wear headgear that
resembles the bird’s plumage. Website

Live with the last of the tattoed head-hunters

ALESSANDRO BIGAZZI / Alamy Stock Photo

The Konyak people of Nagaland have had a long tradition of head-hunting, and it’s
common for homes to display skulls and bones as trophies. Take a tour to meet the
men and women of this fascinating tribe and find out about their bloody conquests.

Walk over a frozen river

Photo: shutterstock.com

Test your nerves (and luck) on the Chadar trek, which takes you over the frozen River
Zanskar for seven cold days. With just a few inches of ice between you and a raging icy
river, this one’s not for the weak and the meek.

Trek to Roopkund Lake

Photo: T Sundup [under CC BY 2.0] via Flickr

The trek to Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand is at once beautiful and haunting. Lush
Himalayan forests, gurgling brooks and undulating meadows all take you to this lake
at 16,500ft above sea. It’s all pretty till you see the dozens of skulls and bones lying at
the bottom of the shallow lake since the 6th century. You’ll have chills running down
your spine for more reasons than one.

Sign up for kalaripayattu in Kerala

Kalaripayatuu, Kerala
Konstantin Kalishko / Alamy Stock Photo

Kerala’s traditional martial art is a beautiful blend of grace and energy. Kalaripayattu
is a tough but rewarding exercise and makes for some ridiculously exciting
photographs.

Fish for the prized golden mahseer in Arunachal

Pradesh
<i>Kaushal Parikh</i>

One of the world’s great game fishes can be found in the Upper Siang, between
Yingkiong and Boleng, in Arunachal Pradesh. The fastest way to get from one place to
the other is by riding the white-water rapids.

Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Fondly known as the Toy Train, this narrow-gauge railway runs from New Jalpaiguri
to Darjeeling. The most popular route, however, remains from Ghum to Darjeeling,
where it cuts through streets and markets. In service for over 140 years, it has earned
UNESCO World Heritage status.

Watch the Wagah Border ceremony

Wagah border, Amritsar 

You’ve seen it on TV, but go to Wagah to see men in uniform perform this unique
martial show with soldiers across the fence.

Watch polo in Ladakh

Paul Panayiotou/Paul Panayiotou/Corbis

Believe it or not, polo has been a tradition in Ladakh for centuries! Watch professional
teams from the villages of Ladakh square off at one of the world’s highest and prettiest
polo grounds.

Cycle around the ruins of Hampi

There are many ways to explore the ruins that date back to the 3rd century BC, but
renting a cycle is perhaps the most enjoyable. Pedal your way around the various sites,
and as dusk falls, load your bike into a coracle to arrive at the hippie side of town.
Visit the adventure capital of India

Situated by the banks of the Ganga river, the holy town of Rishikesh is for both
spiritual seekers and adventurers. You can brave the rapids of Ganga with river
rafting, take the leap of faith with bungee jumping, go rock climbing or rappel down
the rocky terrains and take in the breathtaking view of the landscape from up above
with paragliding.

Head to the many gorgeous waterfalls of India

Dudhsagar waterfalls, Goa
Dharitri Walia / EyeEm

Waterfalls in India offer more than just a spectacular view and wildlife enthusiasts
can witness the large variety of flora and fauna that are often found in these regions.
Hop on a train to Goa and visit the mighty Dudhsagar waterfalls, drive down to
Hogenakkal falls from Bengaluru to catch glimpse of a view that will leave you
breathless, and if you’re visiting McLeod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh, trek up to the
Bhagsu waterfalls for some peace and quiet.

Relive India’s freedom trail in Amritsar

bullet marks on a wall surround a arch at jallianwala bagh massacre site in amritsar,
india crbellette
Go back in time to India’s freedom struggle in the storied city of Amritsar. The
Jallianwala Bagh is a good starting point, followed by a stop at the excellent Partition
Museum with its repertory of stories of heartbreak and hope, and ending with the
Beating Retreat ceremony celebrating Indian nationalism at the Wagah Border.

Take a street-art tour

Street art in Lodhi Colony, Delhi
Stuart Freedman/Getty Images

Street art is having a moment in Indian cities, with nonprofit St+Art India Foundation
bringing together the finest international and Indian talent to make quirky, thought-
provoking, freely accessible works in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and
Mumbai. Check out their Instagram handle for updates on their curated tour or go on
a self-guided walk!

Get on a dinosaur trail in Gujarat

The Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park in Gandhinagar, which is 30km from Ahmedabad. Photo: Sam
Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images

India was once roamed by dinosaurs, and you can get a sneak preview of tha past at
Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park at Gandhinagar. Follow up the museum’s fossilised
remains and petrified eggs with a visit to Raiyoli in Balasinor, the second-largest dino
fossil excavation site and hatchery in the world, where you can gawp at fossils, eggs
and life-sized replicas.

Ride the waves in Karnataka and Puducherry

Lisa Haydon surfing near Puducherry. Photo: Tarun Khiwal Lisa Haydon surfing near Puducherry.
Photo: Tarun Khiwal

For all the water babies out there, learn how to surf with the ‘Surfing Swami’ who set
up India’s first surf school in 2004 in Mulki, located between Udupi and Mangaluru.
The Mantra Surf Club can teach you how to stand up, paddle and ride to the shore in
five days, with more advanced courses of upto a month. And Serenity Beach, 10km
north of Puducherry, draws surf addicts from across India. After the devastating 2004
Tsunami, the Tamil Nadu government built two long piers to protect the beach, which
created a surf break that provides great conditions for learners and professionals alike.

Go scuba diving in Netrani Island, Karnataka

Karnataka
Amith Nag Photography

Take a deep dive and swim amidst corals and clear blue waters at Netrani Island, off
the coastal town of Murdeshwar. Touted as one of the best diving sites in India, the
place offers adventure in abundance and you can choose to take one dive or the entire
PADI-certified diving course.

Go stargazing on the sea

Moon lighting the Andaman Sea, Andaman Nicobar Islands dhruvnaik

Parsi siblings Tanaz and Shiraz Noble are Andaman natives. If you call them close to
the new moon, you can kayak over an inky ocean and watch it glow to life with
phosphorescence, even as they show you all the constellations in the night sky. Every
star, pointed out by a powerful laser, becomes a story–the devoted daughter, the
jealous lover, the talented hunter… The experience is unforgettable - Nayantara Jain

Walk Meghalaya’s living root bridges

SHILLONG, MEGHALAYA, INDIA - 2016/05/15: A view of the living root bridge at
Mawlynnong on the outskirts of Shillong. Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district
of Meghalaya. It is often called Asia's cleanest village. Meghalaya is a state in north-east India
which means "the abode of clouds" in Sanskrit. Previously a part of Assam, Meghalaya became a
state in 1972 when the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills came under it. English is the
official language of Meghalaya and Christianity its main religion. Meghalaya follows a
matrilineal system where the youngest daughter inherits all wealth and she also takes care of her
parents. The state is also the wettest region of India, recording an average of 12,000 mm of rains
annually. (Photo by Subhendu Sarkar/LightRocket via Getty Images) Subhendu Sarkar/Getty Images

Built out of the roots of ficus trees—some even dating back 500 years—these bridges
can withstand the heavy rainfall the region is famous for. Check out the Umshiang
Double Decker root bridge in Nongriat village, south of Cherrapunji, and the one in
Riwai near Mawlynnong.

TOPICS INDIA TRAVEL MUMBAI DELHI GOA KERALA KARNATAKA LADAKH KASHMIR

AMRITSAR HYDERABAD

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