Witness India

Highlights of India

The Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan

Many travelers’ first experience with India is via the Golden Triangle, a combination of the northern destinations of Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan. For many, the notion of a journey India first brings to mind the Taj Mahal, the 16th century architectural masterpiece commissioned by the fifth Mughal emperor for his favorite wife as a statement of eternal love and devotion. While Agra’s signature site should by no means serve as the defining landmark of the Indian experience, its juxtaposition of vibrant opulence and peaceful reflection is what in many ways India is all about.

Nearby is Rajasthan, home to a captivating fusion of cultures that tell the tale of India’s unique history. Translated as the “Land of Kings”, Rajasthan boasts an unparalleled assortment of famed forts and palaces. Colors abound in the region’s cities, from pink Jaipur to blue Jodhpur to the emerald lakes of Udaipur.

Cultural Gem: Varanasi and Khajuraho

Not far from the Golden Triangle route are two of India’s most culturally significant cities: Varanasi and Khajuraho. Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is the holiest of cities for Hindus and the birthplace of yoga. The highlight of the visit to Varanasi is witnessing the soul stirring prayer ceremony on the banks of the Ganges. Completing the cultural circuit is the city of Khajuraho. This city is replete with temples from 800AD. These temples have been made famous because of their erotic nature as well as their beautiful depiction of the life at the time.

Mumbai: Bollywood and Beyond

Mumbai is India’s financial capital, but it’s so much more than just a business city. With its intriguing history, and unique culture, the city once known as Bombay is one of India’s most celebrated cities. As India’s largest city, Mumbai offers its visitors great sightseeing, wonderful heritage walks, art and fashion as well as some of the best dining in the country. It’s also home to Bollywood, the entertainment industry epicenter of India and one of its most culturally significant worldwide exports. Mumbai is also a gateway city to almost all large and small cities across India such as, Aurangabad, the Ajanta and Ellora caves and of course the beach destination of Goa.

Kerala: India’s Southern Jewel

For those who are looking for a different, and in many ways more preserved, taste of India, southern India provides a truly magical experience. Kerala is the best-known state in Southern India and while almost all of the country’s regions offer a verdant landscape, elaborately decorated temples and mouth-watering cuisine driven heavily by the use of coconut, something about Kerala is uniquely distinctive. The region is widely known for its 40 rivers running intersecting to form a network of “backwaters”. These backwaters are best navigated by houseboats, providing travelers with an intimate insight into rural life in the state. But perhaps Kerala is most famous as the home to Ayurveda, an ancient holistic medical science still used today for relaxing and rejuvenating massages. A South India itinerary is replete with visits to ancient temples and palaces, wildlife reserves, tea and coffee plantations, relaxing backwater cruises, Ayurveda and of course delicious food.

Himalayas: Trekking and More

Moving back north to the opposite side of the country, the Himalayas offer startling beauty in both its landscape and ancient villages. From colorful festivals to unique wildlife boasting the elusive snow leopard and double humped camels, Nepal’s neighbor to the west is incredibly rich and diverse in experiences ideal for the curious and adventurous traveler. Ladakh, the Himalayas’ most visited region, covers green valleys and high altitude lakes with treks across snowbound peaks and of course through tiny villages and imposing monasteries. It gained importance as it was part of the trade route. Picturesque Shimla, located at the foothills of the Himalayas, was once the summer capital of the British empire.

A visit to Indian Himalayas is ripe with opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, wildlife, history, culture and wellness. For true adventurists perhaps the most notable offering is that of the snow leopard trek. Found only in this part of the world, the intensive winter trek to spot one of earth’s most elusive creatures is an unparalleled experience.

Tiger Safari in India

For tiger enthusiasts, India provides a particular advantage in that it is home to nearly 50 percent of the world’s wild tiger population. Those traveling for tiger safari will have several regions from which to choose, spanning nearly every corner of the country from Rajasthan’s Ranthambore to Tadoba in the Mumbai area to Bandhavgarh and Kanha in India’s central region.

Travel Guide

A country as large and diverse as India could literally take months to properly explore. Yet as few have the time, resources or interest to journey anywhere in the world for such an extended period of time, we find that two weeks is often the ideal duration for your first few trips to India. For those looking to combine India with nearby countries, quite a few destinations pair well. Sri Lanka is an ideal complement to a tiger safari itinerary, while those more interested in hiking might consider other Himalayan nations like Bhutan or Nepal. The Maldives make for a perfect extension to an India trip with some of the world’s best beaches.

India is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. Several carriers offer nonstop flights between India and North America and various European and Middle Eastern airlines offer easy one-stop options into multiple Indian cities.