About India

One of the oldest civilizations in the world, India is a variety of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and numerous attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It covers an area of 32, 87,263 sq. km, extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity.

Without question, India is the most engaging, colorful, chaotic, spiritual and life-affirming country in the world. It is an assault on the senses – all of them, nearly all of the time.

India Travel Facts

• Spoken language: India has 22 official languages, but the most widely spoken is Hindi

• Official unit of currency: Indian rupee

• Population in India: 1.3 billion

• The capital city is Delhi

Popular in India

India is a home to the finest architectural heritage, serene ghats, spectacular landscapes and largest tiger reserve.

When to go to India

The best time to visit India is between late October (the end of the monsoon season) and mid-March. However Rajasthan can be chilly in December and January and those inviting hotel pools are unheated. April and May can be very hot and humid, with daytime highs of more than 100F/40C regularly recorded on the northern plains, though these are good months to visit the Himalayan foothills and the hill stations of Shimla and Darjeeling. High summer is pleasant in Kashmir and Ladakh.

The monsoon rains start in late May in the south, gradually moving north over the following six weeks, though the timing does vary and it certainly doesn’t rain all day every day.

If you like a quiet hotel, avoid the 10 days around the festival of Diwali (October 30), when Indian families holiday en masse and stay up late.

The best time to find empty rooms at short notice is during the first two weeks of December.

Top 10 best places to visit in India

1. Kerala

Kerala is divided between the mountains of the Western Ghats and lush plains of rice paddies, rivers, canals and lagoons. It’s these backwaters that make Kerala such a beautiful place to travel in India, on tranquil boat rides through the tropical surroundings.

2. Taj Mahal

The site recognised world-over; the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s greatest buildings and the ultimate symbol of love. Emperor Shah Jahan was the mind behind the grand design in order to enshrine his favourite wife, Arjumand Bann Begum, also known as Mumtaz Mahul, “Chosen One of the Palace”. The best time to see the Taj Mahal is in the early morning with relatively few crowds while the palace is drenched in a soft red glow.

3. Sikkim

Sikkim, a lovely state in the north-eastern frontier of India beckons tourists to spend time under starts-lit night, mist-laden mountains, amazing waterfalls, meandering rivers, exploring gorgeous valleys, high altitude lakes-truly a fairy tale destination. Enjoy an eclectic blend of nature’s beauty, rich history, adventure, and warm culture. A perfect place to relax, reenergize and rejuvenate, Sikkim offers an incredible holiday experience to the discerning travelers.

4. Goa

The very name of Goa evokes romanticism unlike any other. It is no wonder therefore that this beach destination is a top draw for tourists from around the world apart from the Indians. The hot and humid climate along with an opportunity to enjoy a number of beach activities plus its lip smacking food and the historical sites makes Goa immensely popular with the location being a must visit for tourists looking to enjoy a leisurely time here.

5. Andaman Islands

For the real tropical paradise experience, there’s really only one choice. Floating off the east coast of India, the Andaman Islands are densely forested, ringed by sand and fringed by coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. This remote archipelago is also home to Adivasi tribal people whose ancient way of life endures despite the challenges of modernisation.

6. Ladakh

Ladakh, a land of mesmerising scenic beauty manifested in infinite skies, steep valleys, barren mountains, shimmering lakes, vast expanse of cold desert, double humped camels, rich culture and heritage, impressive monasteries, and exciting fairs and festivals attracts a large number of tourists. It is truly a perfect destination promising complete relaxation and rejuvenation to the travelers who wish to spend time away from home. It is fun watching the interesting spectacle created by cloud formations and sublime skylines of Leh Ladakh.

7. Himachal

The luscious beauty of serenity landscapes, adventure sports and picturesque views of the Himalayas; Himachal Pradesh is rightly referred to as Land of Snow.

8. Kashmir

Kashmir manages to be both India’s most serene spot, and historically it’s most turbulent. The legendary Kashmir Valley is mesmerising, with its ancient mosques, Mughal gardens and houseboats drifting over its tranquil Dal Lake. Hikers will revel in Kashmir, with exceptional mountain views framing sleepy towns such as Sonamarg.

9. Rajasthan

From the glorious capital, Jaipur, to the Blue City of Jodhpur and the White City of Udaipur, Rajasthan is awash with desert fortresses, terrific temples and the palaces of Maharaja. For the ultimate Rajasthani experience, head for the desert citadel of Jaisalmer, where camel safaris into the Thar Desert offer a little taste of what life was like in India’s glorious past.

10. India’s national parks: spot the tigers

India boasts more than 100 national parks, 500 wildlife sanctuaries and 18 biosphere reserves, that provide a much needed home for endangered and rare species such as tigers, Asiatic elephants and one-horned Indian rhinos. Among the best-known reserves are Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan), Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand) and Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal).

Food and drink in India

The cuisine in India is popular worldwide and is as varied as the country's culture, dubbed the land of spices, strong flavours, aromatic curries and a range of meats and vegetables, the dishes change region to region. For obvious reasons, coastal towns boast delicious fish curries while mainland areas are well known for their veggie curries. Beef is almost non-existent in Indian cuisine, as cows are considered sacred under Hindu law. Must try curries include mutton Rogan Josh, macher jhol, vada curry and paneer tikka masala.

Where to Shop

Rajasthan is where it's at for colourful embroidered textiles, as well as miniature paintings, papier mache puppets and embroidered leather shoes. To buy precious and semi-precious gemstones head to the "pink city" of Jaipur, where gorgeous blue-glazed pottery is also made.

Marble wares inspired by the Taj Mahal, some of them exquisitely detailed and inlaid with semi-precious stones, can be sourced in Agra, while Varanasi is a popular place to pick up silk and sari.

If you're in Goa, the huge Wednesday flea market at Anjuna beach is an experience. There's also a really popular Saturday Night Market in Apora in North Goa. The lanes leading to Goa's beaches are lined with market stalls too.

How to Reach

India is connected with the rest of the world by a robust network of air routes. It has 34 International airports located across the length and breadth of the whole country – from Srinagar in the north to Manipur in the east and Jaipur in the west to Chennai in the south. The following six airports of India are connected with all the top international destinations.

• Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi

• Chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj International Airport, Mumbai

• Chennai International Airport

• Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata

• Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru

• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad