India Travel Guide

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Fodor's Essential India
Written by locals, Fodor's Essential India is the perfect guidebook for those looking for...

India is a soulful, soul-stirring country, overflowing with cultural treasures, spiritual wonder, and natural beauty. A wondrous land of crowded megacities, Himalayan monasteries, and ancient fishing villages, India sweeps you up in a confounding and beautiful tide of humanity. Float along Kerala's famous backwaters, take a camel ride through Rajasthan, or find peace at the holy Ganges. And whether you drink chai (tea) from the source in Munnar, or savor Marwari cuisine in Jaipur, the land of spices and its remarkable people will linger long in your memory.

Fodor's Essential India
Written by locals, Fodor's Essential India is the perfect guidebook for those looking for...

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Rajasthan

Steeped in tales of chivalry and romance, and famous for its striking desert landscape, massive forts, and fabulous palaces, Rajasthan represents...

Mumbai

Mumbai, sometimes called the Maximum City, after Suketa Mehta’s 2004 nonfiction book of the same name, encapsulates the dynamism and chaos of...

Delhi

Delhi is the best place to experience all that brings people to India: history, culture, food, spirituality, madness, mystery. Spend a day amid...

Kerala

From pristine beaches and backwaters to extensive stretches of tea and spice plantations and rolling hills, Kerala, the narrow state running...

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Laid-back and vibrant, complacent and ambitious, politically charged but curiously indifferent, this is a city that contradicts itself at every...

Side Trips from Delhi

Grand tales of love and loss, and myth and legend, come to life in this section of the Hindi heartland, anchored by Agra, home of the stunning...

Goa

Beguiling white sands, fresh and spicy seafood, and a cold drink under a glowing sun is Goa at its charming best. But there's plenty more: striking...

Jaipur and Environs

Jaipur, the state capital, is worth a few days' visit: it's a delightful mixture of modernity and folk tradition. Don't be surprised to see...

Jaipur

There is a Rajasthani proverb that asks, "Je na dekhyo Jaipario, To kal men akar kya kario?" ("What have I accomplished in my life, if I have...

Kochi

Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the west coast's largest and oldest ports. The streets behind the docks of the...

Udiapur and Environs

Romantic Udaipur, the major city here, warrants several days or more since the Aravali Hills and the Mewar region are home to several fascinating...

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second-largest city, is known as the Blue City because of the pale blue-painted narrow and tall houses of the jumbled and...

North Goa

Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna were important stops on the hippie trails of the 1960s and 1970s, and continue to be at the beating heart of Goa...

Central Kerala

Between Kochi and Quilon (Kollam), to the south, is the immense labyrinth of waterways called kayals, through which much of the life of the...

Udaipur

Romantic old-world charm, soothing lakes, and fairy-tale palaces are what draw so many visitors to Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes. It was...

Khajuraho

The UNESCO World Heritage Site temples of Khajuraho are known for their carved erotic images, but they are also examples of the advanced...

Southern Kerala

The beaches near Kovalam are southern Kerala's main attraction—in fact, they're what brought Western tourists to the state in the first place...

Varanasi

A visit to Varanasi, also known as Benaras or Benares, or as Kashi (meaning "resplendent with light"), is an experience unlike any other. This...

Jaisalmer and Environs

The stark, compelling beauty of the Thar Desert draws travelers to far-western Rajasthan—for good reason. Jaisalmer is a picture-perfect medieval...

Panaji and Nearby

Panaji (also called Panjim) was once the capital of the former Portuguese colony and is now the state's capital. A scenic little city, it sits...

Aurangabad, and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Although they may never receive top billing on a brochure, an argument can certainly be made that the cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora, which...

Agra and Environs

The fastest way to drive to Agra from Delhi is via the Yamuna Expressway, or you can take the other, more historic route, which follows the...

South Goa

Margao, about 7 km (4 miles) inland from the coast, is the main town in South Goa. There's a bustling market, and it's worth exploring for its...

Agra

Agra is synonymous with that monument of love: the stunning Taj Mahal. The city is crowded and congested, but once you lay eyes on the dazzling...

Panaji

Panaji has somewhat less of the poverty and hustle and bustle of India's other state capitals, and its palm-lined plazas, elegant Portuguese...

Northern Kerala

If Kerala is unspoiled India, then Malabar—as the northern part of the state was once known—is unspoiled Kerala. Arab traders landed here long...

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Built on seven low hills and cleansed by ocean breezes, Kerala's capital is surprisingly calm and pleasant, with wide avenues and some rather...

Pushkar

With more than 500 temples, Pushkar is one of Hinduism's holiest sites and an interesting place to visit even when the famous camel fair (in...

Kovalam

Kovalam's numerous and delightfully clean and sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves. Fishermen in lungis (colorful...

Aurangabad

With several excellent hotels, Aurangabad is a good base from which to explore the cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora, but not a fantastic city...

Munnar

On the drive from Thekkady to Munnar, a good road winds through lofty forests as well as spice and tea plantations. As you make the final climb...

Varkala

Varkala, a magically peaceful beach town, is on a small strip of coastline fringed by the sparkling Papanasam Beach, which stretches out below...

Alleppey

This city was once known as the Venice of India, though most residents have abandoned their canoes for cars. Alleppey (Alappuzha) is an important...

Ellora Caves

...

Calangute Beach to Candolim

Calangute is by far the most crowded of the northern beaches—it's an open stretch of white sand with an entrance area crammed with restaurants...

Port Blair

The largest town in the Andaman Islands, lively and ethnically vibrant Port Blair has a rich past—Marco Polo was here in the 13th century, and...

Thekkady

Due east of Kumarakom, Kottayam, and Kochi, this cool mountain town, thick with spice plantations, sits at 3,000 feet above sea level in the...

Kannur

The Kannur district is the heartland of the Moppilahs (Kerala's Muslim community). It's also a center for the hand-loom industry as well as...

Anjuna Beach

Discovered by the hippies in the late 1960s, Anjuna and its palm-lined beaches have had many seasons of glory. Although Anjuna can get very...

Sinquerim Beach

You can rent Windsurfers and water skis at Sinquerim and Bogmalo, also in the Bardez district. Equipment rental is fairly cheap, but always...

Calicut

This city doesn't hold much excitement in itself, but Calicut (Kozhikode) has an airport and is a good base for exploring several interesting...

Kumarakom

Some of Kerala's finest resorts are hidden in this tiny, rapidly developing area on the shores of Vembanad Lake. The quiet, rustic town of Kumarakom...

Mount Abu

Once the summer escape of Rajasthani royalty, who each had their oversized haveli here (they can still be seen today), today Mount Abu is one...

Vagator Beach

Jagged cliffs along sandy shores give a rugged wild atmosphere to the beaches at Vagator, which is split by a seaside headland that offers beautiful...

Baga Beach

One of Goa's top party beaches, Baga is known for its hopping "shack life." If you’re looking for a quiet spot to sunbathe, Baga probably isn...

Bogmalo Beach

This tiny crescent of fine sand is perfect for swimming and sunning. It's near a low, verdant hill topped by a few modern buildings on one side...

Majorda and Utorda

Majorda and nearby Utorda, which both have a number of resorts, are rapidly sacrificing peace and quiet to larger volumes of tourists. Just...

Palolem Beach

Until recently, Goa's southernmost sandy stretch—nicknamed Paradise Beach—really was like a dream. The visitors who made their way to Palolem...

Cavelossim

The last of the villages before the mouth of the Sal River, Cavelossim is also the end of the coastal road southward from Bogmalo. If you want...

Sarnath

Sarnath is where the historical Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama (ca. 563–ca. 483 BC) first taught the Buddhist dharma. In 528 BC, about five weeks...

Quilon

If you're coming up from Thiruvananthapuram, central Kerala starts here, with the peaceful waters of the eight-armed Ashtamudi Lake. The waterfront...

Bharatpur

Once the capital of a Jat kingdom, this town, which is very close to the border of Uttar Pradesh, is most famous for its proximity to the Bharatpur...

Old Goa

Gorgeous Old Goa, with foliage creeping in around the ruins of old churches, served as the capital of the Portuguese colony until repeated outbreaks...

Benaulim

Just 2 km (1 mile) south of Colva is the first of the beautiful, secluded beaches of South Goa—a far cry from the action-packed beaches of the...

Ranthambhore National Park

Half of the world's endangered tiger population lives in India and one of the national parks where the odds of seeing a tiger are much higher...

Eklingji and Nagda

Eklingji, a lively temple town hardly more than half an hour out of Udaipur toward Jaipur on NH8, is the site of one of the areas key Shiva...

Varca

The scenery at Varca is rural: there are deep fields on either side of the road, and you may get the distinct feeling that you're heading nowhere...

Lakshadweep

...

Bundi

Pretty Bundi in southeastern Rajasthan is famous for its baoris or stepwells and art as well as its fort and palace. The town once had more...

Chittaurgarh

Chittaurgarh was for hundreds of years an important Rajput capital until it fell to Muslim conquerors from the north. Indian history books have...

Ranakpur

This small, out-of-the way village in the woodlands of the Aravali range is famous in all of Rajasthan for its astounding-looking Jain temples...

Cansaulim Beach

This quiet, clean stretch of beach between Bogmallo and Colva has a fine location—it's conveniently close to both Dabolim Airport and Margao...

Loutolim

Loutolim is among Goa's prettiest villages, with lush paddy fields and tranquil village roads that lie under a canopy of forest trees. This...

Fatehpur Sikri

The capital of the Mughal Empire for only 14 years (from 1571 to 1585), the majestic red sandstone buildings of the now uninhabited fortified...

Colva

Colva Beach is the most congested beach in South Goa. Its large parking and entrance areas are crowded with shacks selling snacks and souvenirs...

Kumbhalgarh

Perched high on a forested hilltop is the fort destination of Kumbhalgarh, 3,600 feet above sea level. The long Mewar dominance of this area...

Ponda

Ponda itself is an uninteresting town, but a number of the temples in the hills that surround it shouldn't be missed. The area came under Portuguese...

Ajanta Caves

...

Dudhsagar Falls

These imposing waterfalls make a good day trip from Panaji or Calangute. ...

Khimsar

The 16th-century fort at Khimsar, a three-hour drive from Jodhpur, was once the province of one of Rao Jodha's sons. His descendants still live...

Chandor

This small, sleepy village occupies the site of Chandrapur, ancient capital of the region from AD 375 to 1053. ...

Nagaur

...

Osian

...

Mapusa

Friday is the big market day in Mapusa (pronounced map -sa)—the main town in the Bardez district. People from adjoining villages and some...

Rajasthan

Steeped in tales of chivalry and romance, and famous for its striking desert landscape, massive forts, and fabulous palaces, Rajasthan represents...

Mumbai

Mumbai, sometimes called the Maximum City, after Suketa Mehta’s 2004 nonfiction book of the same name, encapsulates the dynamism and chaos of...

Delhi

Delhi is the best place to experience all that brings people to India: history, culture, food, spirituality, madness, mystery. Spend a day amid...

Kerala

From pristine beaches and backwaters to extensive stretches of tea and spice plantations and rolling hills, Kerala, the narrow state running...

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Laid-back and vibrant, complacent and ambitious, politically charged but curiously indifferent, this is a city that contradicts itself at every...

Side Trips from Delhi

Grand tales of love and loss, and myth and legend, come to life in this section of the Hindi heartland, anchored by Agra, home of the stunning...

Goa

Beguiling white sands, fresh and spicy seafood, and a cold drink under a glowing sun is Goa at its charming best. But there's plenty more: striking...

Jaipur and Environs

Jaipur, the state capital, is worth a few days' visit: it's a delightful mixture of modernity and folk tradition. Don't be surprised to see...

Jaipur

There is a Rajasthani proverb that asks, "Je na dekhyo Jaipario, To kal men akar kya kario?" ("What have I accomplished in my life, if I have...

Kochi

Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the west coast's largest and oldest ports. The streets behind the docks of the...

Udiapur and Environs

Romantic Udaipur, the major city here, warrants several days or more since the Aravali Hills and the Mewar region are home to several fascinating...

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second-largest city, is known as the Blue City because of the pale blue-painted narrow and tall houses of the jumbled and...

North Goa

Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna were important stops on the hippie trails of the 1960s and 1970s, and continue to be at the beating heart of Goa...

Central Kerala

Between Kochi and Quilon (Kollam), to the south, is the immense labyrinth of waterways called kayals, through which much of the life of the...

Udaipur

Romantic old-world charm, soothing lakes, and fairy-tale palaces are what draw so many visitors to Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes. It was...

Khajuraho

The UNESCO World Heritage Site temples of Khajuraho are known for their carved erotic images, but they are also examples of the advanced...

Southern Kerala

The beaches near Kovalam are southern Kerala's main attraction—in fact, they're what brought Western tourists to the state in the first place...

Varanasi

A visit to Varanasi, also known as Benaras or Benares, or as Kashi (meaning "resplendent with light"), is an experience unlike any other. This...

Jaisalmer and Environs

The stark, compelling beauty of the Thar Desert draws travelers to far-western Rajasthan—for good reason. Jaisalmer is a picture-perfect medieval...

Panaji and Nearby

Panaji (also called Panjim) was once the capital of the former Portuguese colony and is now the state's capital. A scenic little city, it sits...

Aurangabad, and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Although they may never receive top billing on a brochure, an argument can certainly be made that the cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora, which...

Agra and Environs

The fastest way to drive to Agra from Delhi is via the Yamuna Expressway, or you can take the other, more historic route, which follows the...

South Goa

Margao, about 7 km (4 miles) inland from the coast, is the main town in South Goa. There's a bustling market, and it's worth exploring for its...

Agra

Agra is synonymous with that monument of love: the stunning Taj Mahal. The city is crowded and congested, but once you lay eyes on the dazzling...

Panaji

Panaji has somewhat less of the poverty and hustle and bustle of India's other state capitals, and its palm-lined plazas, elegant Portuguese...

Northern Kerala

If Kerala is unspoiled India, then Malabar—as the northern part of the state was once known—is unspoiled Kerala. Arab traders landed here long...

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Built on seven low hills and cleansed by ocean breezes, Kerala's capital is surprisingly calm and pleasant, with wide avenues and some rather...

Pushkar

With more than 500 temples, Pushkar is one of Hinduism's holiest sites and an interesting place to visit even when the famous camel fair (in...

Kovalam

Kovalam's numerous and delightfully clean and sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves. Fishermen in lungis (colorful...

Aurangabad

With several excellent hotels, Aurangabad is a good base from which to explore the cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora, but not a fantastic city...

Munnar

On the drive from Thekkady to Munnar, a good road winds through lofty forests as well as spice and tea plantations. As you make the final climb...

Varkala

Varkala, a magically peaceful beach town, is on a small strip of coastline fringed by the sparkling Papanasam Beach, which stretches out below...

Alleppey

This city was once known as the Venice of India, though most residents have abandoned their canoes for cars. Alleppey (Alappuzha) is an important...

Ellora Caves

...

Calangute Beach to Candolim

Calangute is by far the most crowded of the northern beaches—it's an open stretch of white sand with an entrance area crammed with restaurants...

Port Blair

The largest town in the Andaman Islands, lively and ethnically vibrant Port Blair has a rich past—Marco Polo was here in the 13th century, and...

Thekkady

Due east of Kumarakom, Kottayam, and Kochi, this cool mountain town, thick with spice plantations, sits at 3,000 feet above sea level in the...

Kannur

The Kannur district is the heartland of the Moppilahs (Kerala's Muslim community). It's also a center for the hand-loom industry as well as...

Anjuna Beach

Discovered by the hippies in the late 1960s, Anjuna and its palm-lined beaches have had many seasons of glory. Although Anjuna can get very...

Sinquerim Beach

You can rent Windsurfers and water skis at Sinquerim and Bogmalo, also in the Bardez district. Equipment rental is fairly cheap, but always...

Calicut

This city doesn't hold much excitement in itself, but Calicut (Kozhikode) has an airport and is a good base for exploring several interesting...

Kumarakom

Some of Kerala's finest resorts are hidden in this tiny, rapidly developing area on the shores of Vembanad Lake. The quiet, rustic town of Kumarakom...

Mount Abu

Once the summer escape of Rajasthani royalty, who each had their oversized haveli here (they can still be seen today), today Mount Abu is one...

Vagator Beach

Jagged cliffs along sandy shores give a rugged wild atmosphere to the beaches at Vagator, which is split by a seaside headland that offers beautiful...

Baga Beach

One of Goa's top party beaches, Baga is known for its hopping "shack life." If you’re looking for a quiet spot to sunbathe, Baga probably isn...

Bogmalo Beach

This tiny crescent of fine sand is perfect for swimming and sunning. It's near a low, verdant hill topped by a few modern buildings on one side...

Majorda and Utorda

Majorda and nearby Utorda, which both have a number of resorts, are rapidly sacrificing peace and quiet to larger volumes of tourists. Just...

Palolem Beach

Until recently, Goa's southernmost sandy stretch—nicknamed Paradise Beach—really was like a dream. The visitors who made their way to Palolem...

Cavelossim

The last of the villages before the mouth of the Sal River, Cavelossim is also the end of the coastal road southward from Bogmalo. If you want...

Sarnath

Sarnath is where the historical Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama (ca. 563–ca. 483 BC) first taught the Buddhist dharma. In 528 BC, about five weeks...

Quilon

If you're coming up from Thiruvananthapuram, central Kerala starts here, with the peaceful waters of the eight-armed Ashtamudi Lake. The waterfront...

Bharatpur

Once the capital of a Jat kingdom, this town, which is very close to the border of Uttar Pradesh, is most famous for its proximity to the Bharatpur...

Old Goa

Gorgeous Old Goa, with foliage creeping in around the ruins of old churches, served as the capital of the Portuguese colony until repeated outbreaks...

Benaulim

Just 2 km (1 mile) south of Colva is the first of the beautiful, secluded beaches of South Goa—a far cry from the action-packed beaches of the...

Ranthambhore National Park

Half of the world's endangered tiger population lives in India and one of the national parks where the odds of seeing a tiger are much higher...

Eklingji and Nagda

Eklingji, a lively temple town hardly more than half an hour out of Udaipur toward Jaipur on NH8, is the site of one of the areas key Shiva...

Varca

The scenery at Varca is rural: there are deep fields on either side of the road, and you may get the distinct feeling that you're heading nowhere...

Lakshadweep

...

Bundi

Pretty Bundi in southeastern Rajasthan is famous for its baoris or stepwells and art as well as its fort and palace. The town once had more...

Chittaurgarh

Chittaurgarh was for hundreds of years an important Rajput capital until it fell to Muslim conquerors from the north. Indian history books have...

Ranakpur

This small, out-of-the way village in the woodlands of the Aravali range is famous in all of Rajasthan for its astounding-looking Jain temples...

Cansaulim Beach

This quiet, clean stretch of beach between Bogmallo and Colva has a fine location—it's conveniently close to both Dabolim Airport and Margao...

Loutolim

Loutolim is among Goa's prettiest villages, with lush paddy fields and tranquil village roads that lie under a canopy of forest trees. This...

Fatehpur Sikri

The capital of the Mughal Empire for only 14 years (from 1571 to 1585), the majestic red sandstone buildings of the now uninhabited fortified...

Colva

Colva Beach is the most congested beach in South Goa. Its large parking and entrance areas are crowded with shacks selling snacks and souvenirs...

Kumbhalgarh

Perched high on a forested hilltop is the fort destination of Kumbhalgarh, 3,600 feet above sea level. The long Mewar dominance of this area...

Ponda

Ponda itself is an uninteresting town, but a number of the temples in the hills that surround it shouldn't be missed. The area came under Portuguese...

Ajanta Caves

...

Dudhsagar Falls

These imposing waterfalls make a good day trip from Panaji or Calangute. ...

Khimsar

The 16th-century fort at Khimsar, a three-hour drive from Jodhpur, was once the province of one of Rao Jodha's sons. His descendants still live...

Chandor

This small, sleepy village occupies the site of Chandrapur, ancient capital of the region from AD 375 to 1053. ...

Nagaur

...

Osian

...

Mapusa

Friday is the big market day in Mapusa (pronounced map -sa)—the main town in the Bardez district. People from adjoining villages and some...

Mumbai

Mumbai, sometimes called the Maximum City, after Suketa Mehta’s 2004 nonfiction book of the same name, encapsulates the dynamism and chaos of...

Delhi

Delhi is the best place to experience all that brings people to India: history, culture, food, spirituality, madness, mystery. Spend a day amid...

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Laid-back and vibrant, complacent and ambitious, politically charged but curiously indifferent, this is a city that contradicts itself at every...

Jaipur and Environs

Jaipur, the state capital, is worth a few days' visit: it's a delightful mixture of modernity and folk tradition. Don't be surprised to see...

Jaipur

There is a Rajasthani proverb that asks, "Je na dekhyo Jaipario, To kal men akar kya kario?" ("What have I accomplished in my life, if I have...

Kochi

Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the west coast's largest and oldest ports. The streets behind the docks of the...

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second-largest city, is known as the Blue City because of the pale blue-painted narrow and tall houses of the jumbled and...

Udaipur

Romantic old-world charm, soothing lakes, and fairy-tale palaces are what draw so many visitors to Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes. It was...

Khajuraho

The UNESCO World Heritage Site temples of Khajuraho are known for their carved erotic images, but they are also examples of the advanced...

Jaisalmer and Environs

The stark, compelling beauty of the Thar Desert draws travelers to far-western Rajasthan—for good reason. Jaisalmer is a picture-perfect medieval...

Varanasi

A visit to Varanasi, also known as Benaras or Benares, or as Kashi (meaning "resplendent with light"), is an experience unlike any other. This...

Agra

Agra is synonymous with that monument of love: the stunning Taj Mahal. The city is crowded and congested, but once you lay eyes on the dazzling...

Panaji

Panaji has somewhat less of the poverty and hustle and bustle of India's other state capitals, and its palm-lined plazas, elegant Portuguese...

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Built on seven low hills and cleansed by ocean breezes, Kerala's capital is surprisingly calm and pleasant, with wide avenues and some rather...

Kovalam

Kovalam's numerous and delightfully clean and sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves. Fishermen in lungis (colorful...

Pushkar

With more than 500 temples, Pushkar is one of Hinduism's holiest sites and an interesting place to visit even when the famous camel fair (in...

Munnar

On the drive from Thekkady to Munnar, a good road winds through lofty forests as well as spice and tea plantations. As you make the final climb...

Varkala

Varkala, a magically peaceful beach town, is on a small strip of coastline fringed by the sparkling Papanasam Beach, which stretches out below...

Aurangabad

With several excellent hotels, Aurangabad is a good base from which to explore the cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora, but not a fantastic city...

Alleppey

This city was once known as the Venice of India, though most residents have abandoned their canoes for cars. Alleppey (Alappuzha) is an important...

Port Blair

The largest town in the Andaman Islands, lively and ethnically vibrant Port Blair has a rich past—Marco Polo was here in the 13th century, and...

Kannur

The Kannur district is the heartland of the Moppilahs (Kerala's Muslim community). It's also a center for the hand-loom industry as well as...

Thekkady

Due east of Kumarakom, Kottayam, and Kochi, this cool mountain town, thick with spice plantations, sits at 3,000 feet above sea level in the...

Anjuna Beach

Discovered by the hippies in the late 1960s, Anjuna and its palm-lined beaches have had many seasons of glory. Although Anjuna can get very...

Sinquerim Beach

You can rent Windsurfers and water skis at Sinquerim and Bogmalo, also in the Bardez district. Equipment rental is fairly cheap, but always...

Calicut

This city doesn't hold much excitement in itself, but Calicut (Kozhikode) has an airport and is a good base for exploring several interesting...

Kumarakom

Some of Kerala's finest resorts are hidden in this tiny, rapidly developing area on the shores of Vembanad Lake. The quiet, rustic town of Kumarakom...

Mount Abu

Once the summer escape of Rajasthani royalty, who each had their oversized haveli here (they can still be seen today), today Mount Abu is one...

Vagator Beach

Jagged cliffs along sandy shores give a rugged wild atmosphere to the beaches at Vagator, which is split by a seaside headland that offers beautiful...

Baga Beach

One of Goa's top party beaches, Baga is known for its hopping "shack life." If you’re looking for a quiet spot to sunbathe, Baga probably isn...

Majorda and Utorda

Majorda and nearby Utorda, which both have a number of resorts, are rapidly sacrificing peace and quiet to larger volumes of tourists. Just...

Palolem Beach

Until recently, Goa's southernmost sandy stretch—nicknamed Paradise Beach—really was like a dream. The visitors who made their way to Palolem...

Bogmalo Beach

This tiny crescent of fine sand is perfect for swimming and sunning. It's near a low, verdant hill topped by a few modern buildings on one side...

Cavelossim

The last of the villages before the mouth of the Sal River, Cavelossim is also the end of the coastal road southward from Bogmalo. If you want...

Quilon

If you're coming up from Thiruvananthapuram, central Kerala starts here, with the peaceful waters of the eight-armed Ashtamudi Lake. The waterfront...

Sarnath

Sarnath is where the historical Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama (ca. 563–ca. 483 BC) first taught the Buddhist dharma. In 528 BC, about five weeks...

Old Goa

Gorgeous Old Goa, with foliage creeping in around the ruins of old churches, served as the capital of the Portuguese colony until repeated outbreaks...

Benaulim

Just 2 km (1 mile) south of Colva is the first of the beautiful, secluded beaches of South Goa—a far cry from the action-packed beaches of the...

Bharatpur

Once the capital of a Jat kingdom, this town, which is very close to the border of Uttar Pradesh, is most famous for its proximity to the Bharatpur...

Eklingji and Nagda

Eklingji, a lively temple town hardly more than half an hour out of Udaipur toward Jaipur on NH8, is the site of one of the areas key Shiva...

Lakshadweep

...

Varca

The scenery at Varca is rural: there are deep fields on either side of the road, and you may get the distinct feeling that you're heading nowhere...

Chittaurgarh

Chittaurgarh was for hundreds of years an important Rajput capital until it fell to Muslim conquerors from the north. Indian history books have...

Cansaulim Beach

This quiet, clean stretch of beach between Bogmallo and Colva has a fine location—it's conveniently close to both Dabolim Airport and Margao...

Loutolim

Loutolim is among Goa's prettiest villages, with lush paddy fields and tranquil village roads that lie under a canopy of forest trees. This...

Fatehpur Sikri

The capital of the Mughal Empire for only 14 years (from 1571 to 1585), the majestic red sandstone buildings of the now uninhabited fortified...

Ranakpur

This small, out-of-the way village in the woodlands of the Aravali range is famous in all of Rajasthan for its astounding-looking Jain temples...

Colva

Colva Beach is the most congested beach in South Goa. Its large parking and entrance areas are crowded with shacks selling snacks and souvenirs...

Kumbhalgarh

Perched high on a forested hilltop is the fort destination of Kumbhalgarh, 3,600 feet above sea level. The long Mewar dominance of this area...

Bundi

Pretty Bundi in southeastern Rajasthan is famous for its baoris or stepwells and art as well as its fort and palace. The town once had more...

Ponda

Ponda itself is an uninteresting town, but a number of the temples in the hills that surround it shouldn't be missed. The area came under Portuguese...

Chandor

This small, sleepy village occupies the site of Chandrapur, ancient capital of the region from AD 375 to 1053. ...

Dudhsagar Falls

These imposing waterfalls make a good day trip from Panaji or Calangute. ...

Khimsar

The 16th-century fort at Khimsar, a three-hour drive from Jodhpur, was once the province of one of Rao Jodha's sons. His descendants still live...

Mapusa

Friday is the big market day in Mapusa (pronounced map -sa)—the main town in the Bardez district. People from adjoining villages and some...

Osian

...

Nagaur

...

Mumbai

Mumbai, sometimes called the Maximum City, after Suketa Mehta’s 2004 nonfiction book of the same name, encapsulates the dynamism and chaos of...

Delhi

Delhi is the best place to experience all that brings people to India: history, culture, food, spirituality, madness, mystery. Spend a day amid...

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Laid-back and vibrant, complacent and ambitious, politically charged but curiously indifferent, this is a city that contradicts itself at every...

Jaipur and Environs

Jaipur, the state capital, is worth a few days' visit: it's a delightful mixture of modernity and folk tradition. Don't be surprised to see...

Jaipur

There is a Rajasthani proverb that asks, "Je na dekhyo Jaipario, To kal men akar kya kario?" ("What have I accomplished in my life, if I have...

Kochi

Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the west coast's largest and oldest ports. The streets behind the docks of the...

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second-largest city, is known as the Blue City because of the pale blue-painted narrow and tall houses of the jumbled and...

Udaipur

Romantic old-world charm, soothing lakes, and fairy-tale palaces are what draw so many visitors to Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes. It was...

Khajuraho

The UNESCO World Heritage Site temples of Khajuraho are known for their carved erotic images, but they are also examples of the advanced...

Jaisalmer and Environs

The stark, compelling beauty of the Thar Desert draws travelers to far-western Rajasthan—for good reason. Jaisalmer is a picture-perfect medieval...

Varanasi

A visit to Varanasi, also known as Benaras or Benares, or as Kashi (meaning "resplendent with light"), is an experience unlike any other. This...

Agra

Agra is synonymous with that monument of love: the stunning Taj Mahal. The city is crowded and congested, but once you lay eyes on the dazzling...

Panaji

Panaji has somewhat less of the poverty and hustle and bustle of India's other state capitals, and its palm-lined plazas, elegant Portuguese...

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Built on seven low hills and cleansed by ocean breezes, Kerala's capital is surprisingly calm and pleasant, with wide avenues and some rather...

Kovalam

Kovalam's numerous and delightfully clean and sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves. Fishermen in lungis (colorful...

Pushkar

With more than 500 temples, Pushkar is one of Hinduism's holiest sites and an interesting place to visit even when the famous camel fair (in...

Munnar

On the drive from Thekkady to Munnar, a good road winds through lofty forests as well as spice and tea plantations. As you make the final climb...

Varkala

Varkala, a magically peaceful beach town, is on a small strip of coastline fringed by the sparkling Papanasam Beach, which stretches out below...

Aurangabad

With several excellent hotels, Aurangabad is a good base from which to explore the cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora, but not a fantastic city...

Alleppey

This city was once known as the Venice of India, though most residents have abandoned their canoes for cars. Alleppey (Alappuzha) is an important...

Port Blair

The largest town in the Andaman Islands, lively and ethnically vibrant Port Blair has a rich past—Marco Polo was here in the 13th century, and...

Kannur

The Kannur district is the heartland of the Moppilahs (Kerala's Muslim community). It's also a center for the hand-loom industry as well as...

Thekkady

Due east of Kumarakom, Kottayam, and Kochi, this cool mountain town, thick with spice plantations, sits at 3,000 feet above sea level in the...

Anjuna Beach

Discovered by the hippies in the late 1960s, Anjuna and its palm-lined beaches have had many seasons of glory. Although Anjuna can get very...

Sinquerim Beach

You can rent Windsurfers and water skis at Sinquerim and Bogmalo, also in the Bardez district. Equipment rental is fairly cheap, but always...

Calicut

This city doesn't hold much excitement in itself, but Calicut (Kozhikode) has an airport and is a good base for exploring several interesting...

Kumarakom

Some of Kerala's finest resorts are hidden in this tiny, rapidly developing area on the shores of Vembanad Lake. The quiet, rustic town of Kumarakom...

Mount Abu

Once the summer escape of Rajasthani royalty, who each had their oversized haveli here (they can still be seen today), today Mount Abu is one...

Vagator Beach

Jagged cliffs along sandy shores give a rugged wild atmosphere to the beaches at Vagator, which is split by a seaside headland that offers beautiful...

Baga Beach

One of Goa's top party beaches, Baga is known for its hopping "shack life." If you’re looking for a quiet spot to sunbathe, Baga probably isn...

Majorda and Utorda

Majorda and nearby Utorda, which both have a number of resorts, are rapidly sacrificing peace and quiet to larger volumes of tourists. Just...

Palolem Beach

Until recently, Goa's southernmost sandy stretch—nicknamed Paradise Beach—really was like a dream. The visitors who made their way to Palolem...

Bogmalo Beach

This tiny crescent of fine sand is perfect for swimming and sunning. It's near a low, verdant hill topped by a few modern buildings on one side...

Cavelossim

The last of the villages before the mouth of the Sal River, Cavelossim is also the end of the coastal road southward from Bogmalo. If you want...

Quilon

If you're coming up from Thiruvananthapuram, central Kerala starts here, with the peaceful waters of the eight-armed Ashtamudi Lake. The waterfront...

Sarnath

Sarnath is where the historical Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama (ca. 563–ca. 483 BC) first taught the Buddhist dharma. In 528 BC, about five weeks...

Old Goa

Gorgeous Old Goa, with foliage creeping in around the ruins of old churches, served as the capital of the Portuguese colony until repeated outbreaks...

Benaulim

Just 2 km (1 mile) south of Colva is the first of the beautiful, secluded beaches of South Goa—a far cry from the action-packed beaches of the...

Bharatpur

Once the capital of a Jat kingdom, this town, which is very close to the border of Uttar Pradesh, is most famous for its proximity to the Bharatpur...

Eklingji and Nagda

Eklingji, a lively temple town hardly more than half an hour out of Udaipur toward Jaipur on NH8, is the site of one of the areas key Shiva...

Lakshadweep

...

Varca

The scenery at Varca is rural: there are deep fields on either side of the road, and you may get the distinct feeling that you're heading nowhere...

Chittaurgarh

Chittaurgarh was for hundreds of years an important Rajput capital until it fell to Muslim conquerors from the north. Indian history books have...

Cansaulim Beach

This quiet, clean stretch of beach between Bogmallo and Colva has a fine location—it's conveniently close to both Dabolim Airport and Margao...

Loutolim

Loutolim is among Goa's prettiest villages, with lush paddy fields and tranquil village roads that lie under a canopy of forest trees. This...

Fatehpur Sikri

The capital of the Mughal Empire for only 14 years (from 1571 to 1585), the majestic red sandstone buildings of the now uninhabited fortified...

Ranakpur

This small, out-of-the way village in the woodlands of the Aravali range is famous in all of Rajasthan for its astounding-looking Jain temples...

Colva

Colva Beach is the most congested beach in South Goa. Its large parking and entrance areas are crowded with shacks selling snacks and souvenirs...

Kumbhalgarh

Perched high on a forested hilltop is the fort destination of Kumbhalgarh, 3,600 feet above sea level. The long Mewar dominance of this area...

Bundi

Pretty Bundi in southeastern Rajasthan is famous for its baoris or stepwells and art as well as its fort and palace. The town once had more...

Ponda

Ponda itself is an uninteresting town, but a number of the temples in the hills that surround it shouldn't be missed. The area came under Portuguese...

Chandor

This small, sleepy village occupies the site of Chandrapur, ancient capital of the region from AD 375 to 1053. ...

Dudhsagar Falls

These imposing waterfalls make a good day trip from Panaji or Calangute. ...

Khimsar

The 16th-century fort at Khimsar, a three-hour drive from Jodhpur, was once the province of one of Rao Jodha's sons. His descendants still live...

Mapusa

Friday is the big market day in Mapusa (pronounced map -sa)—the main town in the Bardez district. People from adjoining villages and some...

Osian

...

Nagaur

...

Rajasthan

Steeped in tales of chivalry and romance, and famous for its striking desert landscape, massive forts, and fabulous palaces, Rajasthan represents...

Kerala

From pristine beaches and backwaters to extensive stretches of tea and spice plantations and rolling hills, Kerala, the narrow state running...

Side Trips from Delhi

Grand tales of love and loss, and myth and legend, come to life in this section of the Hindi heartland, anchored by Agra, home of the stunning...

Goa

Beguiling white sands, fresh and spicy seafood, and a cold drink under a glowing sun is Goa at its charming best. But there's plenty more: striking...

Udiapur and Environs

Romantic Udaipur, the major city here, warrants several days or more since the Aravali Hills and the Mewar region are home to several fascinating...

Central Kerala

Between Kochi and Quilon (Kollam), to the south, is the immense labyrinth of waterways called kayals, through which much of the life of the...

North Goa

Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna were important stops on the hippie trails of the 1960s and 1970s, and continue to be at the beating heart of Goa...

Southern Kerala

The beaches near Kovalam are southern Kerala's main attraction—in fact, they're what brought Western tourists to the state in the first place...

Panaji and Nearby

Panaji (also called Panjim) was once the capital of the former Portuguese colony and is now the state's capital. A scenic little city, it sits...

Agra and Environs

The fastest way to drive to Agra from Delhi is via the Yamuna Expressway, or you can take the other, more historic route, which follows the...

Aurangabad, and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Although they may never receive top billing on a brochure, an argument can certainly be made that the cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora, which...

South Goa

Margao, about 7 km (4 miles) inland from the coast, is the main town in South Goa. There's a bustling market, and it's worth exploring for its...

Northern Kerala

If Kerala is unspoiled India, then Malabar—as the northern part of the state was once known—is unspoiled Kerala. Arab traders landed here long...

Calangute Beach to Candolim

Calangute is by far the most crowded of the northern beaches—it's an open stretch of white sand with an entrance area crammed with restaurants...

Arambol, Ashvem, Mandrew, and Morjim

The sands of Arambol are far less congested than those at Baga and Calangute, and as a result the area has become home to a new generation of...

Rajasthan

Steeped in tales of chivalry and romance, and famous for its striking desert landscape, massive forts, and fabulous palaces, Rajasthan represents...

Kerala

From pristine beaches and backwaters to extensive stretches of tea and spice plantations and rolling hills, Kerala, the narrow state running...

Side Trips from Delhi

Grand tales of love and loss, and myth and legend, come to life in this section of the Hindi heartland, anchored by Agra, home of the stunning...

Goa

Beguiling white sands, fresh and spicy seafood, and a cold drink under a glowing sun is Goa at its charming best. But there's plenty more: striking...

Udiapur and Environs

Romantic Udaipur, the major city here, warrants several days or more since the Aravali Hills and the Mewar region are home to several fascinating...

Central Kerala

Between Kochi and Quilon (Kollam), to the south, is the immense labyrinth of waterways called kayals, through which much of the life of the...

North Goa

Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna were important stops on the hippie trails of the 1960s and 1970s, and continue to be at the beating heart of Goa...

Southern Kerala

The beaches near Kovalam are southern Kerala's main attraction—in fact, they're what brought Western tourists to the state in the first place...

Panaji and Nearby

Panaji (also called Panjim) was once the capital of the former Portuguese colony and is now the state's capital. A scenic little city, it sits...

Agra and Environs

The fastest way to drive to Agra from Delhi is via the Yamuna Expressway, or you can take the other, more historic route, which follows the...

Aurangabad, and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Although they may never receive top billing on a brochure, an argument can certainly be made that the cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora, which...

South Goa

Margao, about 7 km (4 miles) inland from the coast, is the main town in South Goa. There's a bustling market, and it's worth exploring for its...

Northern Kerala

If Kerala is unspoiled India, then Malabar—as the northern part of the state was once known—is unspoiled Kerala. Arab traders landed here long...

Calangute Beach to Candolim

Calangute is by far the most crowded of the northern beaches—it's an open stretch of white sand with an entrance area crammed with restaurants...

Arambol, Ashvem, Mandrew, and Morjim

The sands of Arambol are far less congested than those at Baga and Calangute, and as a result the area has become home to a new generation of...

Ranthambhore National Park

Half of the world's endangered tiger population lives in India and one of the national parks where the odds of seeing a tiger are much higher...

Ranthambhore National Park

Half of the world's endangered tiger population lives in India and one of the national parks where the odds of seeing a tiger are much higher...

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Rajasthan

Mumbai

Delhi

Kerala

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Side Trips from Delhi

Goa

Jaipur and Environs

Jaipur

Kochi

Udiapur and Environs

Jodhpur

North Goa

Central Kerala

Udaipur

Khajuraho

Southern Kerala

Varanasi

Jaisalmer and Environs

Panaji and Nearby

Aurangabad, and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Agra and Environs

South Goa

Agra

Panaji

Northern Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Pushkar

Kovalam

Aurangabad

Munnar

Varkala

Alleppey

Ellora Caves

Calangute Beach to Candolim

Port Blair

Thekkady

Kannur

Anjuna Beach

Sinquerim Beach

Calicut

Kumarakom

Mount Abu

Vagator Beach

Baga Beach

Bogmalo Beach

Majorda and Utorda

Palolem Beach

Cavelossim

Sarnath

Quilon

Bharatpur

Old Goa

Benaulim

Ranthambhore National Park

Eklingji and Nagda

Varca

Lakshadweep

Bundi

Chittaurgarh

Ranakpur

Cansaulim Beach

Loutolim

Fatehpur Sikri

Colva

Kumbhalgarh

Ponda

Ajanta Caves

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