Places To Visit On Your Indian Vacation

We want to make the best out of any vacation.  Having an Indian vacation would mean that you would have numerous places to visit. Planning is essential to make sure that all members of the vacationing crowd would have fun.  This would also save you time from wasting any time of figuring out where you would have to go.  Therefore, to make sure that you would be able to have the best experience, it would be important for you to consider what place to go.

There are many places to go to in India, wide variety of places to visit can help you entertain.  It is important to factor the length of time you will be spending in India, if you will be staying in India for a long time, then you can visit different regions, since each region in India seems to offer great sights.  It you would be spending just a short time in the country, then it would be best to pick just the wonderful sights first.

Breezy Beaches and Waterways

Goa is one of the most popular beaches in India.  It started to become a tourist spot in 1970s and continued to be until now.  There are already commercialized Goa beaches that you could chose from, depending on the vacation you are having.  Other great beaches can be found in Karnataka and in Kerala, although they are less developed but their beauty can equal that of Goa beaches.   Andaman beaches also have great white, sandy shores and sparkling blue waters.

Aside from beaches, there are also backwaters which are great places to have a romantic boat rides.  Aside from that, there are also forts which can be visited in the Sindhudurg region.    There are different activities that can be done like windsurfing, dinghy sailing, scuba diving and water skiing.

Desert Heat

India is known for its vast Thar Desert or the Great Indian Desert where tourists will get to see forts, palaces and mansions.  This could be a great place for heritage and culture tours, there are many old mansions called havelis which are converted into palace hotels where you could stay in.  

In the desert, you can also experience camel safaris and camel fairs which has become popular not only with the foreigners but with the Indian middle and upper class.  Camel treks in the Thar desert would help you have an opportunity to experience the beautiful ecosystem of the desert.  The forts and cities in the middle of the desert are also great places for romantic vacations and shopping for traditional items.  The Rajasthan region, where the Thar desert is, can also be viewed through a hot air balloon flight.

Ecotourism

India has diverse geography, there are numerous places to visit.  Different eco activities would include mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, mountain biking, nature walking, wildlife viewing and river rafting.  If you visit Kerala, aside fro the beautiful backwaters and beaches, you would also see great hill locations.  If you go to the Northern part of India then you will be able to see the placid lakes, forests and stunning snow-capped mountains.

Travel Back in Time

Aside from its diverse geographical sites, India also has distinct and rich history, and this is manifested in its culture, architecture, monuments, buildings and other historical sites in India.

Tops historical sites in India would of course, include the magnificent Taj Mahal in the banks of the Yamuna River.  Another top historical site would be in Hampi where one would experience the ruins that dates back as early as 14th century.   The Ajanta and Ellora caves are rich with paintings and sculpture which are created between 6th and 11th century.

The Fatehpur Sikri was just like Hampi, it used to be capital of the an Indian Empire.  But the Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned and is now a ghost town. But  one can surely appreciate the capital and its medieval feel.  The Khajuraho Temples in India is among the most popular temples.  There are 20 temples in here dedicated to sex and sexuality.  The temples are intricately designed with the carvings.

There are too many places to visit in your Indian vacation.   You could realize that time is so short that you would have to make the best out of each minute.  Some tourists would say they could never get everything out from India in just one visit, which is why they return for more.

Outdoor Activities For Your Indian Vacation (India)

Life is one big adventure and India is a perfect playground for fans of action and adrenalin suggests the book India by Joe Bindloss, Sarina Singh, James Bainbridge, Lindsay Brown, Mark Elliot and Stuart Butler. The opportunities for wild adventure for your Indian Vacation (India) ranges from trekking, rafting, paragliding, mountaineering, jungle safaris, scuba diving, elephant rides, river boats, yoga courses, meditation and the lists goes on and on.

If you want to experience trekking challenge in style, you can try the high altitudes of Zanskar, a tri-armed valley system found between the Great Himalayan Range and the Zanskar mountains. The best time to wander in Zanskar is from June to September. Zanskar can be reached by an arduous week-long trek or a 14-hour drive along a pitted and potholed track of the Suru River. The people in Zanskar are predominantly Buddhist; the valley even has its own king. There are no fuel stations in Zanskar, so you should bring the fuel you will need in the trek stored in spare cans.

If you opt for inspirational treeking, Ladakh might be the perfect place for you. The mountains of Ladakh encourages trekking in summertime. Independent trekking is not advisable as trails are not marked, food and water can be hard to find, and there are few helpful people to rescue you in case of trouble.

Manali is a popular starting point for organized mountain treks. Majority of Manali travel agencies offer multiday treks for around US$60 per day, all inclusive. If you opt for shorter walks, you can trek 6km to the snowline above Lama Dugh meadow along the Manalsu Nala Stream.

For hang gliding and paragliding, the best seasons for flying are October to June in Goa and Maharashtra and March to June, and September to December in Himachal Pradesh. In Manali, adventure operators that can be contacted to arrange for treks and tours are: Antrek Tours and Travel, Himalayan Adventurers, Himalayan Extreme Center, Himalayan Journeys and North Face Adventure Tours. The peak season for tourism in Manali are April to June, September to November, and Christmas.

India is filled with captivating national parks and is home of some of the wildest and exotic creatures on earth. The best times to spot wildlife are on the early morning or late in the afternoon. These are plenty of sanctuaries and reserve that you can choose from like Corbett Tiger Reserve, Jaipur, Ranthambhore National Park, Little Rann Sanctuary, Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Pench Tiger Reserve, Kanha National Park, Similipal National Park and the list goes on.

If you love bird watching, the major bird-watching sites are: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where you can spot rare drongos and golden orioles; Gujarat, where November to April twitchers can choose from Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, the Little Rann
Sanctuary and Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary; Himachal Pradesh, where you can catch glimpses of 180 bird species at Great Himalayan National Park; and Karnataka, where you can see storks, egrets, ibises and spoonbill.

You must observe official regulations in areas you visit and seek permission from landowners if you intend to enter private property. Practice cultural sensitivity when interacting locales, be modest. It is best to trek with a local guide.

Other outdoor activities that you can do while on Indian vacation includes canyoning (in Meghalaya); caving (in Krem Um Im-Liat Prah/Krem Labbit system, India's longest cave); and, zorbing or rolling down mountain meadows in a giant plastic ball.

Must-See Architectural Structures in Delhi for Your Indian Vacation

Delhi encapsulates two very distinct worlds - the old and the new. The spacious New Delhi was built as the imperial capital of India by the British while the rambunctious Old Delhi served as the capital of Islamic India. There are 24 must-see architectural sites in Delhi that you can wander around while you are on your Indian vacation. Sunday is the best day to shuttle between attractions. Observe proper dress code when visiting places of worship. Hungry travelers can indulge from meaty curries, rice cakes, to crispy pizzas and sashimi.

1. Rashtrapati Bhawan is the official residence of the president of India. To its west side is the Mughal gardens which occupies an area of 130 hectares. The garden is open for public viewing on some days of February/March.

2. India Gate and Rajpath. The India Gate is a 42-m high stone memorial arch built in memory of about 90,000 Indian army soldiers who offered their lives during WWI, the Northwest Frontier operations and 1919 Afghan fiasco. Broad Rajpath hosts the spectacular Republic Day parade every 26 January and the Beating of the Retreat on 29 January.

3. Laxminarayan Temple. This temple is located west of Connaught Place. The main temple dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and her consort, Narayan the preserver is known for its soaring domes and Orissan style.

4. Akshardham Temple. Located on Delhi's outskirts, Akshardham temple is recently built structure made of pink sandstone and white marble. This extraordinary temple reflects traditional Orissan, Gujarati, Mughla, and Rajasthani architectural elements and has exquisite domes and pillars.

5. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is known for its gold domes and healing powers.

6. Humayun's Tomb is must seel tomb for your Indian vacation located at the Mathura Road. This brilliant early Mughal architecture was built in the mid-16th century.

7. Qutub Minar is the most attractive monument in the Qutub Complex.

8. Red Fort is a massive fort comleted in 1648.

9. Salimgarh Fort

10. Chandni Chowk is Old Delhi's famous shopping street. Some shops open from around 10 am to 7 pm.

11. Jama Masjid is spectacular with its finely proportioned structure with graceful arches. This was constructed by Ali Adil Shah, the same person responsible for erecting the fortified city walls and the Gagan Mahal.

12. Raj Ghat. Another focus of the Raj-appointed English architect Edwin Lutyens, this structure hosts the spectacular Republic Day and Beating of rh Retreat.

13. Lotus Temple is an eye-catching temple, poetically shaped completed in 1986.

14. Purana Quila is the largest Muslim Camp in Delhi.

15. Tughlaqabad is a walled city and fort built by Ghiyas-ud-in and the saint Nizam-ud-din

16. Yantra Mandir

17. Safdarjung's Tomb

18. Lodhi Gardens is a well-tended garden popular for its crumbling tombs of the Sayyid and Lodi rulers including the 15th century Bara Gumbad.

19. Nizamuddin Dargah is the shrine of the Muslim Sufi saint, Nizam-uddin- Chishti who died in 1325.

20. Sansad Bhavan is a circular building with colonnaded structure of 171 m diameter.

21. National Museum, New Delhi showcases thousands of historic artefacts from the Harappan Civilization, Central Asian antiquities, Indian textiles, tribal masks, sculptures, musical instruments, old coins, miniature paintings and weapons.

22. St. James Church

23. Karim's Restaurant

24. Connaught Place. Your Indian vacation wouldn't be completed without seeing Connaught Place. The structure often creates confusion because of its' outer and inner circle.

Indian Vacation Within Budget

If you are among those 36 percent of American workers who do not plan to spend their paid vacation leaves, then think twice.  Employers are actually encouraging their workers to get vacations because they get more productive after having one.  Getting an Indian vacation would surely be ideal, especially for a tourist who will be leaving the country for the first time.

The question is, how do you plan a vacation with a meager budget and at the same time, while in the midst of an economic recession.  The key is in your planning.  When preparing to go in a vacation, you should start planning early.  This would give you enough time to research about affordable deals, accommodations and airfares.   There are discounts that are offered, depends on the season and the location.

Airfare Discounts

The reason why a person saves on airfares, is to allocate the extra fund into other aspects of the trip.   Extra funds would mean you will be able to add  to the hotel reservations, activities, and food.  There are different things to remember that would help you get the affordable flights going to India.

When planning for any vacation, research is very important to know the places that you would like to visit and things you would like to do on your vacation.  Aside from making the vacation go smoothly, research would also help you look or stumble on really affordable airline tickets.  There are different websites that you could check for affordable flight tickets.

Aside from research, it is important to be flexible with your departure and  return dates.  Airfares are less expensive during off-peak seasons, weekdays rather than weekends and red-eye flights.  Red-eye flights refer to those flight schedules which would be leaving at around 12 midnight to 2 in the morning and are called as such because travellers would be flying with red, sleepy eyes.

If you have already planned or prepared for the vacation months ahead and you are already sure that it will be the final date, then book your flight early.  Airfares tend to increase in prices as the departure date comes closer.  But there are also some airlines that would give last-minute discounts.

Accommodations

What is good about India is that there are many places to visit.  Alas, to little time!  There are different hotels and resorts that you could chose from which can fit whatever kind of traveller you are, on a honeymoon, business, family or backpacking trip.  There are different kinds of hotels that offer decent rooms and services for a low price.

Just like in airfares, research is the key.  You could get an Indian travel guide or agent to book or look for affordable hotels.  You just have to define which region in India you would staying in and they could choose or provide you with the appropriate hotel information.  If you do not want to pay for travel agents, then you could book on your own through the internet.  If you are also reserving a car, then check if the hotel you would like to stay in are giving discounts.  Some hotels are giving discounts if you would be booking a hotel and a car together.

Aside from hotels, there are also apartments in India which you could rent for short and long term stays. You just have to make sure that you will be staying in a decent one.  You could always check the reviews of a particular hotel, there are Indian travelogues  and hotel columns which offer honest evaluation of hotels and apartments in India. You could always check the traveller or former customer’s feedback in different hotel websites about a particular hotel you would like to stay in.

Food and Others

There are hotels in India that would offer you special or buffet meals along with your reservation, so you could take advantage of that.  There are also hotels that are adjacent to affordable restaurants.  You can plan for your meal so that you will stay within your budget.  If you plan to cook, then you should book a room with a kitchenette, but it will be more expensive.  Some tourists would just opt for a refrigerator so they could store snacks and drinks.

You could also try saving or eating inexpensively for a meal so that you would be able to splurge on, perhaps, your evening meal.  There are street restaurants which offer good food, just be cautious of the cleanliness of the place you will be eating in.

With car rentals, most hotels offer them.  There are some tourists that actually survived without getting a car for their entire vacation.  In India, there are different kinds of transportation like the train and the buses which you can take to get around town.

Overall, you could travel and have a wonderful time with you Indian vacation without spending too much.  It is just a matter of planning and preparing for it.

Indian Vacation With Love

Every now and then you feel like its time to get some time off from the long hours of hard work in the office or even take a sabbatical away from the thick books and readings your professors require you to finish. There’s one click and then the light bulb pops the idea of a well-deserved vacation. For the many times that you’ve made your way around your locality, provinces, or even remote areas in your homeland you then tend to crave for something more global. Look no further it’s time to set foot on foreign lands. One good way to start is to get off to an Indian vacation.

There are a lot of good places that you can pick if you plan to go to India. But usually the first thing that goes into thought when the country is mentioned is one of its historic landmarks, the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal or simply referred to as the Taj is one great example of an architectural system that is produced via the mixing of Islamic, Persian, and of course Indian expertise. It is commonly associated with the Mughal architecture. 1983 was a glorious year for this momentous creation as is was named as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site along with merits of being a one of a kind Muslim art that represents man’s creativity and genius.

The Taj is most famous as a marvellous mausoleum highlighted by its domed form. Actually it’s more than just a dome. It has been noted as a combination of structures characterized by complexities and modern principles that is way ahead of its time. It took a lot of manpower to create this wonder. Thousands of workers, craftsmen, and artisans were employed when its building began in 1632 which rallied on until the end of 1653. Great names were involved in the construction of the Taj Mahal. These included architects such as Ustad Ahmad Lahauri who was chiefly responsible for the design, Adb ul-Karim Ma’mur Khan, and Makramat Khan.

The Taj Mahal is not only known for its grand and majestic form. More so, it entails a story of love that goes beyond the grave. It was in 1631 when Emperor Shah Jahan of the Mughal Empire lost his third wife Mumtaz Mahal during the birth of their child Gauhara Begum. The emperor was seriously in grief for he loved Mumtaz so much that is why he became so determined to fulfil his wife’s dying wish.

On her last gasp of air, Mumtaz Mahal wished that a mausoleum of great and global proportion was to be created in her memory. And so the construction began a year after the death of Mumtaz. The principal and main part of the mausoleum was actually finished in 1648 while the gardens that beautifully and elegantly enveloped it were completed five years after.

The construction and design of the Taj Mahal was basically patterned from a list of great Mughal and Timurid structures like the Gur-e Amir which is officially known as the tomb of Timur from the Mughal dynasty, Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb, and the tomb of Humayun. Shah Jahan also made sure that the Taj was distinctly above in material.

In those days it was common for buildings to be constructed using red sandstone but for his wife’s mausoleum he ordered the usage of white marble engraved with semi-precious stones and made sure that each detail was done and completed in full refinement.

Indian vacation is a good way to relax and unwind especially with that special someone in your life. You can bask in the beauty of the Taj as you further strengthen your love for each other.