One of the oldest civilisations in the world, India is a mosaic of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and myriad attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It covers 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.
Fringed by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer, tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. As you travel the expanse of the country, you are greeted by diverse nuances of cuisines, faiths, arts, crafts, music, nature, lands, tribes, history and adventure sports. India has a mesmeric conflation of the old and the new. As the bustling old bazaars rub shoulders with swanky shopping malls, and majestic monuments accompany luxurious heritage hotels, the quintessential traveller can get the best of both worlds. Head to the mountains, enjoy a beach retreat or cruise through the golden Thar, India has options galore for all.
Avg. Weather
-5/8
JAN – FEB
3/12
MAR – APR
7/16
MAY – JUN
8/12
JUL – AUG
5/8
SEP – OCT
-2/-3
NOV – DEC
HIGHLIGHTS
Perhaps India’s most recognizable building, the Taj Mahal is also the world’s most famous testimony to the power of love.
The best time to visit is either at dawn or dusk when the atmosphere is brilliantly altered by the change in lighting. If possible, try to catch a view of the Taj Mahal’s reflection from the far bank of the Yamuna River-it makes for a memorable (and safe) selfie.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Golden City: Jaisalmer, named for the yellow sandstone used in most of its buildings, Jaisalmer is an oasis of splendid old architecture that rises from the sand dunes of the Thar Desert.
Be sure to also check out the well-preserved 1,000-year-old library, Gyan Bhandar, with its many 16th-century manuscripts and antiquities.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Red Fort, New Delhi, Built by Shah Jahan is named after the stunning red sandstone used in its construction, covers a vast area of more than 2sq. kilometers, all of it surrounded by a large moat.
A fun part of a visit is exploring Chatta Chowk, a 17th-century covered bazaar selling everything from jewelry to silk garments, as well as souvenirs and food items.
