See India, One Place At A Time
The Golden Triangle:
India's best known and most popular tourist region is the rugged terrain that makes up the border between Nepal, Burma and Bangladesh. The region has more than its fair share of natural beauty, with mountains, lakes and rivers that are the perfect backdrop to your travels.
Goa and the Western Ghats:
Goa is a popular beach destination with beautiful beaches, lush green landscapes and exotic wildlife. This part of India also offers some of the most spectacular views you'll ever see in your life.
Rajasthan and Gujarat:
Rajasthan and Gujarat are two states in northern India that are famous for their ancient architecture, colorful towns and rich cultural heritage. You'll find beautiful palaces, forts and tombs here as well as some of India's best deserts to explore.
Ladakh and adjoining villages:
Ladakh is one of the most remote regions in India where you can escape from it all by exploring the breathtaking high altitude plateau landscape or exploring remote villages along the way.
The Northeast:
The Northeast is one of India's least visited regions but it's no less interesting than any other part of India if you take time to explore it properly . The northeast is home to some of India's most beautiful states, including Assam and Meghalaya. You can explore the tea gardens in Assam, take a boat ride down the mighty Brahmaputra River and visit the incredible Kaziranga National Park where you'll find one of the last remaining populations of wild Asian elephants in the world.
The first thing you need to know about India is that there are a lot of places to see.
And even though the country is huge, it's also pretty easy to get around.
Here's what we recommend:
First, take three weeks in the Golden Triangle. This is one of the most beautiful places in India, with lush forests and gorgeous mountain views. You'll want to spend at least a couple of days hiking through the mountains and exploring the temples and monasteries that line their paths. If you're interested in learning more about Buddhism or Hinduism, this is a good place to start—and we promise not to talk about it all day (we'll just keep quiet).
Next up:
Goa and the Western Ghats. These two regions offer different experiences: Goa has great beaches, while the Western Ghats have some of India's most stunning landscapes. We recommend spending at least a few days exploring each area for its own beauty and cultural significance.
Finally, head over to Rajasthan and Gujarat for a couple weeks' worth of sightseeing (or longer if you can spare it). These regions are home to some incredible architecture; you might even find yourself looking into buying an Indian home!
Key takeaways
The three-week Golden Triangle trip is a good way to see a lot of India without making the trip any longer than it has to be. You can extend the time by visiting more sites in Rajasthan or Gujarat, or even adding a couple destinations in northern India, like Manali and Lahaul. If you prefer a beach vacation and don't mind flying in and out of cities, the Goa itinerary is an excellent choice. If you want to visit some famous sites in India's "wild east," consider traveling through Ladakh and surrounding areas. And if you're looking for something more eclectic, add a few days to travel around Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The point is, there are many ways to see India and many different ways that you could structure your own trip. As long as you have enough time (i.e., at least five weeks) there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to create the perfect itinerary for your next vacation!