Planning a vacation and looking for things to do in India? The options are almost endless.
Rainbow Explorers's guide will give you some idea of what's possible.
Spot Wildlife at a National Park
There are almost 100 national parks and 450 wildlife sanctuaries in India, which are huge attractions. Each national park is unique in regards to its wildlife and scenery. You can see everything from tigers to rhinoceros. Many parks are known for having a particular type of wildlife, so where to go will depend on what you want to see. Some of them are Ranthambhore Nation Park, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Bandhavgarh National Park etc.
India’s History and Heritage
From East to West or South to North, Taj Mahal to Khajuraho or Hampi to Alora, India brims with historical monuments and heritage. Its past has seen a melting pot of different religions, rulers and empires -- all of which have left their mark. There's an extensive amount of uncovering to do.
India has 32 listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. Many of them are well known, particularly monuments such as the Taj Mahal in Agra, Red Fort in Delhi, the ruins of Hampi in Karnataka, erotic temples at Khajuraho, Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra, and Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal.
Adventure
Adventure travel is hugely popular in India. The Himalaya region is the setting for many adventure travel activities. However, there are plenty of options for adventure travel in India's south as well! Trekking, white water rafting, paragliding, hot air ballooning, and even heli-skiing are just some of what's possible.
Ayurveda Treatment
Ayurveda is the medical side of yoga. It’s India’s traditional natural healing system, which has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Ayurvedic resorts have become popular destinations for relaxation and rejuvenation in India, while Ayurvedic hospitals cater for people seeking Ayurvedic treatment for more serious health problems.
India’s Tribal
India, along with Africa, has the largest tribal population in the world. The lives of the tribes in India are closely tied to nature, and they inhabit some of the most pristine and picturesque environments in the country. Largely unaffected by the modern world, they're very simple and often curious people who have retained their rituals and customs. And many love receiving visitors!
Enjoy a Festival
Being a highly religious country, festivals are at the heart of people’s lives in India. The numerous and varied festivals that are held throughout the year offer a unique way of experiencing Indian culture at its best.
Shop till you drop!!
It's impossible to visit India without buying something. Each region tends to specialize in a particular industry that's been handed down over generations. Jaipur & Udaipur are famous for Stone, Stone carving. Delhi is famous for all type of shopping. Agra is famous for stone, carpet and antiques.
Are you a wine lover?
Wine in India? Yes, really! India has a growing wine industry. Wine tourism is the new buzzword in Nashik, around four hours from Mumbai in Maharashtra. There now almost 50 wineries in and around Nashik, and excitingly for wine lovers, many Nashik vineyards now have tasting rooms that are open to the public.
Watch the Sun Set Over the White Salt Desert
Sublime and surreal, much of the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat consists of the world's largest salt desert, measuring around 10,000 square kilometers. What makes it even more amazing is that the salt desert is underwater during the main monsoon season in India. For the remaining eight months of the year, it's an enormous stretch of packed white salt. Any sunset is special there but more so when it's complemented with a full moon.
The Farm Life
Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and agri-tourism is one of the latest concepts to revolutionize the India travel industry. Buoyed by the growing popularity of homestays in India, farm stays (essentially a homestay on a farm) are blossoming across the country. They provide an authentic and interactive experience of rural life, in the delightfully fresh country air. Everything from cheese to coffee is produced! You can also stay on a tea estate and tour the tea plantations.
Come, enjoy and explore India with Rainbow Explorers.
