All Destinations

Venice of the East — houseboat cruises through a 1,500 km network of backwaters, canals and lagoons.

Tribal hill valley in the Eastern Ghats accessible by scenic train from Visakhapatnam — coffee plantations and waterfalls.

Largest waterfall in Kerala, dramatic in monsoon, a relative trickle in peak summer.

Highest tiger density of any Indian reserve — compact enough that sightings are almost guaranteed in the dry season.

One of the wettest places on Earth — Nohkalikai Falls (India's tallest), living root bridges and endless monsoon cascades.

The birthplace of Indian coffee, with Mullayanagiri (Karnataka's highest peak) and dense forest treks.

The "Niagara of India" in Chhattisgarh — a 95 m wide horseshoe waterfall on the Indravati river, most dramatic post-monsoon.

The quieter sibling of Ooty in the Nilgiris — tea estates, Sim's Park and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway stop.

Coffee-growing highlands in the Western Ghats with waterfalls, viewpoints and a strong cultural identity.

Tea-garden hill station with a clear-day view of Kanchenjunga — the Toy Train is a UNESCO World Heritage railway.

Home of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama — Himalayan backdrop, Tibetan culture and trekking into Dhauladhar.

"Sea of Milk" — a four-tiered 310 m cascade on the Goa–Karnataka border, best reached by jeep safari after monsoon.

Capital of Sikkim at 1,650 m — Himalayan views, Buddhist monasteries, rhododendron forests and the gateway to Gurudongmar Lake.

Laid-back pilgrimage town with pristine Om Beach and half a dozen quieter coves — the un-touristy Goa alternative.

UNESCO World Heritage ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire spread across a surreal boulder-strewn landscape.

The "Niagara of India" — a dramatic stretch of cascades on the Kaveri river, best after the southwest monsoon.

The "Golden City" — a medieval fort rising from the Thar Desert; camel safaris on the Khuri and Sam dunes.

India's oldest national park and one of its best for tiger sightings — the Ramganga river valley is especially rewarding in winter.

India's second-highest plunge waterfall on the Sharavathi river — fully alive only during a healthy monsoon.

Parvati Valley backpacker base with pine forests, Kheerganga trek and Khir Ganga hot springs.

UNESCO World Heritage park with two-thirds of the world's one-horned rhinoceroses — also elephants, wild buffalos and tigers.

UNESCO World Heritage group of medieval temples famous for erotic sculptures — surrounded by the Vindhya hills.

Misty hill town in the Western Ghats with a star-shaped lake, granite cliffs and the once-in-12-years Kurinji bloom.

Gateway to the Sahyadri range for Pune and Mumbai — monsoon waterfalls, Bhushi Dam and the ancient Karla caves.

UNESCO World Heritage shore temples and monolithic rock sculptures on the Bay of Bengal coast south of Chennai.

Adventure hub in the Kullu Valley — Rohtang Pass (snow Jun–Oct), Solang Valley skiing and the gateway to Spiti and Leh.

Rajasthan's only hill station in the Aravalli range — Nakki Lake, Dilwara Jain temples and cool respite from the plains.

Sprawling tea-country hill station in the Western Ghats; cool year-round and the home of the Neelakurinji bloom.

Rajiv Gandhi National Park — dense forest hosting tigers, leopards, wild dogs and one of India's largest elephant populations.

India's tallest plunge waterfall at 340 m — a near-vertical drop into a turquoise plunge pool, at full force Jun–Sep.

Lively beach belt from Baga to Arambol — nightlife, water sports and Portuguese fort ruins all within 20 km.

The "Queen of Hill Stations" in the Nilgiris, famous for tea estates, cool weather and the heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

Former French colony with a Creole quarter, ashrams, beaches and surprisingly good seafood — compact and walkable.

Sacred lake town with India's only Brahma temple; famous for the November camel fair and a surprisingly lively bazaar.

Consistently rated Asia's best beach — 2 km of white sand, turquoise water and dense forest backing on Havelock Island.

Vast white salt desert; only safely visitable during the dry winter months when the Rann Utsav runs.

One of India's best tiger-sighting parks — a ruined 10th-century fort overlooks the lakes where tigers openly walk.

Former British summer capital on a 2,200 m ridge — snow Dec–Feb, pleasant summers and the toy-train UNESCO route.

Quieter half of Goa — Palolem, Agonda and Colva beaches with less crowd, more wildlife in the Cotigao sanctuary.

Cold-desert high-altitude valley at 3,800 m — monasteries, moonscape villages and the world's highest motorable roads. Road open Jun–Oct only.

Coastal gem at the confluence of the Karli river and the Arabian Sea — some of Maharashtra's clearest water for snorkelling.

Remote 3,000-m monastery town near the Indo-Tibetan border; reliable snow Dec–Feb, accessible Mar–Oct.

Periyar Tiger Reserve — boat safaris on a man-made lake to spot elephants, gaur and sometimes tigers.

Rolling meadows and pine forests at 1,100 m — the southern equivalent of an English moor.

High-altitude national park in the Himalayas; opens roughly Jun–Oct with peak alpine bloom in late July to mid-August.

The spiritual capital of India on the Ganges — dawn boat rides past the ghats, aarti ceremonies and ancient temples.

Red-clay clifftop beach with mineral springs — Kerala's only place where cliffs meet the Arabian Sea.

Wildlife-heavy plateau with rainforest, ancient Edakkal caves and tea-and-spice plantations.

Compact four-village hill cluster popular for short weekend escapes from Chennai and Bengaluru.

Quiet coffee-and-orange-grove hill station in the Shevaroy Hills, far less crowded than its bigger neighbours.