Discover India – An Unbelievable, Spectacular Destination That will Rejuvenate Your Soul! 10 Best Places to Visit in India That Should be Right at the Top of Your Bucket List (2020)

There are very few countries like India in the world that can leave an everlasting impression on your mind with its culture, heritage and architecture. Sitting upon layers of impressive history and outstanding traditions – India is surely an enchanting tourist destination that attracts millions of globetrotters every year from all around the world. A trip to India will be loaded with unexpected contradictions, noisy cacophony and vibrant colours but these are the things that actually help this country to stand out from the crowd.

If you are having a tough time to choose the best Indian travel destinations, we are here with a collection of 10 gorgeous travel destinations that you should not dare to skip.

Kashmir is undeniably the most incredible tourist destination of India. This Indian state is known for its ethereal beauty and it is no wonder why Kashmir is described as the “Heaven on Earth”. If Kashmir is the crown of India, then Gulmarg is the most precious jewel of that crown. Dotted with gleaming meadows, picturesque lakes, snow-capped mountains, deep forests of conifers – Gulmarg allows travellers to soak in so much of celestial beauty in just a few days.

When you are in Gulmarg, you have the best opportunity to behold the unmatched beauty of Dal Lake against the mesmerising backdrop of the Pir-Panjal mountain range. With the advent of summer, the perfectly manicured Mughal Garden flaunts stunning blooms of thousands of tulips. You can also enjoy white water rafting at Sonmarg and the enthralling Gondola ride in and around this beautiful hilly settlement.

Gulmarg can be reached by air and the nearest airport is Srinagar which is just 55 km away. The airport is connected with regular flights from major cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Amritsar. You can also reach Gulmarg by train. Jammu is the nearest railway station located at a distance of 290 km. If you want to take a bus ride, then you have to reach Srinagar or Sonmarg first to avail public transportation.

Located near the western border of Gujarat, this place is also known to the world as the Great Rann of Kutch. This remarkable place is the largest salt desert in the world and spreads over an approximate area of 10,000 square km. The most interesting part of this vast land is that the expansive salt bed remains underwater during the monsoon and resurfaces again for almost eight months of the year.

It is not just the white salt desert waiting at Rann of Kutch to welcome you. There is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary just 135 km away from Kutch to greet you with a wide range of wild creatures. Covering a land area of 7,500 square km, the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest seasonal saline wetlands in the world.

The best way to reach Rann of Kutch is via Bhuj. The city of Bhuj has a small domestic airport which is connected with frequent flights to and from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and other nearby cities. You can also access Bhuj via railways but there are not many direct trains to Bhuj. So, reach Ahmedabad first and then head for Bhuj. Public and private bus services are also available for Bhuj from nearby cities.

If you are in love with the rains and the clouds, you can’t really ignore the call from Shillong. This charming hill station is the capital city of Meghalaya. Thanks to its pristine surroundings and abundant greenery, Shillong is also known as the “Scotland of the East”. Apart from its natural treasures, this place is one of the most preferred places to explore the rock culture of the country.

There is more than one reason to visit Shillong. Once you are here, your heart will thank you for bringing it to a peaceful heaven amidst floating clouds. Meghalaya or the “Land of Clouds” is also the home to a number of cascading waterfalls. Elephant waterfalls and Bishop & Beadon waterfalls are surely topping the chart.

There is no direct flight to Shillong as it lacks an airport. However the Barapani Umroi Airport is about 25 km from this hill town. Flight connectivity to this airport is quite limited. The best way to reach Shillong is to take a cab from Guwahati which is just 125 km away. Even if you are travelling by train, then also you have to get down at Guwahati and then head for Shillong.

India has always been the most celebrated spiritual destination in the world and Varanasi is the undisputed “spiritual capital’ of the country. Varanasi or Kashi is not just a travel destination but it is a spiritual journey that you can take to explore your inner self. This city is also one of the oldest human settlements on the Earth.

Varanasi is the land of countless Hindu temples and the sacred river Ganga runs through it like a lifeline. Thousands of foreign as well as domestic tourists gather here to experience divinity through its extravagant Sandhya Aarti and ancient temples. This city is also known for its lip-smacking vegetarian dishes and sweet delicacies.

Being well connected with flights to all major Indian cities, Varanasi can be reached easily via air. It is best for international travellers to take flights from the Delhi airport to reach Varanasi. Varanasi is also linked with all the major cities of the country via railways. If you are within the territory of Uttar Pradesh, you can take a bus or book a taxi to reach Varanasi.

Your quest to explore the history and heritage of India will remain incomplete unless and until you visit Rajasthan. And what can be a better place than Jaisalmer to witness the royalty and grandeur of Indian architecture and culture in Rajasthan? Dotted with barren lands, historical structures and exotic landscapes – this “Desert City” is an intoxicating experience for sure.

From Jaisalmer, you can access several beautiful tourist destinations with some intriguing historical importance. The Golden Fort is the most fascinating architectural marvel in the city. This place is one of the best destinations in the world to enjoy your stay at heritage hotels which were actually the erstwhile abodes of kings and queens.

The nearest airport to Jaisalmer is in Jodhpur which is about 300 km away from the city. A well-maintained network of roads and rail connects this city with other major cities of India.

The diverse Indian terrain has always surprised travellers with its unique charm and one such amazing high-altitude travel destination is the Nubra Valley. Located on the foothills of the majestic Himalayas, this beautiful valley is one of the most sought-after adventure destinations in India. It will not be wrong to define Nubra Valley as the heart of your Ladakh trip.

Perching at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level, Nubra Valley showcases its best natural treasures during the months of July to September. As soon as autumn sets its foot in this scenic valley, it turns into a floral paradise with expanded stretches of greenery. When in Nubra Valley, don’t forget to visit its ancient and secluded monasteries along with the Khardong La Pass.

The Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport at Leh is the nearest airport to Nubra Valley. If you wish to take the rail route to Nubra Valley, then you have to stop at Jammu Tawi which is approximately 370 km from the valley. The most scenic as well as rewarding option however to reach Nubra Valley is by road.

If you are a true believer of universal brotherhood, then come to Amritsar. Sitting about 25 km east of the Wagah border, Amritsar is a celebrated Sikh pilgrimage site in Punjab. Founded by Sikh Guru Ram Das back in 1577, this city is the home to the glorious Golden Temple.

There are lots of beautiful things to see and amazing things to do in Amritsar but nothing matches with a visit to the Golden Temple. This sparkling temple lies in the middle of a lake and the reflection of this splendid structure on the rippling water makes it even more alluring. During your visit to the Golden Temple, don’t forget to take part in Langar Khana which is the largest community kitchen in the world.

Amritsar has its own airport and the city is also well connected through railways with several direct trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad for Amritsar.

India is blessed with hundreds of beautiful hill stations but there is nothing like Munnar. Located at a height of 5,200 feet above sea level, this place is one of the most scenic honeymoon destinations in India.

The misty climate of Munnar becomes more appealing with floating clouds over the hills. To complete your invigorating journey to Munnar, you must include Thekkady. Located at a distance of about 85 km from Munnar, this place is known for its world-class Ayurvedic wellness centres, Kalayapattu martial art and the Periyar National Park.

If you wish to travel by air to Munnar, you have to land at the nearest Kochi International Airport. You can also travel to Munnar by rail and the nearest railway stations are Kochi and Ernakulam. A number of trains come to these stations from all the major cities of the country.

The ultimate beach destination of Indian is undoubtedly the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This beautiful archipelago, lying amidst the turquoise blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, is made up of hundreds of tiny but gorgeous islands. Described as an exotic and absolute beach paradise in India, this place never fails to surprise travellers with its serene coastline and mind-blowing underwater biodiversity.

Apart from the gorgeous beaches and secluded atolls, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the home to one of the richest and unexploited vegetation in the world. The extensive variety of marine creatures of this archipelago is enough to satiate your senses. The beaches at Havelock Island are truly the earthly expression of "Heaven on Earth".

The easiest way to access Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the mainland is to take a flight to Port Blair.

If you are looking for a place which takes you far from India without crossing the border, then start your journey for Pondicherry. This erstwhile French colony still bears and showcases the strong influence of France everywhere in the city and in its culture. About 160 km from Chennai, the city of Pondicherry is a quaint small town which allows you to spend days in a perfect laid-back mood.

This city is an exquisite amalgamation of the past and present. The colonial French structures of the city will leave you speechless with their beautiful designs and vibrant hues. The Aurobindo Ashram is a must visit tourist attraction in Pondicherry.

You can catch a direct flight for Pondicherry only from Bangalore and Hyderabad. You can also land at the Chennai Airport which is about 135 km from Pondicherry. The nearest railway station is at Villupuram which is a 35 km ride from the town. This railway station is connected with several trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Lying off the NH-45, Pondicherry offers seamless road connectivity from all the nearby towns and cities.

If you have a tight budget to explore the vast land of India and are looking for some effective money-saving tips, then here they are:

Flight journeys are most comfortable for sure but they are expensive too! If you are planning to travel from one destination to another by air, then it is very important to choose the right time to make your advance flight booking. Booking your flight tickets at least a month in advance can give you better deals at much cheaper prices.

Another way to save money during travel is to opt for an all-inclusive hotel or holiday package. Such packages come with multiple entertainment options and added benefits. When you choose an all-inclusive hotel package, it is the responsibility of your hotel or resort to arrange for your breakfast, lunch and dinner, activity tickets and transportation.

Every tourist destination has a fascinating story and awe-inspiring facts to share with the travellers. These stories and facts however don’t come free. You need to hire a local guide to get to know about them or you can choose an audio tour guide. These guides are available at affordable prices for almost all popular tourist destinations and you can hear them on your headphone or mobile.