India has emerged as a popular destination for all types of travelers, from hard-core adventurers to casual tourists. It is not uncommon anymore to see people asking on Quora and other social sites about what is that one place they must visit in India, and then get bombarded with answers that involve visiting multiple places within a span of two weeks.
Similar: Cheapest Country to Visit from India
So we thought why not just give you a list of places that you must visit in India and can be visited during a single trip? So here we go and we hope this article helps some of you travelers to plan your future trips:
NOTE: The point that you must consider is that all the budget given below excludes the journey fare. These budgets only include the basic stay and food expenses. The travel expenses will vary from place to place.
1) Rishikesh
This place is probably the adventure capital of India. From white water rafting to canyoning, there is something for everybody. You also get to see Rishikesh all year round, unlike other places in India that are monsoon-dependent. it is also a great place to unwind after your exhausting adventure activities. If you are a foodie, no place beats the variety of options expect in this place.
We Indians have a definition of washing our sins in the purest Ganga. If you want to experience the adventure of river Ganga, you will require a boat, carbon paddles, life jacket and a camera. This experience of river rafting is just a blessing for all the adventure lovers.
It is a place of adventure, thrill and excitement. If you are lookin for some morning or evening adventure walk, canyoning is the best option as well as if you want to hit the waters only hit the waters only hit the white water rafting. Hire a cycle and explore the shady lanes of Rishikesh on your own.
Do you want to give yourself a treat after an exhaustive day at river rafting? Then go for a paragliding ride from Thiksay ghat to Neelkanth Mahadev temple situated at the top of Neelkanth peak. It was a great experience for me to fly high in the sky.
You can also go for other adventure activities like rock climbing, zip lining and mountain biking which are also quite popular here. The best time to visit Rishikesh is between September to May when you get dry weather here with comfortable climate.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Swiss Cottage by Salus, Rishikesh; Aloha, Rishikesh.
Things to do: Riverside Camping, Flying Fox, River Rafting, Bungee Jumping, etc.
Average budget: INR 6,000.
2) Manali
Located at an altitude of 2050m, this place is called the ‘Switzerland of India’ for good reason. It is considered to be a little more expensive than other places but is definitely worth it. There are some amazing paragliding spots in Manali, which you will especially enjoy if you are an adrenaline junky. The snow-capped mountains are breathtaking. Also, the apple orchards make for a nice sight. The best time to visit Manali is during the winters, but be sure to pack accordingly.
Also, this place is not monsoon-dependent, so the best time to visit Manali is throughout the year.
Manali is famous for its adventure activities like trekking, river rafting etc. The most common activity among travelers in Manali is paragliding which you can do daily from Solang Valley. This place has some really scenic views that you will only find in the movies.
Rafting is another very popular activity in Manali. To do this, you can either take a bus to Kinnaur and visit the town of Dhundhi which is famous for its white water rafting and kayaking, or book a tour from Manali itself.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Manali Grand, Sterling Manali
Things to do: Trekking, Paragliding, Wildlife spotting, Rappelling, etc.
Average budget: INR 7,000
3) Ladakh
This is a great place to go to if you want a little bit of adventure. There are a number of treks here, including one from Lachung to Yumthang. You can also go sightseeing in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. You can even take a short trip to Nubra Valley. The best time to visit Ladakh is during the summers when it isn’t too cold and travel is easy.
You can visit Ladakh from Delhi in just a day via road or take a flight to Leh which takes around an hour. So, you don’t have to worry about the transportation. If you are visiting during the winter months, you will need good warm clothes including raincoats. Ofcourse , you can take the risk to brave it out in the cold to enjoy the beauty of Ladakh, but be prepared for some discomfort.
Best time to visit Ladakh is between June to September so , plan your trip accordingly . If you are visiting Leh, try to stay as close as possible or within Leh city so that you don’t have to struggle with the distance from Leh to Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: The Indus valley, The Grand Dragon
Things to do: Sightseeing, Trekking
Average budget: INR 8,000
4) Andaman
The Andaman and Nicobar islands are a must-see if you want to see some of the most beautiful beaches in India. We recommend going to Havelock Island for snorkeling and diving. The waters here are teeming with marine life. Also, the drive to Port Blair is interesting as well.
If you want to see the Andaman wildlife, go to Jolly Buoy. The best time to visit here is from November to March as there are some amazing beach parties going on then and you will get a chance to enjoy your nightlife as well. Once you are done with all this, you can head to the Elephant Beach which is pretty serene. If you want to see marine life then, go for a deep sea diving class from an instructor on Havelock Island. Andaman is most popular for its pristine white sand beaches and scuba diving. You can see most of the exotic varieties of fishes here.
You can plan to visit Andaman during winters as waters will be calmer and you won’t face any problem with visibility. Also, during winters, some famous beaches like Havelock Island and Neil Island remain closed for tourists. Nest time to visit Andaman is between November and March except some places which are closed in off season.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Welcome hotel Bay Island Port Blair, and Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans
Things to do: Jet-skiing, Boating, Scuba Diving, Parasailing, Snorkeling, etc.
Average budget: INR 15,000
5) Goa
If you happen to be in this part of the world during Christmas, then skip Kerala and head over to Goa. It is a great party destination, and the beaches here are also quite good. This place is perfect for people who want to let loose and party hard during their trip. Of course, you can relax on the beaches here as well.
Once you are done partying for a few days, you can check out some of the best beaches in Goa. You can enjoy your water sports and other activities on these beaches.
Goa is quite popular and so it gets crowded during this season. So, we recommend going someplace else if you plan to do some serenity-seeking. Also, during December, you will have to pay a higher entry fee to most of the beaches.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Grand Hyatt Goa, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa
Things to do: Crab Catching, Dolphin Tours, Watersports, Island Hopping, etc.
Average budget: INR 7,000
6) Pondicherry
If you like French food, architecture, and culture then head over to Pondicherry. It is also quite close to Kerala if you are visiting both places. Also, the coastal road between Kovalam and Pondicherry is one of the most picturesque drives you will ever take.
Pondicherry is quite popular among tourists, so it gets crowded during this time. It can get really hot too, but if you don’t mind that then go ahead with your trip. The best time to visit Pondicherry is between October and March. You can enjoy some French food here and spend your evenings walking on the streets of Pondicherry. There is a lot to explore in this quaint little city. Also, this place has some amazing resorts and hotels which will be perfect to stay in if you’re planning to take your partner with you.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Hotel Atithi, Hotel Bon Sejour
Things to do: Boating, Sunbathing, Scuba Diving, Explore the nightlife, Bicycle tours, Watersports, etc.
Average budget: INR 10,000
7) Bhangarh
Want to see a Haunted place in India? This is it. Located in Rajasthan, this place is famous for being so haunted that the local authorities have put a sign at the entrance itself forbidding people from staying there after sunset. The best time to visit Bhangarh is during the day, but be sure to cover all your bases.
If you want to explore the history of Bhangarh then you will have to pay a higher fee for this place. Also, during nights, it is not recommended here as most people feel that things are not right. If you don’t believe in anything related to paranormal or black magic, then visit this spot during day time. Also, make sure you don’t take any photo inside this place. When you are done, you can go to other villages where you might be able to find haunted spots.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Umaid Lake Palace, Hotel Raj Resort
Things to do: Wildlife Safari (Sariska), Village tour, Boating, etc.
Average budget: INR 6,000
8) Hampi
If you visit Hampi during the ‘Weekends’, then you will find hundreds of school kids who come here to unwind during the weekends. Aside from that, there are some amazing temples in Hampi including one called Krishna Temple which is covered with sculptures depicting the story of Ramayana. The best time to visit Hampi is during the winter. Also, the bathing ghats here are a major spectacle, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Also, this place is not as crowded as Goa, so you can expect a peaceful time here. This spot will be quite suitable for people who want some peace and quiet instead of partying hard. You can enjoy some peaceful walks in Hampi if you love photography too. Ofcouse, if you’re not a single guy , then you will be surrounded by some couples who come here to enjoy the light and sound shows. It is quite an experience here, but if you want more peace than this, then visit on weekdays instead of weekends. When you are done, you can visit the other parts of Hampi to see the ruins. Also, you can also go ahead and try your ‘Rock Climbing’ skills here.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Love Hampi Homestay, Kishkinda Heritage Resort
Things to do: Scaling addy fields, Biking, Cliff jumping, Rowing coracles, Bathing with elephants, etc.
Average budget: INR 5,000
9) Jim Corbett
This place is more of a national park than it is a destination, but if you love wildlife then you have to go here at least once. There are tigers and leopards in abundance here, so going on safaris will be a lot of fun for children. The beauty of Jim Corbett lies in the fact that it is not commercialized like other national parks.
Being a national park, Jim Corbett doesn’t get as crowded as other popular destinations. It is also the oldest national park in India and one of the most beautiful, so if you want to see some amazing wildlife then go ahead and visit this place. There are a lot of hotels around Jim Corbett for you to stay in if you’re planning to spend some time here. Also, if you want to see the best views of Jim Corbett , then go on a safari during sunrise. You can also try your luck at fishing here if you love it as much as some people do. Ofcourse, you can also go hiking in Jim Corbett, but make sure you hire a guide if your plan is to head deep inside the forest.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Kalagarh Tiger Reserve, Upvan Wildlife resort, Dhikala Forest Rest House.
Things to do: Fishing, Bird watching, Mountain biking, Camping, Jeep safari, etc.
Average budget: INR 5,000
10) Spiti valley
We recommend visiting Kaza in the Spiti Valley, if possible during winters. Not only will you get to see the snow-covered mountains and clear skies, but there is a good chance that you can witness Buddhist monks gathering at one place for an annual prayer ceremony. The beautiful town of Kaza is also worth spending a few days in once you are done with the sightseeing.
When visiting this place, make sure you hire a good driver and tour guide to show you around and tell you some interesting stories about the places. This is one of the most beautiful places in India which offers peace and rejuvenation at its best. Also, Spiti Valley is situated on a high altitude, so be sure to carry some warm clothes and medicines just in case. If you’re not feeling very adventurous, then we will recommend that you skip this place and move on to the next one.
My recommendations:
Places to stay: Hotel Shivalik Hills, Spiti Village Resort
Things to do: Monasteries, Stargazing, Dhandar lake, etc.
Average budget: INR 7,000
Summing it up
So, that’s the complete list of 10 best places to visit in India with friends. We highly recommend visiting these places if you love exploring, partying, and just chilling out. These are the best places for people who don’t want to do much but want to enjoy their trip to the fullest.
We hope you guys enjoy our list, but if we missed out on some great destinations, then feel free to mention them in the comments section below. ITG would love to check those places out as well. We will update our list as soon as we find some more places to visit with friends.
Thanks for reading!
