India, as you know, is a very big country and versatile, too. It is one of the most qualities of India but sometimes, it backfires, especially when tourists want to visit India but they are unable to select the location to visit. The confusion is same for Indians, too.
So, I’ve decided to make a list of top vacation spots in India which you must visit on your vacation.
1. Shimla –
Shimla, also known as the “Queen of the Hill Stations”, is the most prominent tourist destination in India. It’s also the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is located in the north-west Himalayas and is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi. Shimla is highly lionized for its buildings which remind you of the colonial era. You’ll also find one of the oldest boarding schools in Asia, “Bishop Cotton School”.
Apart from this, Shimla boasts of lots of tourist attractions such as The Mall, Shimla State Museum, Summer Hill, Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, The Ridge, Glenn and Taradevi Temple.
Mode of transportation is of the first order. You can travel by road, rail or air. It has its own airport. The nearest big city to Shimla is Chandigarh at a distance of 115 Km.
2 Goa -
After Shimla, Goa is one place in India where everyone should go and visit one of the most exotic beaches in the world. It has been ruled by Portuguese colonization for many centuries and Vasco da Gama is said to be the first Portuguese who arrived in Goa. They didn’t leave Goa even after India’s independence in 1947 but in 1961, Goa became part of India.
The culture of Goa is very rich and you can see different type of people, food on the streets but the Portuguese influence can be seen everywhere. You can find a lot of events and festivals in Goa which further add to the entertainment value. For example; Sao Joao Festival, Bonderam Festival, Konkani Drama Festival etc.
Modes of transportation are by air, by road and by railways. Some of the famous beaches in Goa are Cavelossim, Agonda and Palolem.
3. Ooty -
Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is one of the most visited hill stations in India after Shimla. It is the capital of Nilgiri district. It stands at an approx height of 2, 286 m above the sea level. It was really popular among British citizens during their rule over India.
The primary attractions of Ooty are Botanical Garden (which spreads around 22 acres and the best place to see variety of Flaura and Fauna), Ooty Lake (built by John Sullivan), Wax World, and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
4. Ladakh -
Ladakh, also known as the “Little Tibet”, is one of the most beautiful area in India but also the most sparsely populated. It is located in Jammu and Kashmir between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south. It has been primarly influenced by Tibertian Culture.
Ladakh has a lot of attractions to keep you busy. For example; Hemis National Park. It is the only national park to be situated on Himalaya and is home for endangered mammals like the Snow Leopard.
Festivals are also popular in Ladakh and especially that of Hemis monastery dedicated to Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.
It is also famous for its quality woolen garments, hand-woven carpets, Pashmina shawls, wall-hangings, and rugs.
