India
Land of million spices
and incomparable culture
"A go-with-the-flow attitude will help you navigate the infinite twists and unexpected turns you're guaranteed to encounter in India. With its ability to inspire, exasperate, thrill and confound all at once, it can be challenging for first-time visitors."
When to visit
High season:
December – March
The peak season for tourism in India coincides with perfect traveling weather – rainfall is sparse, views are clear, air humidity falls and the dry, sunny days are ideal for beach trips and exploring India’s teeming cities.
Temperatures drop to manageable levels, with warm days and cool nights, making it easier to sleep, though this is also the time for peak prices. Another hassle is the morning fog, which causes disruption to air travel and other forms of transport in the northern plains.
December to March is also the sweet spot for lowland adventures. National parks are drier and there’s less foliage to hide the wildlife, and animals tend to be more active when temperatures are moderate. For a good chance of tiger sightings, head to Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and other national parks in the central plains.
Shoulder season:
June – November
India’s shoulder season means different things depending on where you go in the country. Lowland areas get drenched by monsoon rain from June to September, and Goa’s beach resorts become ghost towns, but backpackers and trekkers flood into the mountains, filling Ladakh’s lodges, tented camps, and yoga retreats. This is the prime time for treks on India’s highest mountain trails.
Lowland areas and hill stations can give the impression of a country besieged by rain, but it doesn’t rain all day every day, and there’s still plenty to see and do. This is also a great time of year to find bargains on accommodations and tours.
Low season to avoid crowds:
April – June
India’s low season sees temperatures soaring to almost unbearable levels. By May, most of the country feels like an oven, and locals wait eagerly for the cooling effect of the monsoon. India’s cities can be furnaces at this time of year – sensible travelers head to the hill stations or stay close to water on the coast.
On the other hand, tourists are thin on the ground during these hot and sticky months, making visits to popular sights such as the Taj Mahal a less hectic experience. This is also a great time for treks in the cooler foothills of the Himalayas. Accommodation prices are also low, though many beachside hotels in Goa close completely from May to September.
Currency:
Indian Rupee (INR, ₹)
1 USD = 78₹ | 1 EUR = 83₹
Capital:
New Delhi
Currency:
Hindi & English
Basic information
Main things to see
Amber Palace
Amer Fort or Amber Fort is a fort located in Amer, Rajasthan, India. Amer is a town with an area of 4 square kilometres located 11 kilometres from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The town of Amer and the Amber Fort were originally built by Raja Man Singh and additions were, later, made by Sawai Jai Singh. Located high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur. Amer Fort is known for its artistic style elements. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the main source of water for the Amer Palace.
City Palace, Jaipur
The City Palace, Jaipur was established at the same time as the city of Jaipur, by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who moved his court to Jaipur from Amber, in 1727. Jaipur is the present-day capital of the state of Rajasthan, and until 1949 the City Palace was the ceremonial and administrative seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The Palace was also the location of religious and cultural events, as well as a patron of arts, commerce, and industry. It now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, and continues to be the home of the Jaipur royal family.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is a national park in Rajasthan, India, with an area of 1,334 km². It is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. It is named after the historic Ranthambore Fort, which lies within the park.
The typical: Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall. Construction of the mausoleum was essentially completed in 1643, but work continued on other phases of the project for another 10 years.
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