Adventure Travel Blog from TrekEscapes.com

Varanasi, Delhi & the Hill Stations
One of the most magical places in India is probably Varanasi. Bathing ghats line sacred Mother Ganges and pilgrims come from far and wide to bathe in the river. Some come here to die and be cremated, others to learn or teach. Take a boat trip on the river early in the morning and watch the spectacle unfold under the rising sun.

The capital Delhi is a bustling metropolis divided into the old city with its fort and mosques, and New Delhi, where spacious boulevards, parks and government offices abound.
In the foothills of the Himalaya you can escape the heat of the planes in the hill stations built by the British Raj. Wander the streets or go for a walk in the hills and forests.

Amritsar, Dharamsala & Little Tibet
In the western reaches of the Himalaya you will find a region so different from the rest of India that it is often nicknamed Little Tibet. Buddhism is the main religion here and the Dalai Lama, along with thousands of his Tibetan countrymen, has made his home in Dharamsala.

In the far north lies Ladakh, an arid region with spectacular roads and high mountains retaining much of its original charm.

Amritsar is the capital of the Punjab and home to the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine in the world for Sikhs, and one of India’s most spectacular buildings.

Taj Mahal & Rajasthan
Speaking of spectacular buildings, no visit to India is complete without visiting the Taj Mahal. Leaving no one untouched after a visit, this monument to love sits on the banks of the River Yamuna in Agra, the former capital of the Mughal Empire. The Mughals were the arch-enemies of the Rajputs, the rulers of Rajasthan. The latter built large fortresses all over their desert kingdoms, the most spectacular of which lie in Jaipur and Jodhpur. Jaipur also houses the famous Palace of the Winds and an interesting astronomical observatory named Jantar Mantar.

For a break of the hustle and bustle that is northern India, travel to Pushkar, a backpacker hang-out and holy city in central Rajasthan. Take your time to browse around the many shops or eat in one of the lake-side restaurants. Once a year this town is transformed into a completely different place, when thousands of pilgrims, camels and their traders as well as travellers from all over the world congregate for the Pushkar Fair. Camels are to be found further west in Jaisalmer too. It is the base for camel safaris in to the Thar Desert and you can choose from short rides or overnight expeditions. Staying out in a tented camp under the stars, while listening to local entertainment makes for an unforgettable evening.

Tiger Reserves, Temples & Mumbai
Travelling back east, south of the Ganges plains, there is a series of national parks and reserves you can visit to enjoy some of the wildlife and avifauna India has to offer. Antelope, deer, wild boar and of course tiger are the animals to watch for. Sariska, Ranthambhore and Bandhavgarh are but some of the parks you can visit. In the jungle south-east of Varanasi lies the temple complex of Khajuraho, famed for its erotic sculptures and elegant spires.

The old harbour city of Mumbai was traditionally the gateway to India for seafarers from Europe and the Middle East. Stately buildings from the British Raj abound, while the shopping is magnificent.

Backwaters of Kerala
In contrast to the deserts of the north, southern India offers lush vegetation, mountains and backwaters. In Kerala, do a trip by house boat, visit small villages and stay with local families. Like all over India, the food is fantastic, but here the curries are usually coconut based and being by the sea, there are also delicious fish and mixed vegetables dishes, all delicately flavoured with unusual spices. The beaches of the south are unforgettable, if possible better even than the famous beaches of Goa. While away the hours swimming in the warm waters of the Arabian Sea, wander the beach, or enjoy a traditional ayurvedic massage or a yoga class on the beach.

Snooty Ooty, Elephants and Temples
In the south you will find hill stations too. The most famous is Ootacamund, which is reached by rack rail mountain train through scenic hills. Also known as Ooty (or “Snooty Ooty” as it was once called during the British Raj), the town is a great place to enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Travelling north, pass through the Madumalai National Park which is home to a variety of animals such as the chital (spotted deer), langurs, monkeys, mongoose, panther and the guar – the Indian bison. The park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the country.

Nearby Mysore offers the interested traveller a great deal including the huge Maharajah’s Palace.
Near the Bay of Bengal in the far south, ancient Madurai is a city that requires a stop so you can visit the 16th century Meenakshi Temple with its nine tall gates. Also worth exploring is the Hall of a 1000 Pillars. Rising above the complex, above the festive pandemonium of swirling crowds of pilgrims that never seems to cease, are 11 stupendous towers. Take time to explore this bustling temple town at leisure, soaking up the vibrant colours and floral aromas, browsing through silver, craft and carpet shops or even ordering tailor-made outfits from one of the many bazaars.

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September 26th, 2008 | Tags: india, india tours, india travel, tom gerhels | Category: Travel Stories | Subscribe to comments | You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed