Summer Holidays in India

Golden Triangle

The golden triangle itinerary is one of the most popular ways to experience India. The cities in the golden triangle are only a short distance apart and all connected by train. They also show different sides of India and contain some of the country's most famous attractions and beautiful architecture.

When visiting the golden triangle, most people will start their journey in Delhi. Delhi is one of India's most important cities and has some of its largest mosques and oldest bazaars. Make sure to take a rickshaw ride in Old Delhi to see the beauty of the chaotic streets and old colonial architecture.

After Delhi, most travelers head to Agra which is famous for having one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal has a magnificence that is difficult to capture with a camera. It is especially beautiful during sunrise or sunset when the orange of the sky glints off the white marble walls.

After Agra, the next stop on the golden triangle itinerary is Jaipur. Jaipur is famously referred to as the "pink city" because many of the buildings in the city are made from pink sandstone. Jaipur is full of decadent palaces and temples that were made for Mughal princes and kings.

Touring the palaces and then wondering through colorful markets full of fabrics, spice, and handicrafts is a great way to spend the day in Jaipur.

Classical Rajasthan

After the golden triangle cities, Rajasthan is one of the most visited places in India. In Rajasthan, travelers can experience the India of the Mughal Kings by exploring the cities of Jaisalmer and Bikaner or by taking a caravan out into the Thar desert to spend the night under the stars.

Although there are many impressive Mughal forts in India, Jaisalmer is one of the most awe-inspiring due to its size. While exploring the fort and its sandstone walls, it is easy to feel transported back to when the city was full of camel caravans and traders selling their wares.

As a city surrounded by the Thar desert, Jaisalmer is the perfect base to go out to a desert camp to spend the night. While staying at Manvar Desert camp, travelers stay in white tents around the campfire to experience what it may have been like when the area was a silk road.

From Jaisalmer, travelers can follow the ancient silk trading route to Bikaner which is a smaller city in northwestern Rajasthan. Bikaner is the quintessential Indian desert city made from beautiful dusty sandstone. Here, visitors can take camel safaris out into the desert to learn more about the area.

For visitors with more time, the cities of Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Varanasi are also great places to visit for beautiful scenery and new cultural experiences.

The Great Himalaya Region

The Himalaya Mountain Range creates the northern border of India from Pakistan all the way to Nepal and then curving down to China. Visiting the Himalayan region is a great way to escape the summer heat and take in the striking mountain views.

Starting on the Indian side of the mountains, Sikkim is a state that is located between Nepal and Bhutan. Here travelers can hike through villages that are rarely seen by outsiders. Gangtok is the capital of the kingdom where visitors can stay to take in the beautiful view or explore Chogyal Palace.

From Sikkim, it is easy to cross into the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal to visit Darjeeling. Darjeeling is a hill station that is surrounded by forests and tea plantations. Here you can take in the views of Khangchendzonga, the world's third tallest mountain or participate in tours of local plantations.

From northeastern India, many travelers like to cross into Nepal to explore Kathmandu and it's incredible monasteries or visit Chitwan National park to see the rhinos. Adventure seekers can head to Tibet to experience some of the best mountain views in the world from rural mountain towns.

Ladakh

Located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh is part of the Himalayan region near Pakistan. Ladakh is located up in the mountains and has been almost isolated from the rest of India for most of its history. Because of this, Ladakh feels almost like a different country.

Staying in Ladakh feels like you are living in the Himalayas. Every city and town in the area has picturesque views with mountains in the background. Summer is the best time to visit Ladakh because it experiences cool and comfortable temperatures with clear skies.

One of the top places to visit in Ladakh is the city of Leh. Leh has a medieval old town with a maze of alleyways to explore. Here travelers can see rare Buddhist art, hike the surrounding trails, or explore Leh Palace which is located high above the city and looks similar to the Potala Palace in Tibet.

Near the city of Leh is Alchi which is a small village with buildings made from mud and earth. Alchi is a great place to get away from the city and just soak in the quiet beauty of Ladakh. The monastery in Alchi has some of the most beautiful Buddhist art in India.

Kerala

When taking a summer holiday in India, many people focus their attention on North India because of its incredible history, culture, and scenery. However, if you are looking for a relaxing journey to a tropical paradise, there's no better place than Kerala.

Here travelers can lay on golden beaches, explore spice plantations, visit art galleries, and experience the local culture first-hand.

The main city of Kerala is Cochin which has been a port city and an important part of the spice trade since 1341. Once a Portuguese colony, Cochin is full of beautiful colonial buildings which can be seen on a walking tour. The city is also well-known for its art galleries, boutique shops, and delicious seafood.

When looking for cooler weather, a great place to go and get closer to rural India is Munnar. Munnar is a hill station that is located in the middle of the largest tea growing area in South India. Here visitors can hike through the hills, visit the tea museum, and explore the local spice market.

One of Kerala's most famous tourist attractions is their network of canals and rivers that make up the backwaters. The backwaters is a large area of the state where many villages are only connected via waterways. Exploring this area on a houseboat is a great way to see hard to reach villages and try the local cuisine.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the northmost region of India bordering Pakistan and the Himalayas. Although we already mention Ladakh above, this region of the country has many more places to see. Some of the most beloved destinations in Jammu and Kashmir include Sonmarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar.

Srinagar is also known as the summer capital because it is absolutely beautiful that time of year with floating gardens and clear skies. In Srinagar, travelers can take Shikara boat rides through the serene lakes, visit Dachigam National Park, or backpack through the surrounding trails.

Pahalgam is the perfect place to relax in a resort surrounded by mountains. In summer, there is also rafting or skiing in the Aru valley.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Sonmarg is a great place for mountain camping. Visitors can also trek to Thajiwas Glacier or explore the area's lush meadows and flowing streams.

Himachal Pradesh

Like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh is located in North India giving it good weather while the rest of the country experiences rain. There are many beautiful places to visit in Himachal Pradesh but two of our favorites are Dharamshala and Shimla.

Dharamshala is a popular place for travelers seeking a spiritual connection or those who want to learn more about Buddhism. In Dharamshala, visitors can spend time meditation or in temples and monasteries. Tsuglagkhang Complex is the largest Tibetan temple complex outside of Tibet and contains beautiful artwork as well as a large meditation hall.

Shimla was once known as the British summer capital of India and is currently a popular summer holiday destination. Shimla is located on steep forest-covered hills along a 12-kilometer ridge. Travelers commonly visit the town to relax in a resort or hotel while enjoying the beautiful views and nice shops along the winding main street.

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra

Although much of Central India experiences monsoons in summer, there are some areas where rainfall isn't as heavy. In Madhya Pradesh, the city of Pachmarhi is a lesser-known summer holiday destination.

Pachmarhi is surrounded by tall rocky hills that are covered in green forests and is a great place for hiking, sightseeing, and exploring forest gorges. One of the main tourist attractions in the city are the prehistoric caves and the rock paintings which are thought to be over 10,000 years old.

In Maharashtra, Chandoli National Park is the perfect summer destination for animal-lovers. The park is recognized as a World Heritage Site and has many incredible animals such as Bengal tigers, leopards, bison, and sloth bears.

Another interesting summer destination in Maharashtra is Mahabaleshwar which is a hill station near Mumbai with waterfalls, temples, lakes, and the Pratapgarh Fort trek.

Tamil Nadu

After Kerala, another incredible place to visit in South India is Tamil Nadu. While Tamil Nadu does receive some rain during the summer months, certain areas of the state such as the hill stations are the perfect scenic summer escapes.

Kodaikanal is one of Tamil Nadu's most famous hill stations and is well-known for its beautiful meadows, waterfalls, valleys, and forests. Summer is the best time to visit Kodaikanal because the waterfalls will have enough water to make them loud and magnificent. Besides hiking, travelers often boat, bike, and take yoga classes here.

If you are a food-lover then the perfect hill station to visit in South India is Yercaud. Yercaud is famous for its coffee plantations where visitors can explore the plantations via hiking trails. Yercaud also has aromatic spice plantations and markets where spices can be purchased.

For those who are interested in outdoor adventure activities than Ooty is a great place to stay. Ooty is known as the Queen of Hills and is located in Tamil Nadu's Blue Mountains. Besides adventure sports, Ooty is famous for its small train that carries visitors on a tour through the surrounding forests.