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India by region

Where in India will you go?

From Himalayan valleys and royal desert cities to tropical backwaters, beaches, and spiritual river towns — pick the region that fits your dates, your pace, and the kind of trip you want.

6
Featured regions
28
States covered
12yr
On-the-ground
Featured destinations

Six regions, six very different India trips

Every region has its own season, pace, and personality. Start with the one that fits your dates and travel style — each card includes the best months to visit, how long to plan for, and what kind of traveller it suits.

Rajasthan forts and desert palacesNorth India

Rajasthan — Royal forts, palaces, lakes and desert safaris

Best time:October to March
Ideal duration:5–8 days
Best for:Heritage, culture, desert, family
HeritageCultureDesertFamily

View Rajasthan guide →

Himachal Pradesh valleys and hill stationsHimalayas

Himachal Pradesh — Himalayan valleys, hill stations and adventure escapes

Best time:Mar–Jun, Oct–Feb
Ideal duration:4–7 days
Best for:Mountains, adventure, honeymoon
MountainsAdventureHoneymoon

View Himachal guide →

Kerala backwaters and tea gardensSouth India

Kerala — Backwaters, tea gardens, beaches and wellness retreats

Best time:September to March
Ideal duration:5–7 days
Best for:Backwaters, wellness, honeymoon
BackwatersWellnessHoneymoonNature

View Kerala guide →

Goa beach and palm treesWest Coast

Goa — Beaches, cafes, nightlife and relaxed coastal breaks

Best time:November to February
Ideal duration:3–5 days
Best for:Beaches, nightlife, couples
BeachesNightlifeCouplesShort break

View Goa guide →

Uttarakhand mountains and spiritual townsHimalayas

Uttarakhand — Spiritual towns, trekking trails and peaceful hill escapes

Best time:Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Ideal duration:4–7 days
Best for:Spiritual travel, trekking, wildlife
SpiritualTrekkingWildlifeNature

View Uttarakhand guide →

Kashmir valleys, houseboats and snow-capped peaksHimalayas

Kashmir — Valleys, houseboats, meadows and snow-covered escapes

Best time:Mar–Oct, Dec–Feb for snow
Ideal duration:5–6 days
Best for:Honeymoon, scenery, snow, family
HouseboatsSnowHoneymoonFamily

View Kashmir guide →

Khajuraho temples in Madhya PradeshCentral India

Madhya Pradesh — Temples, tigers and the heart of India

Best time:October to March
Ideal duration:5–8 days
Best for:Wildlife, temples, history
WildlifeTemplesTigersHistory

View Madhya Pradesh guide →

Hampi’s Vijayanagara ruins at golden hour, KarnatakaSouth India

Karnataka — Palaces, coffee hills, ancient ruins and a laid-back coast

Best time:October to March
Ideal duration:7–12 days
Best for:Heritage, coffee, beaches
PalacesCoffee hillsRuinsBeaches

View Karnataka guide →

Meenakshi Amman Temple gopuram rising over Madurai at dusk, Tamil NaduSouth India

Tamil Nadu — Temple towers, Chola bronze and coffee-scented hills

Best time:December to March
Ideal duration:7–12 days
Best for:Temples, culture, hills
TemplesHill stationsCoastCulture

View Tamil Nadu guide →

The white salt flats of the Rann of Kutch under a full moon at dusk, GujaratWest India

Gujarat — White desert, wild lions and the temple coast

Best time:November to February
Ideal duration:7–12 days
Best for:Wildlife, desert, temples
White desertLionsTemplesCrafts

View Gujarat guide →

The Brahmaputra river winding through Assam at dawnNortheast India

Assam — Land of the mighty Brahmaputra

Best time:November to April
Ideal duration:6–9 days
Best for:Wildlife, tea, river life
KazirangaTea estatesMajuliTemples

View Assam guide →

Sahyadri forts and lakes in MaharashtraWest India

Maharashtra — Caves, hill forts and the Konkan coast

Best time:October to February
Ideal duration:4–7 days
Best for:Caves, hills, coast
CavesHillsBeachesMonsoon

View Maharashtra guide →

Taj Mahal at sunrise in Uttar PradeshNorth India

Uttar Pradesh — The Taj, the Ganga and spiritual India

Best time:October to March
Ideal duration:4–7 days
Best for:Heritage, temples, spirituality
Taj MahalHeritageGangaTemples

View Uttar Pradesh guide →

West Bengal Himalayan tea gardens below KanchenjungaEast India

West Bengal — Himalayan hills, mangrove tigers and the City of Joy

Best time:October to March
Ideal duration:7–12 days
Best for:Culture, wildlife, hills, food
CultureWildlifeHillsFood

View West Bengal guide →

The Golden Temple reflected in its sacred pool, Amritsar, PunjabNorth India

Punjab — Golden temples, warm hearts and India’s best food

Best time:October to March
Ideal duration:4–7 days
Best for:Spirituality, food, heritage
Golden TempleFoodHeritageWagah

View Punjab guide →

The Tirumala hills above Tirupati, Andhra PradeshSouth India

Andhra Pradesh — Temples, a long coastline and canyon country

Best time:October to March
Ideal duration:7–10 days
Best for:Temples, coast, heritage
TirupatiBeachesArakuCanyon

View Andhra Pradesh guide →

Not sure where to start?

Tell me your dates, trip length, starting city, and travel style — even rough answers are fine. I’ll suggest the region (or two) that fits and how to structure your days. Free planning advice, 48-hour reply.

Ashvinee Nagle, writer of Travel India

Written by Ashvinee Nagle

I travel India slowly and write it down honestly - practical guides and real itineraries from someone who lives here.

About Ashvinee →