The Best Of North India Where To Go And What To See In North India

Posted by Satu Susanna Rommi on 19 July 09

North India has mountains, deserts, holy cities by the sacred river Ganges and stunning architecture from the Taj Mahal to the Golden Temple.

To see all the places mentioned in this article would take about three months, if travelling mainly by trains and buses, and leaving enough time to explore an area beyond a rushed sightseeing tour. Of course it can all be rushed through in a shorter time, but do leave a few days here and there for just relaxing and remember that anyone can get sick at some point and need time to recover.

In addition, travel plans in India may have to be adjusted at the last minute because of weather (monsoon rain, floods or snowstorms in Ladakh) or political events (strikes or demonstrations).

Places To See In North India

Starting from Delhi, take a few days to recover from jet lag and adjust to India while exploring the sights of the capital city. The Taj Mahal in Agra is then a short drive or train trip from Delhi. Also worth visiting is Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From Agra there are train and bus connections to Jaipur, the Pink City, and the rest of Rajasthan. This desert state with its stunning cities, palaces, forts and camel safaris deserves a couple of weeks, at least.

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, in the Punjab, is the holiest site in Sikhism and should not be missed. When travelling between Amritsar and the rest of North India, the city of Chandigarh is a regional travel hub with connections to Amritsar, many destinations in Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. There is also a daily Shatabdi Express train between Delhi and Amritsar.

Himachal Pradesh is a the place to explore the Himalayas, especially in April and May when the rest of India starts to get too hot. There are hill stations such as Manali and Shimla, treks in the mountains, motorbikes to rent, and of course the Tibetan community in Dharamsala and McLeodGanj. Those who visit India between May and October can continue from Manali to Leh in Ladakh.

Rishikesh by the holy river Ganges, in the state of Uttarakhand, is famous for yoga courses and ashrams, and is also a major traveller centre. Nearby Haridwar, also on the holy Ganges, is one of Hinduism's sacred cities. Trains connect Haridwar to another sacred city Varanasi (Benares) where Hindu pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Bodhgaya, where the Buddha gained enlightenment, is a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.

Varanasi has train connections back to Delhi as well as further east to Kolkata (Calcutta) in West Bengal. Those who travel in India during April and May can travel on from Kolkata to Darjeeling and Sikkim, but this area is definitely not recommended during monsoon.

When To Travel To North India

The best time to visit Himachal Pradesh is in the summer, April and May, when the rest of India gets unbearably hot. The best time to go to Ladakh is from June - the roads to Ladakh are only open between May and October.

The season in Darjeeling and Sikkim is from March to May; during monsoon from June to September this area gets very heavy rain and should be avoided.

The areas around Delhi as well as Rajasthan and the Punjab get very hot between April and June. Many travellers visit these areas between November and March, and when the heat starts to build up, move on to the Himalayas for cooler climates.

Resources: http://india-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_best_of_north_india

Travel India: A Perfect Destination

Posted by Gaurav Sharma

India has something for all tourists. One can admire the charm of many magnificent monuments, beaches and breathtaking, rich flora and fauna, rich cultural heritages, the snow, sizzling vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert, colorful fairs and festivals, etc. during tours to India.

India has a diverse landscape, which is just as diverse as the various cultures that are scattered throughout this beautiful and amazing countryside. India is home to busy cities, deserts, the Himalayan Mountains, and rolling green hills and fertile valleys. With all this said, you may be wondering when the best of the time of the year would be to visit India.

In India large number of tourism options and has something for all tourists. Snowy mountain peaks, beaches, breathtaking, rich cultural heritage, blazing deserts, wildlife-rich, diverse and scenic landscapes, pilgrimage centers, places of adventure and sport, beautiful lakes, magnificent hotels and accommodation, etc, are enough to make India one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

On your visit to India, regardless of party or states in India, Travel in you, you will find something more and something new to you please. Travel india on cheap flights to india and make your visit memorable.Each region and the state of India has something to offer visitors. Rajasthan (famous for its magnificent palaces and forts, deserts and rich culture and tradition), Goa (famous for its exotic beaches, churches, etc.), Kerala (famous for beautiful beaches to breathtaking backwater, natural beauty, etc), Kashmir (famous for extraordinary natural beauty), Himachal Pradesh (famous for beautiful mountain), Uttaranchal (famous for its natural beauty and mountain stations), Uttar Pradesh (the house India attractions - Taj Mahal), etc, are major tourist destinations which you like to visit India during your visits.

India is a nation where one can find a range of tourism options. And of course, India tourism never fails to enchant travelers with its various mesmerizing tourism options. Adventure, Culture, Heritage, Beaches, Monuments, Hill, verdant landscapes, mountain peaks, deserts, flora and fauna, etc are some major tourist attractions of India, which are very popular among attract tourists and Travel in India.

To have a comfortable and hassle-free tour and overview of India Tourism in India, you can opt for good service in India . There are a number of travel agencies in India that offers good service. They also provide useful information on India Travel packages to suit your preferences and choice. You can select India Travel packages to the theme of heritage tours, excursions, tours monuments, historic tours, cultural tours, wildlife expedition, pilgrimage tours, hiking, beach tours, etc. In fact, India Tourism has something for all tourists. Even the newlyweds and newly married couples prefer to enjoy their honeymoon holidays in India.

Travel agents can help you choose the right package to suit your preferences and choice. If you too have decided to travel in India, it is advisable to choose the services of a good travel agent in India and book your packages in advance so that you can avoid disappointment and last minute travel in the country of more and more practical.

Resources: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/travel-india-a-perfect-destination-829475.html

Important Tips on India Travel and Tours

Posted by mahi manral on 16 July 2009

India is a vast country and one of the most important tourism destinations in the world. The vast stretches of India offers tourists glimpse of striking and diverse landscape endowed with amazing beauty and inherent culture and rich tradition. You will find finest hospitality while exploring different parts of India - a country that is culturally rich.

Travel and tours in this captivating country will offer you wonderful opportunity to explore some of unexplored facets of glorious history of the country, magnificent monuments & architectural edifices, splendor of erstwhile royals, and nature blessed landscapes. Whatever part of the county you will travel in you will find amazing diversity; you will find something extra and something new on your every step in country. You will be rapt to see the outstanding diversity in all aspects of lifestyle. It is interesting, yet the whole nation is strongly boned together by cultural oneness. Rightly, India goes will with the slogan – Unity in Diversity.

India has great tourism potential and several fascinating travel destinations. Myriad range of tourism and holiday options appeal tourists, travelers and vacationers from all over the world for India travel and tours. Introduction to Indian tourism is incomplete without mentioning about the spiritual tours in India. This fabulous tour options in India comprises of visits of sacred and famous pilgrimage places of country. There are many pilgrimage centres in India which are highly praised by devotees worldwide. A visit to holy pilgrimage places of India will give you comfort of mind and an inspiring experience of lifetime. Varanasi, Khajuraho, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Ajmer, Pushkar, Amritsar, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Madurai, Rameshwaram, etc are prime pilgrimage places in India which are widely praised by devotees.

Travel and tourism in India also provides you wonderful opportunity to explore thrilling wildlife tourist spots. There are about 600 wildlife sanctuaries in India. Many of them converted into national parks. There are about 160 national parks and 28 tiger reserves in India. These wildlife spots are perfect destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. Exploring these wildlife parks of India will give you glimpse of rare species of animals, birds, reptiles and rich fauna. India tourism is totally incomplete if you don’t explore the cultural heritage monuments. There are many captivating destinations where you can cool down your cultural excitement and curious about rich heritage of India. Caves temples of Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta are excellent example of rich heritage of the county that can be visited on you tours in India. Rajasthan, Khajuraho, Konark and Mahabalipuram are important places where rich heritage of India welcomes you.

Shimla, Manali, Kashmir, Gulmarg, Dalhousie, Darjeeling, Ranikhet, etc are beautiful hill stations in north India where you can spend your vacations in a cheerful and peaceful way. Munnar, Ooty, and Kodaikanal are beautiful hill stations in south India. Goa and Kerala are internationally famous for beach vacations and beach tourism. Kerala is endowed with exceptional nature beauty and amazing serenity where you can spend your vacations in truly mesmeric way. And spending your vacation on beach resorts of Goa will be experience of luxury trip of India. You will find every luxury residing at world class beach resorts of Goa and Kerala.

If you first timer for India and looking for a captivating tours package in India, then I suggest you for a right package for golden triangle tours. This tour options provides you wonderful opportunity explore three predominant historic cities of India – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The trio is widely acclaimed for magnificent monuments. Agra is very popular for Taj Mahal, one of Seven Wonders of the World. The charm of India travel and tours not ends here there are many, more, much and much more. Come and explore the charm of awesome tourism.

Resources: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/important-tips-on-india-travel-and-tours.html

Jaipur - The Pink City of India

Posted by Rajesh Kumar on 16 July 09

Jaipur literally means the "City of Victory". It is the capital city of Rajasthan, the royal state of India. It is also popularly known as the Pink City of India. Once the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur, it was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the year of 1712.

Jaipur is one of the most beautiful cities in India and have lots of catchy attractions of tourist interest like forts, palaces, gardens, lakes, temples, museums, heritage hotels, etc. The city is also base to visit the other important cities and tourist places of Rajasthan, the royal state of India. Almost all the major cities and tourist places of the state are well-connected by excellent road network. RSRTC (Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation) buses connect major cities and tourists places. Various private buses and car rental agencies also offer transportation facilities in and from Jaipur.

Jaipur is considered as one of the well-planned cities in India. The city was planned according to Indian Vastu Shastra. The city is remarkable with well-designed and broad streets. The directions of each street and market are remarkable. They are north to south and east to west. Driving on wide roads of the Pink City is simply a cheerful experience you will love to cherish on your Jaipur visit. There are several car rental agencies in Jaipur offering various kinds of cars on hire. A tourist can hire a car from any one of reputed agencies and can cherish joy of driving on wide avenues of Jaipur city.

Today with lots of catchy attractions Jaipur is a globally famous tourism destination of India. It deserves the attentions of majority of tourists from all over the world for Rajasthan tours and travels. The city has some of magnificent fort & palace attractions. They are City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Chandra Mahal, Amber Fort & Palace and Rambagh Palace. These all are architecturally beautiful and excellent example of architectural excellence. There are also some of famous temples in Jaipur. They are Govind Devji Temple, Akshardham Temple, Jain Temple, Moti Doongri Temple, Panchayati Hall, and Laxmi Narayan Temple. Jantar Mantar, Ram Niwas Garden, Zoological Garden, Vidyadhar Garden, Central Park, Kanak Vrindavan, Sisodia Rani Palace & Garden, Albert Hall Museum (Central Museum), etc are other worth visit attractions of Jaipur city tours.

There are also heritage hotels in Jaipur offering world class accommodation facilities and cheerful holiday vacation experiences. Ajmer, Samode, Pushkar, Sariska, Agra, etc are nearby tourist places to Jaipur city. One can make excursion trip to these tourist places by cars conveniently. Tourists can explore major attractions of tourist interest in and around Jaipur conveniently by cars. They can rent a car in Jaipur with a reputed Jaipur car rental agency. There are many car hire agencies in Jaipur offer car rental services in Rajasthan, India. Well, if you too want to cherish the charm of pink city visit Jaipur. Explore famous attractions of Jaipur. Visit nearby tourist places by a luxury car drives running on wide & scenic roads. Stay at heritage hotels and experience luxury. The charm of pink city awaits you.

Resources: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/jaipur-the-pink-city-of-india.html

India Rishikesh Travel

Posted by Aparana Chauhan

Rishikesh is the city of foreigners in saffron 'Hare Ram Hare Krishna' kurta, mantra enchanting sadhus, blaring loud speakers and the three wheeler traffic, a city where faint strains of the shastriya sangeet blends with the bells of the temples. Tour to Rishikesh is the unique package for the mind and body. It is one such city where the religious traditions happily exists with the modern adventure sports. On one hand it offers you the profound eternal experience; while on the other hand tempts you to raft in Ganga, one of the most beautiful rivers of India.

Rishikesh is the international capital of Yoga and Meditation. This holy town is located 25 km upstream from Haridwar at the confluence of Chandrabagha and Ganga rivers, in the lap of the lower Garhwal hills. It is dotted with numerous temples and ashrams that make it an ideal destination to spend time in peace. It is also the wonderful for the adventure lovers. Tourists from far and wide come here to shop for the best of rafting deals in the swift swirling water of the Ganges as it gushes past the spectacular mountains.

As you drive to Rishikesh the first thing that you come across is the impressive Ram Jhula, a suspension bridge swaying above the swirling Ganga waters. Ram Jhula connects with the Swargashram on the west and Shivanand Ashram on the east and hence gets its name Shivanand Jhula. Another major attraction of the town is the Laxman Jhula, another suspension bridge, which is quite similar to the Ram Jhula. Laxman Jhula is studded with glaring bazaars and crowded cafes. The city of Rishikesh offers you the great temple tour of the some of the most ancient temples of India. Visit the Bharat Mandir located near the Triveni Ghat where the Lord Ram's second Brother Bharat was immortalized. It is oldest temple in Rishikesh. You may lot of pilgrims taking the holy dip in the ganga at this ghat as it is believed that the waters here have the soul purifying powers.

Then there is a famous Neelkanth Mahadev temple, located on the eastern bank of Ganga. According to legends Lord Shiva here saved the world by holding poison churned from the sea by the gods and demons in his throat. The trip to the Rishikesh bewitch you with its large peg of shivering fun and adventure along with the touch of spiritualism and peaceness.

Resources: http://ezinearticles.com/?India-Rishikesh-Travel&id=1913454

Special emphasis on Indian market is key to future growth in NZ tourism: John Key, PM & Tourism Minister

Posted by Sheldon Santwan on 17 July 09

New Zealand PM and Tourism Minister stresses need for closer tourism ties with India and China

The Prime Minister and Tourism Minister of New Zealand, John Key has stressed on the need to strengthen ties with India and encourage bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the area of tourism promotion. Speaking exclusively with TravelBiz Monitor on the sidelines of TRENZ 2009, which concluded in Auckland last month, Key said that India and China were the key markets for New Zealand in future.

“We have to move quickly to tap the burgeoning tourism markets of India and China. The potential of these two markets can no longer be ignored and they are the key growth countries for the future of New Zealand tourism. We are hopeful of signing the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) with India in the near future and envision that tourism between the two countries will be one of the major beneficiaries,” stated Key.

Lamenting the current lack of air connectivity between India and New Zealand, Key stressed on the need for improvement in this area in the immediate future and expressed hope that air connectivity between the two countries can be improved soon. “It is crucial to the development of tourism between India and New Zealand. We are quite satisfied with the growth in Indian tourists to New Zealand over the last five years and hope that this growth will be greatly accelerated over the next five years. We are serious about the Indian and Chinese markets and they will be part of our prime focus and marketing efforts over the next few years,” stressed Key.

The New Zealand PM seemed fairly confident that more Indian tourists will visit New Zealand and the growth rate will see a significant increase over the last couple of years with an increased awareness of New Zealand in India through the most popular mediums- Cricket and Bollywood. “Yes Cricket and Bollywood will be key in promoting the image and appeal of New Zealand in India, as we have learnt recently,” added Key. He further added, “We will do whatever it takes to promote New Zealand as the next tourism hotspot for the Indian traveller.

In a three to five year span, Key feels that Indian tourism to New Zealand will move to the next stage of maturity and is bullish that his country will find favour with visiting Indians for its uniqueness,adventure activities and pure and safe destination status. India currently figures nowhere on the list of top tourism markets into New Zealand. “However, looking into the future, sheer growth estimates and purchasing power of the average Indian traveller will make it a potential market that is second to none,” opined the New Zealand Prime Minister.

Elaborating on the development of the New Zealand tourism product, Key stressed that the new focus was on the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in 2011 for which the city of Auckland will receive a complete overhaul and upgrade, inclusive of a waterfront/wharf development and fresh infusion of 60 million dollars for development of tourism infrastructure through till 2010. Marketing spends to promote the event and the destination will also be ramped up, asserted Key amidst applause from the entire audience at TRENZ 2009. Here is a Prime Minister (who is also Tourism Minister) who knows what he’s talking about when it comes to tourism, was the common consensus amongst the worldwide gathering in Auckland for TRENZ. So when will it ever happen in India?... I asked myself.

Resources: http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/special-emphasis-on-indian-market-is-key-to-future-growth-in-nz-tourism-john-key-pm---tourism-minister-7451

World’s ‘best’ cities? Hmm…

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Udaipur City Palace on Lake Pachola.

• Mark Kirby
• Lonely Planet Photographer

Posted by Vivek Wagle on 15 July 2009

What makes one city better than another?

For some, it’s the culture. For others, the cuisine. Some like proximity to adventure; some like it hot (and beachy).

With so many yardsticks, it must be tough to come up with a solid ranking. Kudos to Travel + Leisure for giving it a try. In their recent ‘World’s Best’ survey results, they’ve listed the top global cities according to a reader poll.

The top 10 cities contain a fascinating mix of the predictable and surprising. We’ve conducted our own (internal) poll to reflect on some of the towns that made it into the T+L list. As you might have guessed, there’s plenty of disagreement.

1. Udaipur, India. Surely a town of wonders - but is it really the best city in the world? Some of our staff could think of cities in India they’d rather visit or live in. One writes, ‘…no Jodhpur? Nothing beats sinking into the Blue City on a rickshaw from the station - like slowly descending underwater, your eyes bathed in blues and greens.’ Another, less poetically, remarks, ‘But the lake has been dry for months!’

2. Cape Town, South Africa. Genuine disagreement on this one, with some claiming, ‘Huh?’ Star moderator Irene Adler does note that ‘It’s one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been.’

3. Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand is definitely one of the world’s top destinations, but poor Bangkok is often regarded as the worst city in the country. It certainly has its charms, but the nonstop traffic jams and hassles would keep this off many a top 10 list.

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The lone South American contender, Buenos Aires is nearly universally loved around these parts. A lone dissenting opinion comes from Gus, an Argentine who would never want to be ‘mistaken for a porteño‘.

5. Chiang Mai, Thailand. A second Thai town in the top 10? Seems generous - especially to a staffer who claims, ‘I spent a week there once, and I can’t even remember what it was like. It was that dull.’

6. Florence, Italy. Another sharp divider of opinion. Some are seduced by Florence’s myriad charms, claiming that it tops touristy Venice easily. Others rate other nearby destinations more highly: ‘Go to Siena or Verona instead - all the beauty without the exhaust fumes and sterile Disneyland feel. You won’t get the same feast of art but you’ll hardly starve.’

7. Luang Prabang, Laos. Sleepy LP is the third Southeast Asian entry in the top 10. It’s the highlight of many trips to the region, but most agreed that it’s a bit of a shock to see it so high. If Luang Prabang makes the list, where’s Siem Reap?

8. New York, USA. An obvious contender. Hard to begrudge its slot, given that it’s the first North American city on the list.

9. Rome, Italy. The French must be fuming that two Italian cities made the list without a single mention of a Paris or a Lyon. That’s just not Nice! (Sorry.)

10. San Francisco, USA. The jewel of the American West Coast remains as popular as ever, despite its foggy climate and high costs. But we generally agreed that it’s worth it.

So what did the list miss out on? Lonely Planeteers took umbrage at the lack of Budapest, Vancouver, Edinburgh, Tokyo, Berlin, Beijing and Istanbul - among many others.

For our definitive view, check out The Cities Book, which has a ton of information on all the world’s great towns. Don’t miss out on our cofounder Tony Wheeler’s left-field picks (including Detroit and Karachi).

Did we get it right? Or are we missing something? Tell us what you think.

Resources: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/travel-tips-and-articles/42/1266