Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages (Char Dham Yatra) of Uttarakhand (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath), and hence an important city. The River Ganges, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 miles) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar. It’s also the starting point on the journey to the sacred sources of the rivers Ganga and the Yamuna. The famous Kumbha Mela is celebrated once every 12 years in Haridwar.

Manali is a picturesque hill station located in Kullu district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The resplendent natural beauty, lofty Himalayas, colorful orchards, stunning high altitude meadows, rich flora and fauna, colonial charm and pleasant cool climatic conditions make Manali an ideal holiday destination. Manali tours happen along with a trip to Kullu, which is situated forty kilometers away. Kullu is situated at an altitude of 1,200 meters and stands at the confluence of Beas and Sarvari rivers. Kullu valley is most charming and beautiful, spreading its magic on both sides of river Beas. The town is famous for its temples and annual Dusserha festival.

Amritsar, one of the most ancient cities of India, sports some of the most attractive and intriguing tourist locations in the world. Highly regarded when it comes to the Sikh culture, Amritsar offers up close and personal views of their holy practices. Amritsar is named after the rich, pure water that surrounds the Golden Temple itself, and translates to “Holy pool of Nectar.” The pride and joy emitting from this touching, spiritual city is bound to leave an everlasting impact.

Jaipur was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. The bustling bazaars of Jaipu, sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition. Jaipur has been laid according to the conventional nine-grid pattern that astrologers believe to be lucky, and which has been recommended in the ancient Indian treatise on architecture.

Ranthambore primarily scores its point on the list of tourist attractions because of its tiger reserve. However, the place offers you much more in terms of sightseeing and excursions. Situated on the border of the Thar Desert, Ranthambore is surrounded by the Vindhya Hills and the Aravali Hills. Its very location gives it an advantage of possessing the treasure of mysterious desert lands as well as plain area near the hills. The vegetation primarily comprises of deciduous forests. Ranthambore was the erstwhile hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1955 when it was declared as a game sanctuary. With the emergence of Project Tiger, it was declared a national park and listed among its protected reserves.

Located on the foothill of a sandstone hillock, the city of Jodhpur seems like an oasis in the vast desert. One of the top tourist destinations in Rajasthan, the glorious past of Jodhpur is personified through the various forts, palaces and other monuments. The main attractions include Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 150m high hill constructed in 1459.  Umaid Bhavan Palace is a fascinating palace constructed it in 20th century. A part of the palace has now been converted into a hotel and a museum. Jaswant Thada lies to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is a royal cenotaph made up of white marble.

Immortalised by Rudyard Kipling in The Jungle Book, the Kanha National Park is among the most spectacular, protected wildlife reserves of the world. The 1,945 sq. km National Park has been compared to N’Gorongoro National Park of Tanzania. The great sal forests of Kanha wildlife sanctuary, stretches across Maikal hills of Satpura range. The grassy plateaux, wooded hills and valleys of Kanha are home to tigers, bears, panther and the rock python. Several great and small mammals, reptiles and birds inhabit the Park including the largest ox in the world – the Gaur. Birdlife of the region is equally astounding and more than 350 avian species have been recorded here with the possibility of sighting yet new races, thus giving the avid birdwatcher great scope for new discoveries.

The most modern city in India, Mumbai (formerly Bombay) captures the spirit of the changing pace set by liberalization and modernisation. Once a cluster of seven islands, Mumbai was presented to King Charles II in 1661 as part of the dowry, when he married Princess Catherine de Braganza of Portugal. Over the years, as colonialism gave way to independence, Mumbai transformed itself into an bustling cosmopolitan entity with thriving markets, business houses and many different communities. Must-visit spots include the Gateway of India, Chowpatty Beach and the Elephanta caves.

Today, Bharatpur is known the world over for its Keoladeo Ghana National Park. However its history dates back to the epic age, when the Matsya Kingdom flourished here in the 5th century BC. The Matsya were allies of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. According to tradition, the name of Bharatpur is traced back to Bharat, brother of lord Rama of the epic Ramayana. Bharatpur is also called the Eastern gateway of Rajasthan. Numerous forts and palaces are found across Bharatpur, including the Pleasure Palace complex at Deeg.

Known as the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty used to be the favoured getaway for the British during colonial times. Besides its beautiful mountains and rich vegetation, Ooty will take your breath away with its grasslands and tea estates. Travel on the mountain train, an added attraction for tourists.

The commercial capital of Kerala, Cochin is a cosmopolitan city with an outstanding port and international airport linking it to major cities across the world. Flanked by Western Ghats and Arabian Sea, this gorgeous sea side city is a popular tourist destination. Here one can enjoy boat rides and Kathakali dance performances. Top tourist spots in Cochin are Chinese Fishing Nets,     Fort Kochi beach, Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town, Dutch Palace, Hill Palace and many more.

Madurai, one of South India’s great temple towns, is famous worldwide for the much celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Located on the banks of Vaigai River, this place dates back 2,500 years from the great Tamil era. Since time immemorial, Madurai has been a significant cultural and commercial center. During the supremacy of great Pandya Kings, Madurai enjoyed the status of the capital city. Apart from the temple, other highlights include the Thirumala Naicker palace.

Globally renowned for its shore temples, Mahabalipuram was the capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. 58 km from Chennai on the Bay of Bengal, this small coastal village is set in a boulder – strewn landscape. Miles of unspoiled beach and exquisite rock-cut art ensures its popularity among tourists. The sculptures depict of day-to- day life, in contrast with the rest of Tamil Nadu, where carvings generally depict gods and goddesses.

With grand boulevards and quiet promenades Pondicherry town is a quite a surprise. The four unconnected, erstwhile French colonies of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam together form the Union Territory of Pondicherry. Opulently cosmopolitan, Pondicherry is a preferred hunting ground for the shop-hopper as wonderful bargains are easily available. Famous places to visit: the old colonial quarter, Pondicherry Museum, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Old Light House, Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary Cathedral, Botanical Garden and certainly Auroville.

Thekkady is one of India’s most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch wildlife at close range. The Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching and photographing wild life. Notable among the denizens of Periyar are the tigers, the majestic Asiatic wild elephants and the distinctive Nilgiri langur. Other animals include the wild boar, wild dog, bison, bear and leopards. Amongst the avifauna, the most profuse are herons, egrets, darters, kingfishers and the great Malabar grey hornbill. A cruise through the waters of Periyar lake around which the wild -life sanctuary is situated, offers a pleasant experience.

Coimbatore, one of the most industrialized cities in Tamil Nadu, is also known as the Manchester of the South.  The city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal, and dates back to the 3rd century AD. Its great rulers include the Cholas, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara kings. Earlier known as Kongunadu, its name was changed to Coimbatore when it fell to the British. Coimbatore serves as an entry and exit point to neighbouring Kerala and the ever popular hill station of Udhagamandalam (Ooty). It is the disembarking point for those who want to take the Mountain train that runs from Mettupalayam, 35 kms from Coimbatore.

Think Goa and spectacular sandy beaches come to mind. Indeed its scenic beauty, architectural splendors and old world charm have made Goa a firm favorite with travelers around the world. Travellers to Goa also love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. This is a place where people have mastered the art of relaxation. But, Goa is much more than just beaches and the sea. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland away from the coastal area.