Ultimate Bucket-list Attractions For Your First Trip In India
India is an interesting destination in South Asia due to its rich tapestry of cultural and natural variety. The country encapsulates within itself the great history, exotic spiritual world, diverse regional culinary art, and myriads scenic places from North to South, from West to East. Hence, India appears to global travel enthusiasts as a dreamland of multi remarkable local experiences. If you’re the first-time visitor to India, let’s discover with Asia Tours the ultimate bucket-list attractions here that probably help you to experience the best of India.
1. The Taj Mahal – A renowned symbol of love
Needless to say, the Taj Mahal is a must-visit place included in any Indian private tour packages. It has long been known as the greatest tourist attraction and also one of the most famous UNESCO Heritage Sites in India. Hence, this grand mausoleum welcomes huge influxes of visitors each year. Located in the historic city of Agra, the Taj Mahal along with several other notable monuments created a pleasant Agra tour that combines the best of the city’s legacy.
Famous for intricately architectural majesty and even more attractive to the world by its moving love story behind, the Taj Mahal was described by the fabled Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore as "a teardrop on the cheek of eternity" and it is considered one of the most romantic places in India. Not only being merely a magnificent historic building or an outstanding symbol of the eternally true love but the Taj Mahal is also proudly praised as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's". The best time to visit the place is either at dawn or dusk when the spectacle of the buildings, the colour of the sky along with surrounding scenery are much far epic and stunning.
2. Hill Forts of Rajasthan
Rajasthan, India’s largest state, is a part of the “Golden Triangle” in many classic India tours, which offers you sublime insights into the real Indian essence. The opulent state was once the strongholds of many Indian rulers, hence Rajasthan is famous for numerous palatial historic buildings and imperial palaces. Among these inviting sites & attractions, a cluster of “Hill Forts of Rajasthan” is definitely a series of a heritage site that you should not miss.
UNESCO Heritage Site of “Hill Forts of Rajasthan” comprises of six outstanding forts spreading across the state: Chittor Fort at Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh Fort at Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore Fort at Sawai Madhopur, Gagron Fort at Jhalawar, Amer Fort at Jaipur, and Jaisalmer Fort at Jaisalmer. These forts are the typical examples of the culture and architecture of hilltop Rajput forts. They are not only complete defensive constructions but also the home to a great number of majestic royal palaces & buildings, which feature a mind-blowing impression of architectural grandeur and historic highlights. If you’re history buffs, a visit to several prominent heritage sites of ancient hill forts in Rajasthan is a must on your travel plan here.
3. Delhi – The bustling capital city
India’s capital city is usually the first stop for most India travel itineraries. Delhi is not only the capital of modern India but also the capital of at least seven previous Indian civilizations, and each has left behind a trail of monuments, which made the richness of history and notable landmarks around the city today. This huge and sprawling city, where old meets new with two distinct parts within one city: Old Delhi and New Delhi, features a beguiling mix of various local highlights. The city of Delhi is absolutely an interesting place that offers a sublime glance of India for first-timers travelling the country.
There are a lot of pleasant things to do in Delhi varying from heritage visits to exciting city tours. The prominent tourist sites should not be missed when in here are the highest tower in India – Qutub Minar (Victory Tower), the stately Red Fort, and the largest mosque in India - Jama Masjid. For those who are interested in the buzzing atmosphere of the metropolis, taking a rickshaw ride sneaking into the narrow alleys of Old Delhi or hanging out for tasty foodie trips that explore incredible gastronomic surprises here surely brings amazing time full of delights to everyone.
4. The holy city of Varanasi
When it comes to Indian religious world, Varanasi has commonly recognized the most famous stop for any culture buff. It is a holy ancient city spanning a great history of thousands of years on the banks of the legendary Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh. As the major religious hub in India, Varanasi is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism and played an important role in the development of Buddhism and Ravidassia as well.
Varanasi is a significant pilgrimage site for both local and foreign pilgrims due to its notable glory in various religions, especially Hinduism. The city features a lot of exotic cultural and spiritual expeditions besides authentic travel experiences that enable you to embrace and experience the ways of life in this sacred place to the wholeness. Here, you will be deeply immersed in the powerful and up-lifting world of traditional Hindu worship. Among interesting local activities on offer, witnessing the ancient ritual of Aarti at the river ghats and taking a morning sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River are the two prominent cultural highlights you should not miss. Just come and feel the purely revered atmosphere of Varanasi!
5. Enchanting Kerala
Kerala, a scenic land to the southern tip of India, is an inviting destination and also a perfect getaway for multiple travel enthusiasts ranging from nature lovers, adventure seekers, to honeymooners, families or backpackers. Exciting yet not too much commercialized like the mainstream India tourist hubs, Kerala entices with its enchanting sun and sand, serene backwaters, magnificent historical monuments, exotic culture, distinct art forms, blissful greenery of gardens, forests & plantations, incredible wildlife, picturesque paths and trek routes, and much more.
For those seeking a retreat escaping from the modern life or merely further discoveries of Southern India, Kerala hosts a wide range of outdoor experiences and captivating tourist activities for you to freely delight in. From hassle-free beach vacations in sandy Kovalam and Varkala Beach, cultural voyages in Cochin, to the alluring scenic beauty of Vembanad backwaters with pleasant stays on traditional houseboats, the wild allure of picturesque hill station Munnar, and colourful biodiversity in Periyar National Park, Kerala, with its rich tapestry of local highlights, offer all you need for the trip of a lifetime.
As the fertile land of diversity, India boasts about a lot of distinct highlights worth experiencing. Hence, the massive country of South Asia offers multiple captivating itineraries that decently meet different travel interests. These five well-known tourist attractions above are among the best places to visit for the first trip in India, which help you embrace the glimpse of Indian real essence as well as admire a lot of heritages and local allures here. For more details, inviting spots and things to do at other great Indian destinations, have a look at Asia Tours to revise our numerous options for a stupendous holiday in India.
