Best Places In India To Visit In 2020

India is an enormous and diverse destination. Bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar, not to mention the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, means that there are many different sides to the country.

More than 20 official languages, multiple religions and a variety of cuisines exist within India’s borders. To truly experience the breadth of Indian culture and history, travel is key. Head to as many of these best places to visit in India's as your itinerary allows. Remember the famous quote:

“NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST” ~ J.R.R. TOLKIEN

Throughout our lives, people have thought that because we keep traveling and searching for new things to do, we are not focused. They have often thought we are flaky or unfocused.

But travel helped us find our purpose and put focus into our lives. The more we got lost in our travels, the richer our lives became.


Rann of Kutch – White Desert

An enormous stretch of white salt that is submerged under water for 4 months in a year, the great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is an incredible place to visit in India. With its astounding natural beauty, the world’s one of the greatest salt desert is swarmed by an endless number of tourists every year. Live folk music and dance performances, camel safaris, a rustic stay and a delicious Kutch cuisine makes this experience an unforgettable one for every visitor. From walking along vast stretches of white getting a glimpse of salt making process, watching colourful migratory birds in the Chhari Dhand Bird Sanctuary, getting breath-taking views of the infinite expanse of the Rann from ‘Kala Dungar’ to seeing the artisans creating magic with their hands making exquisite embroidery pieces; a trip to Rann of Kutch is truly an eye-opener. What adds to the charm of this memorable trip is a stay in traditional ‘Bhungas’ or cylindrical shaped huts with conical roofs in the enchanting ‘Hodka Village’ nearby. Providing you a feel of a rustic village life, these huts are beautifully decorated with traditional mirror work patterns and delicate lattice work. During night, enjoy a bonfire and watch a folk dance performance under the moonlit sky relishing on the tasty and spicy home-made Kutch delicacies.

Kutch Rann Utsav is a colorful festival, which takes place in Rann of Kutch. This festival lasts for three months from November to January. This winter festival includes camping on the white desert, camel ride, folk performances, music carnival, shopping spots and much more. It is a celebration carnival in the middle of the white desert.

Choose to visit the Rann on the full moon night. Enjoy dining under the star for a perfect evening. This is one of the important romantic activities for the honeymooners in Gujarat. You can also choose service providers who can customize your trip to add more romance to the plate.

You ought to try the sweets oft this land. The place has a primary vegetarian and seafood cuisine due to the lack of source of meat. Thus, you can find many sweet dishes and mildly savory dishes that are a little different from the local cuisine of Gujarat. You ought to try the sweets of the land.

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Aurangabad – City of Gates

Dotted with plenty of ancient monuments, Aurangabad is a historical city located in Maharashtra. A city ruled by several dynasties in the past, today boasts of its rich heritage with its architectural marvels reminding the tales of its reigning dynasties. Mostly famed for its stunning Buddhist cave paintings of Ajanta and Ellora, a world heritage site, Aurangabad is visited by many national and international tourists throughout the year for many other reasons too. The magnificent ‘Bibi ka Maqbara’ reflecting the architecture of iconic ‘Taj’ and houses the tomb of Aurangzeb’s wife, Begum Rabia attracts many historians, architects and art lovers. The fortified city’s rich and alluring gates like ‘Kala Darwaza’ and ‘Rangeen Darwaza’ adorned with intricate carvings provide you a sneak peek into the artistic skills of the artisans and craftsmen of the bygone era.

The city’s one of its kind cultural fiesta of ‘Ellora Ajanta Festival’ showcasing the talent of number of dancers and musicians across the country in the backdrop of illuminated 1400 years old caves adds to the charm of this historic city and provides one more reason to art lovers for a visit to Aurangabad.

When in Aurangabad, do not give a miss to the lifetime opportunity of adding to your wardrobe, a traditional and exquisite collection of fine hand-woven Himroo and Paithani silk, an exotic speciality of Aurangabad.

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Sunderbans – For its Beautiful Forests

Home to the world’s largest mangrove forests, inhabited with the man-eating royal Bengal tigers, Sunderbans is one of the most famous offbeat places to visit in India. Situated on the mouth of the mighty Brahmaputra and river Ganges, the forests are also home to unlimited species of other wild animals, reptiles and birds. The unique and amazing Sunderbans National Park is known for being the largest Mangrove forest and natural home to the most dangerous and endangered predator in the wilderness of the dense forest, the Royal Bengal Tigers along with a large array of wild species of various flora and fauna. The estuarine of the Sundarbans makes it a unique and a must visit wildlife destination in India for the wildlife lovers as well as Nature lovers. Evoking a mysterious fervour, Sunderbans has always lured adventure buffs, nature lovers and bird watchers from across the globe. Tracking down a ferocious beast, standing on the deck of your boat navigating through the dense mangroves engulfed in a sheer silence that is only occasionally broken by the whispering of bushes, squeaking of lizards and chirping of birds; the adventure is definitely one of the most exciting and enthralling experiences you can have at Sunderbans. Besides the spine-chilling adventurous journey, a trip to Sunderbans also offers you an unmatched scenic and bird watching experience that is indescribable in words. Needless to say, a visit to this world heritage site, for sure makes for an unforgettable holiday excursion. As a remembrance to this mysterious world, fresh forest honey and brown rice makes for a perfect buy.

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Sikkim – The Land of Mystique

One of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in India, Sikkim is a glittering gem of the North-East Himalayas. With its enchanting snow-capped mountains, quaint little villages, pristine lakes and vibrant Buddhist monasteries, Sikkim is one of the best destinations in India to spend a peaceful and laid back holiday amidst extreme tranquillity and solitude. Teeming with some of the world’s best scenic trekking trails and rivers ideal for indulging in real thrill of white-water rafting, this little North-Eastern state also makes for a perfect adventure destination in India for trekkers, rafters, mountaineers and rock climbers. Be it the breath-taking panoramas of the rhododendron carpets as you trek to the enchanting ‘Yumthang Valley’, the surreal experience of reaching the ‘Gurudongmar’ and ‘Cholamu’ lakes or an ecstasy of braving the strong currents of River Teesta as you navigate through twist and turns of the torrential river during the white water rafting adventure; Sikkim never ceases to hypnotise you with its serene magic of nature.

This quaint state of India is also a perfect place to go for some meditation sessions at one of the numerous old monasteries, indulge in a thrilling fun of hand-gliding or paragliding, experience a unique ‘Yak Safari’, satiate your taste buds with delicious Sikkimese delicacies, shop till your heart’s desire purchasing incredible Sikkimese handcrafts, thangka paintings and mural items or be part of one of the state’s fascinating festivals.

The most popular monastery visited by the tourists is Rumtek Monastery. This monastery incorporates a proper school to communicate knowledge and teachings if Tibetan Buddhist culture. The most unusual birds are also present inside the monastery complex. It also organizes various festivals, predominantly in the month of July.

From tropical to the alpines. Sikkim’s botanical and zoological richness is awe- inspiring, boasting of more than 4000 species of plants and 30% of all the birds found in the Indian sub-continent. The state animal is the Red Panda. 81% of the state comes under the administration of the forest department.

Momos, Thukpa, and Wontons, anyone? They make up a part of the Sikkimese cuisine, and is enjoyed by everyone in the country.

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Meghalaya – Adobe of The Clouds

If you want to make friends with the clouds or simply feel like you’re on cloud nine, then Meghalaya is the place to be.

The Meghalaya Adventures Association organizes expeditions in the state’s limestone caves – they call it the ‘Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Project’. These caves can be spotted over the three main ranges in Meghalaya, namely the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills. Some of the longest caves in the world can be found here, with nine out of 10 being the deepest Indian caves.
The longest cave in the Indian subcontinent, called Krem Liat Prah, is located in the Jaintia Hills. To enter some of these caves, you have to swim inside them, whereas in others rock-climbing and trekking are mandatory.

Meghalaya offers visitors a chance to go trekking, caving, camping, mountaineering, rock-climbing, and also the opportunity to revel in the rush of water sports! The Umiam Lake, situated near Shillong, houses a water-sports complex where you can go water-skiing, yachting, and even hire kayaks, canoes, river buses, water scooters, and the works! Archery is another popular local sport to be enjoyed here.

The three main tribes of the state are the Garos, Khasis, and Jaintias. They all live in specific regions and have unique traditions, cultures, cuisines, and dressing styles. Most of them follow the matrilineal way of living, wherein the mother’s ancestry is considered to be important.

Abundant rain, clouds, greenery, and mountains mean that Meghalaya is blessed with resplendent flora and fauna. Sure enough, the state is home to numerous national parks that hold within them wonders of Mother Nature. Tucked in the Garo Hills, the Nokrek National Park is home to the Hollock Gibbons, which is a type of gorilla. Legend has it that an ape-man lurks in these woods and you’d be lucky, or not, to sight him!
It is also a place to find the ultra-rare red panda and golden cat. For bird lovers, there is the Siju Bird Sanctuary on the banks of the Simsang River. Seashell fossils are found in the Balpakram National Park so it holds great geological importance. Take a minute to let that sink in; sea shells in a mountainous region!!! 

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Shillong, situated in the East Khasi Hills, is also called ‘Scotland of the East’. This term was given to it by European settlers who were reminded of Scotland when they saw the sprawling green hills surrounding the city. Shillong is stylish and a haven for musicians.

Mawlynnong is touted to be Asia’s cleanest village, and rightly so. The villagers here are dedicated to keeping their surroundings clean, setting an example for all of us! The streets of Mawlynnong are lined with bamboo dustbins and villagers, on a rotation basis, are assigned the task of cleaning the village.

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