India's Top Travel Destinations

India has a 42 billion dollar tourism industry with the number of visitors steadily growing each year. Three million people visit the Taj Mahal annually making it the leading attraction. However, tourists are no longer focused solely on seeing this incomparable Seventh Wonder of the World; they are now discovering more of the diverse subcontinent, visiting all corners of the country and many places, and events, of interest.

To give you a comprehensive look at amazing India, here are some of the most important things to see and do during your stay.

• Taj Mahal - The magnificent marble Mausoleum was built in 1631 and is India's top tourist attraction. It is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River at Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
• The Golden Triangle – When visiting the Taj Mahal, it is popular to visit the trio of cities called The Golden Triangle - Agra, the pink city of Jaipur and India's capital city of Delhi. Within this area there are many landmarks including the historic Red Fort (Agra), the Hawa Mahal palace (Jaipur), the palace and fort in Amber, (north of Jaipur) and the Presidentail Palace, War Memorial and Lodhi Gardens in Delhi.
• Udaipur Lake Palace – A short flight from Jaipur is the lakeside town of Udaipur. This beautiful palace has a romantic setting around three lakes and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the magnificent sunrise and sunset. Now a hotel, you can stay or enjoy a meal here. You might have seen it as this was the setting for the finale of the James Bond film Octopussy.
• Varanasi – This Hindu holy city is also one of the oldest cities in the world, home to many ancient monasteries, temples and shrines. It is situated on the banks of the river Ganges in the northern province of Uttar Pradesh.
• The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – Taking this train gives you two outstanding Indian experiences; rail travel and the magnificent Himalayas. It is nicknamed the Toy Train as the track has a very narrow guage (610mm or 2 ft.) This historic and spectacular journey takes you from Siliguri to Darjeeling in West Bengal.
• Kaziranga National Park – Wildlife viewing is a top attraction and this park is one of the best. Located in the eastern Himalayan state of Assam, this World Heritage Site was originally established as a reserve forest in 1905. It is home to two-thirds of the world's Great One-horned Rhinoceroses and it is an important tiger reserve. You'll also see elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and a magnificent variety of birds.

• The Ajanta Caves – Considered the finest masterpiece of Buddhist art and architecture, these 3rd century caves were carved from lava rock by Buddhist monks. Located In Maharashtra state, western India, 100 kilometers from the city Aurangabad.
• The Beaches of Goa – India is renowned for its fine beaches with many of them located in the region of Goa in the southwest. The pleasant climate here adds to the attraction of the palm fringed beaches making it a popular paradise for locals as well as international visitors.
• Kerala Province – This area in the southwest has stunning scenery, beautiful cities and tranquil backwaters, ideal for cruising. The rice boats of Kerala are houseboats that meander through the backwater areas, a most relaxing way to spend some of your vacation time.
• Ayurvedic health holiday – No visit to India is complete without a traditional Ayurvedic treatment. How about a relaxing massage or yoga class after a busy day of sight seeing? Ayurvedic treatments are offered at hotel spas as well as dedicated spas and retreats. They can easily be arranged during your stay.