Kerala, a state situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler,Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives and beautiful backwaters.Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, have made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Our top tips in Kerala
1. Houseboat on Allepey Backwaters (day trip or overnight stay)
2. Stay in one of the tranquil resorts by the backwaters
3. Visit an Elephant sanctuary (there are plenty)
4. Kovalam or Varkala beach for lazy days
5. Kochi day tour for a trip down Britain's colonial past.
6. Munnar for bird sanctuaries and tea plantations, however this is a few hours inland so might not be ideal logistically.
A sprawling metropolis on the coast of the Arabian Sea, there is a charm in the chaos, and there is something for everyone, whether you're in the market for shopping, sightseeing, delicious pani puri (street food), visiting the museums and old colonial buildings or just sitting on marine drive and watching the world by, you're in for a great time.
We'd recommend reading Shantaram if you haven't already to get in the mood for Mumbai
Our top tips
1. Walk from Chowpatty to Colaba (this 6km walk along the sea, and through some iconic mumbai landmarks (including Azad Maidan) and some old colonial builds is the best way to see South Mumbai, Of course do not miss the Gateway of India when you get to Colaba.
2. Take a tour of the slums, whilst this might feel a little bit strange/awkward, it was one of the most rewarding and eye-opening tours we did a couple of years ago. Vibrant communities, kids playing cricket, and sheer industrialisation of the slums was amazing to see, every nook and corner sported multiple entrepreneurs, whether it was glass blowing or making fake man utd shirts, it was a fascinating window into a world seldom visited,
3.Go to the Dome Bar (Intercontinental Hotel) for a sunset cocktail.
4. Grab a beer and some grub at Leopolds (Colaba).
5. There is plenty else going on from Elephanta caves, to Sanjay Gandhi National Park to see the tigers or seeing the Pagoda temple, however these are all day trips and we would only recommend if you have plenty of time in Mumbai.
Areas to stay
- Marine Drive: Trident, Marine Plaza, Oberoi are all hotels we would recommend. Despite being far from the airport, most of what you will do will be in South Mumbai, so it makes sense staying by the sea if you have more than a day in Mumbai.
- Colaba: Close to the famous Taj Hotel, and Leopolds (Shantaram reference) this South Mumbai is bustling with buse street vendors, arts and crafts and is a big tourist spot, especially if you;re in the market for being coaxed into making your bollywood debut.
- Juhu: Closer to the airport, Soho House is located on Juhu Beach, a lovely hotel, albeit with not a whole lot immediately closeby.
- Airport: For those that have a short time in Mumbai, there are plenty of hotels in and around the airport for a short stay.
Goa, probably the most frequented tourist destination in India, it is known for its long sandy beaches. You will be able to rent moped and explore or just stay kick back and enjoy the sunshine, beaches, coconuts and delightful food.
There are several beaches and areas within Goa, and where to stay can be a minefield. Avoid Calangute, Baga, Candolim - these tend to be incredibly busy and touristy with majority of Indian tourists opting for these areas.
If you are staying at a hotel resort with a private beach, where you stay is irrelevant as you will end up spending most of your time in and around the resort. If you are looking for some inspiraiton on areas to consider, we'd recommend:
Cola
Colva
Varca
Palolem
Mobor
Incase you missed it in the Getting Here tab
We would recommend arriving a day or two early to explore Udaipur, which is by far the prettiest city in Rajasthan, or also known as 'Venice of the East'.
1. Walk, take in the the most beautiful Rajasthani city, shop, try the local delicacies, watch a cultural show, the list goes on.
2. Cruise Lake Pichola
3. Visit Bagore Ki Haveli
4, Visit Saheliyon Ki Bari
5. Explore the palaces, City Palace as well as:
Mor Chowk | The most spectacular of the City Palace courtyards, the ornate and colourful More Chowk is decorated with five peacocks and glass inlays. An incredible 5,000 pieces of mosaic tiles have been used in creating the works of art.
Zenana Mahal | The insta-famous blue interior of the City Palace can be found here inside the queen’s chambers. Restored and decorated to their former glory, the rooms feature colourful frescoes, ornate balconies and intricate alcoves.
Badi Mahal | The highest point of the Udaipur City Palace complex, the Garden Palace was used for royal banquets on special occasions such as Diwali and Holi. Built in 1699, it’s main feature is the 104 intricately carved pillars by local artisans.
Moti Mahal | The ‘Palace of the Pearls’, Moti Mahal is surrounded by mirrored walls and stained glass windows, creating amazing reflections and the ultimate instagram playground.There are plenty of great restaurants, and some with amazing views across the lake, here are a few we'd recommend:
Ambrai
Chandni at the Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel
Palki Khana at the Shiv Niwas Palace
Upré By 1559 AD
Royal Repast
Charcoal by Carlsson
Udaipuri Restaurant
Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar
Tribute
A 4 hour train or drive away from Udaipur, we'd highly recommend visiting Jodhpur if you have the opportunity. Also known as the "The Blue City", "Sun City" and "Gateway to Thar", Jodhpur is famous for its Mehrangarh fort, blue houses, temples, sweets and snacks. Apart from the fort, there are multiple temples, lakes, shopping streets that are like a mirage from a bygone era.
Our top tips
Visit the fort, and if you're feeling adventurous enough, sign yourself up for the zipwire tour of the fort.
Dining under the stars and the lit up fort. We'd recommend Indigo having eaten there.
Jewellery for the ladies! It is pretty incredible.
Visit the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace for a cocktail
For many of you visiting India for the first time, doing the Golden Triangle makes complete sense, especially given its geographical proximity to Udaipur. Despite being very much on the beaten track, it is a worthwhile route.
Delhi: Delhi isn't my favourite city, and I wouldn't recommend spending more than 1 night here. THere is plenty to do and see in India's capital, but a day tour of the sights should suffice. See the city’s main monuments including Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat and Humayun’s Tomb. India Gate, Statue of Gandhi and Rashprati Bhawan are also notable political landmarks worth a visit.
Agra Following a swift train/uber from Delhi, Agra is a short 4 hour drive away. Agra as a city is also not a firm favourite of ours, however, the Taj Mahal is an absolute must see. It is absolutely incredible, and there is no better time to visit than at dawn, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. Other than that unless you are 'fort-ed' or 'temple-ed' out then the Agra Fort is worth a visit. (1 night should be plenty in Agra)
On your way to Jaipur, the nearby Fatehpur Sikri is also worth a visit. This will be a short 1/2 hour stop and give you the opportunity to explore the Sandstone City. Renowned as “The City Of Victory”, it was founded by the Mughal emperor, Akbar. Exhibiting a fusion of Hindu, Jain and Islamic style of architecture, this city is built using the Red sandstone also called as the “Sikri Sandstone”
Jaipur, otherwise known as the Pink City is renouned for its pink regal architecture. Go on a city tour and see Jaipur’s Amber Fort, City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory. Often just walking around the city is the best way to see it, stumbling across the bazaars, its lovely handicrafts and local street delicacies. We'd recommend staying at the Trident here. 2 (max 3) nights should do the trick here too.