North & Himalayas
Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Amritsar, Rishikesh, Ladakh, Kashmir, and Himachal offer a mix of history, spirituality,
Updated India Travel Guide · 2026
India in Detail
An in-depth, visually rich guide covering India's cities, sacred sites, UNESCO heritage, landscapes, cuisine, festivals, medical tourism, and essential trip planning tips.
Tourism Snapshot
India has experienced a robust recovery post-pandemic, with Foreign Tourist Arrivals climbing to 9,951,722 in 2024 from 9,520,928 in the previous year. Interest from international visitors continues to be focused on heritage circuits, spiritual destinations, medical care, wellness, beaches, and Himalayan adventures.
USA
Top foreign tourist source market in 2024
$35B+
Reported tourism receipts in 2024 estimates
Foreign Tourist Arrivals Recovery
The most recent complete year cited by the Government of India for FTAs is 2024, according to official Bureau of Immigration figures.
India by Region
India is like a mini continent with diverse landscapes: from the Himalayan deserts in Ladakh to the river plains in the north, royal desert states in the west, tropical backwaters in the south, tea gardens in the east, and tribal hill cultures in the northeast.
West & Royal India
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa are perfect for exploring forts, desert towns, beaches, Mumbai, wildlife, stepwells, and luxurious palatial accommodations
South India
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are known for their temples, Ayurveda, beaches, backwaters, tech cities, coffee hills, and Dravidian architecture
East India
Kolkata, Odisha, Bihar, Sikkim and the hilly regions of Bengal are renowned for their rich literary culture, ancient temples, Buddhist heritage, lush tea gardens, and the serene Bay of Bengal
Central India
Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh offer the best in tiger reserves, ancient caves, forest temples, tribal culture, and uncluttered heritage circuits.
Northeast India
Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are known for their living-root bridges, early sunrises, tea plantations
Major City Guides
Select a city to discover its unique characteristics, must-see attractions, culinary scene, and ideal time to visit. These profiles encompass tradition, convenience for tourists, and help with planning your itinerary.
Travel by Purpose
🏛️
Heritage
Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Hampi, Mahabalipuram and Khajuraho.
🛕
Pilgrimage
Varanasi, Rishikesh, Amritsar, Tirupati, Madurai, Puri, Mathura and Ayodhya.
🏔️
Hill Stations
Shimla, Manali, Nainital, Mussoorie, Ooty, Darjeeling, Gangtok and Munnar.
🌊
Beaches
Goa, Kerala, Puducherry, Gokarna, Andaman Islands, Varkala and Visakhapatnam.
🐯
Wildlife
Ranthambore, Jim Corbett, Kaziranga, Periyar, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Sundarbans.
🏥
Medical Tourism
Wellness retreats in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and
🧘
Wellness
Ayurveda in Kerala, yoga in Rishikesh, meditation in Bodh Gaya, and indulgent spa retreats.
🍛
Food
Delhi street food, Lucknow's famous kebabs, Hyderabad's flavorful biryani, Kerala's traditional sadya, Mumbai
Ready-Made Itineraries
Classic Golden Triangle
Ideal for first-time travelers looking to experience India's diverse attractions in one convenient route, starting from Delhi and continuing to Agra and Jaipur. This itinerary includes visits to the capital city, the iconic Taj Mahal, Mughal forts, bustling
- Old Delhi food and Red Fort
- Qutub Minar and New Delhi
- Agra Fort and Taj sunrise
- Fatehpur Sikri en route
- Amber Fort and Jaipur bazaars
Spiritual North India
Travel from Delhi to Varanasi, Sarnath, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Amritsar for a spiritual journey filled with sacred rivers, temples, Buddhist sites, yoga, Sikh hospitality, and living faith.
- Ganga Aarti in Varanasi
- Sarnath Buddhist circuit
- Yoga and rafting in Rishikesh
- Haridwar evening aarti
- Golden Temple langar
South India Slow Travel
Kochi to Munnar to Alleppey to Madurai to Chennai/Mahabalipuram. Ideal for exploring backwaters, tea plantations, ancient temples, coastal villages, and enjoying vegetarian cuisine
- Fort Kochi heritage walk
- Munnar tea estates
- Alleppey houseboat
- Meenakshi Temple
- Mahabalipuram rock temples
Practical Trip Planner
Best Time to Visit
| Region | Best Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North plains: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur | Oct–Mar | Cooler, dry sightseeing weather. |
| Himalayas: Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand | Apr–Jun; Sep–Oct; Ladakh Jun–Sep | Roads can close in winter; monsoon affects lower hills. |
| Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Sep–Mar | Monsoon is lush and good for Ayurveda but wet. |
| Goa and west coast | Nov–Feb | Best beach season; monsoon is scenic but many shacks close. |
| Northeast India | Oct–Apr | Clearer skies; some states need Inner Line Permits. |
Visa, Arrival & Travel Basics
- e-Visa: Foreign nationals who are eligible should utilize the official Government of India e-Visa portal, which offers a variety of categories such as tourist, business, medical, Ayush, conference, and student-related visas.
- Arrival card: Non-Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders are able to complete an e-Arrival card online up to 72 hours prior to their arrival using the designated official Indian government platforms
- Passport validity: One typical official requirement is a minimum of six months validity upon arrival.
- Transport: Utilize domestic flights for lengthy journeys, rely on Vande Bharat/express trains for intercity travel, utilize metro systems in large cities, and opt for app-based cabs for local transfers.
- Health: Travel insurance is essential, avoid tap water, take regular breaks in the heat, and seek advice from a clinician for destination-specific vaccines and medications.