Where To Go For A Month In India
India Itineraries And Ideas For Travelling A Month In India
Jun 8, 2009
India is a country of long distances and slow transport, and too much travelling between destinations leaves anyone tired. Here are some ideas for travelling in India for a month.
Himachal Pradesh In The Summer
For those travelling to India in the hottest season from April to early June, Himachal Pradesh is one of the best choices. The Kullu and Parvati valleys provide some of the most beautiful scenery in India. Shimla is the old summer capital of the British Raj; Manali is always favourite hill station with travellers, and McLeod Ganj near Dharamsala is the home of the Tibetan Government in Exile. There is trekking, mountain cycling, mountaineering and rafting, all against the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas.
Goa, Hampi And Gokarna In The Winter
Goa has about 130 km of white sandy tropical beaches, and is a good place for newcomers to adjust to Indian climate and food. Trains and buses connect Goa to Hampi, the old capital of the 14th century Vijayanagara kingdom. These days Hampi is a busy tourist town where temples and medieval ruins spread over miles of South Indian countryside. A day or two is not enough here, and many visitors spend at least a few days exploring the area.
From Hampi a night bus takes travellers to Gokarna, a small coastal pilgrimage town that has developed into an alternative to Goa due to its relaxed beaches. There are regular buses between Goa and Gokarna as well.
The high season on Goa’s beaches is from December to February. Gokarna is at its busiest during the Shivaratri festival in February.
Rajasthan’s Palaces, Forts And Deserts
The state of Rajasthan continues to be a favourite with many visitors. Its cities Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer offer beautiful architecture, old palaces and magnificent forts, as well as colourful bazaars for some serious haggling over handicrafts and jewellery. The small town of Pushkar is a holy city and a backpacker centre, and also hosts the world-famous annual camel fair. Camels are also used for safaris in the Thar desert.
South India’s Beaches, Temples And Jungles
A month in South India leaves enough time for some sunbathing, some temples and some wildlife. The best time to visit South India is between October and March.
Kerala has beautiful tropical beaches, and a boat trip to the Keralan backwaters is almost a must. The hill station of Munnar in the Western Ghats is a good place to go trekking or just to chill out in the middle of forests and tea plantations. Coorg in Karnataka is another popular trekking area. The South Indian wildlife sanctuaries of Bandipur, Nagarahole, Mudumalai and Wayanad are great for some wildlife spotting.
Those who fly into Chennai can explore the east coast from the cities of Chennai and Pondicherry to the temples in Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram, and the Auroville community – before continuing to one of Tamil Nadu’s hill stations: Ooty, Coonoor or Kodaikanal. There are some beautiful Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu, too.
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