Places to discover

Best places to visit in India

A trip to India guarantees a real change of scene and the presence of a big cultural shock in many senses. Smells, colours, heat and the crowds disturb perceptions and upset your emotions. India can leave you with unforgettable memories if you are well prepared.

The community of seasoned Evaneos travellers give you their advice. You'll discover their favourite stop-off points and especially a wealth of tips of the best way to behave because India is somewhat... disconcerting the first time round! There are as many trips in India as there are travellers so make the right choices. That said, nothing stops you from going back there again and again. It is said that the majority of travellers can no longer go without it!

A trip to northern India often starts with Delhi, the capital, and with the Taj Mahal in Agra. It's up to you to choose between the luxurious Mysore Palaces in the touristic region of Rajasthan, or immersing yourself in Hinduism around Varanasi, the cradle of this religion and the prettiest city in India, famous for its ghats on the Ganges River.

Not as exotic but more rich, the southern part of the country seduces for its backwaters in Kerala. It's also an opportunity to relax for a week on the mythical beaches of Goa's hippies.

In the summer months, you can get to the Buddhist region of Ladakh from Srinagar in Kashmir. That's where you'll find the best treks in the world in the mountains around Leh. For an off the beaten track trip, head t the North-East of the country, in the Ziro Valley and on the island of Majuli.

It's up to you to browse pages for inspiration and create a spiritual, historical, cultural, out of the ordinary trip... in your own way!

Delhi is a huge melting pot, divided into two towns - the historic Old Delhi and the actual capital city, New Delhi.
The fortified city of Bikaner is located at the heart of the Rajasthan Desert on the Jaisalmer Road.
Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. Known as the "Blue City", it gets its nickname from the color of most of its houses.
Udaipur is a pearl in the heart of Rajasthan. Its numerous palaces, many of which are now hotels, help give the town a unique feel.
Pushkar is a holy city in Rajasthan, just a few miles from Ajmer, and is one of the few Indian cities to celebrate the Hindu god Brahma.
Located 200 km from Delhi, Agra attracts more than three million visitors every year. They all come for just one reason: the legendary Taj Mahal.
Mount Abu, which sits at the end of the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan, is an important Jain pilgrimage site.
A major place of pilgrimage for the Jain community deep within Rajasthan.
This small town in Rajasthan is authentic and much less touristy than other destinations in this province. It's a good place to spend a few days.   
The island of Diu, a former Portuguese enclave, is the hidden pearl of Gujarat.
Palitana, a holy city famous for its sacred mountain and its Jain temples, mainly frequented by pilgrims.
Both Mahatma Gandhi's base and gateway to the sublime state of Gujarat, Ahmedabad also contains some of the most beautiful mosques in India.
A town in Madhya Pradesh, known for its 16th Century palaces.
The village of Madhya Pradesh is renowned for temples decorated with erotic sculptures.
A deeply religious Hindu city and magnet for travellers on a spiritual quest.
Capital of Madhya Pradesh, tragically made famous by the industrial catastrophe that occurred there in 1984.
At 105km from Aurangabad, you'll find Ajanta, with its collection of breathtaking caves. The wall paintings here are considered to be some of the finest examples of Buddhist art.
Incredible cave dwelling site, located in the heart of Maharashtra.
Lying 400 km from Mumbai, Aurangabad is the ideal city from which to visit the caves of Ellora and Ajanta.
I used Bombay as my base and place to stay when I visited India. It's an enormous and chaotic city, with a population of around 23 million. Bombay is something of a shock at first, but it's enjoyable getting to know it.