India-travelers obligatory destination

India, the land of amazing contrasts, is truly an incredible destination. From the snow-clad Himalayan peaks in the North to the golden beaches of the South, from the undulating sand dunes of Rajasthan in the West, to the tropical forests of the East, India never ceases to amaze.

With an ancient history, an amazing array of forts, palaces and monuments, including the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra – India is today one of the most sought after tourist destinations.

Ladakh - the extremely cold and sparsely inhabited zone of Northern India includes places of interest like Tsomo Riri Lake, the Nubra Valley and Buddhist monasteries. Besides the exciting jeep safaris, you can go on treks to the lofty mountains and camp at the various villages. You can go water rafting or mountain climbing in this beautiful place which is popular among tourists for its nature trails.

Aptly called by the Mughals as the 'paradise on Earth', Kashmir is set like a jeweled crown on the map of India. Bound by the Himalyan Ranges this extravagantly beautiful places changes hues with seasons. Needless to say, it is a must visit.

Coming down from the Himalayas, you should land up in the colorful state of Punjab, which is the king of spicy and delicious gourmet. The Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar is a must visit and if you visit its capital city, Chandigarh, do not forget to see the world-famous Rock Garden.

You are sure to head to Agra in Uttar Pradesh to see the monument that qualifies as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. A trip to the deserted ruins of the Fatehpur Sikri close to Agra must also be ensured.

While on a tour to India you just cannot miss the impressive forts and palaces, vast stretches of sands dotted with the most splendid architectural wonders in the state of Rajasthan which make you relive its glorious past.

Turning to the Northeastern states of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mehgalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, you will get to dive deep into the rich culture. Besides the lofty snow-clad mountains, deep gorges, valleys, dense tree cover and gushing Mountain Rivers and streams, the unique customs and colorful ways of the tribals, living in these regions will have you absolutely bewildered.

Located on the foothills of Himalayas, the state of Uttaranchal happens to be a hotspot for adventure sport lovers besides being an important Hindu religious pilgrimage.

As you move to the Western State of Maharashtra, you will get to see the roc-cut caves of Ajanta and Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Aurangabad. The Gateway of India is located on a piece of land that was reclaimed from the sea. Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra, is known as the second largest mega city in the world and is the seat of the Indian Film industry.

To relax yourselves in the most luxurious and well-maintained seaside resorts you should visit Goa, the land of ancient churches, temples, golden sands and hills. It is one state that offers the most exciting nightlife and beach parties besides giving you the opportunity to relax, sunbathe and go on romantic moonlit strolls.

The enchanting South Indian state of Kerela is the land of ayurveda, sandy beaches and exotic gourmet. The lovely backwaters form a perfect backdrop for tall palms that sway in rhythm to the gentle sea breeze and the popular resorts offer traditional ayurvedic therapeutics for serious ailments. People come to Kerela from far and wide to be able to see wild animals in their natural habitat.

Finally taking you to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that are a cluster of 572 island strips and have been endowed by nature with the most attractive and beautiful islets, hills and a lush green carpet of exotic plants and colorful flowers. The tribal reserves and wildlife sanctuaries will take you in awe.

To get bowled over by the extensive variety of corals, aquatic life, sea turtles and a number of other exotic flora and fauna make sure you visit the bewitching Mahatma Gandhi National Park, while on a trip here. This region is also rich in bird life with 271 species of birds inhabiting these islands.

The unique attractions of India are too vast to be captured at one go. The diversity makes each state appear as a different country. To discover these amazing wonders and collect memories of a lifetime, pack your bags and head straight to India. You know, you want to.