India is a multifaceted country, and each of its regions has its own unique attractions. There are a total of 29 states in the state, and many cultures and religions are closely intertwined in each of them.
You can get acquainted with the country, among other things, after purchasing a tour package with excursions included in it.
Where is India located
The state is located on the territory of South Asia, it covers an area of 3,287,263 square kilometers on the Hindustan peninsula and is on the 7th line in the ranking of the largest countries in the world.
India is bordered by the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. From the south-western and south-eastern sides, the country adjoins the Indian Ocean. On the north side, the Indo-Gangetic lowland is observed, smoothly turning into the Himalayan range. On the northern side of the country, the natural border of India is the Himalayan Mountains. The Deccan Plateau is located in the central part of India.
The country has a pronounced diamond-shaped shape, elongated from north to south.
The country is adjacent to the following states:
from the west side | Pakistan |
from the northeast side | China;
Nepal; Bhutan |
In the east | Myanmar and Bangladesh |
in the south-west it has a border by sea | Maldives |
from the south side | Sri Lanka |
in the southeast | Indonesia |
the disputed territory of Ladakh | Afghanistan |
India is located in close proximity to the intersection of important trade routes of Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia on the one hand, Southeast Asia and Australia on the other. India is located on the north side of the equator, it is located between the values of 8°4′ and 37°6′ north latitude, 68°7′ and 97°25′ east longitude. The country is located in the +5:30 time zone.
Until August 15, 1947, the country was considered British India and was a colony of the British Empire.
When is it better to rest
The climate in India is radically different from the usual climate in Russia, the seasons change here in a different way.
There are 4 main types of climate prevailing in the state:
- humid tropical;
- dry tropical;
- subtropical monsoon;
- alpine.
Spring and autumn in India, in the usual understanding of the time of year for Russians, are absent. Conventionally, the climate in India can be divided into summer, winter and the time of heavy rains. Conditional seasons have a duration of about 4 months.
The most comfortable time of the year is winter, during the time period November – February there is almost no rain, the temperature outside is comfortable, the sea is warm during this period.
During the day, in the southern regions, the temperature ranges from +28 °C to +30 °C, at night or in the evening it drops to a value from +20 ° C to +23 °C, the water in the sea is usually at +25 ° C. In the northern regions, with a comfortable daytime temperature, at night it can drop to +5 ° C.
Starting in March, the air temperature begins to rise and until about June there is a strong heat and 100% humidity, sometimes the temperature column shows more than +40 ° C. At the same time, gusty and strong winds often occur.
In the period of July – October, the period of heavy rains begins. India begins to flood during this period of time, heavy rains do not subside for several hours, and shallow, lingering rain often lasts up to several days.
Tours to India can be purchased at any time of the year, before deciding to go to an Asian country, you should pay attention to the climate and stock up on appropriate clothes and shoes.
The pros and cons of a vacation
Tours to India are best purchased from major travel agencies.
The advantages of rest:
- There are many exotic activities in India that are not available to tourists in other countries, including elephant riding and crocodile hunting.
- There are many bars, restaurants and clubs for tourists. If desired, you can visit one of the spas.
- A wide range of active activities: yoga, surfing, diving, kiting.
- In India, there are many sandy beaches with crystal clear water on the South Coast, palm trees grow in large numbers on the shores.
- The country is famous for its numerous exotic fruits, which should be tasted during a tour of the country.
Disadvantages of holidays in India:
- The main disadvantage of staying in India is the poor quality of drinking water. This problem is typical for almost all Asian and African countries.
- In India, no one follows the rules of the road, so when crossing the road, one must be extremely careful.
- India has a peculiar cuisine, all dishes and drinks are very spicy because of the large amount of spices.
How long to fly from Moscow
From Moscow to India, the distance by air is about 5,000 km, the travel time, if you use a direct flight from the national carrier Aeroflot, will be about 6.5 hours. The approximate cost of the flight starts from 20,000 rubles per ticket.
You can fly from Moscow to India with transfers, but in this case the travel time will increase to 12 hours. You can fly to India from Moscow from Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports.
Landing in India is possible at one of the airports located in different cities of the country:
The name of the airport | Description |
Bangalore | Located in the south of the country, the last reconstruction of the building took place in 2008. |
Chennai | It is the third largest airport in India, formerly called Madras |
Indira Gandhi | One of the largest international airports in the capital region of the country |
Dabolim | The airport terminal located in the resort town of Goa |
Rajiv Gandhi | International airport terminal in Hyderabad |
Netaji subhash Chandra Bose | The largest airport in the territory in Eastern India is in Kolkata |
Chhatrapati Shivaji | It is India’s second largest airport in Mumbai. |
Trivandrum | The international airport terminal in the city of Thiruvananthapuram is located in the Kovalam resort on the south side of India |
Sardar Vallabbhai Patel | International airport terminal serving the cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar |
Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji (Amritsar) | International airport terminal in the Indian state of Punjab |
Indira Ganji | International Airport Terminal in New Delhi |
Dabolim | International airport terminal in Goa |
The cost of tours
Tours to India can be purchased at any agency that sells tours to different countries. It is better when the excursion program is scheduled in advance and it is indicated on which transport and accompanied by whom movements around the country will take place.
Tigers and Gold of India
This tour is designed for 8 days plus the duration of the flight, it includes a safari in the Ranthambore National Park.
Visits to the following cities are provided:
- Delhi;
- Jaipur;
- Agra;
- Vrindavan.
Tours to India from Moscow often include a visit to Delhi
The cost of an excursion tour starts from 98,077 rubles per person. During the trip, you will get acquainted with historical monuments, unique flora and fauna.
In addition to the classic program on the Golden Triangle of India, a trip to the national park is added, where you can observe the life of tigers in their natural habitat.
During the tour, it is planned to visit the following attractions:
- The Presidential Palace and the Taj Mahal;
- Lotus Cathedral and Qutb Minar;
- Akshardham Cathedral and Ranthambore Fort;
- Amber Fort and the City Palace;
- Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daula Mausoleum;
- The tombs of Akbar and the Mandir Spiritual Complex;
- Birla Temple and the Palace of Winds;
- textile factories and jewelry workshops;
- the Galtaji Temple Complex and the Temple of the Goddess of Happiness;
- The stepped well of Chand Baori and the “dead city” of Fatehpur Sikri.
The same Bombay
The cost of a tour to India with a visit to Goa and Mumbai starts from 78,445 rubles, the duration of the trip is 8 days plus the flight time.
The city of Mumbai or Bombay is the largest in the country, with a huge number of Buddhist temple complexes, Christian cathedrals and mosques on its territory. The city is one of the most densely populated in the world, and you can enjoy peace and solitude in Goa, on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
Visiting and sightseeing are provided:
- Gateway to India;
- Elephant Island;
- Bombay University Building;
- The Supreme Court building;
- the building of the Institute of Forensic Medicine;
- Narimant Point;
- Flora Fountain;
- Marina Drive Embankment;
- Ferozeshakh Mehta Gardens;
- Kamala Nehru Park;
- Mani Bhevan Museum.
Bombay University Building, India
The price of the tour includes:
- accommodation in a standard room at the hotel;
- meals at the hotel: breakfast and dinner;
- meals at the Goa hotel – breakfast;
- dinner in Mumbai;
- transfer to destinations;
- Russian-speaking guide;
- entrance tickets to the attractions.
The best thing about Goa
During the tour, it is planned to visit the Bhawang Mahavir Conservation Area, the abandoned city of Hampi, the holy cities of Gokarna and Mundeshwar. The tour is designed for 8 days plus flight time to India. The cost of the program is 103,590 rubles.
Travel package program:
Days | Events |
1 | arrival at the airport;
transfer to the hotel, check-in; relaxing on the beach. |
2 | visit to the Bhawang Mahavira Conservation Area;
sightseeing of Dudsagar Waterfall; A trip to the spice plantation; Bom Jesus (basilica); inspection of the church of St. Catherine. |
3 | a walk along the coast;
stay at the hotel; actions at your discretion. |
4 | Hubli;
visit to the Vital Cathedral; inspection of the Lotus Mahal; a trip to the royal court; visit to the Royal Baths; A mountain called Himakuta; inspection of the Virupaksha temple. |
5 | a trip to the Shiva temple and a visit to the statue of Shiva |
6 – 7 | staying in a hotel and walking along the coast |
8 | room release and airport transfer |
Recreation options
Tours to India usually include a program of sightseeing of local attractions, which alternates with free time for recreation in order to visit institutions at your discretion. An interesting practice in India is considered to be the work of almost every hotel in hotel spas, where guests can spend several hours relaxing and rejuvenating their body.
An Indian train ride can be interesting and unusual. This is an excellent attraction that is recommended for tourists to visit in order to understand and experience the cultural image of the country. You need to allocate a lot of time for this attraction.
The railway connects all parts of the country, this trip allows you to get to know the local flavor. Travel is possible in carriages of different comfort.
The most expensive is considered to be a trip in a carriage similar to the SV, where 2 shelves for relaxation are installed in separate compartments, there is a table and an air conditioning system. The second class of the car can be of 2 types. These are ordinary second-class carriages with 2 or 3 shelves in height.
The third type of wagons is called “sleeper”, it is a dirty and crowded place where, besides people, you can meet cockroaches or mice.
There are an unusually large number of people in such carriages, because the cheapest tickets in the general category are sold without providing a separate seat, with the right to board the train. In just a few hours on the train, you can experience the everyday life of people in India.
The most desperate tourists can be offered a swim in the Ganges River. For the locals, this is a sacred river, bathing in it washes away all sins and is an important event in the life of every Hindu. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the country come here to free themselves from a series of rebirths and enrich themselves spiritually.
Goa Beach Region
Goa is different from other regions of the country. This is a separate independently existing zone designed for tourists. The area is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea on the southwestern side of India. The district is divided into Southern and Northern parts.
The south side is a calm and respectable resort with well-maintained beaches, where European pensioners and package tourists mainly relax. The northern part is intended for young people.
Prices in this part are lower than in the Southern district and there is an opportunity to stay in a hotel at a budget price. It is more crowded here, but there is a festive atmosphere with noisy parties and festivities until the morning.
On the South side, the beach areas in North Goa are called Candolim and Sinkerim. As a rule, in good weather they are completely occupied by tourists. The entire coastal strip is completely built up with cafes, hotels and shops.
The most crowded beaches in the Northern region are considered to be Calangute and Baga, in addition to vacationers, you can see crowds of annoying merchants imposing all sorts of utensils on guests.
If you want to relax on the beach in silence, it is recommended to go to the Southern area to the beaches of Utorda, Majorda or Betalbatim. The beaches are sparsely populated and there are no shops, so you will have to bring everything you need from food and drinks with you.
Benaulim Beach has a more active environment, there is all the necessary infrastructure nearby and shops and cafes are within walking distance.
The most respectable beaches in the Southern region are considered to be Varka, Mobor and Cavelossim, next to them are the most fashionable hotels in Goa. The beaches of Benalium and Colva, with numerous souvenir shops and shops, are usually crowded.
Wild beaches and diving
India is located on the coast of the sea, the climate is quite hot here, so the beaches are especially popular among the local population and visitors to the city. Diving in India is very popular, tourists get incredible impressions from scuba diving due to the diversity of marine life.
The coast along the sea is very long, the coral reefs near which diving is practiced is an ideal area for professional divers and amateurs.
The most popular diving destinations are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa and an island called Lakshadweep. While diving, you can see colorful fish, bright coral reefs and sunken ships.
Diving is also practiced on the beaches of the islands:
- Havelock and the Nile;
- Barren and Big;
- Sailing Rock and Bangaram;
- Kadmat and Pondicherry;
- Netrani.
As a “wild” beach, you can call “Arambol” with snow-white sand. Its distinctive feature is the yoga center built here. Also, you can note Candolim beach, which is considered the most calm and quiet on the North coast of Goa.
Vagator Beach can be called “wild”, which is divided into 3 zones:
- A large Vagator;
- The Average Vagator;
- Small Vagator.
These are picturesque sandy areas located among rocky formations. The beach called Agonda is sparsely inhabited, it occupies an extended coastline and is located in a place where high waves are observed. This beach is visited mainly by residents of nearby settlements.
The Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle sightseeing tour involves visiting the most interesting and famous cities of India. The “vertices” of the triangle are the cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Agra, India
Between them, visits to the following cities are provided:
- Fatehpur Sikri;
- Mathura;
- Vrindavan.
This is the most interesting route that can be called the tourist center of India, there are a huge number of architectural masterpieces, historical monuments and religious buildings.
Outdoor activities in mountainous India
India is one of the most developed countries in Asia in terms of the variety of games and various sporting events.
The most common games in India played by professional athletes and ordinary people are:
- cricket and tennis;
- Kabaddi and golf;
- football and badminton;
- hockey and baseball.
One of the most popular activities of Indians is mountain biking. You can get real pleasure from cycling off-road over rough terrain. Ladakh is most suitable for this purpose, with its dry rocky high-altitude trails and cool climate.
For those who love speed and the feeling of flying, it is suggested to do parasailing. Goa Island is considered the best place for skydiving.
A bird’s-eye view of the Arabian Sea and the beach areas opens up. Also, prolonged skydiving is popular. In this dynamic sport, travelers are attracted by the feeling and process of falling from a height. The most successful place in India to practice this sport is the Ambi Valley in Maharashtra.
Thousand-year-old temples in the Himalayas
The Himalayas are a unique place, and several shrines are still in complete preservation on its cliffs and near the foothills. In the valley of Spiti there is a small village of Tabo, in which the main attraction is the ancient monastery of the Tibetans, built in 996.
Not far from Tabo is the village of Dzhankar, which was founded in the IX century. Previously, the settlement was the center of the valley and the palaces of local rulers were located here. Here, in the Spitskaya Valley, you can see the monastery complex of Ki Gompa, located at an altitude of 4.1 km. It is considered the largest in the Himalayas and has long been an educational center for monks.
Ayurvedic resorts and yoga tours
India is considered the best place for SPA and Ayurveda treatments, so tourists try to spend long relaxing holidays here. The centers employ therapists, nutritionists, and fitness experts who develop procedures for clients.
The most popular and large institutions are:
- Ananda in the Himalayas;
- Kumarakom Lake Resort;
- Wildflower Hall.
Holidays with children
India is not very suitable for family holidays with young children. Severe heat and unsanitary conditions can cause discomfort, which the local population treats calmly. If, no matter what, the family came on vacation with children, in India you can visit one of the many zoos, which have a huge number of rare exotic animals.
Feeding elephants is considered a separate entertainment in India. Teenagers will enjoy visiting amusement parks and theme parties.
Recommendations
Tours to India are necessarily accompanied by a preliminary agreement concluded at the agency, where the cost of the trip and the main duties of the intermediary are prescribed.
Theft and fraud are rampant in the country due to poverty. During the holidays, you should not leave the tourist areas and you should be vigilant in everything.
The cost of a taxi service or the price for the purchase of any goods must be negotiated in advance.
The locals are quite emotional and short-tempered. Women in India should not wear too revealing clothes and it would be better if she was accompanied by a man on vacation. It is safest to go out for walks as part of your tour group.
A trip to India on a purchased ready-made tour can be called a budget one, rest and shopping at resorts are relatively cheap. In stores, for a nominal price, it is possible to purchase an exotic souvenir or a well-known branded item as a keepsake.
Video about the country
The 10 most interesting regions of India: