India is a great country for a family holiday and there are so many cultural and religious things to explore. It is a fascinating place with a population of more than 1.3 billion people who speak over a thousand languages, have different religious beliefs, and different customs, and cultures. The traffic is pretty hectic but you can get around easily by public transport and rickshaw drivers charge a very reasonable price. There are also guided tours of the major tourist attractions if you do not want to explore on your own.
Agra
Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal and it is a great place for families to visit. The history behind this stunning white building is legendary so make sure you find a guide that will tell you the story. You can easily find nice hotels close to this iconic landmark, and then you can gaze from your window onto one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
There are plenty of markets and bazaars in Agra, but just make sure you don’t buy too much and get charged for having overweight luggage on your return journey. Here are my tips for packing lightly, follow these and you should have space to bring plenty of trinkets home with you.
Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a charming city in the state of West Bengal that is filled with stunning views and plenty of exciting things to do. Tiger Hill is the highest point in the area and you can view Mt. Everest and other stunning peaks of the Himalayan range. Having recently opened a new cycle path which runs through Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, you can rent a bicycle and enjoy exercising whilst taking in the stunning views.
Visit the Darjeeling Ropeway and you can see lush tea gardens, waterfalls, dense forests, mountain streams, and an exquisite view of the snow peaks. You can get off in a few different areas and get out and explore. Relax in the Darjeeling Mall, a public square that is a great place to relax with a cup of tea.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh is considered to be one of the holiest places for Hindus and is also called the Yoga Capital of the World. There are plenty of temples to view and you can stay in an ashram to remove your stress and learn yoga. There are also lots of adventures for thrill seekers and you can try river rafting, waterfall trekking, bungee jumping, cliff jumping, kayaking, and rock climbing.
Jaipur
Jaipur, the capita of Rajasthan, in northern India is known for its famous temples. Shri Kali Temple, Birla Temple, Govind Dev Ji, Galtaji, Jagat Shrimoni , Shila Devi Temple are the most often visited but there are several other ones to check out as well. The temples are full of beautiful art, and carvings that tell stories so make sure you study all of the details.
Spend a day at Elefantastic, a conservation centre for elephants, and you can bond with elephants that were previously used in labour. Depending on your budget, you can live as cheaply or lavishly as you wish; there are plenty of luxurious experiences available, but there are also plenty of inexpensive activities too.
Kochi
Kochi is in the beautiful state of Kerala in South India and it sits on the Arabian Sea. Head to Fort Kochi where you can visit Fort Kochi Beach where you can watch fisherman throw out their nets, and relax on the beach as the sun goes down. Be sure to visit St. Francis church. It is the oldest church that was built by Europeans in India. Take a trip to Hill Palace, Tripunithura to see this stunning palace that has been converted into a museum.
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