If you are a travel freak like me, this blog will not disappoint you. Most of my journeys have been within India, and I have been to almost all Indian states. I have been a solo traveller and depended on self-planning. Most of my trips are budget-friendly and to tourist places near me. If you follow my blogs, you would have been aware of my travel guide to London and Russia. This guide is for backpackers and solo travellers who like to travel a lot. Let me share with you my experience of the five best places to visit in India that you must add to your bucket list in 2025.
Travelling in India offers a blend of cultural knowledge, religious significance, gastronomic experiences, scenic beauty, and more. However, every coin has two sides, and the same goes for this journey. Let’s explore what you can experience in these best places to visit in India.
Top Places to Visit in India
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur is one of the best places to visit in India as we proceed towards a new year. I have visited several places in Rajasthan, including Jodhpur and Jaipur. But Udaipur gained a special place in my heart. Udaipur impressed me because of its relaxing and laid-back atmosphere. During December, the city goes surprisingly quiet after sunset. Those who like to capture aesthetic pictures and post every sight on social media may find Udaipur, the best tourist places in india.
I recommend a visit to Lake Pichola or Taj Lake Palace, and guess what, you would not hold back yourself from falling in love with the romance. They are some of the best places to visit in India.
Tips:
- It is one of the best places to visit in india in December
- If you are flying to Udaipur, you can land at Dabok Airport. However, it could be expensive because of the less people flying to Udaipur.
- Regular trains and buses are available to Udaipur
- As Rajasthan is surrounded by the Thar Desert, the summer heat could be unbearable
- Udaipur experiences peak crowd during the Winters. So be ready for the high prices.
Zanskar, Ladakh
It would be unfair if I didn’t talk about Ladakh in the best places to visit in India. It is home to some of the world’s highest motorable passes. Ladakh is full of adventure, which makes it a holy grail for travellers. You can find Buddhist immigrants in this region, so there is much to explore Buddhist culture.
There are some famous holiday destinations in Ladakh, like Leh, Kargil, Pangong, Nubra Valley, and many more. Among these, Zanskar has a special place in my list. This region connects Keylong and Kargil and is mostly an isolated and outskirt area. So do not expect electricity and mobile networks there. Here you can experience the world’s most isolated monastery, Phuktal Monastery, which used to take at least three days to reach. These are the best places to visit in India.
Tips:
- A road trip to Zanskar can be successful in the summer and monsoon periods.
- Let me give you a quick visual of the Zanskar River, frozen in winter and famous for its Chaddar Trek.
- The road trip itinerary either starts from Kargil and ends in Keylor or the other way around. It will take 4 days to cover
- You can find basic homestays that would charge Rs 700 per night, per person
- This journey will be more adventurous than comfortable, so be ready
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
There are some places that feel like heaven on earth. Valley of Flowers is among the best places to visit in India. If you do not hear about this spot, imagine yourself standing in an open valley surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna. However, it is a big deal to visit this place.
Valley of Flowers is situated near Joshimath in Uttarakhand. To reach there, you need at least 3 days —an 8-hour bus from Rishikesh/Haridwar/Dehradun. If you are trekking, it will take around 2 days. This will be enough to experience the best places to visit in India.
There is no doubt that it is a UNESCO heritage site that opens for tourists for a few months during the monsoon. The best time to visit this place is between July and August, when the monsoon fully charges the weather and flowers are fully blooming.
Tips:
- You can also explore Hemkund Sahib, that are located on the same trek.
- Valley of Flowers is a minimum two-day trek.
- Must carry rain gear as the trek takes place during the monsoon.
- You will be charged an entry fee of Rs 150 if you are an Indian and Rs 600 if foreigner.
- Fortunately, you can use DSLR and video cameras.
Shillong, Meghalaya
I personally do not talk much about the Indian capital city, but Shillong is something else. Shillong always ranked as one of the best places to visit in India. Although it is crowded and confusing, Shillong has its own magic and charm. The city is modern, aesthetically beautiful, and hip. Coming to the food, Shillong food is great, and people are adorable.
Weather? It’s the best part about Shillonh. Travelling to this location is quite easy. You can fly to Guwahati and then take a 2-hour drive. After reaching the destination, you can go anywhere in Meghalaya and enjoy the mesmerizing view. Therefore, enjoy these best places to visit in India with some tips.
Tips:
- You can find budget-friendly accommodations from backpacker hostels to luxury stays
- All seasons are good for travelling to Shillong
- The best way to explore the place is through shared taxis.
- Must-visit attractions include Shillong Viewpoint, Smit Village, Lewduh, Elephant Falls, and Ward’s Lake.
Kochi, Kerala
Last, but not least, is Kochi. It is everybody’s preferred destination when it comes to the best places to visit in India. If you are a history and colonial traveller, Kochi will definitely be the best destination to visit in India. I would recommend this to explore some amazing street photography. Apart from history and architecture, a visit to Kochi will take you on a journey of great food and cafe culture. This houses some of the most beautiful places in india.
Tips:
- The best time to explore Kochi is between January and March. The weather remains hot and humid rest of the year. Hence, it is among the best places to visit in January in india.
- Ernakulum is a new town and has nothing special to offer.
- Flights to Kochi are fairly priced
- There are several backpacker hostels to choose from.
- Popular places to explore include Princess Street, Dutch Cemetery, Chinese Fishing Nets, Draavidia Gallery, Mattancherry Palace, Church of Saint Francis
If you want more like this, stay tuned, I will come with the top 10 tourist places in India in the upcoming blogs.
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