​From the foothills of the Himalayas to the mouth of the Ganges, there are a million (square miles of) choices.

At a Glance

India covers a staggering area of 3,287,590 sq. km (1,269,346 sq mi). As the 7th largest country in the world, India stretches from the foothills of the Himalayas southwards to the Tropic of Cancer, and then tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.

History

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Its history began with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 2,500 BC, in the western part of South Asia in what is today known as Pakistan and Western India. In the 1920s, excavations revealed ruins of the two old cities, viz. Mohenjodaro and Harappa. The artifacts found suggested a civilization flourished here some 4,000 to 5,000 years ago.

When and Where to Go

The climate of India can broadly be classified as a tropical monsoon. But, in spite of much of the northern part of India lying beyond the tropical zone, the entire country has a tropical climate marked by relatively high temperatures and dry winters. There are four seasons: winter (December-February); summer (March-June); south-west monsoon season (June-September); and post monsoon season (October-November).

North – Taj Mahal and the Golden Triangle

Himalayas, the world’s highest mountain chain, and Nepal the neighboring country, dominate India’s northern border. Moving south along the Indus River, the North becomes flatter and more hospitable, widening into the fertile plains of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and the Ganges River valley. Located between these two states is the capital city, Delhi. In Uttar Pradesh, you will find Agra, home to the jewel-encrusted Taj Mahal. You can join the Golden Triangle tours which include Agra as well as Delhi and the Pink City of Jaipur. On the culinary front, northern India entices with savory snacks, or chaat, that can easily be sampled from food carts and street stalls. They are typically crispy, fried dough wafers filled with potatoes, chickpeas, chilis, tamarind chutney, yogurt and several spices, as in the case of papri chaat.

North East – Everest-Bound

The North East refers to the easternmost region of India including the district of Darjeeling where climbers bound for Everest converge. In the far northeast, the Chin Hills and Kachin Hills, deeply forested and mountainous regions, separate India from Myanmar. 

Central – Khajuraho Erotic Temples

Central India is popular in the tourist circuit because of Khajuraho Erotic Temples where you can see the pages of Kama Sutra come alive in stone. Over 20 such temples have been carved with celebrations of life, love and worship. For wildlife, head to the Bandhavgarh National Park where tigers, leopards, deer and sloth bears, among others, can be sighted. Madhya Pradesh, widely considered as the heart of India, is where the Tropic of Cancer passes through.

South  - Tea and More Tea

India reaches its peninsular tip here, and some of the more popular states are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital, gives off an old Portuguese vibe while Kerala is known for its sprawling tea plantations. Biryani, a popular rice dish made aromatic and spicy by saffron and several other spices and made tastier by the addition of chicken or mutton that's been marinated, is a must-try.

West – Goa and Mumbai

The states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Portuguese-colonized Goa are some of the renowned tourist destinations in India’s West. Mumbai, India’s most populous city, is also found here. Extending from the Gujarat peninsula down to Goa, the west coast is lined with some of India’s best beaches. In Goa in particular, the Portuguese ‘sosegado’ way of life (a ‘no worries’ kind of philosophy) beckons travelers not only with sumptuous beaches but also Portuguese-influenced mansions. In a land where Hindu is the predominant religion, Goa is the stronghold of Catholicism in India. Like the rest of the subcontinent, Goa features curries that usually use a masala spice blend made of chilies, cinnamon, cumin, clove, coriander and cardamom. 

East – Home of the Sacred

Home to Kolkata, the east is more popularly associated with Mother Teresa. Their proximity to the Bay of Bengal means that eastern India  has a wealth of seafood-based as well as vegetarian curries, the most popular of which are Chingri Malai curry, Machher Jhol and vegetarian Sabzi. Geographically, this side of India is where the sacred River Ganges empties itself into the Bay of Bengal. The east is also where the vast swath of the Himalayan foothills can be found. If you want to join tours to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, East India should be on your itinerary.