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Top 10 Luxury Destinations To Visit In India In 2024

Where to go and what to do.

India luxury travel

India is a land of ancient history, rich heritage, vibrant cultures, soothing spirituality, great food, and so much more. It attracts millions of visitors every year to its amazing cities, ancient monuments, beaches, national parks, and cultural attractions.

With the advancement in high-end tourist infrastructure and integration of excellent road, railway, and air networks covering all major parts of the country, India is luring a sizeable number of luxury-oriented globetrotters.

India would be your perfect getaway for 2024 for a once in a lifetime travel experience. There is so much you can do. 

You can check into a former Palace in Rajasthan and sojourn like a Maharaja in the “Land of Kings.” You can treat yourself to a 5-star Ayurveda (spa) resort in the golden sand beaches or serene backwaters of Kerala, or treat yourself to the ultimate tropical beach experience in Goa or Pondicherry. If ancient history, art, and architecture are your cup of tea, then the capital of India offers a bounty of Mughal splendors to savor. 

Time then to stop dragging your feet on that trip of a lifetime to India!

Here is a list of the top 10 destinations to visit in India this year.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

The capital of the state of Rajasthan, “the Pink City Jaipur” Jaipur is famed for its gorgeous palaces, formidable forts, ancient Havelis (mansion/chateaus), delicious food, and wildlife safaris. 

Located in the north of India (not far from the capital – 3 hours), “the Paris of India” is a great place is a good place to start your luxury trip in India.

Top Attractions:

–       City Palace: Residence of the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Jaipur, and the greatest of all palaces in Rajasthan—land of palaces.

–       Hawa Mahal: the Pink Palace of over 900 tiny jharokas (Rajasthani windows). Modeled after a honeycomb, it is the exquisite palace that you see on old postcards and Insta trends about Rajasthan.

–       Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory: Houses the old largest stone sundial.

–       Jal Mahal. Palace looked in the

–       Amber Fort: Previous seat of administration of the state of Jaipur, and the capital of the Kingdom.

Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Agra is where romance meets historical charm. The land of the Taj Mahal, Agra is a city of historical splendor, cultural allure, Mughal charm, and an old-world Hindustani ambiance.

And, the Taj Mahal is not the only major attraction. There is much more. Forts, palaces, ancient abandoned settlements, great food, and wildlife adventure.

Top Attractions:

–       Taj Mahal: Wonder of the World, and one of the world’s most recognizable and beloved cultural monuments.

–       Agra Fort: the 15th-century fort-residence with a history going back to the Mughal Dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate.

–       Itimad-ud-Daula: Tomb considered the precursor and artistic blueprint for the Taj Mahal.

–       Fatehpur Sikri: Ancient city, located on the other side of the holy Yamuna River, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

–       Sikandra: Tomb of Akbar the Great.

Udaipur, Rajasthan

Udaipur is to India what Venice is to Europe. The “Venice of Land” Udaipur is the historical capital of the Princely State of Mewar and is famous for its Rajpur warrior ethos, warm hospitality, great palaces, and forts.

Lake Pichola, the waterbody around which much of life in the city revolves, is one of India’s most romantic destinations.

Top Attractions:

–       City Palace: Home of the Maharaja of Mewar.

–       Jagdish Temple: Ancient Hindu temple.

–       Saheliyon ki Bari: Old Garden built for the Queen and her handmaidens.

–       Bagore Ki Haveli: Ancient mansion noted for its fine architecture.

–       Jagmandir Temple.

–       Ambrai Ghat: Embankment on Lake Pichola.

Delhi

The proud capital of India is where the modern meets the ancient, where history blends into historical mystique, and where a New Delhi co-exists with an Old Delhi of ancient charm. 

Delhi is famous for its Mughal monuments, ancient gardens, mausoleums, and cultural landmarks.

Top Attractions:

–       Humayun’s Tomb: 16th-century mausoleum housing the tomb of Emperor Humayun (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

–       Qutb Minar: Built in 1199-1220. The tallest brick tower in the world.

–       India Gate: Modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the India Gate is a war memorial built in memory of slain Indian soldiers of the First World War. 

–       Gandhi Smriti Museum: Honors the legacy of the Mahatma, the founder of India.

–       Bangla Sahib Gurudwara: 16th-century Sikh worship place and pilgrimage center.

Chandni Chowk: Centuries-old Bazaar in the city.

– Connaught Place: Business/commerce district of New Delhi built by the British in early 20th century, known for its shopping attractions and nightlife.

Kerala

God’s Own Country is the most popular tourist destination in South India—for some, perhaps, all of India!

It lures foreign visitors to its gorgeous beaches, mesmerizing backwaters, excellent spa resorts (offering ancient Ayurveda wellness therapies), tea and spice plantations, and national parks.

Top Attractions:

–       Beaches: Kovalam, Varkala, Kochi.

–       Backwaters: Alleppey, Kozhikode, Kuttanad.

–       Wildlife Safaris: Periyar Tiger Reserve, 

–       Tea and Spice Plantations Tours: Munnar, Idukki, Wayanad.

– Hill station Stopovers in Munnar and Wayanad.

Andaman Islands

Located in the Andaman Sea south of the Indian mainland, the Andaman Islands are a sparsely populated tropical region that is home to some of the world’s most gorgeous unspoiled white-sand beaches. There are over 572 islands in the region, and only 37 of them are inhabited by humans.

Top Attractions:

– Viper Island.

– Corbyn’s Cove Beach.

– Mount Harriot Forest Reserve.

– Naval Marine Museum.

– Barren Island Volcano.

Goa

Goa, the former Portuguese trading enclave located on the southwestern shores of India is India’s smallest and richest state. It is also the “Beach Capital” of India, with millions of Indians and non-Indians thronging to its all-weather golden sand beaches.

Goa is the ultimate beach paradise: excellent weather, clear blue sky, the benign Arabian sea, prospects for deep sea diving, snorkeling, and other water adventures, great fusion food, and top-notch beach resorts make Goa a great travel destination. 

Not to mention the coolest nightlife circuit in the country!

Top Attractions:

–       Velha Goa: Old city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to old Portuguese buildings, churches, and other landmarks.

–       Chapora Fort: 500-year-old building.

–       Beaches: Velsao, Butterfly, Baga, Grand Islands

–       Waterfalls: Dudhsagar

–       Nightlife: Cantare.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Tucked away in the idyllic mountains of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is not just an ancient pilgrimage site located on the shores of the Holy Ganga River, but also the “Yoga Capital of the World.” Its Ashram (spiritual communes) and yoga centers get visitors and disciples from all over the world.

Described as the “Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas” Rishikesh is also a great destination for water-sports lovers with the Ganga tossing up ideal rapids for kayaking.

Top Attractions: 

– Visiting an Ashram

– Waters-sports in the Ganga

– Hiking Trails and other outdoor adventures.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi, India’s oldest continuously inhabited city, is the spiritual soul of India. This ancient city located on the banks of the Ganga in the Indo-Gangetic plains of Utter Pradesh is the holiest place in the Hindu faith.

For the international traveler, Varanasi is the place to find spiritual peace, and serenity, and get a sense of the spiritual consciousness of this great civilizational state. 

Top Attractions:

– Ganga Aarti Ceremony Witnessing this “homage” to the holy Ganga at the sunset (the ceremony takes place daily) at the ancient Ghat (embankment) is the top tourist attraction in Varanasi.

– Heritage Tour of the old parts of Varanasi.

– Boat rides in Ganga.

-Sarnath: Little town just outside of Varanasi where Lord Buddha is believed to have offered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment (Nirvana).

Ramgarh Fort: 17th century fort built by the Chandel Rajputs.

Pondicherry

The “French Capital of India” Pondicherry (also known as Puducherry) is a former French colony and trading outpost located on the south-eastern shores. 

It is known for its old churches, beaches, Ashrams, birdwatching, Indo-French fusion cuisine, and the Auroville International City.

Top Attractions:

– Heritage Tour of the French Quarter of the city.

– Visit the Auroville International City: An experimental spiritual commune built in the vision of Sri Aurobindo.

– Trying the Indo-French food of Pondicherry.

– Church and temple tours.

– Birdwatching in the Ouster Lake: Also a Bird Sanctuary home to exotic rare birds.

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