India is the seventh-largest country in the world and home to more than 1.4 billion people. From the snow-covered Himalayas in the north to the palm-lined coast of Kerala in the south, and from the Thar Desert of Rajasthan to the tea hills of Assam, few countries pack so many landscapes, languages and food styles into one trip.
Important things to know
- Capital: New Delhi
- States & union territories: 28 states and 8 union territories
- Currency: Indian Rupee (INR, ₹). UPI and cards work in cities; carry cash for small towns.
- Languages: Hindi and English are widely used; each state also has its own language, such as Malayalam in Kerala and Tamil in Tamil Nadu.
- Time zone: IST (UTC +5:30), one time zone for the whole country.
- Visa: Most foreign visitors can apply for an e-Visa online before travel.
- Best time to visit: October to March for most of the country; April to June for the Himalayan hill stations. The south-west monsoon runs from June to September.
Top experiences
- Houseboat stays on the Kerala backwaters
- The Taj Mahal in Agra and the forts and palaces of Rajasthan
- Beaches of Goa, Kerala and the Andaman Islands
- Hill stations such as Munnar, Ooty, Shimla and Darjeeling
- Tiger safaris in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
- Temples, festivals and regional food in every state
Choose a state below to explore its districts, places to visit and travel stories.
