7 Enchanting India Escapes
Experience a captivating kaleidoscope of sights, cultures, and activities found only in India.
India is a world of wonders. Steeped in ancient history and rich with storybook palaces and sacred places, the incredibly vast and diverse country beckons travelers searching for a deeply meaningful and truly memorable adventure. Prepare to be amazed by these enchanting India experiences.
See the Taj Mahal at sunset
Built between 1631 and 1653 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a lasting tribute to his late wife, the iconic Taj Mahal UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra is an awe-inspiring symbol of eternal love. If possible, visit the massive mausoleum complex at sunset when a misty pink hue washes over the white marble. After strolling the Taj Mahal gardens, tour the nearby Agra Fort UNESCO World Heritage site. The 16th-century Mughal masterwork is a stunning red sandstone fortress filled with storybook palaces and two exquisite mosques. On the way to Agra, visit a third World Heritage Site, the impressive Fatehpur Sikri complex, one of India’s best preserved Mughal cities.
Bask on a secluded island beach
Escape to the Andamans, a leafy island paradise off the eastern coast of India. Comprised of more than 300 islands in the Bay of Bengal, the archipelago ticks all the right boxes for under-the-radar relaxation: sugar-sand beaches, brilliant-turquoise waters, lush foliage, and brightly colored coral reefs. Three of the Andamans’ best beaches—Radhanagar, Elephant, and Kalapatthar—are located on the archipelago’s most famous island, Havelock. For water-based adventures (such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and sea walking), visit the eco-friendly tour operators on Havelock, Neill, and Long islands, and in Diglipur in North Andaman.
Take a jeep safari through a tiger reserve
Exploring wild and exotic Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan conjures up images of a classic Rudyard Kipling tale. Named for Ranthambore Fort, the 151-square-mile park once was the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Take a guided jeep safari for a glimpse of Ranthambore’s tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles, monkeys, and other resident wild things. A top wildlife-watching spot is the ancient fort complex, where magnificent tigers often can be seen roaming and lounging amid the pale-red stone temples and other crumbling structures.
Stay in a lakeside royal palace
Known as the City of Lakes, royal Udaipur boasts a treasure trove of ornate, lakeside palaces, many of which have found new life as opulent heritage hotels and resorts. The crown jewel of Udaipur’s regal lodging collection is the hilltop City Palace. The sprawling and extravagant complex—built over 400 years when the city served as the capital of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar—houses several heritage palace-hotels. Blend the best of royal and lake life, at the white-marble Lake Palace, an 18th-century Mewar Maharaja summer retreat reborn as a luxurious Lake Pichola island resort.
Seek inspiration and inner peace in Sikkim.
Mountainous and meditative, Sikkim is a real-life Shangri-La boasting lush, deep valleys and soaring snow-capped peaks. The stunning landscape of this remote, sacred place is dotted with numerous traditional Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and Hindu shrines. Sikkim’s lofty, modern capital Gangtok, elevation 5,410 feet, is the gateway to monastery tours and outdoor adventure, such as Himalayan mountain treks and guided expeditions to the Khangchendzonga National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is named for the world’s third-highest peak, Khangchendzonga, which reaches elevations of 4,000 to 28,170 feet above sea level and is part of the Khangchendzonga UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, one of the highest ecosystems in the world. On clear days, Khangchendzonga may be visible from Gangtok.
Cruise the Kerala backwaters by houseboat
Glide along the palm-shaded waterways of tropical Kerala state on a luxury houseboat. Built on a traditional kettuvallam (rice cargo barge), these floating thatched cottages offer hotel-like amenities, such as comfortable bedrooms and traditional Kerala cuisine made with fresh, local ingredients. Staying in a private houseboat is the best way to experience the leisurely pace of life in the Kerala backwaters—an off-the-beaten-path maze of canals, rivers, rural villages, rice paddies, and wilderness areas.
Restore and rejuvenate on a yoga retreat
Channel your inner yogi in the birthplace of yoga. Whether you are new to the yogic way of life or are seasoned practitioner, India is the place to take your practice to the next level. Choose from no-frills yoga ashrams; upscale centers combining yoga, meditation, and wellness activities; or something in between. Northern India’s holy city of Rishikesh—known as the “yoga capital of the world”—boasts a bounty of yoga studios and centers, such as Ananda, a luxury wellness spa resort scenically situated in the Himalayan foothills.
