Exotic India has long been a popular travel destination for Westerners eager to see a very different way of life. However, in recent years the tourist industry has seen a large increase in both interest and number of visitors. Adventure tours in particular have seen a dramatic uptake in the number of people in their ranks. India is no longer just about ultra-luxury tours of the Taj Mahal and dramatic sunsets seen from your five-star hotel balcony. Goa has been a popular backpacker destination for some time now, and there are more and more family vacation opportunities cropping up across the land.
Regions and cities that once saw little tourist action are now establishing themselves as key players. The mountainous Ladakh region, often referred to as “Little Tibet,” is one of them. This remote landscape is stuck between the Karakoram Mountains in the north and the Himalayas in the south. Hiking and climbing have been, and continue to be, the main way to appreciate the natural wonders of this region. In recent years, paragliding and white water rafting have also made their way to Ladakh, affording tourists new ways to enjoy the area. For nature lovers, Ladakh is certainly not to be missed on a trip to India.
Ranthambore National Park is a prime Indian tourist destination, and there is good reason for this. It is the most famous National Park in India, and is most well known because of its large tiger population. Tigers can even be seen during the day! Recent efforts to combat poaching here have stabilized the number of tigers in the park, which were once in drastic decline. Aside from the majestic tiger, leopards, sloth bears, and over 270 different species of bird can be seen in the park.
The closest airport to Ranthambore is in the city of Jaipur, a good 90 miles away. Transport within the state of Rajasthan is quite excellent due to the number and quality of roads and busses connecting all the major cities.
What trip to India would be complete without seeing the Taj Mahal? Located in Agra, the mausoleum is conveniently close to Jaipur and other tourist destinations in the Golden Triangle. A quick glance at most
tours of India on the market will show that nearly all include stays in New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. Mumbai, southern India, and the Ganges, other Indian destinations etched in our consciousness from books and travel programs, are usually added on as extensions to an already existing tour of the North.
With all the amazing things to do in India, and the increased global interest in adventure travel, it is no wonder tourism is making a comeback in this mysterious, always captivating land that is home to nearly 1.2 billion people. There is something for everyone, from the luxury senior traveler, to the 20-something backpacker with a goatee, not much money, and a desire for adventure.
George likes to travel. Generally, the more exotic, the better, but George is equally comfortable sampling fine wines in the Piedmont of Italy and hiking 25 miles a day in the Western Saharan sun.
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