Tours to India Directory

Jammu and Kashmir
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Area: 222,236 sq km Population: 10 million
Capital: Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter)
Languages spoken: Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu & Ladakhi
Best Time to visit: May to September

Jammu and Kashmir is virtually divided into three regions: the foothill plains of Jammu; the lakes and blue valleys of Kashmir rising to alpine passes, the high altitude plains and starkly beautiful mountains of Ladakh which lies beyond those passes. Such is the beauty of the region that you will can easily fall in love with. Srinagar is Kashmir's summer capital and Jammu, the winter capital.

Himachal Pradesh
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Area: 55,673 sq km
Capital: Shimla
Languages spoken: Hindi, English, Parhari (local dialect)
Best Time to visit: Mid-May to mid-October (trekking)
Late December to March (winter sports)

Himachal Pradesh is a small quaint oasis in the North of India. It came into being after the separation of Punjab and Harayana. Although it is small, the state boast many tourist destination worth exploring and is a popular holiday resort. The Raj still lingers in Shimla, the state capital and former summer capital during British rule.Kullu and Manali are neighboring resorts, surrounded by pine covered hills and lushy meadows .

Uttaranchal
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Area: 55,845 sq. km.
Population: 7 million
Capital: Dehradun

Uttaranchal is a major travel destination for tourists in search of eternal peace, for a change from their usual way of life, to live life on extremes and as pilgrims. Its spectacular natural beauty, salubrious climate, places of pilgrimages, abundant wildlife, and beautiful countryside -all these unite to make Uttaranchal a sizzling travel destination.

Delhi
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Area: 1,483 sq km
Population: 9.4 million
Capital: New Delhi
Languages spoken: Hindi, Urdu, English & Punjabi
Best Time to visit: October to March

Delhi, where an empire rose and fell before the dawn of history; where citadels of emperors appeared and disappeared; a city of mysterious eternity whose old ruins proclaim a majestic and imperial past and whose present pulsates vibrantly with the ever flowing life of India.

Uttar Pradesh
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Area : 294,411 sq km
Population : 166 million
Capital : Lucknow
Languages spoken: Hindi
Best Time to Visit: October to March

Situated in the northern part of India, it has the distinction of being the most populous state of India. In terms of area, it is the fourth largest among all the states. It is bound by Nepal on the north, and is surrounded by the states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. It is divisible into three distinct regions geographically; the Himalayan region on the north, the vast gangetic plain in the center, and the Vindhya Range and plateau on the south. Uttar Pradesh is watered by the mighty rivers of the northern India - Ganga, Yamuna, Ramganga, Gomati and Ghaghara. Almost all the important towns and trading centres of the state are located on these rivers. The confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, the two most sacred rivers of India at Allahabad, has been a popular place of pilgrimage through the millenia.

Punjab
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Area: 50,362 sq km
Population: 24.3 million
Capital: Chandigarh
Best Time to visit: October to March

Punjab, the land of five rivers & integrated cultural history, is a treasure trove for an avid tourist. For this land of the great gurus not only boasts of ancient monuments but throls with historical embodiments

It is no secret that whoever come to this land of yellow fields with blue mountains providing the romantic & picturesque backdrop has never gone back without imbiding the essence of Punjab.There is no dearth of breathtaking palaces, for Punjabwas the seat of royalty, as the imposing Quila Mubara will tell you.

Rajasthan
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Area: 342,239 sq km
Population: 49.7 million
Capital: Jaipur
Languages spoken: Hindi, Rajasthani
Best Time to visit: Mid-October to mid-March

Rajasthan, the land of the Kings, in India at its exotic and colourful best with its bettle-scarred forts, its palaces of breathtaking grandeur and whimsical charm, its riotous colours and even its romantic sense of pride and honour. The state is diagonally divided into the hilly and rugged south-eastern region and the barren north-western Thar desert, which extends across the border into Pakistan. There are also a number of centres which attract travellers from far and wide, such as Pushkar with its holy lake, and the desert city of Jaisalmer which resembles a fantasy from the The Thousand & One Nights. Rajasthan is one of India's prime tourist destinations. Nobody leaves here without priceless memories, a bundle of souvenirs, and an address book full of friends.

Gujurat
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Area: 196,024 sq km
Population: 50.6 million
Capital: Gandhinagar
Languages spoken: Gujarati
Best Time to visit: October to March

Gujarat is a vibrant land with a historical and cultural tradition. Verdant jungles, blushing sunsets, mighty Gir lions, old palaces, marble temples, water parks, colourful fairs and festivals and exquisite handicrafts characterise Gujarat. It is also home to various archeological sites and historical monuments. Nature has bestowed on Gujarat some of the most breathtaking locations & scenic landscapes.

Madhya Pradesh
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Area: 443,446 sq km
Population: 60.4 million
Capital: Bhopal
Languages spoken: Hindi
Best Time to visit: September to February

Madhya Pradesh is called the 'heart of India', not only because of its location in the centre of the country, but also because, it has been home to the cultural heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, forts and palaces are peppered all over the state - glorious reminders of emperors and kings, warriors and builders, poets and musicians, saints and philosophers.

Bihar
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Area: 173,877 sq km
Population: 86.3 million
Capital: Patna
Languages spoken: Hindi
Best Time to visit: October to March

Touristically, Bihar’s fame lies in its being an important religious and cultural center for the Hindus, the Jains and the Buddhists. Buddhism, one of the important religions of the world, was first started and preached here by the Buddha. Bodhgaya was the place where the Buddha meditated under the Bodhi tree before achieving supreme enlightenment. The small township of Rajgir was the scene of many sermons and numerous important events in the Master’s life. Thousands of pilgrims visit Rajgir, Bodhgaya, and the present descendant of the original Bodhi tree.

Orissa
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Area: 155,707 sq km
Population: 34.2 million
Capital: Bhubaneswar
Languages spoken: Oriya, Bengali, Hindi, English etc.
Best Time to visit: November to March

The beauty of Orissa unravels like a story through its monuments, landscape and the history. Kalinga, as Orissa was known in ancient times, remained unconquered till King Ashoka captured this state. Shattered by the bloodshed, he denounced the world to follow the path of Buddhism. Today, a sense of calmness and peace winds through the air, like the notes of a flute, filling one with joy.

West Bengal
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Area: 88,752 sq km
Population: 80.2 million
Capital: Kolkata (formerly Calcutta)
Languages Spoken: Bengali
Best Time to Visit: October to March

West Bengal is the state where theatre and cinema reign and commercial success takes a back seat to academics and cultural pursuits. People are volatile and articulate; the adda is the meeting point where topics from Marxism to the price of fish are discussed threadbare over steaming cups of tea.

West Bengal’s terrain is varied: some of the highest mountains are found in the upper reaches of Darjeeling and the swampiest mangroves in the Sundarbans. The Bengal Tiger roams the jungles while crocodiles infest the river. The "city of joy" – Calcutta is poverty ridden but the people are warm and welcoming. Appreciate the strains of Rabindra Sangeet in Shantiniketan, explore the terracotta temples in Bishnupur or savour "mishti doi" in the muddy lanes of Murshidabad. Welcome to the cultural capital of the country.

Sikkim
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Area: 7096 sq km
Population: 406,457
Capital: Gangtok
Languages spoken: Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali, Limbu
Best Time to visit: March to Augus

This tiny Himalayan state is a wonderland by all accounts. Overlooked by Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, Sikkim is attractive equally for the sightseer, the adventure sports enthusiast and those interested in Buddhism and Tibetology. A hospitable population that's predominantly Buddhist, many fine old monasteries rich with frescoes, religious paintings on silk and statues of the Buddha’s various incarnations make it a soothing place to be in. Gangtok, the capital, abounds with pagoda like roofs of many buildings and the presence of crimson robed monks in the bazaars.

Assam
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Area: 78,438 sq km
Population: 26.6 million
Capital: Dispur
Languages spoken: Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, English.
Best Time to visit : October to May.

The word 'Assam' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Asom' meaning peerless. The land whose bewitching picture is conjured up by the name 'Assam' is in fact peerless, judged by her exquisite natural beauty, cultural richness and human wealth. Nestled in the heart of India's north-eastern region, Assam covers a territory of 78,523 square kilometers, roughly a fourth of it comprising rugged hills and the rest verdant alluvial plains

Arunachal Pradesh
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Area: 83,743 sq km
Population: 950,000
Capital: Itanagar
Languages spoken: Indigenous languages, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali & English.
Best Time to visit: October to April.

Arunachal Pradesh is the land often referred to as the land of the dawn-lit mountains. It is a thinly populated hilly area in the most eastern part of India. It borders in the west on Bhutan , on China in the north and on Burma in the east. The population is predominantly tribal. The different tribes form 79% of the population. The hospitable people of the various tribes, often still dressed according to their own traditional and colourful codes, speak there own traditional tongue.

Maharashtra
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Area: 3,07,690 sq km
Population: 9,97,52,247
Capital: Mumbai.
Languages spoken: Marathi
Best Time to visit: October to March

Being one of the largest states in India, Maharashtra is the most important states economically, and is also a major gateway for overseas visitors. Maharashtra, a state where a millennium of culture weaves a tapestry of myriad charms. The spiritual solace of centuries. The sylvan serenity of the countryside. The stillness of a thicket disturbed only by a tiger flashing past, or the symphony of tradition from its varied population. All abound in a unique togetherness. In Maharashtra, a state as vivid as vivacious.

Andhra Pradesh
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Area: 276,754 sq km
Population: 76 million
Capital: Hyderabad
Languages spoken: Telugu, Urdu
Best Time to visit: October to February

Andhra Pradesh has a long cultural and political history. Its political history dates back to the Mauryan period when the Sathavahanas carved out a kingdom in the region. Culturally, the monuments and the temples are an illustration of its magnificent past. The east lashed by the Bay of Bengal, the land has low hills, green fields, forests, waterfalls and lakes. Hyderabad is the capital city.

Goa
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Area: 3701 sq.km.
Capital: Panaji.
Languages: English, Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and Portuguese.
Best Time to visit: October to May - but April & May are very hot.

Situated on the western coast of India, the state is blessed with many attractions including, sun drenched beaches, forts, churches and beach resorts, colonial charm. Last but not the least it is the culture that makes it different from other states of India. However Goa's main claim to fame are its beaches.

Karnataka
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Area: 191,791 sq km
Population: 52.7 million
Capital: Bangalore
Languages spoken: Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, Hindi, English
Best Time to visit: September to February

Karnataka is one of the four states in South India. Karnataka captivates the tourists from the moment one arrives in Bangalore. It is the land of primeval forests, lovely cities and ornate shrines. The major language spoken in the state is Kannada. It's a state of strong contrast with the modern, industrialised city of Bangalore at one extreme and the expanses of rural farming areas at the other. Karnataka also has some of the most interesting historic architecture in India, and a varied and tumultuous history.

Kerala
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Area: 38,864 sq km
Population: 33 million
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
Languages spoken: Malayalam
Best Time to visit:October to March

Kerala is one of the ten 'Paradises' found by the National Geographic Traveler, for its diverse geography and overwhelming greenery. It is a land acclaimed for the contemporary nature of its cultural ethos and is on the world map for being a rejuvenating paradise .

Tamil Nadu
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Area: 130,058 sq km
Population: 55.8 million
Capital: Chennai
Languages spoken: Tamil
Best Time to visit: December to February

Tamil Nadu is bounded by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the north and Kerala in the west. The eastern and western tips of the Tamilnadu are defined by the Point Calimere and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries while the northern extreme is Pulicat lake and the southernmost tip is Kanyakumari, the land's end. Tamil Nadu is principally washed by the Cauvery, originating in Coorg in neighbouring Karnataka . Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is known for its beautiful beach resorts.