BEATRIZ’S ONE MONTH BACKPACKING TRIP ACROSS INDIA

Delhi is the capital of India, a city rich in history and culture. Delhi is not only an interesting place to visit but is also ideally located to travel to a lot of other worthwhile places to see in northern India. Delhi is known for it's excellent metro service so it's very easy to get from one place to another.

Varanasi is not for the faint hearted.Its chaotic, crowded and surreal. You will either love it or hate it, but it will definitely blow your mind! Often referred to as the spiritual capital of India, it is the most important pilgrimage site of Hindus who come here to bathe in the holy river or perform funeral rites.

Agra, most popularly known for the Taj Mahal, is a favorite amongst travellers. Agra is known for its beautiful monuments, courtyards and mosques. The Agra fort is a lesser known but also beautiful sight you must visit during your stay in Agra. The whole city offers that incomparable Mughal vibe and therefore a trip to Agra is worth it.

Painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1853, Rajasthan’s capital city is chock-full with forts, palaces and temples. Shopaholics can lap up traditional footwear, textiles, crafts and gems. Partake in several festivals including the Elephant Festival in spring, when pachyderms pout and prance around.

The golden desert city of Jaisalmer is one of the largest fully preserved fortified cities in the world and commands attention for its yellow-hued, imposing sandstone appearance, its beautiful old Havelis (mansions), colorful Temples and easy access to sand dunes.

Due to its numerous blue houses in the old part of Jodhpur, this city in the dessert is often referred to as the “Blue City”. The second biggest city in Rajasthan is famous for the Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest in India, and is an interesting old city to experience.

Udaipur has been called many things: Venice of the East, the White or the Lake City and the most romantic place in India. One thing is for sure: when in Rajasthan you can’t miss this town with its white marble temples and palaces, its rooftop restaurants with perfect views of the lake as well as the beautiful surrounding landscapes .

Mumbai can certainly be called a mega city with a metropolitan population estimate of 21 Millions. Traditionally not a tourist favorite, the locals will assure you there a certain charm to the city which you will discover if you take time to explore.

Hippie-paradise in the 60s and 70s, famous for rave parties in the 90s and nowadays honeymoon destination for domestic couples – Goa went through a lot in the last decades and has still managed to retain its charm

No, this is not a scene out of the Flintstones even though it definitely looks like with the many red colored boulders covering the landscape and an impressive stone chariot to maze at. Hampi is rather a paradise for backpackers looking to relax at cheap but comfortable accommodations and mattress-lined restaurants.

Mysore (or Mysuru), a city in India's southwestern Karnataka state, was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947 and is therefore known for its glittering royal heritage and magnificent monuments and buildings. Most visitors come to see the world heritage-listed palace or to practice Ashtanga yoga in the many institutes.

Wayanad is a disctrict in the north of Kerala famous for its lush greenery and tea- and coffee estates. Less touristy than Munnar or Thekkady further south, this place welcomes hikers and nature lovers with easy to moderate hiking routes through forests and plantations to waterfalls and view points.

The backwaters of Kerala are a paradise of water lilies covered lakes, and small winding canals overgrown by palm and fruit trees and little villages far from urban chaos. Being a labyrinth of 900km waterways parallel to the coast of the Arabian sea this place offers serenity and peace for the nature loving traveller.

As the number one destination for domestic honeymoon travels, Munnar offers green and lush greenery and one of the best tea in entire India. This place in the Western Ghat mountain range invites you to hike through tea plantations and sandalwood forests, visit the many waterfalls and perfect viewpoints or just relax over a cup of tea.

This little sleepy town on a group of islands went through many colonists hands – first the Portuguese, then the Dutch and last but not least the British. So it’s no wonder that you find Hindu temples, Catholic churches in European style, Synagogues and mosques just a stone throw away from each other.