By Ojugbele Omotunde
India, one of the world’s largest countries, offers a wide range of experiences, from mountain adventures to tropical beaches and fairytale landscapes.
Its diversity, including its cultural and natural aspects, is awe-inspiring, with a variety of landscapes including mountain ranges, sea coasts, deserts, and plateaus, showcasing its vastness and diversity.
Its natural landscapes which ranges from the Himalayan mountain to the Kanyakumari Coast, are a sight to behold with customizable tour packages which offer travelers the opportunity to explore these breathtaking landscapes while showcasing the country’s true magnificence.
Here are 8 of the best landscapes In India
1. The Indo-Gangetic Plains
The Indo-Gangetic Plains, located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, is renowned for its beautiful landscapes. It covers Uttarakhand, Bhutan, West Bengal, and Assam, and is divided into Punjab Plain, Ganga Plain, and Brahmaputra Valley regions, classified into four major belts.
Exploring the Indo-Gangetic Plains, includes wildlife viewing at Jim Corbett National Park, trekking to Nanda Devi, visiting Taktsang Palphug Monastery, wildlife watching at Kaziranga National Park, river rafting in Nameri National Park, and river cruising in Brahmaputra Valley.
Bhabar Region: This is the flat land that is covered by a stretch of pebbles.
Terai Region: This is the belt that is mostly covered by lush forest area.
Bhangar Region: This is the only region that forms the largest part of Northern Plains and is covered by rich alluvial soil.
Khadar Region: This is the agricultural belt of Northern Plains which formed by the fresh deposits of the flowing rivers.
2. The Central Highlands
The Central Highlands in India, spanning across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh, is known for its vivid landscapes and covers the largest area compared to other landscapes.
Exploring the Central Highlands, includes Gwalior Fort, Jaipur royal palaces, Lake Pichola boat ride, Wilson Point sunrise, Mahabaleshwar’s Pratapgad peak, Matheran’s Irshalgad, and Kalimpong’s Deolo Hill, among other attractions.
3. The Thar Desert
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, spans 2,00,00 square kilometers and is estimated to be 4,000 to 10,000 years old. It covers a significant portion of Rajasthan and extends to Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
You can explore the royal Umaid Bhawan Palace and Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, enjoy camel safaris, parasailing, quad biking, and dune bashing in Jaisalmer, visit the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, and enjoy paragliding and ziplining in Saputara.
4. The Eastern Ghats
The Eastern Ghats, a range of mountains from West Bengal to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu, are renowned for their landscape photography and attract many travelers due to their diverse flora and fauna.
Activities Near the Eastern Ghats: Bicycle through the verdant tea plantations, visit Pykara Lake, the Botanical Garden, and Doddabetta Peak in Ooty, trek to the Tiger Hills in Darjeeling and observe wildlife in the Sundarbans, explore the Araku Valley and Borra Caves in Vizag, and much more.
5. The Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans six states and two plateaus, offering a diverse range of biological diversity. It’s a top destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, making it a top landscape in India.
Explore the nightlife of Mumbai, Karla and Bhaja caves in Lonavala, Goa’s nightlife and beaches, Rameswaram’s Pamban bridge, Jog Falls, Bandipur National Park, Kudremukh trek, Brahmagiri Hill in Munnar, Iruppu Falls, and Abbey Falls in the Western Ghats.
6.The Coastal Plains
When combined, the western and eastern coastlines offer inviting locations to see some of India’s most breathtaking scenery. India’s breathtaking coastline, which stretches from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal in the east and from Gujarat to Kerala in the west, passes through several exotic locations that honeymooners frequently seek out.
Activities in the Coastal Plains: Visit the Solar Observatory in Kodaikanal, explore the French colony in Pondicherry, take in the breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean from the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, begin at the Rann of Kutch, cruise the beautiful backwaters of Alleppey on a houseboat, explore one of the best beaches in Kumarakom, and much more.
7. The Islands
The best landscapes in India are incomplete without its famous islands of Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands. Located in Bay of Bengal, Andaman is an archipelago of more than 300 islands whereas Lakshadweep comprises of 36 atolls that are located in Laccadive Sea. Filled with lagoons, coral reefs, and a rich marine life, these islands are perfect for watersport enthusiasts and for honeymooners.
Things to do in Andaman Islands: Snorkeling at the Elephant Beach, scuba diving, swimming with elephants, and parasailing in Havelock Island, glass bottom boat ride in North Bay Coral Island, banana boat ride in Port Blair, romantic walk on the white sands of Radhanagar Beach, and much more.
Things To Do In Lakshadweep Islands: Enjoy scuba diving in Kalpeni Island, canoeing in Minicoy Island, indulge in kite surfing in Kadmat Island, and witness the exciting tribal dance at Kalpeni Island.
8. The Himalayan Mountain Range
The Himalayan Mountain range, which is well known as a “abode of snow,” provides India with some of the most breathtaking mountain vistas. The Himalayan Mountain Ranges are nothing short of mighty and majestic, spanning the five major states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and the Seven Sisters of Northeast (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram). India’s Himalayan scenery are captivating and breathtakingly gorgeous.
Explore the Himalayan Mountain Range by shikara rides, car rides, motorbike rides, paragliding, trekking, river rafting, valley of flowers, Nathu La Pass, and centuries-old root bridges.