Travel with kids is just about the most exciting & fun thing to do. It does not matter what type of traveler you are—adventurous, conservative, eco-conscious, or fun loving— visiting new places, observing, interacting with different cultures and lifestyles are the most real life experiences you can introduce them to early on. A little planning & detailed approach will surely help when you travel with kids to destinations within India, as unfortunately India lacks the necessary infrastructure for road travelers. But that shouldn’t deter you from experiencing all that is incredible in this vast and varied country. We have a few destinations on our list of best places to visit for your holiday travel with kids in India. 

Best Places to Visit in India

Given the length and breadth of the country, there are quite a few places that you can choose to explore. Here are a few of the top destinations favored by families for vacationing in India

Goa

The appeal of endless beaches, sun, and sand is not exclusive to children alone. This is where you should head to if relaxation and some good food top the list of things to do on your itinerary. There are plenty of sleepy fishing villages with good restaurants and decent accommodations so you can enjoy your holiday at your own pace.

Places to Stay:

Home-stays, Heritage Properties or Luxury Beach Resorts.

Fun Things to Do:

Water sports can be enjoyed at many of the beaches. Kids are sure to love snorkeling, water scooter rides, and parasailing. Heritage tours of monuments, forts, and churches are other things you might consider.

Best Times to Visit:

October to January is considered peak season and can be quite crowded, especially around New Year.

Kerala

God’s Own Country has something for everyone—from cool hill stations to sultry beaches to historical monuments to cultural events. Spend a few days in the lap of verdant nature in Munnar or Wayanad or head for some sun and sand at Kovalam or Bekal. Navigate languidly through the backwaters in a houseboat in Allepey or spot some big cats at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady. If it’s history or culture you are aiming for, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram are where you should be headed.

Places to Stay:

Heritage properties, Eco Lodges, Luxury Hotels, Beach Resorts, and Home-Stays.

Fun Things to Do:

Boat rides and ferries, nature walks, coffee and tea plantation tours, and sunning on the beach.

Best Times to Visit:

October to April when the humidity is not overpowering. But if you like the monsoons, June to August is also a good time.

Rajasthan

The desert landscape, magnificent palaces, and sprawling forts all have a fairy tale quality that is appealing to young and old alike. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bikaner, and Pushkar are just some of the places that can figure on your itinerary.

Places to Stay:

Tents in the desert, Palace Hotels, Authentic Havelis, and Luxury Resorts.

Fun Things to Do:

Shopping for souvenirs such as wooden or cloth puppets, ethnic attire and jewellery, and silver trinkets. Camping in the desert, camel safaris, enjoying cultural evenings with folk at performances and puppet shows, and sampling exotic cuisine are a few of the things that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike.

Best Times to Visit:

October to March is the best time to visit the desert state. Days are pleasant during these months unlike in the summer months when temperatures soar. Visiting during June to September gives you the opportunity to see some greenery. 

Himachal Pradesh

A year round favourite destination, Himachal Pradesh is blessed with nature’s beauty and bounty. From the Great Himalayan Park in Kullu, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, to historic Shimla to the hill station of Manali to Dharamshala, the ‘Little Lhasa in India’, Himachal has much to offer. If you are planning a holiday tour to Himachal, there’s an easy access to an iterated 10 days Spiti Valley Road Trip.

Places to Stay:

Home – Stays, Camps, Budget and Luxury hotels.

Fun Things to Do:

Ride the toy train that links Kalka with Shimla, try out the world’s highest Go Kart track at Kufri, go for pony rides down Mall Road in Shimla, and have fun in the snow if you are visiting in winter.

Best Times to Visit:

It all depends on the type of activities and weather you are looking for. If you wish to avoid crowds then springtime, which is March-April, is perfect. Peak season is in May-June with the crowds thinning out from July to October. Snow bunnies are sure to enjoy the winter from November to February, especially skiing in Kufri.

Sikkim

Buddhist shrines, waterfalls, lakes, valleys, tea gardens, and hot springs are just some of the sights you can enjoy in the picturesque state of Sikkim. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayan range, the spectacular views are to be seen to be believed.

Places to Stay:

Home-Stays, Guest Houses,

Fun Things to Do:

Ride a yak, visit the wildlife park and get a glimpse of the red pandas, soak in the calm and quiet at the Buddhist monasteries, experience life in a village, and stroll among the forests of flowers that are typical to Sikkim.

Best Times to Visit:

March to June, when spring turns the landscape into a riot of colours, and September to December, when winter is setting in, are the best times to visit Sikkim.

Getting Around

The railway network in the country is one of the largest in the world and connectivity is good especially between tourist destinations. Advance bookings are the best way of ensuring you get good seats on the trains of your choice. The superfast trains get booked fast especially during holiday seasons. Air-conditioned coaches are your best bet to travel in comfort.

What to Eat

• Food is available on long-distance trains and orders can be placed on board. Advance ordering of meals online is available on a few routes.
• Snacks and bottled water are also easily available on trains but it is advisable to take along some backup because there may not be a whole lot of options to choose from.
• Every region has its own mindboggling range of cuisines to be sampled. Just remember that most Indians are partial to spicy food though many restaurants will customize the spice levels to your requirements.
• Paneer (cottage cheese), daals (lentil gravies), kormas (creamy curries), naans and rotis (types of bread), and simple pulavs (flavored rice) are some dishes ideal for vegetarians or those with not-so-adventurous palates.

Stay Safe

Hygiene is a major cause for concern when travelling in India. Restaurants, hotels, toilets, bathrooms, public transport, and tourist landmarks might not always keep up to your personal standards of hygiene. And children just love to touch and feel just about every window in the bus, seats on the train or the tables in a restaurant! So make sure you keep a bottle or two of hand sanitizers with you at all times. Take along a first aid kit, any prescription medicines, and some over-the-counter medication for fever, motion sickness, and allergies. And don’t forget to stock up on insect repellent.

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 About SelfRoadiez

SelfRoadiez Travel Solutions Pvt Ltd through our online travel portal www.selfroadiez.com provides integrated self-drive holidays to offbeat destinations within India. We provide exclusive self-drive car rentals to travelers with a choice of multi-city car pick up points in India. We also offer drive holiday packages including accommodation, route planning, and experiential activities under custom travel plans. Thinking of a self-drive holiday? Call us to find out how we can help.