Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler

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Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

Vacation in November means you get the best of both worlds – the quiet calm before the holiday storm and mild, pleasant weather that makes exploring more enjoyable.

With the monsoon retreating and the winter all set to grasp us, November is definitely that breath of fresh air we are looking for.

Without further, let's delve deeper into what are the best places to visit in India in November!

Let's get the vacation going!

1. Varanasi

Varanasi - a place where spirituality finds home, a city by the Ganga that never sleeps, and the oldest inhabited place in the world which still invites travelers all year round. With miles of ghats, innumerable shrines and traditional palaces scattered around the city - Varanasi in November will be unforgettable.

Boat ride in Varanasi

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

From witnessing the magical Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat to taking on a boat ride on the Ganges in sunrise, trying authentic chaat at the Kashi Chaat Bhandar and exploring the esteemed Banaras Hindu University - this tour in Varanasi is going to all about revisiting your roots once again with Varanasi. Apart from exploring the city, Varanasi offers unique souvenirs to buy here like stone carved curios, hand knotted carpets and the world wide famous Banarasi Silk sarees. Do not forget having your 'Ranjhna' moment while in Varanasi.

Ideal Duration: 3 days

Things to Do in Varanasi: Boat ride on the Ganges, attend Ganga Aarti, visit Sarnath, explore old city lanes.

Must Visit Places in Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Ramnagar Fort.

Where to Eat in Varanasi: Kashi Chaat Bhandar, Ram Bhandar Chowk, Madhur Jalpan.

2. Coorg

Welcome to the coffee capital of India, Coorg. Enter this heavenly abode and get tantalized with the raw smell of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans from famous coffee plantations in Coorg like Tata Coffee Plantation, Mercara Gold Estate and Karagunda Coffee Plantation. In the chilly breeze of November, take a safari ride to the Nagarhole National Park, located with the scenic backdrop of the Western Ghats.

The Tamara Coorg stay

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

It is the home to Asiatic Elephants and talking of elephants, you can also join in an extraordinary bathing activity at the Dubare Elephant Training Camp here. Trekkers should not miss the Thadiyandamol, the second highest peak in Western Ghats in Karnataka. Apart from nature's beauty, there is a lot in Coorg. A spiritual tour to Omkareshwara temple, exploring the Tibetian refugee settlement in Namdroling Monastery, getting drenched in the Abbey Falls, going for river rafting in Kaveri river is a must on your November visit to Coorg.

Ideal Duration: 3-4 days

Things to Do in Coorg: Coffee plantation tours, trekking, river rafting, visiting waterfalls.

Must Visit Places in Coorg: Abbey Falls, Raja's Seat, Dubare Elephant Camp, Talacauvery.

Where to Eat in Coorg: Coorg Cuisine, Raintree, The Falls at the Tamara.

Read more on Best Places to Visit in Coorg

3. Amritsar

Think about Amritsar and the first thing that crosses our mind is the Golden Temple and freshly served Amritsari Kulcha. Also known as Ambarsar, this golden city is the heart of Sikhism, inviting a pool of spiritual travelers to explore and reinvent themselves here. What's most fascinating about the Golden Temple is the magnificent Guru-Ka-Langar, a giant dining facility serving 10,0000 pilgrims everyday. Can you imagine?

Golden Temple in Amritsar

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

There is a lot to see in Amritsar apart from its glorious spiritual landscape. You must take a visit to the historic Jallianwala Bagh, visit the Summer palace in Ram Bagh, get goosebumps at the Wagah border and savour the authentic flavors of Punjab. Do not miss the 1916 Kesar Da Dhaba's Kesar Dal and definitely try Beera Chicken House's barbeque offering in the November chill.

Ideal Duration: 2-3 days

Things to Do in Amritsar: Visit Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border ceremony.

Must Visit Places in Amritsar: Golden Temple, Partition Museum, Durgiana Temple.

Where to Eat in Amritsar: Kulcha Land, Bharawan Da Dhaba, Amritsari Kulcha.

4. Manali

If you are a movie buff, then you must have already visited a lot of Manali through the movies already. This little quaint town by the Beas river near Kullu is all about embracing the beauty of Himalayas, exploring hidden treks and waterfalls and tasting traditional cuisine like Kullu Trout and Babru. Also known as the Valley of Gods, Manali in November is probably the best time to enjoy this place to the fullest.

Manali

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

Plan a visit to the archaeologically rich ancient temple Hadimba or Dhoongri temple, which has reference from Mahabharata as well. Gather up some courage and visit Bir Billing, the paragliding capital of the world. Explore Tibetan monasteries, go for river rafting and indulge in a massive shopping spree at the famous Mall road in Manali.

Ideal Duration: 4-5 days

Things to Do in Manali: Skiing, paragliding, trekking, visiting hot springs.

Must Visit Places in Manali: Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Hidimba Devi Temple.

Where to Eat in Manali: Johnson's Lodge, The Corner House, Café 1947.

5. Ziro

If you haven't explored north east you haven't really known India. This November, choose this paddy filled Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh to be your vacation stop and get mesmerized by its beauty. The unending green patches will surely remind you of Scotland. The Apatani tribal landscape is something you have surely never experienced. Internationally one of the most famous festival in this valley is the Ziro Music Festival, held every year in September.

Lush green Ziro Valley

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

Ziro valley also offers amazing experiences for adventure enthusiasts including trekking, hiking, bird watching, and exploring the nearby biodiversity rich Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. Spend a weekend in Ziro this November and know what peace and beauty feels like.

Ideal Duration: 4-5 days

Things to Do in Ziro: Skiing, paragliding, trekking, visiting hot springs.

Must Visit Places in Ziro: Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Hidimba Devi Temple.

Where to Eat in Ziro: Johnson's Lodge, The Corner House, Café 1947.

Visit This 5 Places While You Are In Ziro

6. Kalimpong

Sitting in the lap of Teesta river and the evergreen Ranjeet Valley, Kalimpong is still a hidden gem in north eastern India, located in West Bengal. Just 50 Kms from Darjeeling, this hill town bears history of the trade between Sikkim and Tibet from the ancient times. While rainfall is lowest during November in Kalimpong, making it an ideal adventure spot for paragliders and river rafters to experience the adrenaline rush.

Bird's eye view of Kalimpong

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

One of the prime attractions of this quaint town is the two acres big Mangal Dham Temple, a must visit spiritual stop in Kalimpong. The Lepcha Museum here gives an insight into the world of the people here. Do not miss visitng the famous Delo Park and having a perfect cup of Darjeeling Tea in the heart of Kalimpong. If you a succulent collector, do visit the Pine View nursery and buy as many plants as your pocket can accommodate.

Ideal Duration: 2-3 days

Things to Do in Kalimpong: Visit monasteries, flower nurseries, trekking, paragliding

Must Visit Places in Kalimpong: Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, Kalimpong Science Centre, Deolo Hill.

Where to Eat in Kalimpong: The Garden Restaurant, Kalimpong Café, The Himalayan Restaurant.

7. Goa

Anytime you ask a traveler what are the places they want to visit, Goa must be in their bucket list. Rightly so, for its white pristine sandy beaches, translucent oceans, never-sleeping nightlife and exotic sea food. Located in the south west part of the country, this pocket size state wears it Indo-Portuguese vibe even till now. From enjoying varied water activities including river rafting, flyboarding and surfing, to renting a scooter and exploring the nooks and corners of the city - everything is do-able in Goa.

Goa beaches

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

Goa has a goldmine of beaches with a 75 miles long coastline and the must visit include Calangute, Palolem, Baga and Anjuna. Indulge in a soothing Yoga session at the Ruban Yoga, shop your heart out at the Anjuna Flea Market and do not miss the nightlife scene in Goa. Party hard at the Club Cubana or Tito's Bar and make your November worthwhile.

Ideal Duration: 4-5 days

Things to Do in Goa: Beach hopping, water sports, nightlife, exploring markets.

Must Visit Places in Goa: Baga Beach, Fort Aguada, Basilica of Bom Jesus.

Where to Eat in Goa: Fisherman’s Wharf, Gunpowder, Vinayak Family Restaurant.

Read more about Offbeat Places in North Goa

8. Rann of Kutch

Nothing beats the beauty Rann of Kutch inherits. The white land is basically an inland from the sea, located in Gujarat. The vast miles of voidness creates a sense of belongingness to this nature. Rann of Kutch is famous for its magical moonlit nights when the entire night sky gets lit up with stars and down below you enjoy a Kutch style folk style function accompanied with Kutch cuisine.

Folk performance at Rann of Kutch

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

This salt marsh provides a perfect Kutch holiday in November, when the temperature drops down a little bit, turning it amicable to spend leisure time.

Ideal Duration: 2-3 days

Things to Do in Rann of Kutch: Explore white salt desert, attend Rann Utsav, wildlife spotting.

Must Visit Places in Rann of Kutch: Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Dhordo, Hodka Village.

Where to Eat in Rann of Kutch: Local dhabas, Rann Utsav dining, Hotel White Rann.

9. Agra

The thing that has now become synonymous with Agra is the majestic Taj Mahal, built in the 17th century by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz. Agra is home to unique monuments spread across the length of the entire city which beholds the history of a bygone time. From exploring the Agra Fort or Lal Qilla to savoring authentic Mughlai cuisine like Galouti Kebabs and Shahi Tukda, a tour to Agra in November will surely not dishearten you.

Taj Mahal in Agra

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

Another major part of Agra is the shopping scenario. From buying handicrafts to local specialty items, anything you pick from the art crowd, you will immediately fall in love. There are multiple options in brassware, embroidery, textile and more to buy from. When in Agra do not miss the chance of visiting Fatehpur Sikhri, a timeless architectural marvel built during the reign of Emperor Akbar.

Ideal Duration : 1-2 days

Things to Do in Agra: Visit Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri.

Must Visit Places in Agra: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh.

Where to Eat in Agra: Peshawri, Dasaprakash, The Golden Tandoor.

10. Ooty

What comes to your mind when you hear Ooty? A sprawling dot of hills spread across the Nilgiri hills, against the backdrop of Doddabetta of Tamil Nadu, providing an ultimate retreat for a tired soul. This hill station in Tamil Nadu earned prominent significance right from the British era as it worked as a major summer retreat for them. One the must to do in Ooty is Toy Train ride from Mettupalayam to Ooty, a scenic peep through the beauty of unfiltered Nilgirirs.

Ooty

Photo of Discover India in November: A Guide to the Best Destinations for Every Traveler by Sreyashi Paul

From the hill top, all you can see is the lush green tea and coffee plantation carpeting the land around. A boat ride in the Ooty lake, visit to the Ooty Botanical Gardens of 22 hectares, and knowing about the primitive Toda tribe, Ooty's oldest residence is a must on your November visit to Ooty.

Ideal Duration: 2-3 days

Things to Do in Ooty: Boating, trekking, visiting botanical gardens.

Must Visit Places in Ooty: Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak.

Where to Eat in Ooty: Earl's Secret, The Garden Restaurant, Hill Country Holiday Resort.

Make the best use of November and plan your trip now. Let us all plan together a No-regret November!

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