What are some best places for honeymoon in India? The practice of honeymoon began as early as the 19th century in Great Britain, when upper-class couples took ‘bridal tours’, often accompanied by friends and family, to visit distant relatives. The practice gradually became more popularized. Today, it is a common practice among young couples all over the world.
Right after the wedding, couples embark upon a tour together to exotic places. It is seen that Indians take tours to foreign lands for their honeymoon. But, they often ignore the many places for honeymoon in India. With all its beauty, diversity and glory, India offers treasures to be discovered. Of course, it is hard to rank beauty, and hence it all depends of the taste of the couples. So let us take a quick look at 10 Best Places for Honeymoon in India.
10. Darjeeling
Located in West Bengal in the arms of the Lesser Himalayas, Darjeeling is often referred to as the Queen of Hills. It is one of the most picturesque and peaceful places for honeymoon in India, with a pleasantly cool climate, and Kanchenjunga framing the skyline. Nearby attractions include the Rock Garden, sunrise from Tiger Hills, Batasia Loop, Peace Pagoda, Singamari Ropeway, etc.
There are activities like rock-climbing or paragliding, and a tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Site toy-train is a must. While summer is the ideal time to go there, couples can also choose the winter months.
Also read: List of world’s best places to visit once a lifetime.
9. Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, has always been a popular honeymoon destination, what with its romantic climate, plush hills, snowy peaks, British architecture and The Mall, along with temples, monasteries and churches. It is at its best during the summer, as well as winter months. Then there is Kulu and Manali, a favourite of Indian couples, with greenery and sprawling landscape.
It is one of the best destinations for a trip filled with adventure sports, like hiking, skiing, trekking, mountaineering, paragliding, biking, angling, and river rafting, between October and February.
See also; Top 10 most romantic places around the world.
8. Rajasthan
For a honeymoon trip that will make you feel like the royalty, Rajasthan is, without a doubt, the perfect place. The very regal Udaipur has palaces, havelis and temples along crooked, rustic streets. Couples can cruise the calm lakes here. For a luxury desert destination with rides on camels and elephants, and much more, there is the majestic Jaisalmer.
Other places worth visiting are Mount Abu, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. The best time to visit Rajasthan, especially Jaisalmer, would be between October and February, with the Desert Festival being held for three days in January.
7. Tamil Nadu
Be it a spiritual couple or wildlife enthusiast, Tamil Nadu is the place to be. The October-November as well as January-May periods are perfect for a visit to the evergreen forests in Valparai, with Anaimalai Tiger Reserve and similar national parks or wildlife sanctuaries.
For a spiritual beginning, couples can Arunachala Temple or Ramana Ashram in Tiruvannamalai during February-August. In October-June, Ooty, nestled in the Nilgiri Hills, with Botanical Gardens, Rose Garden, Glen Morgan Tea Garden, and Dodabetta peak, alongside angling and boating, is paradise for honeymooners.
6. Kutch
Gujarat is the beautiful, colourful place for honeymoon in India, where there is history, architecture and culture for the guests. Between December and February, Kutch is the place to be for the newly-wed couple that loves shopping and would be interested in picking traditional mirror stoles and bags, furnishings or accessories with Kutchi embroidery, silver jewellery.
Bhuj and its surroundings are great shopping destinations. Kutch comes during the Rann Utsav, with folk music echoing through moonlit nights. There is the colourful desert with white sands, and wildlife sanctuaries.
5. Goa
Another of Bollywood’s favorites, Goa is an exotic mix of fun and beauty, offering any new couple a honeymoon worth remembering, with warm sun, golden beaches, endless sea and swaying coconut palms, alongside colonial Portuguese buildings and churches, and other nearby places including hilly places. Adventurous couples may choose from activities like water-sports, deep-sea fishing, wind surfing, etc.
India’s party capital serves the best sea-food, Goan sausages or pork vindaloo, paired with feni or other drinks, at the beach shacks. Summer and winter are both great for a fun holiday.
Also read: List of world’s most beautiful beaches.
4. Uttarakhand
For the adventurous couple, November-March is perfect to visit Auli for a honeymoon marked with ski-workshops and speeding down snow-covered peaks. For the more romantic and calm couple, there is the quaint and beautiful Nainital, with the lakes, aerial ropeway, Jim Corbett National Park, etc., perfect for a visit during the summer as well as the winter months.
Couples can also take a trip to Mukteshwar for a romantic getaway, which, at all times of the year, offers apples, pears, plums, apricots and peaches from orchards and food farms, and the excellent chocolates at Mountain Trails.
See also; Top 10 best wedding destinations in the world.
3. Jammu and Kashmir
The summer capital of the state, Srinagar, offers lakes with sparkling ripples, valleys lush and heavenly, and high mountains, with the exotic Srinagar ensconced among them, complete with houseboats and Mughal gardens that make the Kashmiri Venice one of India’s coveted honeymoon destinations.
Winter capital Jammu offers forts, temples and caves. While Son Marg, Gul Marg, Pahalgam, etc. are scenic spots, couples can trek towards Ladakh, and visit Kargil. Bollywood’s favorite can best be explored between October and March. Don’t forget picking pashmina shawls.
2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The very idea of having a honeymoon on an island, surrounded by waters all around, is romantic. Be it the summer months or the winter, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among the best places for honeymoon in India. It is exotic and private, with a mind-blowing repertoire of flora and fauna, from jungle life and hills to colourful fishes and sunken ships, alongside great food and accommodation.
For the active couple, there is water-skiing, windsurfing, speed boats, glass-bottom boat rides, and much more. For underwater enthusiasts, Havelock Island is perfect for snorkelling and Scuba diving.
See also; 10 best honeymoon destinations in the world.
1. Kerala
Kerala unfurls itself in beautiful ways. Be it in the summer months or the winter, and is a sought-after place for honeymoon in India. For a relaxed sun bath, there is Kovalam Beach. For a romantic cruise journey in Alleppey. Munnar and Wayanad, set in the hills, deserve a visit for a wonderful time. Couples can explore the backwaters, with the network of lakes, canals and rivers, in houseboats or discover the hidden treasures around Kerala.
For a traditional holiday, complete with thick vegetation, diverse biology and the gentleness of the rural culture, Kerala is the ultimate place.
Also read: The list of best and most beautiful places to visit in India.
For every newly-wed couple, honeymoon is a very important part of the whole ordeal. The prolonged occasion of an elaborate wedding and its preparations, alongside the anxiety about starting a new life with a new person, can leave a person a little drained and stressed. In such a state of mind, honeymoon is the perfect way to relax, and also know each other better.