Sugato Mukherjee

The historic capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Kingdom, Hampi remains one of India’s most evocative sites of pilgrimage.

The loftiest region in India, Ladakh offers visitors picture-perfect vistas as well as a mesmerizing patchwork of Tibetan-influenced culture.

The pristine forests of Satpura National Park are rich in biodiversity offering a wildlife-spotting experience as vivid as any in India.

Graceful, historic Hoi An retains its appeal through its beguiling riverside setting, and its balance between modern tourism draws and rich traditions forged through centuries.

With epic landscapes and lore that is ancient, complex, and tragic, Armenia offers a visceral historic bonanza that takes in some of Christianity’s most sacred symbols.

India’s most iconic building hogs the limelight, but the former capital of the Mughal Empire is rich in other highlights.

To the lover of all things North India, Glenburn Estate is a sanctuary of tea, peace, and an abiding history that defines the region.

“The two most important principles were prohibition of cutting of trees and protection of wildlife around us,” Khemkaran says. “And to this day the Bishnois adhere to them until death.”

Kashmir is one of the last final frontiers for travelers to India; get off the beaten track with these five lesser visited sites.

The lonely town of Sidhpur in Gujarat is a mix of architecture, culture, and mythology, from the great warrior Parasurama to colonial corners built by merchants.

Four hours outside of Calcutta is a strange Wild West world of Gongoni Danga, red earth and green scrub with a demon cave backstory.