Before my visit to Band-e-Amir National Park, I suspected that a lot of the photos circulating online must have had their saturation heavily boosted. But now having seen the deep blue hue of
Today, the name Bamyan is most associated with the infamous destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan at the hands of the Taliban in 2001. While we will be discussing that incident below, we
A lot of people are shocked to first learn that Kabul Province used to be a predominantly Buddhist region. And though much of that ancient heritage has largely been lost, visitors can still
Kabul doesn’t have the best day trip options compared with other Afghan cities like Mazar-i-Sharif. But if you’d like to escape the city without going too far, choose the place most locals go:
Kabul is a bustling city of around 5 million people with millennia of history. Most people around the world, however, only associate the city’s name with war and terror. But, at the time
Located in western Pakistan – not far from the Afghan border – Takht Bhai is one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sites in the ancient Gandhara region. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage
Peshawar, the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with a population of nearly 2 million, sits at the edge of the Khyber Pass – the historic mountainous route connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan. The
Gilgit-Baltistan is Pakistan’s northernmost territory and is home to some of the world’s highest mountain ranges. Simply put, this is one of the most breathtaking places on the planet. And this Gilgit-Baltistan itinerary
Northern Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan territory is home to some of Asia’s most striking mountain scenery. And the Hunza Valley is one of the easiest places to experience its dramatic landscapes from up close. But
Passu may just be a small village, but it’s one of the most scenic sections of the Hunza Valley and of Gilgit-Baltistan as a whole. It’s known for its turquoise Hunza River and
There are a myriad of epic hikes in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. And the hike to the Rakaposhi Basecamp is gradually becoming considered a ‘must-do.’ With that said, given its remote location near the
Fairy Meadows is one of northern Pakistan’s most popular destinations. And as discussed in our ‘How to Get to Fairy Meadows’ guide, getting there is arguably the highlight of the whole experience. But
Fairy Meadows, located at around 3,500 m above sea level, is one of northern Pakistan’s most talked-about destinations. It’s the best place from which to view the Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain
Nestled in the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan at around 2,500 meters above sea level, Skardu is one of the world’s most breathtaking places. The city is surrounded by towering mountains of the Karakoram range,
Skardu’s Mansur Rock (confusingly also known as Marsur Rock) is one of Gilgit-Baltistan’s most photogenic natural formations. The arrow-shaped boulder juts dramatically into the sky, overlooking the Hussainabad Valley and Indus River. In
Skardu is one of the major towns of the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, a region that’s fast becoming recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful. There’s quite a lot to do around the area,
Located in the Salt Range of Punjab, roughly midway between Lahore and Islamabad (but slightly closer to the capital), Katas Raj is Pakistan’s most important Hindu pilgrimage site. For a country that’s 96%
Islamabad is Pakistan’s capital, though it ranks only tenth in population with just over a million residents. Unlike most South Asian cities, it’s a planned city built from scratch in the 1960s. Foreign
Taxila – a major center of the ancient Gandhara region – was arguably the most cosmopolitan city of the ancient world. It wasn’t just a place where east met west, but a space
Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, is home to the largest concentration of Mughal architecture in the country. Long the most prominent city of the Punjab region, it’s also regarded as Pakistan’s cultural capital. Nevertheless,
The Lahore Museum is Pakistan’s flagship museum. Founded in 1865 and housed in its present building since 1894, it features around 14,000 artifacts (out of roughly 60,000) on display which span millennia. While
The stunning Golden Temple, the spiritual heart of Sikhism, is typically what draws visitors to Amritsar, a city of 1.1 million people situated at the edge of the country. But there are a
Amritsar’s glistening Golden Temple is the spiritual heart of Sikhism, a religion with nearly 30 million adherents. But visitors of all faiths and nationalities are more than welcome. In the following guide, we’ll
Chandigarh isn’t quite like anywhere in India – a country equally known for its chaotic traffic and its fascinating historical sites. Chandigarh, India’s first planned city, has little of either. While it may
It’s the location of the huge battle at the climax of one of India’s great epics, the Mahabharata. And it’s the setting of the Bhagavad Gita, one of India’s most important sacred texts.
From the early 16th century to the mid-19th century, the Mughal Empire ruled much of South Asia. But it was under the reign of Shah Jahan that Delhi took center stage, remaining the
The Lodhi Art District is considered India’s first art district, transforming what was once a British-era residential neighborhood into an open-air gallery. First established in 2015, it remains the best place in Delhi
The National Museum of India, also commonly known as the ‘National Museum, New Delhi’ is generally considered to be India’s flagship museum (though Mumbai’s CSMVS Museum is another top contender). It’s home to
Perhaps because it was built from scratch to serve as the empire’s capital and would only stay so for fourteen years, Fatehpur Sikri remains the purest example of a Mughal city. Unlike Agra,
Vrindavan and Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh aren’t your typical tourist destinations. Said to be the birthplace and hometown of Krishna, the twin towns are religious pilgrimage spots where temple hopping
First established in the 5th century AD, Gwalior Fort has been held by a myriad of different rulers, including various Hindu dynasties, the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals, and briefly, the British. But for most, the
Most travelers know Agra for one main reason: the Taj Mahal. And for those with limited time, it’s common to check out the Taj and then quickly move on. Admittedly, that’s exactly what
As one of the world’s most iconic structures, it’s hard to say much more about the Taj Mahal that hasn’t already been said. But upon visiting the Taj Mahal in-person, you’ll quickly understand
It’s no secret why Rajasthan is one of India’s most touristic states. It’s home to some of the country’s most stunning architecture, not to mention beautiful lakes and desert landscapes. It also boasts
Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City,’ is Rajasthan’s largest and easily one of India’s most touristic. And for good reason. Its imposing forts, refined palaces, and scenic natural surroundings offer visitors with
After years of travel to far-off exotic destinations, I thought I’d seen just about everything. But there I was, walking amongst hundreds of rats at the Karni Mata Rat Temple, a place where
Knowing that it was a bit off the tourist trail, I arrived in Bikaner expecting a relatively laidback and sleepy town. But Bikaner, it turns out, is actually Rajasthan’s fourth-largest city. Be that
It would be hard to argue against Jaisalmer, Rajasthan being one of India’s most picturesque towns. But perhaps the small city has gotten too popular for its own good, with awful traffic and
Jaisalmer, situated at the western end of Rajasthan by the edge of the Thar Desert, has long been touted as one of India’s top hidden gems. Today, however, the secret is very much
Experiencing a Desert Safari is often touted as one of the can’t-miss experiences in Jaisalmer, if not Rajasthan as a whole. The tour consists of a jeep ride out to the Thar Desert,
With a population of around 1.6 million, Jodhpur may be Rajasthan’s second-largest city, but it’s also one of the state’s most charming. Known as the ‘Blue City’ thanks to its vibrant blue houses,
Rajasthan is perhaps India’s most colorful state, with Jaipur being dubbed the ‘Pink City,’ Udaipur the ‘White City,’ Jaisalmer the ‘Golden City,’ and Jodhpur the ‘Blue City.’ But in addition to the beautiful
Centered around a picturesque sacred lake, Rajasthan’s Pushkar holds the distinction of being the only place where Brahma – the Creator of the Universe himself – is actively worshipped in India. Accordingly, the
Founded in 1559 after the sacking of Chittorgarh by Mughal Emperor Akbar, Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s – and India’s – most scenic cities. Centered around five artificial lakes, it’s become a major tourist
A visit to Kumbalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Temple from Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s most essential day trips. In a single day, you can enjoy one of India’s most impressive fortresses and one of
In a country of over 1,000 surviving ancient fortresses, Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh holds the distinction of being India’s largest. So large, in fact, that it remains home to thousands of inhabitants. And its landmarks
Bundi, while not totally obscure, is still somewhat of a hidden gem in Rajasthan. It has everything that draws tourists to the state – a hilltop fortress, an ornately decorated palace, ancient cenotaphs,
Despite being the third-largest city in one of India’s most touristic states, Kota is almost entirely void of foreign tourists. But there’s more to it than first meets the eye. Given its status
Some of India’s most scenic traditional towns remain well off the backpacker trail, largely ignored by social media hype. Madhya Pradesh’s Maheshwar is one such town. And you can even think of it
Having spent a cumulative 1.5 years of my life in India, I’d have to say that Mandu is my favorite Indian town. That honor previously belonged to Jaisalmer, a place which has since
There’s nowhere else in India quite like Mandu. Having been to over a dozen Indian states, I can safely say that Mandu is my favorite town in the country. Largely developed from the
While Varanasi often steals the spotlight as India’s spiritual heart, the country is home to a plethora of holy cities that most outside of India have never heard of. Among them is Ujjain
Not many foreign travelers have Indore on their radars. But the city of 3.5 million – the largest in Madhya Pradesh – is the starting point for noteworthy towns like Ujjain, Maheshwar and
If there were any single archaeological site synonymous with the mighty emperor Ashoka, it would have to be Sanchi. The Great Sanchi Stupa was commissioned by the Maurya Emperor in the 3rd century
Located about 45 km southeast of Bhopal, the rock shelters of Bhimbetka are home to some of the world’s oldest rock art, with some dating as far back as 100,000 years! Rediscovered in
Bhopal may be a bustling city of nearly 3 million people and the state capital of Madhya Pradesh, but the few foreign tourists seem to visit. But not only is Bhopal the base
Mostly carved from the 2nd century BC to the 5th or 6th century AD, the Ajanta Caves are undoubtedly one of India’s most important Buddhist sites. While some caves are mainly known for
Carved between the 6th-12th centuries AD, Maharashtra’s Ellora Caves are hailed by many as an overlooked wonder of the world. The site is home to the spectacular Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), but over
Kailasa Temple is easily among the most stunning Hindu temples in India, and it arguably rivals Angkor Wat for the finest of them all. Like many temples, it features towers, multiple stories, and
Daulatabad Fort isn’t that well-known, and it hardly ever appears on lists of India’s top forts. But it’s arguably one of the country’s most enjoyable forts to visit. While it lacks the grandeur