Those who say you should travel while you are young and thriving opine that you never know what life will bring at some point. Better to do what you want today than regret it later. If this is also the philosophy you follow, it makes sense to make a bucket list of the places you plan to visit before you turn 40. You must visit India’s destinations before old age strikes. Here are some of the best ones.

Agra

Agra is a city which offers a glimpse into a beautiful era. Numerous monuments dotted around Agra reflect the city's rich history. This city is located on the Yamuna riverbank in the western part of Uttar Pradesh. Even though the Taj Mahal is a wonderful attraction that draws people from around the world to Agra, it is not an attraction that stands alone.

Delhi

Delhi, the capital of India is one of the perfect cities to enjoy the best of Indian culture. It is a city filled with must see landmarks, charm and numerous other best places to visit in Delhi. It is a clean, neat and tidy city with wide roads.

However, the beauty of the city often gets hidden behind the awful traffic jams and exhausting climate, especially during the summer season. But despite all these factors, the city welcomes the travellers with some scenic views and deep history. There are many cultural attractions that depict Indian traditions and customs.

Jaipur

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, India’s largest state, was built by Sawaji Jai Singh in the 18th century. Located 268 Km away from New Delhi, it is a major tourist destination that forms an important part of the famous Golden Triangle tourist circuit. The chaotic, colorful streets of Jaipur present a recurrent pattern of new and old. The city, encircled by besieged walls and rugged hills, is full of well-preserved historical buildings and royal heritage. It forms a part of the Golden Triangle Tours Circuit, with its wide roads dotted with majestic statues and its impressive palaces.

Jodhpur

Another famous name of Jodhpur city is “Gateway of Thar” due to its proximity with the Thar Desert situated on its north-western side. The royal city of Jodhpur is a majestic place not only for experiencing the royal culture and tradition of Rajasthan but also to come alive with the world-famous Desert Festival celebration that takes place in December month of every year. Renowned folk artists and singers come together and create a life-like enthusiasm in the 5 days celebration where food, drinks, music, dance all dipped in the true ethnicity of Rajasthan makes its attendees feel proud of their choice.

Ladakh

Ladakh, the erstwhile Buddhist kingdom is spectacularly jagged. Arid mountains, dramatically crowned rocky outcrops, picturesque gompas, meditational mani walls, and multi-hued flags are a few of the many sites that exemplify the beauty of Ladakh. The well-balanced traditional society of Ladakh has much to offer the West in terms of ecological awareness. Ladakh is a magnificent and unexplored wonderland of the Himalayas. It is one place that is considered as a heaven by everyone who is on a lookout to satiate their indomitable love for adventure. Besides trekking in Ladakh, you can indulge in a series of adventure sports such as biking, water rafting, safaris, etc. Also known as the ‘Land of Passes, Ladakh forms an alluring part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India.

Manali

Nestled in the mighty Himalayas, Manali has an abundance of spectacular valleys filled with forests of oak, fir, deodar and pine. It is a full package of nature, food, adventure sports and ancient heritages. Splashing river Beas flows proudly amidst the valley. A lot of gushing waterfalls like Jogni falls and Rahala fall flush out of haphazardly placed rocks. You can also catch sights of sprawling meadows, terraced farming and fruit orchards. All these sights adds up to making the town look breathtakingly beautiful. Manali also shares a piece of history, giving it ancient heritages which has splendid architecture and stunning views. Religious devotees come here to pay their tribute to the temples like Hadimba, Manu and Shiv temple. Whereas history lovers go to old forts like Nagger and Kuthar.

Mumbai

Mumbai, the city of dreams. Mumbai, the city that never sleeps. Mumbai, the old world charm and fast pace of the modern life. There is so much that one can say in the praise of the one city in India that everyone wants to visit at least once in their life. That maybe because of the grandeur of this city or because of the history it has seen. Nonetheless, this city has a lot in store for everyone who visits. The USP of places to visit in Mumbai is that they are all iconic and all you need is a picture to recognize them that is the charm of this city. Some places here are pieces of history, some are spiritual hotspots, and others are mesmerizing places to relax, chill or munch on the famous streets of Mumbai, like the ever famous Chow patty Beach.

Amritsar

Amritsar is the holiest city for Sikhs not only in India but all over the world. The name of the city is derived from the holy pool that surrounds the famous Golden Temple of this city, which means “the holy pool of nectar”.

The famous Wagah Border ceremony can also be witnessed when you are in Amritsar, as the border between India and Pakistan runs through the area. One of the most attractive features of the city is its food, with local stalls selling delicacies that are on par with any good restaurant in the country. The best time to visit Amritsar is between November and March when you can avoid the scorching summers and the wet monsoons.

Chennai

Buzzing streets, stunning heritage temples, shopping arcades, and striking beaches are the elements that certainly allure travel enthusiasts to visit Chennai. Located on the coast of Southeastern India, Chennai is one of the biggest cities in Tamil Nadu. It is also home to thriving technology, which makes it one of the largest IT parks in Asia. With Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram in its vicinity, it is pacing up as the cultural hub of India. This city has truly preserved its charisma all through its journey of becoming Chennai from Madras. Chennai is widely recognized for its bold flavors, warm hospitality, and colorful culture that never fails to impress the travelers.

Varanasi

Varanasi, a city that oozes charm and mesmerizing beauty, is amongst the holiest cities in India and arguably in the world. With a massive number of temples, shrines, and ghats, for anyone who seeks the blessings of the almighty, Varanasi, should be at the top of their priority list. Known as Lord Shiva’s City, this majestic place has a distinct essence in its soothing surroundings, which would certainly leave any visitor spell bounded. Many people from all over India visit the shores of the pious Ganges River and take a holy bath, which is believed to banish all the sins from the body and soul.