October Travel Guide: Best Destinations to Visit & Top Things to Do in India in October
Last Updated: 07 Mar, 2023 By Nidhi Singh
The month of October lets us greet a greener India and brings forth a number of festivals. For this matter, we can even call October as the mother of all months for a perfect vacation in India. Marking the commencement of the autumn season, October will give you the chance to witness the pristine beauty of nature and be a part of several fairs and festivals. It is during this month when you can travel to places that exhibit the true colours of the fall which includes the exploration of otherwise sweltering South India and Rajasthan and the mesmerising Northeast India that bounce back from the downpour of the monsoon season.
Planning a perfect holiday during October will let you witness vibrant and rich festivals, reconnect with serene nature, indulge in adventure activities, explore the rich culture and fascinating heritage of incredible India. No matter what kind of holiday experience you are looking for, you will get an opportunity to collect memories to cherish for a lifetime. Right from the grand celebration of Navratri to indulging in the best adventure experience, from delving into the rich folk culture of Rajasthan to witness the UNESCO World Heritage Site Like Hampi, you will be able to explore the beauty of India at its best.
Other places to visit during October will let you witness the amazing wildlife. Yes, if you are a wildlife lover, October is the month when you can go wild in the deep and dark Sundarbans or witness the rich flora and fauna at Bandhavgarh National Park. Also, the amazing weather of October invites you to take a tour of the fascinating places of heritage, rich historical sites, archaeological sites, pilgrimage destinations that are there across the country. Besides, if none of this matches your level of interest, you can head to the mountains either for an impeccable trekking experience or simply admiring the beauty of the hill stations.
Recommended Tours
For Adventure & Trekking Experiences
Paragliding is one of the most exhilarating things to do in October and where better it can be than Bir Billing and why not after all it is the world’s second highest paragliding spot. Camping and trekking can also be enjoyed during October with the most famous of them being Tarsar Marsar, Beas Kund, Har Ki Dun, Kedarkantha, Buran Ghati, Gaumukh-Tapovan, Goechala, Dayara Bugyal. To get an altogether different and unique experience one can head to Meghalaya for Cave exploration. Fire up your adrenaline rush, feel the thrill with river rafting in Rishikesh.
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For Cultural Tourism
The foremost festival celebrated in the month of October in India is Navratri which is also called Durga Puja. The festival is held in honour of the divine feminine which occurs for nine-long days. Showcasing a vibrant fiesta, the festival is celebrated with much pomp and fervour where people follow a religious fasting regime. However, to witness the true colours of the festival tourists can head to West Bengal (Kolkata is a must-visit) and Gujarat where people get highly engrossed in enthralling Dandiya & Garba dances to worship Goddess Durga.
Dussehra is celebrated Pan India when burning of effigies of the Demon King Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath takes place. Of all the destinations, Kullu is well known for Dussehra celebration when the people carry the idol of Lord Raghunath on a palanquin and move ahead in the procession along with folk dances. Mysore Dussehra is yet another popular festival to witness during October.
The other important festival which is mostly celebrated in this month is Diwali (festival of lights) that carries an air of togetherness across India. Art and Culture lovers have a lot to celebrate as this is the month for the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. The international cultural gig showcases Rajasthani traditional folk dances, music, and artwork. Marwar Festival is also known as the Maand Festival is where one can witness the true colours of courage. With traditional forms of dance and music, the festival reflects passion and gallantry of the Rajasthani rulers. Dzukou Valley Festival at the border of Nagaland and Manipur and Tawang Festival is Arunachal are the two festivals that promote the adventure tourism and the culture of the states.
For Exploring Rich Wildlife
Marking the end of the rainy season, October open the doors for the wildlife enthusiasts. It is during this time when it becomes easier for the tourists to indulge in a number of activities like wildlife safaris, bird watching, exploring a variety of flora and fauna and more. Home to the largest number of Royal Bengal Tigers and the world’s largest coastal mangrove forest, Sundarbans will let one get the best experience deep in the dark and wild. Also, the sea here is alive during this season which gives an opportunity to spot various kind of fishes and other aquatic animals. Heading to Bandhavgarh National Park will let one indulge in jeep safari which as the higher possibility of spotting tigers and other animals like wild boars, antelopes, barking deer and more. For birdwatching, tourists can head to Keoladeo National Park and for witnessing the unique one-horned rhinoceros, one can plan a trip to Kaziranga National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Besides, Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan; Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand; Kanha National Park, Pench National Park, Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh and Bandipur National Park in Karnataka are some of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India that can be visited during October.
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For Planning a Honeymoon of a Lifetime
October gives the opportunity for a romantic vacation with your partner. With soothing sunny weather, chilly breeze, blue sky, October makes a perfect romantic setting for a blissful honeymoon in India. The not-to-miss romantic destinations in India include the astonishing land of Andaman; the lush green Munnar; the blue city Jodhpur; the city of lakes Udaipur; the land of wild Ranthambore; the ant hillock Halflong; the breathtaking valley Ziro; the land of sun, sand and sea Goa.
For Exploring Popular Historical Sites
As the weather is in complete favour during October, it is the perfect time to go exploring the historical sites in India. Taking the Golden Triangle Tour will cover the cities like Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Visit the beautiful sights like Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi then moving towards Agra witness the Mughal art and architecture like the Taj Mahal, the Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Heading to Jaipur visit Hawa Mahal, Amber Palace and City Palace. Towards the South of India, explore the excellence of architecture by visiting Mysore Palace and the ruins of Hampi (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Karnataka. Witness the cave temples, stone carved sculptures, and monuments in Mahabalipuram and Tamil Nadu. Also, the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park in Gujarat which showcases the influence of Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism on the art and architecture.
For a Spiritual Getaway
Pilgrimage tour in India can be done all throughout the year but the reason to visit it during October is the amazing weather. It is in the month of October when one can visit the pilgrimage destinations in India without getting hassled. October being the last month of the Char Dham Yatra in North India, one can head to seek blessings at the four shrines i.e., Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Also, pilgrims can visit Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura and Varanasi, Amritsar for Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer in the month of October. Moving to South India for a spiritual tour, most of the pilgrimage destinations are located in Tamil Nadu like Kanyakumari, Kanchipuram, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur, Thiruvannamalai and Madurai. In Andhra Pradesh, one can head to seek blessings of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy at Tirupati.
Recommended Tours
For Best Beach Holiday Experience
Right after the downpour of the monsoon, enjoying a beach vacation is something that sounds exciting and refreshing. The warm sun rays falling straight on the sea bed and the glittering sand covering the entire beach is just so soothing and relaxing. What can be a better place than Goa that has a number of beaches letting the travellers unwind and enjoy the stillness of nature! The must-visit beaches in Goa include Arambol, Morjim, Vagator, Baga, Palolem, Anjuna, Calangute and Sinquerim Baga, Morjim, Anjuna, Arambol, Vagator, Palolem, Calangute and more. The beaches of Havelock Island in Andaman are no less when it comes to tranquil beauty and offering the tourists a number of water sport activities. Of all, visiting Elephanta Beach will be a delightful experience. With lush greenery all around, Kerala is home to some of the best beaches that are relatively calm and quiet. This includes Muzhappilangad Beach and Marari Beach. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka too have the gorgeous beaches namely Dhanushkodi Beach and Gokarna Beach which is great for those who seek solitude and peace.
Recommended Travel Tips
- Carry the first-aid box with necessary medicine like Diamox (medicine for altitude sickness) when trekking.
- Carry sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and a hat when planning to holiday in beach destinations.
- Do not forget to try the local cuisine when holidaying in any tourist destination.
Published: 03 Jan, 2020By Nidhi Singh
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