28 states and 8 union territories. There’s a lot the country has to offer for travelers from coffee farms, historic sites, the stunning Taj Mahal, crowded bustling cities, wellness getaways, tiger safaris and more. Here’s a guide to help you plan the best stays across India so your clients can explore the diversity the country has to offer at its best.

Swastik Luxury Wellbeing Sanctuary, Pune
Wellness is now at the forefront of many trips and India is the home of ayurveda and holistic wellness. Swastik Luxury Wellbeing Sanctuary is helmed by Dr Rajesh Srinivas Bali and is set in luxury for evidence based therapies. The property is also a IGBC platinum certified property. The rooms are designed like the womb of mothers to take wellness seekers back to their primitive habitat before birth and make them experience being a child again. After going to Swastik Luxury Wellbeing Sanctuary you come back a new person. The property is located between Mumbai and Lonavala. The food at Swastik is prepared using farm fresh ingredients. Special chefs who are trained in ayurveda and nutrition prepare the food based on individual nutrition needs of each wellness seeker. The property also hosts cow feeding and meditation sessions regularly to boost your rhythm for life.

Evolve Back, Hampi
Evolve Back has numerous properties across Karnataka and one of their historic properties is located in Hampi, around a 5 hours drive from Bangalore airport. Hampi is the heart of the Vijayanagara empire and while staying here, you can go on several historic trails, see monuments from ages ago and explore the grandeur of the historic empire. Evolve Back Hampi also offers great food, storytelling sessions and experiences in house. A 3 day trip to Hampi is sufficient to explore the area. The property also has luxurious rooms with jeep excursions across the historic sites. Their suite rooms come with private pools too. Evolve Back also has other properties in Karnataka in Coorg, the coffee capital of India and Kabini, a leading destination for tiger safaris.

Dhyana Farms, Ellora
Ajanta and Ellora are historic sites in India built between 7th to 2nd century BCE. The sites are also marked UNESCO world heritage sites. To understand the marvelous history of Ajanta and Ellora, you can plan a stay at Dhyana Farms – a luxury farm stay in the heart of Ellora, just 15 minutes away from the historic site. Since this is the closest property to Ellora, you get early access and beat the crowds. Also, since the property is a farm stay you can enjoy farm cooked fresh food. Dhyana Farms runs on 100% solar power and boosts sustainability through various conservation efforts. As a first time traveller, a sneak peek into Ajanta and Ellora will give you great insights about the history of India.

Pugdundee Safaris, Madhya Pradesh
Pugdundee Resorts are located across Madhya Pradesh, the tiger capital of India. They have various locations within Madhya Pradesh – Satpura, Kanha, Pench, Panna and Tadoba. The resorts have jeep safaris to spot tigers and they boast some of the best naturalists in India trained at their very own naturalist training program. Pugdundee Safaris boasts great sustainability initiatives and support travelers to coexist with wildlife and nature around them. The experience is luxurious, curated and niche. For all tiger lovers, it’s a must have trip to Madhya Pradesh with Pugdundee Safaris. If you haven’t seen a tiger yet, let me tell you it’s addicting. To see a tiger, watch it move, capture it on camera and look it in the eye. The first time I ever saw a tiger was in Satpura, head on and it left me mesmerized and wanting more.

Baia Villas, Goa
Baia Villas is located in Mandrem, Goa and has a unique color scheme of pink and turquoise blue. The villa has a private pool and the design is all heart. Baia Villas is created and managed by Tellado Hospitality, helmed by Nandini Agarwal. Goa is a must visit destination for every first time explorer. The beaches, cafés, art walls, carnivals and clubs are set to make you feel more free. There’s also meditation classes, dance lessons, cacao ceremonies and other experiences for travelers to Goa. Baia can be your own private home while you experience Goa. If you are traveling with family, Baia has 3 and 4 bedroom villas that you can book. The villas also come with a private chef on demand. Goa is the land of hippies and is a must visit for first time travelers to India.

La Villa Bethany, Landour
La Villa Bethany is a luxurious homestay located in the heart of Uttarakhand, in Landour. Landour is one of the only places in the world from where you can see the Winterline – a clear line demarcating the sky during winters. The homestay has an interesting concept of community dining where all travelers come together, share stories and a sense of community is created amongst them. The owners of the homes Sunita and Amarjeet Kudle take great interest in the storytelling too. Sunita shares numerous stories about the history of Landour, a place which has slowly become her home in the hills. Various travelers enroll in language school and stay for over 6 months here too. There’s a lot to do in Landour, especially learn about slow and mindful living.

These properties are great for a first time traveller, to understand India from a niche, local perspective. There’s much more to India than this too however it would take several trips, maybe even a few lifetimes to see it all!