Besides the captivating white marbled Taj Mahal and the richly adorned camels of the Thar desert, India has many adventures in store for the visitor.
For starters, think white water rafting, skiing and hang-gliding. The Himalayan region has many silvery streams and lakes - from the state of Himachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir.
With the mountainous area, coasting through the rapids while white water rafting or kayaking guarantees an exciting time.
The coasts along the west, east and south of the country also allow for a wide variety of other water sports such as scuba diving, snorkelling and yachting.
Sailing is also available in Mumbai, Goa and the lakes around Pune at the west coast. The best months for these
water sports are from October to March.
For those who prefer to remain on land, India also offers skiing in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Jammu and Kashmir.
But why be limited to the ground? Imagine the view as you float through the clouds hundreds of metres from the ground - India has opportunities for both hang-gliding and para-gliding.
With excellent facilities at Kangra, Dasauli, Kashmir and the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu, you can experience the excitement of soaring through the air, or choose to enjoy the breathtaking view in a hot-air balloon.
Skydiving is also an option - you can choose from an exciting free-falling plunge, or creative forms of "sky-surfing".
For the animal lover, Indiaholds abundant opportunities for wildlife tourism, with more than 70 national parks and about 400 wildlife sanctuaries.
Of these, 24 reserves are for the tiger, India's national animal. What better way to view animals than on an animal?
The Elephant Safari in Corbett National Park in the state of Uttaranchal, allows one to romp through the bamboo forests on an elephant, while watching other herds of elephants in close quarters.
India also provides a myriad of delicacies for the food lover. Although Indian cuisine differs according to the different regions of the country, they all are united in their unique and strong flavours, derived from spices and
seasonings. Indian food also boasts nutritious ingredients such as leafy vegetables, grains, fruits, and legumes.
The seafood at Kerala, in the south, is worth checking out.
There, you can relax on a houseboat or visit Fort Cochin, a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the backwaters, and tantalise your taste buds with the cheap, fresh seafood - prepared without chilli for those who don't like spicy food.
This article was first published in The New Paper on August 1, 2008.
