25 Astounding Places to Visit in India With Friends

Taking a trip with your best friends can be a vibrant, happy experience, full of laughter and fun, no matter what the location. Even so, a good backdrop can add even more colour and excitement to your vacation. If you are planning a trip with your best buddies any time soon, read our list of the top places to visit in India with friends for an amazing holiday.

Places To Visit In India With Friends

1. Manali

Manali, a high altitude town in Himachal Pradesh, is situated on the banks of the Beas River. It is famous for its picturesque mountains that attract a lot of young crowd.
In Manali, you can enjoy skiing in Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. Go paragliding and rafting in the Pir Panjal mountains. Or do some backpacking in the hill station.

• Things to do: Paragliding, rappelling, trekking, wildlife spotting in the Great Himalayan National Park, river rafting, zorbing, quad biking
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Manali 

2. Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a city in Uttarakhand beside the River Ganges, which is considered to be a holy river. You and your friends can have a great river rafting experience in Rishikesh, along with river side camping and bonfires.

Enjoy the night outdoors with friends by stargazing amidst mesmerizingly beautiful surroundings.

• Things to do: River rafting, riverside camping, bungee jumping, flying fox
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Rishikesh

3. Chadar Trek

One of the best and most thrilling experiences that Ladakh has on offer is the Chadar Trek. The trek route is over a 100 kilometres long and takes many days. It’s a great way to bond with your friends over a shared love of adventure.

This is a once in a lifetime experience, and what better way to experience it than with people you love.

4. Andaman and Nicobar

With a group of 572 islands, Andamans is a dream destination for everyone. The waters of Andaman have a lot to offer, from beautiful coral reefs to exotic fish, submerged boats, kaleidoscopic ocean life and much more.

Experience the peace and calm of the ocean as you explore its beautiful life within when you go diving here. It’s a great adventure place to enjoy with a close-knit group of friends.

• Things To Do: Scuba diving, snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, boating, trekking.

5. Pangong Lake

Pangong Lake, situated at a height of 4350 metres in the Himalayas, is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ladakh. This lake is famous for its beauty and allure – it keeps changing colours.

This spot is a favourite for budding photographers and the backdrop makes for fantastic group pictures with your best buddies. Don’t visit during the winter as the lake will be frozen. You and your friends can also enjoy bird watching as several species of migratory birds visit this lake.

• Things To Do: Scooty ride near Pangong, ATV ride and camel safari in Nubra, river rafting in Zanskar

6. Mount Abu

Mount Abu, situated on a high rocky plateau in the Aravalli Range, is a hill station in Rajasthan. With a very cool climate and surrounded by forest, this place has a serene view.

Famous tourist attractions are Nakki Lake, Guru Shikhar, Dilwara Temple and Achalgarh Fort. At Mount Abu, you and your pals can participate in adventure sports such as trekking and rock climbing. This is a great place for camping in the forest as well.

• Things To Do: Rock climbing, helicopter rides, camping, trekking, boating.

7. Goa

Goa is a state in western India with a long stretch of coastline along the Arabian Sea. It is famous for its beaches that include Baga Beach, Palolem Beach, Anjuna Beach and others.

Goa is a great place to party with friends, whether having a fun day by the sea or hitting the pubs and clubs to dance the night away. There are also many sites worth exploring in Goa such as churches, museums and forts.

• Things To Do: Watersports, fishing, nightlife, dolphin tours, cruising, island hopping, long walks, Flyboarding
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Goa 

8. Gokarna

Gokarna, also known as ‘mini-goa’, has some of the best beaches, often less crowded when compared to Goa. It is well known for its sprawling, gorgeous beaches, with crystal clear waters, swaying coconut trees and pristine sands.

Some of the famous beaches that you can visit here with your buddies are Om Beach, Gokarna Beach and Kudle Beach.

• Things To Do: Beach trekking, watersports, shopping, yoga, camping with bonfire, Ayurvedic massages, village tours.

9. Hampi

Hampi is a temple town located amidst the ruins of Vijayanagara, Karnataka. This collection of ancient Hindu temples sums up the rich cultural and religious heritage of the region.

Hampi is a treat to explore with near and dear ones, visiting the temples, ancient ruins and enjoying the hippie culture made popular by the visitors from around the world who visit this laid back holiday spot.

• Things To Do: Rowing coracles, biking, bathing with elephants, cliff jumping, scaling paddy fields

10. Pondicherry

Pondicherry, fondly referred to as ‘Pondy’, has a lot to offer groups of friends. Explore the beautiful town filled with French influences in architecture and food. You get to see awesome colonial buildings, churches, temples, and statues.

There are also amazing beaches here. Pondy is famous for its delicious food, especially authentic French cuisine. However, you can also sample the Indian, Italian, Mexican, Thai and Chinese fare, too.

• Things To Do: Scuba diving, boating, water sports, sunbathing, bicycle tours, explore the nightlife, visit the Auroville Village.
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Pondicherry 

11. Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is a desert mountain valley located in between Tibet and India. It is often called ‘Little Tibet’ and lies in the north part of Himachal Pradesh.

The major attractions here are the Dhandhar Lake and Lalung Lake. This place has magnificent views with snow clad mountains. It’s a great place to experience the sheer beauty of nature.

• Things To Do: Star gazing, fossil hunting, camping, visit to Dhandar Lake, visit a monastery

12. Kuari Pass Trek

If you and your friends are interested in trekking, the Kuari Pass trek is the best Himalayan Trek for beginners. It is a moderate trek through the ancient forest trails. The trek is very doable and provides sweeping views of the forests.

Go here in a group and camp in the heart of the forest – it is an experience like no other that will bring your friends group together.

• Things To Do: Camping, trekking

13. Nainital

Nainital is popularly known as the ‘Lake District of India’. One of the best things to do here is to hike or go by horseback to the top of Naina Peak, the highest point.

Here, your friends group can see stunning views of the Himalayas. This place is blessed with scenic views and an excellent climate.

• Things To Do: Boating. Tiffin Top view, bird sanctuary, national park, shop at Bara Bazaar

14. Shimla

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is an ideal destination for friends and couples. It is situated at a height of 2,276 metres between the beautiful snowy mountains and dense forest.

Shimla is famous for its toy train, Mall Road and the ridge. Its climate and scenic beauty will leave any tourists overwhelmed. It is surrounded by pine, deodar and oak forests and mostly visited during the summer season.

• Things To Do: Toy train, shopping at Lakkar Bazar, ice skating, rafting
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Shimla 

15. Kasol

Kasol is a town in Himachal Pradesh situated on the banks of the Parvati River. Kasol is one of the greatest tourist places for youngsters, attracting scores of young people every year.

Known as the ‘Amsterdam of India’, this place has some amazing views and offers a range of adventure sports such as trekking and camping. Do not miss a visit to Malana, a small village located a few kilometres from Kasol.

• Things To Do: Trekking, Israeli food, camping
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Kasol 

16. Lonavala

Surrounded by green valleys, Lonavala is a popular hill station near Mumbai. It is best experienced when visited during the monsoon season. Lonavala is frequented by different types of travellers, especially hikers and trekkers.

If you want to admire and enjoy nature in the company of your friends, Lonavala is a great place with greenery, dams, waterfalls and lakes to explore.

• Things To Do: River rafting, Rajmachi point view, camping, Lions point, Bhaja caves, Adventure Sports
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Lonavala

17. Rann of Kutch

The largest salt desert in the world, Rann of Kutch is a shallow wetland covered with marshy salt flats. It is a home to a wide range of flora and fauna and also has many migratory birds visiting due its diverse climate.

This place has a three-month-long annual festival called Rann Utsav that attracts a lot of tourists. There are also famous ancient temples here you and your friends can visit.

Things To Do: Mandvi beach, Kutch Museum, Aina Mahal, wildlife sanctuaries, camel rides

18. Sikkim

Sikkim, a state in the north eastern part of India, has stunning landscapes and one of the highest mountains, Kanchenjunga. It is also a home for different varieties of wildflowers and glaciers. It’s a heaven for adventure enthusiasts and naturalists.

The best time to visit Sikkim is during the summer. For those looking to recharge their batteries in good company and great scenery, this place is a must visit.

• Things To Do: Rafting, yack safari, cable car ride, paragliding, hot springs

19. Darjeeling

Darjeeling, popularly known as the ‘Queen of Hills’ is located at a height of 2,050 meters above sea level. Here you will find lush gardens and green tea plantations. It is a perfect weekend getaway for groups and just 700 kilometres away from Kolkota.

Darjeeling is known for its picturesque views and delicious Tibetian cuisine. Do not miss trying the locally brewed tea at tea estates.

• Things To Do: White river rafting, trekking, eat thukpas and momos, toy train, shopping

20. Coorg

Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a hill station in Karnataka with a beautiful backdrop of blue mountains and waterfalls. One of the nicest trekking spots, Coorg is famously known as ‘Scotland of India’.

Sip on some delicious coffee with your mates here. The major attractions are the Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls and Omkareshwara Temple.

• Things To Do: Elephant Training Camp, Nalknad Palace, Madikeri Fort, Nisargadhama
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Coorg 

21. Munnar

Munnar is well known for its serene beauty. In Munnar you can walk amidst the tea plantations and learn how tea is made in the factory. Or explore it by bicycle on a tour with your friends.

Being a hill station, Munnar also provides trekking for more outdoorsy people. Due to its pleasant climate, Munnar remains an ideal destination to visit throughout the year.

Things to Do: Treehouse, camping, trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, shikara ride, visit a tea plantation.

Where to Stay :  Hotels in Munnar

22. Ooty

Queen of Nilgiri, Ooty calls every mountain lover. Anyone who visits Ooty gets to feel at one with its laid back culture.

The cool weather and beautiful surroundings makes Ooty one of the top places to visit with friends. Head with your pals to the botanical garden and rose garden for a relaxing day out.

• Things to Do: Trekking, toy train, speed boat, sip tea, extract honey, camping, nightlife
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Ooty 

23. Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep gets its name from the sanskrit word ‘lakshadwipa’ (one hundred thousand islands). Here you will find crystal clear water, clean sandy beaches and exotic palm trees.

This makes it one of the best holiday destinations in India. Apart from breathtaking views, Lakshadweep also has amazing water sports to offer. You and your friends can participate in scuba diving, snorkelling, parasailing, fishing and water skiing.

• Things to Do: Scuba diving, canoeing, kite surfing, fishing, sunbathing

24. Alleppey

If you wondering where to go this weekend with your friends to take a break from hectic city life, then Alleppey is your destination of choice. Alleppey is one of the finest tourist places in India.

The picturesque beauty sweeps you off the floor. It is the third cleanest city in India. Do not miss the snake boat races held during August every year.

• Things to Do: Bird-watching, spa, houseboat stay, snake boat ride, campfire
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Alleppey

25. Hampta Pass Trek

Hampta Pass Trek is an ideal destination for all the mountain lovers out there. The trekking here is at moderate level, making it easy for beginners and newbies.

The maximum height goes to about 14,000 feet. The beautiful Hampta River serves as a bridge to the locals to reach Lahaul and Spiti Valley. This place offers some splendid landscapes to view.

• Things to Do: Trekking, camping at Lahaul Valley

Now that you know all the amazing tourist places to visit along with your friends, you can plan your next group adventure.