Here’s where all kinds of tourists can now travel in India

As unlocking has begun worldwide, travel restrictions have been lifted from various states in India as well. With the new norms of travelling and following the SOPs, you can now plan to pack your bags and hit the roads.

For mountain lovers

Shimla sunset cityscape, Himachal Pradesh
Aerial View; Architecture; Building Exterior; Built Structure; City; City Life; Cityscape; Clear Sky; Cold Temperature; Color Image; Crowded; Day; Deep Snow; Flickr; Himachal Pradesh; Horizontal; India; Mountain; No People; Outdoors; Photography; Shimla; Snow; Snowcapped Mountain; Sunset; Town; Travel Destinations; Tree; — Shimla sunset cityscape, Himachal Pradesh ©Himanshu Khagta/Getty Images

You can now head to Himachal Pradesh as the state has ended the mandatory e-pass and registration process. Apparently, tourists were allowed to enter the state with a valid e-pass and a COVID-19 negative test report until this new update was made by the state government on Tuesday.

Ski field at Solang Valley with a bird flying overhead. ©Tarun Chopra/Getty Images

Even though this comes as a relief for many who have been longing to be amidst the mountains, the state is continuously seeing a steep hike in the positive coronavirus cases. Watching the trend, the government has decided to not resume the inter-state public transport buses as of now.

Spiti River in the Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh. The high altitude desert in the Himalayas' lack of rain and snow melt, causes erosion and presents a startling landscape. — A river running through the arid mountains of the Spiti Valley in the north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh. ©Abhey Singh/Getty Images

Tourism contributes to the major part of the state’s economy yet the Spiti Tourism Society has decided to not allow any visitors specifically till 31st October 2020. With the cold desert landscape on a very high altitude, the Spiti Tourism Society beliefs to manage an outbreak in such conditions during winters with underdeveloped infrastructure will be difficult.

For wildlife enthusiasts

A tiger swims through a waterhole, seemingly unaware of the photographer, Tadoba National Park — Tigress swimming through a watering hole in Tadoba National Park © Philip Lee Harvey / Lonely Planet

With a limited number of tourists per vehicle for the safari, you can visit the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra starting 1st of October, 2020. The re-opening still needs approval from the local administration.in case the spread of virus sees rapid growth, the authorities may bar it again.

Potrait of a Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) perching on a tree branch ©AnantAgarwal/Getty Images

There’s good news for Delhi residents too as they can tour around the Okhla Bird Sanctuary for bird watching which re-opens on 15th September 2020. There are new rules to keep in mind to prevent the spread of coronavirus. You’ll definitely be treated with new highlights of high-resolution 360-degree cameras and much more in the sanctuary.

In front of Nandi (Siva's bull), on side of Chamundi Hill - Mysore, Karnataka ©Eddie Gerald/Lonely Planet

The very famous Nandi Hills at a few kilometres from Bengaluru in Karnataka too has reopened for travellers on 7th September 2020. The first week saw a footfall of nearly 15, 000 tourists and number are only to increase.

For sea lovers

Woman doing a Virabhadrasana stance while practising Hatha yoga on a beach during sunset. ©Dmitry Rukhlenko/Shutterstock

God’s own country- Kerala is planning to open its border for everyone in early October this year. As in the past, tourism has grossly added to the state’s GDP, the tourism department has come up with plans and focus on the safety measures in executing the same.

Caucasian woman having Ayurveda shirodhara treatment in India ©Dmytro Gilitukha/Shutterstock

As the announcement comes as a respite for tourism stakeholders, everyone waits for a confirmed date. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Co-Operation, Tourism and Devaswom was quoted as saying, "The plan includes highlighting the importance of wellness and ayurveda for immunity. The file has been presented to the chief minister and health department for their advice.”

You might also like: Checking in a hotel post-COVID: Reimagining hospitality Workstation holidays in times of COVID Road trip to a safe holiday destination

India Homepage: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/en-in