Home to over one billion people, India's cities are landscapes of their own. This is my account of arriving early morning into West Bengal's capital, Kolkata.

Vintage yellow cabbies line the airport terminals, welcoming you to join the migration of those emerging from the sprawling delta regions. A half hour drive will take you past progressions of farmers carrying chickens on both sides of their mopeds, alongside those balancing cauldrons of fresh milk en route to serve the awakening city with their morning chai. This tea habit can be enjoyed by stopping at a roadside stall, locally known as a dhaba. Each chai cup "bhar" is handmade using mud from the Ganges; remnants of these cups can be found all over, waiting to be swept up and dumped back in the river for one of natures own recycling projects. Have this chai along with a morning snack such as kachori or some pakoras.

Edging closer to the city, cars meander through the hectic streets, with the bright taxis bringing flashes of yellow to many forgotten colonial buildings. Spend your days visiting museums filled with antiques including Mughal paintings, or at the Victoria memorial which reflects on times of the British Raj, and then retreat to the wild botanical garden, home to the Great Banyan Tree.    

Come evening, the city's mosques and other holy sites become social hubs. Harmoniums and tablas accompany singers in filling shrines with songs of love and loss. Sit with locals below clouds of pipe smoke, bringing your busy day to a hazy end.

Darjeeling is just one of many towns that are situated in the foothills of the impressive Himalayan mountain range, sprawling the north of India. The city overlooks some of these mountain giants including Mount Everest, one of the seven natural wonders. Following a stay in Kolkata, Darjeeling makes a great next stop to witness this incredible scenery. 

Embark on an overnight train ride from the infamous Howrah station in Kolkata to the North Eastern station of Siliguri, alternatively fly to Bagdogra. As you ascend the 65km drive, your senses will be heightened with the sight of elephants plodding along the street, and as you climb higher you'll be filled with smells of the fresh mountain air. The presence of thick-furred street dogs indicates a drop in temperature, relieving you from the heat below. Family run restaurants along this route reveal a gradual change in cuisine, bringing Nepalese and Tibetan dishes such as momo onto the menu.

Upon reaching the top you'll want to find the best spot to see the Himalayas. For a breathtaking view, head to Tiger Hill, a UNESCO world heritage site with panoramic views of both Everest and Kangchenjunga. Get here early to see the sunrise cover the Himilayas with a golden glow.

Dense clouds can mask these sights in monsoon months, but life in this blanket of persistent cloud is itself a unique experience. This is especially the case when exploring Mahakal, a Hindu temple drenched with prayer flags and prayer wheels. Macaque monkeys emerge from tall oak and coniferous larch trees that surround this holy site; the white cloud backdrop providing a truly mystical viewing.

A visit to Glenary's Bakery will complete your Darjeeling experience, where some of their delicious pastries pose serious competition against the infamous Darjeeling tea.

The Thar is one of the worlds largest deserts, forming a natural boundary between India and Pakistan. However, it also has the greatest number of inhabitants within a desert environment, making it famous for some of the culture and traditions that originate here, such as the unique Jaisalmer desert festival.   

With India's rail network being the longest in the world, it can feel infinite at times, but keep heading west through Rajasthan and you'll reach the end of the track. There lies the city Jaisalmer, a "golden city" engulfed by the Thar desert cutting it off from the arable world outside while supplying it with the building blocks of existence. Choose to stay in a Grand Palace with a stunning sandstone exterior.

To experience the desert in style, choose from a bounty of camel tours each promising to give you the most comfortable ride. There's no such thing; no amount of blankets will cure your sore bum the following morning.

High up on the humps of your guide you'll witness the full force of the strong desert winds that mold the ever evolving terrain around you. This abundance of natural energy brings with it the arrival of an unexpected yet welcomed sighting; fields of wind turbines. Journey past these metal giants until you reach the dunes where that picturesque desert scenery begins. Swells of dunes roll into the distance surrounding you with artistic sand ripples. As the sun begins to drop so does the temperature, perfect timing for a sweet chai under the evening stars.

Pride comes in to play when talking about the ocean encompassing India's vast coastline, as the Indian Ocean is the only ocean named after a country. The western state of Goa reflects this, with many livelihoods revolving around the fishing industry. Colourful boats head out from dawn til dusk, reaping what's on offer. During the dry season, an array of restaurants and shacks appear, offering these freshly caught delights.

For a more romantic stay head to one of the southern beaches. Palolem offers finer dining amidst a stunning location. To get a taste of the livelier atmosphere the northern beaches are better, and sophisticated dining is replaced with street food making post party plans a breeze.

Beyond the calm waters and golden sand beaches, enclosed by the myriad of coconut trees, Goa's Portuguese influence becomes apparent with the presence of its Catholic churches. A stroll around this 17th-century Portuguese architecture is the perfect way to top up your cultural tastebuds and walk off the extravaganzas from the night before.

The southern tropical state of Kerala embodies all elements for a relaxing stay. This luscious region is rich in a network of canals known as the backwaters, made up of a mix of fresh and salt water known as 'brackish water'. Relish in these tranquil lagoons by traditional thatched boat. With no engine and only a single ore pushing you from the bow, the sounds of the birds around you come to life. Mating calls from black drongos and the fluttering of kingfisher wings are as loud as it gets.

Dotted around this expansive maze are little spice islands, a great way to stretch the legs and see the multitude of plants in charge of spicing up your meals. Even in this early stage, their curry scents are enough to whet your appetite. Quench this with a meal in Kerala's most iconic spot, Fort Kochin. This charismatic location boasts some of the best seafood in India; choose your fish and let one of the beachside restaurants do the rest. This claim stems from the regions geography and method of fishing, the backwaters offers easy access to fresh water fish, while traditional Chinese nets catch saltwater fish from the Arabian sea. These ingenious nets were brought by Chinese explorers centuries ago and paint the picture for an unforgettable sunset, complete with some chai of course.