India’s top bucket list destinations revealed

From the spectacular views overlooking Niagara Falls to the wonderful sights at the summit of Machu Picchu, there is no shortage of incredible places in the world to see and explore.

But with so many bucket-list-worthy destinations, what locations are the top picks?

To find out, Remitly, who specialize in helping people send money to India, have researched and revealed India’s top bucket list destinations, according to Google Search trend data.

A spokesperson for Remitly said: “There are so many destinations and landmarks in the world worth visiting, but there is so much choice. It’s a great problem to have, but it can make it hard to decide where to visit, so you might find that inspiration is needed.

“Whether you’re looking for new places to scout out, clear water to swim in, or ancient history to discover, we’ve looked at the attractions and destinations that are most searched for by India’s residents.”

Compiling a list of the top bucket list destinations in the world, Remitly has analyzed the average monthly searches on Google Search trends to reveal the top choices for India’s residents when it comes to their dream bucket list destinations.

#1 – Statue of Liberty, USA

Gifted from the people of France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty stands as a great representation of the friendship between the two countries. Located in New York City’s famous harbour, the neoclassical sculpture is a liberty goddess holding a torch above her head, and has become a symbol of freedom. In her left hand, she carries a tabula ansata inscribed with the date of American Independence.

#2 – Niagara Falls, USA

As a natural wonder of the world, Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls, sitting in both Canada and the USA. Formed by Niagara Lake, the combined falls have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America, offering awe-inspiring views. Viewpoints from the US sit in New York State, with Niagara State Park being open 365 days a year.

#3 – Machu Picchu, Peru

Named one of the New 7 Wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is a breathtaking sight to see. A 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge, Machu Picchu sits over 2400 metres above sea level. Believed to be the former estate of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, there is a wealth of history to explore and discover here.

#4 – Jal Mahal, India

Otherwise known as the Water Palace, Jal Mahal is situated in the middle of the Sagar Lake. Due to how picturesque Jal Mahal is, it’s one of the most photographed monuments, but actual exploration of the monument is off limits to most visitors. Historically, there would have been gondolas providing romantic boat rides across the lake, providing a unique experience for visitors.

#5 – Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Sitting as one of the world’s cultural wonders, Angkor is a complex of more than a thousand buildings built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II. Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world, making it top of the historic hit list for many travelers to Southeast Asia.

#6 – Boracay, Philippines

Even though it’s a small stretch of land, Boracay is the Philippines’ top tourist destination, fuelled by explosive growth. Boracay is so popular that the Philippines previously had to close to tourists for six months, which allowed the island to restore to its former beauty. The beach itself is blessed with a long stretch of white, powder-like sand and the water is crystal clear.

#7 – Baobab Avenue, Madagascar

Although some may see it to be just a dirt road, Baobab Avenue in Madagascar is so unique that it became the country’s first official natural monument. The dirt road is framed by dozens of baobab tees, creating an unforgettable setting. The baobab trees are over 800 years old, and some of the trunks are over 150 feet tall!

#8 – Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

This unique location is truly one of a kind. It is the tip of a submerged volcanic formation made up of 21 islands, most of which are only inhabited by birds, reptiles and other non-human species. In order to preserve and look after the islands and their natural beauty, the number of tourists that can visit Fernando de Noronha is limited to just 500 people per day, so make sure you plan ahead!

#9 – Banff National Park, Canada

Banff National Park was Canada’s first ever national park, and today has over over three million visitors each year. The park began as a 26 square kilometre hot springs reserve but it has since expanded to consist of 6,641 square kilometres of scenery, situated in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

#10 – Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole is a destination found fascinating by many, with scientists believing that it was formed in the last Ice Age – around 14,000 years ago! The Great Blue Hole is an underwater sinkhole which extends 125 metres into the Earth’s crust. Many divers have been cruising the surface for years, but very few have ventured into the deeper waters.

India’s top 10 bucket list locations: 

Remitly analyzed Google Search trend data to create a ranking of the ‘top bucket list destinations’ India’s residents are interested in visiting and exploring. These attractions were selected based on Google’s top 50 bucket list attraction list.

Each attraction was then searched on Google Search trends, with the search location set to India, and the locations were then ranked based on the average monthly search volume level.