Some of the most well-known tourist locations are found in western India which is made up of three States, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat together with the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the capital of Maharashtra, is world-famous for its "Bollywood" film studios and is also the commercial capital of India. Its most famous monument is The Gateway to India. Mumbai is an island city and naturally the main highlights are centred around its beaches such as Juhu Beach and Girgaum Chowpatty Beach where funfairs and foodstalls ensure a lively atmosphere, but there is much else to do and see.

Other important attractions in Maharashtra include the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora. Here hundreds of years ago skilled craftsman cut caves from the rocks with little more than a hammer and chisel and created chapels and monasteries with exquisite detailed carvings and magnificent wall paintings for the Buddhist monks. These craftsmen's skills and artistry inspired by Buddhism provide a fascinating and beautiful snapshot of life in ancient India.

The coastal state of Goa is a paradise for tourists. There are beautiful beaches where you can choose to simply relax or be more adventurous and spend your time enjoying sports such as parasailing, jetskiing or bungee jumping. There are miles of waterways and the best way to explore these backwaters is by "Crocodile Cruise" where you could spot crocodiles basking on the banks, see birds such as kingfishers, cranes and eagles or simply enjoy watching the local people go about their daily routine. In Goa there is a rich cultural heritage to explore with majestic forts and beautiful temples as well as Catholic churches and architecture that reflects the Portuguese history of this region. There are Wildlife Sanctuaries and Bird Reserves where tigers, elephants, panthers and doles (wild dogs) and innumerable birds can be seen. All in all it's a wonderful place to visit.

To the north of Maharashtra is the state of Gujarat. With its long western sea cost and bordered by the blistering deserts of Rajasthan and Pakistan in the north Gujarat is famous for its beaches, temple towns, hill resorts and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Gir National Park is currently the only place that you can see the endangered Asiatic lion living in the wild and the saline desert wilderness of the Great and Little Rann of Kutch attract an huge variety of birds in large flocks during the winter months when migration is at its peak as well as being one of the last habitats of India's wild ass.

This area is also famous for its handicrafts such as exquisite gold and silver ornaments, hand-printed saris and embroidery. The grasslands of Gujarat are also home to very rare and endangered species of bird such as the lesser florican and great Indian Bustard and there are many Bird Reserves to visit. Gujarat has a huge diversity in topography and cultures with a rich heritage. Among other things you can visit the remains of the world's oldest civilisation, the Harappan site at Lothan or the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, the revered father of the Indian nation.