The following destinations are sometimes considered part of South Asia, although are categorized elsewhere in Wikivoyage:

• Afghanistan can be considered part of the region; although it is mostly considered to be part of Central Asia, it often involves itself in South Asian regional organizations.
• Iran is occasionally considered part of the region, but more often considered to be in the Middle East or West Asia.
• Myanmar (formerly Burma) may be considered part of South Asia due to its history as part of British India, but it is usually considered part of Southeast Asia.
• Tibet is sometimes considered to be part of South Asia, and shares close cultural ties with Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh, Sikkim and North-Eastern India.

Apart from the Himalaya, the climate is tropical, with monsoon in summer and dry winter. However, you have the extremes of this climate, i.e. in western Pakistan, monsoon is quite non-existent and in Southern India, it lasts for six months. Sri Lanka even has two monsoons, one in May, one in October/November.

The influence of historical Indian culture can be seen everywhere. Four major world religions have their origins within South Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Islam was introduced by invading Arabs starting around the 7th century and rose to prominence during the Mughal Empire. There are also ancient Jewish and Christian communities in India that date back some 2,000 years, and there has been a Parsi (Zoroastrian) presence in the Subcontinent since at least the 10th century.

An additional layer of South Asian cultural unification derives from the influence of British culture, and especially the frequent and growing use of the English language, as a result of India having formed the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire before Independence in 1947; see British Raj.

South Asia is one of the world's most densely populated regions - approximately 1.6 billion people (or roughly a quarter of humanity) call South Asia home. The average population density of 305 people per square km is 7 times the world average.

Getting in overland to South Asia can be a challenging task. From the west it's relatively easy, especially from Istanbul, Turkey to New Delhi, India (also known as Hippie Trail).

In the northwest, South Asia borders Afghanistan which has been a war zone for several decades. Entry from China is possible either along the Karakoram Highway or to Nepal, though you will need a special permit to travel through Tibet. Quite a lot of bureaucracy is reportedly required to travel overland from Myanmar.

Major international airports include:

• Bangladesh — Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet
• Bhutan — Paro (near Thimphu)
• India — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi
• Maldives — Male
• Nepal — Kathmandu
• Pakistan — Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta, Sialkot
• Sri Lanka — Colombo

Many flights from the west coast of North America arrive via Singapore and Bangkok, while flights originating on the east coast usually have a stopover somewhere in Europe depending on the airline.

Flights from Europe arrive via Dubai, Doha and several other major airline hubs.

The number of direct flights between India and the U.S. and the U.K. are increasing.

Some cruise ships visit the region. It is also possible to enter on smaller vessels, but make sure to do your research thoroughly before planning a trip, because part of the region overlaps with the area frequented by Somali pirates. An encounter with them is to be avoided at all costs.

Although most of the region was under the British rule, the rail transport in South Asia varies by country. India has the most extensive rail network in South Asia (see Rail travel in India), while the rail network of Pakistan is mostly underdeveloped. Sri Lanka's train network is efficient and cheap, and includes routes with beautiful hill country and tea plantation scenery. Bangladesh is famous for its overcrowded trains, while the Maldives, Nepal, and Bhutan have no trains at all.

See also: Indian national parks and wildlife sanctuaries

With the world's tallest mountains, as well as coastal regions with the world's highest rainfall, South Asia's nature is dramatic, but pressured by demographic and economic growth. South Asia is part of the Indomalayan wildlife region, with iconic species such as Asian elephants, tigers and peacocks.

Especially Nepal and Kashmir are world renowned for mountaineering.

See also: Sacred sites of South Asia

South Asian religious movements such as Hinduism, Buddhism have a long history, and an intercontinental appeal since the 20th century. Many visitors come to South Asia to learn yoga, a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices from ancient India.

• Istanbul to New Delhi overland
• On the trail of Kipling's Kim
• Grand Trunk Road
• Karakoram Highway
• World Heritage Sites Tour in Sri Lanka

• British Raj
• Mughal Empire
• Shimla
• Jaipur

• Cricket is a huge business in South Asia, with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka boasting world class national teams.
• Football (soccer) is not as popular as cricket, but has a niche following in parts of South Asia, especially in the city of Kolkata
• Field hockey is popular in India and Pakistan