BEST OFFBEAT PLACES IN INDIA

1. Lansdowne, Uttarakhand

Lansdowne is one of the quietest hill stations in India. Nestled at an altitude of 1780 meters above sea level amidst dense oak and pine forests, this place is away from the maddening crowd of the cities.

From colonial-era buildings to forests to sunset points to museums, Lansdowne is a quintessential small hill station.

There are many scenic spots in this beautiful town. Some of the places to visit are Tip N Top hills, St John’s Church, Takeshwar Mahadev temple, Bhulla Gal and so on.

The town also has collection of vivid spots where you can go for enthralling activities.

Best Time: 

Lansdowne remains charming throughout the year. Summer months (April-June) are heaven if you wish to enjoy Mother Nature in its purest form. The temperature during summer is around 25 degree Celsius.

If you are an adventurous soul and wish to experience thrilling activities, visit during winter (October – March) with the temperature dropping to 0 degree Celsius.

How to reach: 

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. The town is about 145 km away.

By Road: From Delhi, Lansdowne is about 258 km.

By Train: Kotdwar is the nearest railway station. Mussoorie Express is the best train to reach Kotdwar.

2. Sandakphu, West Bengal

Sandakphu is the highest peak of Darjeeling and is largely undiscovered.

Though the peak is notorious for its poisonous plants (Himalayan Cobra Lillies), the breathtaking panorama is called the paradise of trekkers!

Once you reach the summit, you are rewarded with the view of the world’s highest peaks- Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse.

Sandakphu is a trekker’s wonderland and a true paradise for adventure lovers. If you are looking for trekking tips, click here.

There are some unique places to visit on your trek to Sandakphu such as Tonglu, Tumling, Chitre, Phalut and Srikhola.

Best Time: 

Being in the Nepal/Sikkim border, this area observes a longer monsoon.

There are two seasons to go for the Sandakphu trek. April to May, with the temperature from 8 to 15 degrees, and October to early December, with the temperature -5 to 5 degrees.

How to reach:

Sandakphu is about 646 km away from Kolkata. The fastest way to reach the place is via flight and the cheapest via train.

By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, Siliguri. Siliguri to Sandakphu is about 115 km away and about 3 hours drive.  

By Road: From Bagdogar – Manebhanjan about 4 hours. Trekking journey starts from here. From Darjeeling, it is about 75 km.   

By Train: New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station.You can hop on the toy train or drive to the base camp from here.

3. Andretta, Himachal Pradesh

If mud-houses and tea garden with beautiful mountain peaks as a backdrop attract you, then you need to visit Andretta!

Andretta, a tiny village 14km south of Palampur, has over a period of time, attracted several theatre personalities, potters, painters and so on. The name “Andretta” was conceptualised by an Irish Woman, Norah Richards.

She forever desired to live in India and converted this small Himachali village into an artist’s colony way back in 1920. Now, wouldn’t you consider this cute little village as one of the best offbeat places in India?

If you are a lover of art and poetry, this quaint and sleepy village is for you!

Best Time: 

March to June; Or Mid-September to November.

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airport is Dharamshala Gaggal. It is about a 1.5 hour’s drive to Andretta.

By Road: Andretta is about 13 km away from Palampur. It takes about 20-30 minutes. 

By Train: Pathankot is the nearest railway station.

4. Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh 

Popularly known Grand Canyon of India, this small village in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh is home to a 300-foot deep gorge. The place has a lot of historic significance owing to a local dynasty of more than 300 years.

While the ancient fort and the Pennar River gorge are the most popular attractions here, there’s more to explore if you venture beyond the ordinary.

Best Time: 

It remains open round the year but the best time to visit is from September – February.

How to reach:

If you live near Hyderabad or Bangalore, take a road trip! It is around 382 km from Hyderabad and 280 km from Bangalore. 

5. Chatpal, Jammu &Kashmir

The place Kashmir resonates with us with a few places like Dal Lake, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and so on. However, how much we know about Chatpal?

Tucked away in a quaint corner of South Kashmir and about 90 km away from Srinagar, you are sure to fall in love with this place.

With lush-green landscape, pine trees, yellow and enticing scenery, Chatpal remains an untouched beauty. If all you need is a rejuvenating experience in the depths of nature, this is the town you are looking for!

Since there aren’t many sightseeing places in Chatpal, you can laze around, absorb the beauty of Chatpal, have a local chai experience and indulge in long nature walks.  

Best Time: 

The summer months from April to June are great. The temperature is pleasant and ranges between 11 degrees to 25 degrees.

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airport is Srinagar and is 90 km away.

By Train: Jammu Tawai is the nearest railway station and is 222 km away.

6. Gurez Valley, Kashmir 

Located in the northern part of Kashmir, Gurez Valley is an offbeat village at the edge of India.

The valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and has diverse fauna and wildlife, including Himalayan brown bear and snow leopard.

Gurez valley is close to the border but is safe for tourists. You do not need a permit to reach the valley until the town of Dawar.

Best Time: 

Anytime during the summer and spring months – from April to June or late August, September and early October.  

How to reach:

By Road: Take a cab or public transport to reach Srinagar and cover a distance of about 130 km.

7. Chakrata, Uttarakhand

Chakrata, a cantonment in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, is an ideal place for travellers looking for calming getaways into the hills.

The town is situated between Tons and Yamuna Rivers, at an elevation of 7000-7500 feet. You can visit Chilmiri Neck to enjoy sunsets, enjoy bird watching, go camping in Chakrata and explore Budher caves.

The town is easily accessible and is pocket-friendly.

Best Time: 

The best time to visit is from March to June.

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. The town is about 115 km away.

By Road: From Delhi, Lansdowne is about 358 km.

By Train: Dehradun is the nearest railway station. The distance from Dehradun to Chakrata is about 87 km.

8. Khimsar, Rajasthan

One of the best offbeat places in India is Khimsar, Rajasthan. The place is close to Jodhpur is known for its cultural heritage, old settlements dating back to the Rajputana era and sand dune village.  

Perched on the edge of the Thar Desert, Khimsar is a unique destination. Major attractions are Khimsar Dunes village, Khimsar Fort, Osiar and Sachiya Mata Temple.

Best Time: 

November to February is the best months as the climate is pleasant. The temperature lies between 10 to 24 degree Celsius  

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur. The town is about 95 km away.

By Road: Delhi – Ajmer – Khimsar is about 483 km.

By Train: Jodhpur is the nearest railway station. The distance from the railway station is about 92 km.

9. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

This lesser-known destination in Arunachal Pradesh ensures a pleasant trip owing to its snow-capped mountains, lakes and lushness.

Located amidst the Himalayas at an altitude of about 10,000 feet above sea level, this place has earned its tag as “new Ladakh” or an alternative to McLeod Ganj. This quaint and picture-perfect town offers stupendous serenity and will leave you spell-bound.

Indulge yourself in meditation, trekking, exploring some waterfalls, strolling at Madhuri Lake, and so on. Tawang has a mix of adventure culture and leisure.

Best Time: 

The best time to visit is from March to September. The summer months, from April to June, is ideal for sightseeing and exploring the town.

If you want to experience snow, the best time is to visit is from January to March.

How to reach:

Tawang is located in a remote region of India, so reaching the place from other parts of the country, is a time-consuming affair.

By Air: The nearest airport is Salonibari, Tezpur, Assam. The town is about 330 km away. The drive generally takes about 7-8 hours.

The most popular option is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport in Guwahati, as the same is connected to major cities of India.

By Road: Guwahati – Tawang is about 500 km. Importantly, the trip cannot be covered in a single day due to road conditions. One needs to take a halt, so plan your journey accordingly. 

By Train: There is no major railway station in Tawang itself. The nearest railway station is Rangapara Station, located in Tezpur. Another major railway station is Guwahati.

10. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya 

Located in Meghalaya, this cute little place was awarded as the “cleanest village in Asia” by Discover India.

With its greenery, exquisite biodiversity, and picturesque ambience, you’ll have a soothingly perfect trip of your life!

While you are in this village, explore Mawlynnong waterfall; visit the charming Sky Walk and Jingmaham Living Root Bridge (recognized by UNESCO) and don’t forget to unwind yourself.

Best Time: 

If you wish to witness gorgeous green landscape, the monsoon is the best. The month of July is perfect. You can also visit the place from September to December when the weather is pleasant.

How to reach:

By Air: The major nearest airport is Shillong. The town is about 103 km away.

By Road: Shillong- Mawlynnong is about 78 km Or Cherrapunjee – Mawlynnong is about 80 km.

By Train: The nearest major railway station is Guwahati. Guwahati to Shillong is about 104, and then Mawlynnong is another 78 km away.  

11. Tarkali, Maharashtra

This serene and tranquil hamlet in the Malvan region of Maharashtra is a place if you are looking to unwind and relax.

Bestowed with Konkan Coastal lines, this gorgeous village is a treasure for beach lovers. The place blooms with pristine white sand beaches, calm water and lush greenery.

Besides chilling out by the beach, you can go scuba diving and get close to colourful tropical fishes, and other marine creatures. You can also indulge in water sport activities and don’t miss enjoying local Malvani cuisine.

Best Time: 

Tarkali is an all-year-round destination. Visit during October to March (peak season) or July- September (moderate season).

How to reach:

By Road: Tarkali is about 550 km from Mumbai.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Kudal. Tarkali is 48 kms away from Kudal. 

12. Gavi, Kerala 

This eco-tourist spot in Kerala is a must-visit place for nature lovers. Gavi is preserved in its natural scenic beauty and is one of the most serene and bewitching hill stations in Kerala.

Gavi is a place where wildlife is conserved with all elegance of nature that draws wildlife lovers favouring this place. Endangered species is the main attraction of the area.

If you are looking for some offbeat place and an alternative to Thekkady, do a lookup for this place!  

“Gavi” rose to fame after Alistair International listed Gavi as the leading ‘Eco-Tourism Centre and Must-See Place’ in India.

Best Time: 

September to February as the weather is pleasant.

It is not advisable to travel during the summer months from March to May.

How to reach:

By Air: The major nearest airports – Kochi is 174 km away, and Madurai (Tamil Nadu) is 140 km away.

By Road: Gavi is 28 km from Kumily, near Thekkady. 

By Train: The three nearest railway stations are Kottayam (128 km away), Ernakulam (168 km away) and Madurai (180 km).

13. Vagamon, Idduki, Kerala 

Kerala manages to make every place a paradise. If you are looking for a hill station free of the crowd, Vagamon is one of the best-unexplored places in Kerala.

This sleepy town with its scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, enchanting pine forests, tea estates leave you captivated. This is by far our favourite and one of the best offbeat places in India!

Travelling to Vagamon is an experience in itself. Some of the places to visit are Vagamon lake, Vagamon Pine forest, Idukki dam, Vagamon meadows, Pattumula church. Don’t miss the Paragliding experience in Mundakayam Ghat.

Best Time: 

Summer months, from March to June are pleasant with temperature ranging from 10 to 25 degree Celsius. Winter months December to February to experience cold.

Both the seasons offer a different experience.

How to reach:

By Air: The major nearest airport is Kochi and is 105 km away.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Kottayam about 63 km away.

By Road: If you are at Munnar, drive down 98 km to witness this scenic town.  

14. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh 

With its untapped beauty, you’ll surely fall in love with this scenic place in Arunachal Pradesh. The valley is beautifully covered with bamboo and Pine Hills and also surrounded by paddy fields.

This picturesque town is perched at an altitude of 1500 meter above sea level and is short-listed as a UNESCO heritage site. The wide range of flora and fauna seen here is soul captivating.

Some of the places to visit in Ziro Valley are Talley-Valley wildlife sanctuary, Ziro Puto, Midey, Meghna and Cave temple. 

Best Time: 

Summer months, from April to June are pleasant with temperature ranging from 6 to 20 degree Celsius.

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airport is Jorhat, Assam (98 km away), Tezpur (300 km away) and the major airport, Guwahati is about 445 km away.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Naharlagun, about 100 km away. Another nearing railway station is located at Harmoti (North Lakhimpur) and is 118 km away.

By Road: Ziro Valley is best reached via Guwahati, Assam. The distance is about 445 km. Also, State transport buses are available from Guwahati, Itanagar, and Lakhimpur.  

15. Srikhola, West Bengal 

Srikhola is a charming mountain village in the Darjeeling district.

If you wish to get away from the hustle-bustle of the city, then this is the place for you. This picturesque town is covered by Magnolia, Oak, and colourful orchids!

If you love beautiful villages, the splashing sound of the river, and the chirping sound of birds, this is a perfect choice for your trip! Wish to know more, click here.

Best Time: 

It is accessible throughout the year, but months from March to May and October to November, are pleasant. The temperature 

How to reach:

By Air: The major nearest airport is Bagdogra and is 127 km away.

By Train: The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, about 132 km away.

By Road: Travelling from Darjeeling (60 km), Siliguri (121), Bagdogra (127 km) is very convenient.

These places are a perfect substitute for the much-frequented getaways and are the best offbeat places in India!

 

Next read: A complete Guide to Valley of Flowers

 

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