Offbeat Destinations in India

When it comes to tourism, India is a beautiful country with lots of interesting places. From snow-covered mountains to hot deserts and dense forests to enchanting sea beaches, there are many gorgeous locales which are perfect for a holiday. Being rich in culture, India also has many historical places which attract a fair bit of visitors. The most popular tourist destinations in India are Shimla, Manali, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Goa, Munnar, and more. But there are also some lesser known offbeat places which are a treasure of natural beauty. If you want to avoid the usual crowd of tourists, these offbeat destinations are a good choice for a quiet holiday.

Some of the top offbeat places in India are:

Tawang

Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is a little piece of heaven on earth, situated on an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level. With snow-capped peaks, picturesque lakes and sleepy villages, the hill station of Tawang offers some amazing scenic views. The Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. Believed to be 400 years old, it attracts many tourists. Sela Pass, which connects Tawang district to the rest of India, is also a major attraction. Tawang is also home to one of the highest cable car rides in the world. Operated by Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited [DRIL], one of the oldest ropeway construction companies in India, the Tawang cable car route is built at 11,000 feet above sea level. Tourists can enjoy a stunning bird’s eye view of the town of Tawang from this ropeway ride.

Khajjar

If you want to visit Himachal Pradesh, but wish to avoid the crowds in Shimla or Manali, Khajjar is your place to be. Surrounded by a dense cover of Deodar trees, the hill station is ideal for a quiet and peaceful holiday. Located in the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, Khajjar is often referred to as the ‘Mini Switzerland of India’. Visitors can enjoy some mesmerizing views of mountains and green valleys. There are also adventure activities available here such as paragliding, horse-riding, trekking, zorbing and the like.

Chopta

Chopta in Uttarakhand is your perfect place to relax and take a break. Watch the early morning sunrise and get mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas. Enjoy a leisurely walk among the thick forest trails. Chopta is one of the most peaceful and prettiest hill stations. Adventure lovers can take up a trek from here to Chandrashila peak, Tungnath temple and the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary.

Ziro

For travelers looking to explore the North East, Zero in Arunachal Pradesh is the perfect offbeat destination. Everywhere you look in the Ziro Valley is like a postcard image. Puffy white clouds float in the horizon. Lush green paddy fields are spread all over the plains. Tourists can feast their eyes upon the pristine natural beauty as far as the eye can see.

Namchi, Sikkim

Namchi in southern part of Sikkim is located on a height of 1,675 meters above sea level. This picturesque hill station is less crowded and ideal for a quiet getaway. The town is most famous being home to the world’s largest statue of Guru Padmasambhava, the Buddhist patron saint, built atop the Samdruptse hill. There is also a pilgrimage complex built on top of Solophok hill that aims to attract religious tourists. The Solophok Chardham features an 87 feet long statue of Lord Shiva, replicas of 12 Jyotirlinga shrines, and replicas of the four pilgrim sites (Char Dham) of India. Namchi also has an aerial ropeway that is 2134 meters long. Built by DRIL, the ride originates at the Children’s Park near Sandruptse hill and runs till the Rock Garden. Tourists can enjoy the stunning views of the Kanchenjunga Mountains and the surrounding scenery while taking this cable car ride.

Orchha

Orchha in Madhya Pradesh is a quiet town located on the banks of the Betwa River. It used to be the capital of the Bundela Dynasty. The city is known for its old royal palaces, ancient temples, and well-preserved forts. Orchha has an old world charm which is the main draw of this destination. The medieval architecture of the palaces and temples tell the story of this city’s rich cultural heritage. This place is a treat for history lovers and photography enthusiasts.