UNEXPLORED INDIAN DESTINATIONS TO VISIT IN 2021

“Look for chances to take the less-traveled roads. There are no wrong turns.”

Susan Magsamen

Bored of the same Vacay – destinations? These offbeat tracks offer the untouched beauty of nature that indulges you with the rawness of this country.

1. Spiti Valley – Himachal Pradesh

The name “Spiti” means “The middle land”, i.e. the land between Tibet and India. The world’s highest village Komic, is situated in Spiti. It also boasts of having the world’s highest post office and polling station in the village of Hikkim. In Spiti, the only petrol pump is at Kaza.

Best time to visit – March to June for fewer crowds / October to February for that perfect winter.

Nearest Airport – Kullu Airport at Bhuntar, Kullu (distance if 245 kms).

Nearest Railway Station – Joginder Nagar railway station & Shimla railway station.

Places to visit –

• Lhalung Monastery – Historicity and Spirituality.
• Chandratal – Ideal for Photography.
• Suraj Tal – For Adventurers and Nature Lovers.
• Darcha – Witness the Local Culture.
• Keylong Market – Shopaholics’ Paradise.
• Kunzum Pass – Trekkers’ Paradise.

2. Auli – Uttarakhand

Ski resorts, Ski slopes and Ski events are organised every winter. Auli offers ski stretches ranging from 400 metres to even 4kms. Gurson Bugyal is the most popular trek in Auli. The untouched offbeat snow trails in Auli is a unique experience.

Best time to visit – All through the year / November to March for skiing.

Nearest Airport – Jolly Grant Airport (distance of 286 kms).

Nearest Railway Station – Rishikesh Railway station (distance of 264 kms).

Places to visit –

• Auli Ropeway – Enjoy the Longest Cable Car Ride.
• Joshimath – The Getaway for Trekking.
• Gurso Bugyal – Lush Green Pasture Land.
• Rudraprayag – Get the Spiritual Vibes.
• Nanda Devi Peak – Explore Your Inner Adventure.
• Bhavishya Badri – Take a stroll to get the pleasure of travelling.

3. Hemis – Jammu & Kashmir

Hemis is popularly known for its magnificent monasteries and national park. It is a must visit in Kashmir in summers if you are a wildlife enthusiast. Rare species like the snow leopard and bharals find shelter in the national park here.

Best time to visit – May to September.

Nearest Airport – Leh Airport.

Nearest Railway Station – Katra Railway Station (distance of 227 kms).

Places to visit –

• Hemis Monastery – Explore the architecture and meditative ambiance.
• Hemis high altitude National Park – Visit the Highest National Park in the world.
• Stakna Gompa – Get a panoramic view of the Hemis region.
• Shang Gompa – tranquil monastery.
• Gotsang Gompa – A meditative Retreat.

4. Araku Valley – Andhra Pradesh

One of the longest and the deepest cave in India -The caves which are predominantly limestone structures at the deepest extended to a depth of 80 meters. The caves have a naturally formed shrine of Lord Shiva. It attracts devotees from all over India to see this natural miracle. It is a whopping 150 million years old, created naturally.

Best time to visit – December to February.

Nearest Airport – Located in Vishakhapatnam (distance of 115 kms).

Nearest Railway Station – Two stations situated on the east coast line from Vishakhapatnam.

Places to visit –

• Chaparai Waterfalls – Enticing green forests.
• Ananthagiri Hills – Coffee plantations and waterfalls.
• Padmapuram Botanical Garden – Witness the rarest flowers and trees.
• Araku Tribal Museum – Just the place for culture vultures.
• Borra Caves – Explore the largest caves in the country.

5. St. Mary’s Island – Karnataka

A set of four small islands floating in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe. Also known as Coconut Island, it’s a perfect place to plan a one-day trip near Mangalore. According to scientific records, rock formations found in St. Mary’s Island match the rock formations at Madagascar in Africa. Yeah, It is a Geological Monument! Tourists can reach St. Mary’s Islands only through the ferries from Malpe.

Best time to visit – October to January.

Nearest Airport – Mangalore Airport (distance of 58 km from Maple).

Nearest Railway Station – Station of Udupi (distance of 4 km from Maple).

Things to do –

• Beach Trekking and shopping.
• Visit Daryabahadurgarh Fort
• Explore Vadabhandeshwara Temple and Malpe Beach.

6. Athirapilly Falls – Kerala

Athirappilly Waterfalls is fondly called as “The Naigara of India”. It is also the largest waterfalls in Kerala. The protected lush green regions around Athirappilly is famous for jungle safaris. Bollywood films like Guru, Dil Se, Khushi, Yaariyan and South India films like Punnagai Mannan, Paiyaa, Happy, etc. have shot some songs and scenes at Athirappilly.

Best time to visit – September to January (As monsoon causes inconvenience)

Nearest Airport – Kochi Airport.

Nearest Railway Station – Chalakudi Railway Station.

Places to visit –

• Vazhachal Waterfalls – flowing through the doorway of the Sholayar forest (distance of 7 Km).
• Sholayar Dam – second-largest and biggest rock dam in Asia (distance of 53.3 Km).
• Charpa Waterfalls – a natural picturesque frame (distance of 3.4 Km).
• Thumboormuzhi Dam – a home to 148 different species of butterflies (distance of 14 Km).
• Kodanad Elephant Training Centre – Elephant Training Centre (distance of 41.5 Km).
• Namami Spa and Wellness Centre – a wellness sanctuary (distance of 10 Km).
• Silver Storm Water Theme Park – escapade of a lifetime amidst nature (distance of 11.1 Km).
• Illithode – eco-tourist spot for travellers (distance of 9.8 Km).

7. Gavi – Kerala

This is a deep forest where wild animals prowl…. Tea gardens, woods, grass lands, hills and dams – be the judge to choose which views are the best. Gavi, is an extension of Periyar Tiger reserve itself, so you may encounter animals similar to Periyar forest. More than 260 types of birds found in these woods means it a paradise for bird watching. Being a jungle joint, the facilities are pretty basic. If you want to stay in style, the only choice is to limit Gavi tour to a day and stay at Thekkady / Kumily instead.

Best time to visit – September To February / June to September to enjoy heavy monsoon.

Nearest Airport – Madurai Airport in the state of Tamil Nadu (distance of 140 kms).

Nearest Railway Station – Kottayam Railway Station (distance of 114 kms).

Places to visit –

• Kuttikkanam –diverse flora and fauna.
• Peer hills or Peer made –plantation town of Peer made.
• Grampi or Parunthumpara – rocky trekking trails.
• Panchalimedu –a dose of Mythology.
• Thekkady – Ghat wildlife and scenic beauty.

8. Lepchajagat – West Bengal

The word “Lepcha” means “nonsense talkers” and the word “Jagat” means “The World”. You can clearly see Mt Kanchenjunga range from here. You can find different type flower beside the road or houses. There are many different kinds of Himalayan birds in the forest.

Best time to visit – October to April.

Nearest Airport – Bagdogra Airport (distance of 85 kms).

Nearest Railway Station – New Jalpaiguri Railway station (distance of 95 kms).

Places to visit –

• Jorpokhri – Rare Himalayan salamanders.
• Ghum Monastery – Get the Spiritual Vibes.
• Pashupati Market – foreign goods at cheap prices (don’t forget your Id valid proof-only Indians allowed).
• Mirik – Lake fringed by forest on one side.
• Manebhanjan – Base for Sandakphu Trek.

9. Lonar Crater – Maharashtra

The lake was created by a meteor impact during the Pleistocene Epoch. Lonar Lake is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument saline soda lake and lies in a basalt impact structure. The lake is surrounded by eight ancient temples dating all the way back to the 6th century to the 12th century. The visitors have to trek through the dense forest to reach this marvellous location.

Best time to visit – October to March.

Nearest Airport – Aurangabad Airport (distance of 157 kms).

Nearest Railway Station – situated in Aurangabad.

Places to visit –

10. Bangaram Island – Lakshadweep

This tear-drop shaped piece of land is encircled by creamy sand.  Here are three uninhabited islands in the same atoll, Tinnakara, Parali-I and Parali-II. Bangaram Island resort is the only resort on the island, it is well equipped with water sports equipment and has Lakshadweep’s first Dive School.

Best time to visit – October to March.

Nearest Airport – Agatti Aerodrome, Agatti Island

Nearest Railway Station – Kottikulam Railway Station, Bekal, Kerala

Things to do –

• Spend your evenings watching the most spectacular sunsets
• Deep sea fishing
• Scuba diving