India is a haven for travellers. Blessed with varied regions, cultures and landscapes, travellers & tourists can take their pick and head on to explore the location of their choice. However, over the years some spots have gained more prominence and have become the go-to choices for tourists. It can make one wonder if there are any lesser known but equally beautiful sites to visit in India. We are happy to report, yes! There absolutely are exquisite locations that are still quaint and away from the touristy path.
With summers almost knocking on our doors, the time is right to pick the spot for your next vacation with your girl-gang. We would also urge you women to explore the solo-travel life this summer. To help you narrow down unconventional places to visit this summer, we have compiled a list of India’s best kept travel secrets.
Ranging from pristine beaches to breath-taking mountain views, historical sites to scenic valleys, this list covers them all.
If you are looking for off-the-beaten-path adventures, you won't be able to resist the charms of all the destinations listed here. Get started by making a list of the eccentric spots in Golden Bird that you'd like to visit!
Yusmarg – Jammu and Kashmir
Yusmarg, also known as the 'Meadows of Jesus,' is believed to be the place where Jesus once lived. Yusmarg is a great tourist destination for those seeking a tranquil and pleasant vacation in the midst of nature, sitting by the beautiful River Doodhganga and overlooking the stunning Sunset and Tatakooti Peaks.
The rich lowlands are quickly replaced by dense pine forests surrounded by mountains. Yusmarg's highlights include the 600-year-old Muslim pilgrimage site of Charar-e-Shareef, the alpine Nilnag Lake, and the breathtaking Sang-e-Safed valley and meadow. Two additional beautiful meadows on the way to Sang-e-Safed, Lidder Mad and Haigan, are must-sees in Yusmarg.
While trekking to Nilnag, Sang-e-Safed, and the other two meadows is one option, a pony ride to these important tourist destinations in Yusmarg is another. For adventurers, there are also rewarding hikes to Doodhpathri and Tosa Maidan.
Chaukori – Uttarakhand
Chaukori, a lesser-known hamlet with a stunning view of the Himalayan Peaks, has everything a nature lover might want in a vacation destination. Chaukori, located in Uttarakhand's Kumaon Region's Pithoragarh District, is a picturesque resort that has managed to keep its rural charm. Visitors looking for a stunning view of Himalayan peaks such as Nand Kot and Panchachuli will adore this charming village in Uttarakhand.
Chaukori, a renowned tourist attraction, is surrounded by deodar, pine, and rhododendron forests, as well as fruit orchards, and acts as a magnificent bird sanctuary for many different species. In Chaukori, one may embark on both tranquil hikes and strenuous expeditions, both of which provide a stunning perspective of the area.
Mandu – Madhya Pradesh
Mandu continues to astound visitors with its finest architectural beauty and wonderful history, which still bears witness to the love and romance of Prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati. The love story of this charming couple, who formerly ruled the region, is preserved by spectacular structures, monuments, and palaces built in their honour. Mandu, also known as Mandavgad, is a ruined city in India famed for its magnificent architecture. It was built during the Malwa period. Mandu, in the Western Madhya Pradesh region of Central India, attracts visitors with its spectacular vistas of lakes, waterfalls, and majestic monuments.
Mandu has a variety of attractions, including palaces, mosques, 14th century Jain temples, and other structures, with the oldest mosque dating from 1405. The most exquisite of them all, Jama Masjid, is a one-of-a-kind gem of Pashtun architecture. Because of its strategic location and rich cultural legacy, Mandu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh. Mandu's tourism is enhanced by the great Afghan architecture and the amazing African baobab trees.
Tarkali – Maharashtra
Every year, hundreds of pilgrims flock to Tarkarli's tranquil beach, famed for its magnificent corals and crystal blue water, for the famous Ramnavami festival. Tarkarli Beach, famed for its long littoral and crystal-clear sea water, is a favourite weekend resort. Scuba diving at Tarkarli beach is a must-do activity in addition to seeing dolphins and parasailing. Tarkarli is one of Maharashtra's most known beaches, set against the grandeur of Suru trees, a vast expanse of water, and lovely hamlets.
Apart from the Karli backwaters that flow from Tarkarli to Kudal and the majestic Karli firth, one of the most renowned tourism locations in Tarkarli is the confluence of the Karli River and the Arabian Sea, known as Sangam. The old Vijaydurg fort, which was a witness to Maratha warfare in the past, is recognised as a symbol of bravery. History buffs like the Sindhudurg over anything else because of its intricate designs that date back to Shivaji's reign and are surrounded by the Arabian Sea.
Lambasingi – Andhra Pradesh
Lambasingi is the only spot in the southern region that receives snowfall due to its beautiful valleys and freezing temperatures. This misty hill station near Visakhapatnam's Chintapalli town is often known as the "Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh." It is located at an elevation of 1000 meters above sea level. Lambasingi snow is also known as Korra Bayalu, which translates as "if someone stays out in the open at night, by morning they would freeze like a stick!"
The little village is engulfed in an ethereal white mist that swirls and glides with the wind all year, but in the winter (November to January), the temperature drops to below zero degrees Celsius, followed by spells of cotton-soft Lambasingi snow.
Lambasingi is home to an isolated tribal population that works on pepper and coffee plantations, as well as the sole snow-free location in the southern region. The vast swathes of land that these plants cover are astonishing!
Dholavira – Gujarat
Dholavira is the larger of the two most significant Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilisation excavations, dating back 4500 years. While the other site, Lothal, is more extensively educated and easier to reach, a visit to Lothal is meant to supplement, rather than replace, a visit to Dholavira. With one of the world's earliest and best planned water conservation systems and what may be the world's first signboards, written in ancient Indus script, in the intense environment that comes with being surrounded by the Great Rann of Kutch, this site provides a unique insight into the pioneering Harappan mind.
The excavation also provides the story of civilization's seven stages, from development to maturity to extinction, with the final stage hinting at a strange moment in history that raises more questions than answers. Dholavira was briefly abandoned after the civilization's apex, and the inhabitants appear to have returned with a significantly de-urbanized culture. There are indications that they chose to simplify their lives rather than struggle to survive the fall of their once-famous society. It will provide an opportunity to ponder what progress and civilization mean, as well as what, if anything, is actually permanent here in the ruins
Lepchajagat – West Bengal
At an elevation of 6959 feet, a small hamlet called Lepchajagat is nestled among the lush forest of rhododendron and oak trees. Lepchajagat is a hidden gem away from the tourist crowds, located 19 kilometres from Darjeeling, the Queen of Hills. As the name suggests, it was formerly a Lepcha tribal hamlet. The word "Jagat" literally means "world," hence it was the world of the Lepchas.
Many visitors to Darjeeling have been captivated by Lepchajagat's tranquil environment and breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Lepchajagat has become a safe haven for travellers seeking tranquillity among the wildlife, surrounded by a lush forested environment and free from the bustling crowds and difficulties of daily life. Because Lepchajagat is a thinly populated place with no significant market, it is appropriate to refer to it as a distant hamlet in the Darjeeling District.
Lepchajagat offers visitors a beautiful view of the Himalayan range's snow-capped mountains; the view of the daunting hills from Lepchajagat has made it famous among tourists and botanists.
Osian – Rajasthan
Osian (Osiyan), often known as the 'Khajuraho of Rajasthan,' gained this moniker because of its numerous temples, some of which are quite sensual. It is a historic temple city located 65 kilometres north of Jodhpur in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
This beautiful city is extremely important to the Jains and Hindus because it houses some of their most important shrines. Among the various temples in this town, the Surya or Sun Temple, the Sachiya Mata Temple, and the main Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira stand out for their beauty and grandeur. The Sachiya Mata Temple, which is surrounded by golden sand dunes, provides a magnificent aerial perspective of the area.
Ziro Valley – Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro is a paradise for peace seekers, with a distinct tribal group and a lovely environment. Ziro is a lovely historic town in Arunachal Pradesh famed for its pine hills and rice fields, as well as being the Apa Tani tribe's home.
Ziro is a lovely historic town in Arunachal Pradesh famed for its pine hills and rice fields, as well as being the Apa Tani tribe's home. Ziro's climate is pleasant all year, making it possible to visit at any time.
Poovar - Kerala
Poovar Island Resort is a tropical paradise surrounded by peaceful Kerala backwaters, the Arabian Sea to the east, and the majestic towering Ghats to the west, stretching out to the ocean and a dreamy golden beach. With swaying coconut trees, endless golden dunes, the ultramarine of the ocean, emerald backwaters, red sunsets, and lush green flora, you are surrounded by a stunning environment. It's the ideal quiet hideaway location for a relaxed vacation in stunning natural surroundings. A boat excursion is available around the backwaters' palm-fringed shoreline, as well as floating homes, and land cottages.
