What is the biggest hurdle you face while planning a vacation? Surely, it isn’t the packing or the making of reservations but zeroing-down on the destination. The offbeat destinations in India offer an awesome experience. Escape the hustle-bustle of cities and indulge in incredible experiences. Vacations in these lesser-known locales of the country are truly memorable. Avoid crowds, explore raw natural beauty and unusual cultures, and get to experience a plethora of new things.
Nowadays, more and more people are looking for destinations off the charted routes. Furthermore, the offbeat destinations in India offer the thrill of a relaxing getaway but also some cherished memories.
1. Damro, Arunachal Pradesh
Damro is the base to the longest hanging bridge (1,000 feet) in Arunachal Pradesh. Definitely a hidden route to heaven, Damro charms with thatched bamboo houses, swaying suspended bridges, and laid-back lifestyle of the locals. Among the list of unexplored places in India, it is a rural sort of a getaway for exhausted city dwellers. The sights of harvested crops, not-so-wild bison, vast expanse of meadows and grasslands are quite welcoming.
- Attractions To Visit In Damro: Damro Labokellie Tea Garden
- Best Time To Visit: October To April
2. Halebid, Karnataka
Halebid in Karnataka is one of the ancient temple towns of South India. The town is untouched by tourist crowds, therefore a beautiful offbeat experience. Known as Dwarasamudra, gateway to the seas, Halebid is the capital of the Hoysala Dynasty for about 150 years. Sacked by the armies of Malik Kafur in the early 14th century, the town fell into a state of ruin. Even in the ravaged state, the town’s glory still remains undiminished. Spend time exploring the temple ruins of Halebid. You can also combine your tour with a visit to Belur along with Jain monuments at Shravanabelagola.
3. Mawlynnong
The village honored as ‘The Cleanest Village in Asia’ by international bodies is quite unknown in the country. The picturesque village of Mawlynnong is epitome of harmony and cleanliness, which makes it one of the worthy unexplored places in India. Well-maintained roads, polished streets, spotless houses, manicured front-yards and cobbled sidewalks give an impression of high-end cities. Their organized pits for organic and inorganic wastes, maintained public utilities, and scattered bamboo dustbins can put even the best of urban cities to shame.
- Attractions To Visit In Mawlynnong: Living Root Bridge, Balancing Rock
- Best Time To Visit: March To June
4. Khimsar Village, Jaisalmer
The sunshine charm of Jaisalmer, the Golden City, attracts numerous tourists, poets and people from other creative fields. In the past few years, the city has seen a rapid increase in the footfall of travellers, making it a much-frequented travel destination. For those who wish to explore the magnificent Rajasthan can instead head to the village of Khimsar located between Bikaner and Jodhpur. The scenic village of Khimsar is lesser known and has relatively cheaper hotels and eateries. Considered as the starting point of the Thar Desert, Khimsar is dotted with mud huts that add to its rustic charm.
- Best time for visit: November to February
- Things to do: Camel safari, take a spiritual tour at one of the temples, visit the Khimsar Fort and witness the rare species of black buck at Panchala Black Buck Reserve
5. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
One of the most beautiful places in Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro is blessed with beauty, bliss and incredible experiences. Away from the touristy trails, Ziro is among the beautiful offbeat destinations in India. Puffy white clouds float in the horizon. Beautiful green patches and rice fields are visible as far as the eye can see. ion addition, the Apatani tribe welcomes you with their friendly smiles and you would love to know their way of life. The ziro musical festival is a great time to visit. Don’t just visit Ziro stay there as a local.
6. Amadubi
Amadubi is a village known for its skilled chitrakars and Paitkar paintings. Since centuries, Amadubi is home to many artists and pictorial storytellers. With rustic huts, local diners saturated with aroma of authentic rice delicacies, colorful festivities during festivals like Tusu Parab and Dansai, and traditional dances at various agricultural festivals, the village has much to offer. Some of the best grabs of the village are Dokra craft, Mithila sarees, region’s rich art, and Paitkar paintings which you should take home from the most artistic of all offbeat destinations in India.
- Attractions To Visit In Amadubi: Jayanti Sarovar, Hudco Lake
- Best Time To Visit: September To Mid-March