Mountainscapes like you’ve never see before, sleepy villages inscribed with forgotten histories and forests where solitude is your only companion… Mridula Dwivedi shares with us eight lesser known Indian destinations you must visit in your lifetime.
From magnificent vistas of snowcapped Himalayan peaks and a misty Kerala hill station to a remote valley in Sikkim and in its crumbling ramparts tales from another century – choose from our list and treat yourself to a truly offbeat journey.
Sandakphu, Bengal
Fondly termed the Sleeping Buddha on account of its appearance, a breathtaking Himalayan panorama awaits you in Sandakphu. Cloaked in white, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu – some of the highest peaks in the world – stand shoulder to shoulder at the heart of a stunning 180-degree canvas that places between them, the most magnificent peak of all – Everest. The highest point of Darjeelings Singalila range, Sandakphu, at around 11,941 feet above sea level, can be reached via a three day trek from Manebhanjan following a trail that snakes through India and Nepal. In January, you will find yourself surrounded by snow and might even come across a frozen waterfall or two. If you visit in spring, rhododendrons will greet you with explosions of vibrant colours.
Devikulam, Kerala
Devikulam’s attraction is part legend and part nature. Sprawling tea plantations and enchanting waterfalls lend a minty freshness to the hill towns tranquil aura. Surrounded by forests and several lakes including Mattupetty and Kundala, and Kuthumkal fall, Devikulam offers several hiking and camping spots. It is believed that Sita bathed in the Sita Devi lake here and locals say that the water of the lake possesses healing powers. Take a stroll along the unspoilt lakeside trail, soaking in the aroma of herbs and flowers and revelling in views of sprawling tea gardens in the valley below and dense forests above.
Kuari Pass, Uttarakhand
The trek to Kuari Pass – also called the Curzon Trail after Lord Curzon, who made the journey in 1905 – is a visually stunning experience. But its a challenging hike that requires planning and stamina. What the four day trek offers, however, is worth all that and more, beginning with Gorson Bugyal, a dazzling green meadow that greets you when you embark on your journey, to peaks like Kanda Devi, Dunagiri, Hathi, Ghori, Nilkantha and Chaukhamba making spectacular appearances along the way, should the weather permit. Snow fields, frozen lakes and dense forests follow, until you finally find yourself at Kuari Pass.
Vasai Fort, Maharashtra
Majestic brick walls, Roman-esque arches, intricate relief sculptures, faded murals and an air of serene solitude welcomes you to the Vasai Fort, also known as Basseun Fort, in Vasai village, Maharashtra. Around 48km north of Mumbai, the Portuguese marvel is perfect for an unhurried afternoon. Walk along its meandering passageways, under the stone arches and remnants of churches to soak up in this once-flourishing Portuguese port. The centre of the fort houses the citadel of Sao Sebastiao, the main entrance to which still bears vestiges of arms carved upon it, flanked by the cross on the left and armillary sphere on the right.
Yumthang Valley, Sikkim
River Teesta meandering playfully in the distance, flanked on either side by snow-covered Himalayan peaks like Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa, and pine trees as far as the eye can see – Yumthang Valley (around 11,800ft) in north Sikkim is every bit a winter paradise. Also known as the valley of flowers, it is most vibrant in spring (April and May) but in winter, it makes for a spectacular snowscape, with azure skies brilliantly off-setting a pristine white carpet of snow, and offers great options for skiing. But do check weather forecasts before you set out.
Garli, Himachal Pradesh
While lush greenery and snow-capped mountains are a familiar sight in any Himachal village, Garli is special. Declared a heritage village by the Ministry of Tourism, Himachal Pradesh, it is the picture of rustic grandeur. Old havelis and Italianate structure are strewn across its sleepy landscape, alongside mud-plastered and slate roofed houses along cobbled streets. Believed to have been established by the Sud community, in the 17th century, it was abandoned in 1950. Since then it has been gradually inhabited again.
Talasari Beach, Balasore, Odisha
Lined with tall palm and coconut trees, the sprawling beach of Talasari is delightful company in itself – besides the red crabs near the Subarnarekha river, Talasari’s white sands are among the less populated of Odisha’s beaches. If you visit during high tide, you’ll need a boat to get you across the backwaters to the beach. Do visit the popular fishing village and the fresh fish market. The famous Chandaneswar temple is located nearby.
Kareri Village, Himachal Pradesh
A quiet little village in the Kangra district, Kareri is heaven for anyone seeking silence and peace of mind. The village is best enjoyed if book a homestay, soaking in the local lifestyle and culture through conversations over crackling kitchen fires. To get here, you can hire a taxi from Dharamsala. When you arrive at the village, the Dhauladhar range greets you with a panorama so breathtaking, you’ll find it hard to look away! It is possible to trek to Kareri lake, a perfectly elliptical glacial lake 3.2km away, with the help of the villagers. The lake is frozen over from November to March.
For more inspiration on discovering the lesser known side to India, be sure to check out our small group touring range in India!
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
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