Top 10 Offbeat Destinations That We Discovered in 2021! 

Tripoto
Photo of Top 10 Offbeat Destinations That We Discovered in 2021! by Kuntala Banerjee

Planning for a vacation within India? Searching for some offbeat destinations to spend time in solitude? Well, here are some unexplored places in India that have gained significant popularity in 2021. These tourist destinations are now capturing the heart of the travel enthusiasts with their natural, historical and cultural heritage. You can spend your vacation or weekend at any of these spots with family and friends.

The list mentioned will surely help you to plan for your trip.

1. Khimsar Village in Rajasthan

If you love spending time watching the sandy desert views, then Khimsar Village in Rajasthan is an ideal place for you. It is essentially a resort, the bird's eye view of which is just marvellous. Nestled within the majestic Thar desert and the incredible sand dunes, it is a pleasant experience to spent time amid the gorgeous surroundings. The huts in the village resort present a rustic feel combined with a tinge of luxury. The interiors of the hut are designed by the traditional Rajasthani decor and folk arts. Access to the place is via the camel, jeep and horseback.

How to reach: The nearest airport is at Jodhpur and the nearest railway station is at Nagaur. If you are travelling by road, you can hire a cab or avail the buses from the cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner to reach Naguar.

Best time to visit: The months from November to February. The Nagaur Festival is held every year between the months of January and February. You can plan to visit at that time.

2. Mandu in Madhya Pradesh

For history buffs, Mandu or Mandavgad is a perfect place to visit the ancient ruins. The city is located in the western part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Mandu is significant in witnessing the romance between Prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati. The key sightseeing spots in Mandu are Hindola Mahal, Jahnaz Mahal, Hoshang Shah's Tomb, Jama Masjid, the rock-cut caves, the Fort of Mandu, Baz Bahudur's Palace and Roopmati's Pavilion. Another spectacular place to witness is the 12 huge artistic gateways, including Delhi Darwaza, Tarapur Gate, Jehangir Gate, and Rampol Darwaza.

How to reach: The nearest airport is at Indore and the nearest railway station is also at Indore. If you are travelling by road, you can hire a cab or avail the buses from the cities of Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Bhopal, Hyderabad, and Raipur to reach Mandu.

Best time to visit: You can visit Mandu any time of the year. During the monsoons, the weather flourishes with the rains and the greenery around. During the winters, you can feel the cool soothing breeze of the surrounding atmosphere.

3. Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh

If you desire to witness nature's exotic flora and fauna, then you must include the Great Himalayan National Park in your bucket list. Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, the park is a paradise of wildlife lovers. It is the residence for 200 species of birds and over 30 species of mammals. You can observe the rare "Western Tragopan" in the park. Its captivating flora includes oak, deodar, coniferous and rhododendron trees. Among the wildlife animals, the most common are the Himalayan Tahr, and the snow leopard.

How to reach: The nearest airport is at Bhuntar and the nearest railway station is also at Joginder Nagar. There are no direct roadways to reach the park. You can avail the roads from Ropa to Shangarh in Sainj Valley and from Gushaini to Ropa in Tirthan Valley.

Best time to visit: The best months to visit are March, April, May, June, October and November.

4. Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh

Do you love to hear the gushing sounds of waterfalls? Nestled within the splendid Vindhyan ranges, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh has two enchanting waterfalls - Bhedaghat and Dhuandhar. For a bird's eye view of the Falls, you can avail the cable car over the River Narmada. Another popular sightseeing spot of the city is the Lord Shiva statue at Kachnar City. It is one of the tallest statues of Lord Shiva in sitting posture. Jabalpur is also well known for its incredible wildlife. You must not miss visiting the prominent tiger reserves near the city - Pench, Panna, Kanha , and Bandhavgarh.

How to reach: Jabalpur has both an airport and a railway station which eases the communication a lot. If you are travelling by road, you can hire a cab or avail the buses from the cities of Nagpur, Varanasi, Hyderabad, and Bhopal to reach Jabalpur.

Best time to visit: You can visit Jabalpur any time of the year but the summers from March to May are bit dry.

5. Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh

Known as the "Land of Fairy Tales" or the "Land of God", Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh is a heaven in disguise. Apple orchards are the specialties of the place. The key attraction of the place is the "Shiva Lingam", the divine representation of Lord Shiva. There are several old Buddhist monasteries and temples in Kinnaur. For adventure seekers, there are several trekking and camping routes to explore around. You can either camp at one of the apple orchards or at the banks of the rivers Baspa and Satluj.

How to reach: The nearest airport is at Shimla and the nearest railway station is also at Shimla. If you are travelling by road, you can hire a cab or avail the buses from the cities of Shimla and Rampur to reach Kinnaur.

Best time to visit: From the months of May till October.

6. Khecheopalri Lake in Sikkim

A visit to Khecheopalri Lake in Sikkim not only soothes your eyes with its astonishing beauty, but it is also a sacred place. Especially since its part of the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit comprising of the city of Yuksom. Even Hindu devotees consider the place as divine as there are myths that Lord Shiva had once visited and meditated at the lake. It is believed that if you spell out your wish in front of the lake, then it is bound to be fulfilled. Another interesting fact about the lake is that, you will not find any dry leaves floating on the lake waters. As soon as leaves fall on the lake, the birds clean them away.

How to reach: The nearest airport is at Bagdogra and the nearest railway station is at New Jalpaiguri. If you are travelling by road, you can hire a cab or avail the buses from Pelling or Geyzing to reach the lake.

Best time to visit: From the months of October till February. Monsoons must always be avoided as the area experiences heavy rainfall.

7. Longwa in Nagaland

Have you ever imagined an International border line passing in between your house? This is exactly what happens in Longwa, Nagaland. It is located right at the international border between India and Myanmar, at the banks of the river Doyang. So inevitably the locals are guaranteed dual citizenship of both the countries. The locals here do not need a visa to venture out between the 2 countries. Some even have their kitchen in one country and bedroom in another country, unique isn't it? The inhabitants of the village mainly belong to the tribe named Konyaks, popularly known to be headhunters.

How to reach: The village is situated in the Mon district. The nearest airport to Mon is at Jorhat and the nearest railway station is at Bhoju. If you are travelling by road, you can hire a cab or avail the buses from Sonari or Simulguri to reach the village.

Best time to visit: From the months of October till March. You can witness many fairs and festivals at Nagaland at this time of the year.

8. Hemis in Ladakh

Want to spend a time in solitude? Hemis or Hamis, a quaint village in Ladakh, will be an ideal place for you.. The place is significant for the Hemis monastery and the Hemis national park. The monastery was established in 1672 AD by King Senge Nampar Gyalva. It has more than 200 branches along the villages in the Himalayan region and the residence for more than 1,000 monks. The monastery hosts the famous Hemis festival, visited by several tourists. The Hemis National Park is worth visiting, being the largest national park in South Asia. Spread over an area of 4400 sq km, the park is home to the endangered snow leopard, 16 species of mammals, 73 bird species and 200 leopards.

How to reach: The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport at Leh. Mon is at Jorhat and the nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi Railway Station. If you are travelling by road, you can avail the route starting from Srinagar via Kargil or from Manali.

Best time to visit: From the months of May till October.

9. Damro in Arunachal Pradesh

Photo of Top 10 Offbeat Destinations That We Discovered in 2021!  9/10 by Kuntala Banerjee
(C): Tripoto

Damro is a phenomenal town in Arunachal Pradesh, away from the humdrums of city life. A place of solitude and haven, it is specially known for the famous hanging bridge. Stretching across a length of about 1000 feet, the bridge is significant to lure tourists. The vast meadows, the green grasslands, the bamboo thatched roof houses and the crop fields magnify the simplicity and surreal calmness of the village.

How to reach: The nearest airport is at Pasighat. Mon is at Jorhat and the nearest railway station is at Dibrugarh. If you are travelling by road, you can travel by bus or a hire a cab from the cities Guwahati and Dibrugarh to reach Damro.

Best time to visit: From the months of October till April.

10. Bylakuppe in Karnataka

Many of us are aware of McLeod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh. What if you are gifted with a place in south India as a replica of McLeod Ganj? Well, yes do not be surprised. Bylakuppe in Karnataka is such a place where you can enjoy the scenic beauty and breathtaking views, similar to that of McLeod Ganj. It was established by Lugsum Samdupling (in 1961) and Dickyi Larson (in 1969), by comprising of 20 villages. The key attraction of the place is the Namdroling Monastery. The monastery is situated in huge complex where you can find colleges, study centers, meditation centers and small shops selling gifts and souvenirs. There are statues of the Buddha Padmasambhava, Buddha Amitayus and Buddha Shakyamuni inside the monastery.

How to reach: The nearest airport is at Mysore. Mon is at Jorhat and the nearest railway station is Mysore Junction. If you are travelling by road, you can avail a bus or hire a cab from almost any of the major cities in Karnataka.

Best time to visit: From the months of June till October.

We often select prominent tourist places in our bucket list. But we seldom forget that India has some awesome offbeat and unexplored p.laces with some wonderful scenic views. Do check out the list in this article for visiting some exquisite places.

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