Ten Trippy places to visit in India 

Nubra Valley

A little north east of Ladakh lies the gorgeous Nubra valley. Someone who’d recently gone there told me it’s a real trip just standing on the rocks and watching the mighty Shyok river. It’s the land where you can view the best sunsets in the world, time actually pauses for months and the skies merge with the rivers. It’s unreal to imagine such beauty in the coldest desert of the country but it’s mind boggling to just sit and absorb all this gorgeousness 360 degrees throughout the year. Sometimes you feel you’re inside a dream within a dream where the blue is so blue that you go dizzy just seeing it.

Kheer ganga and Parvati Valley

The Parvati valley is indeed the abode of the Gods. First of all there’s nothing more pristine than the Himalayas and secondly the air up there is something else. Really? You bet! But more than that, this lovely hamlet is a huge draw on the rave circuit. So if you like your trance and EDM take that bus up the mountains and bring on the music. The hills do come alive here and the sound of music is fecking unbelievable (not to mention the accompanying herbs that come along) It’s all ‘natural’ in the end and that’s why we love it.

Jaisalmer

You can actually live inside the fort in Jaisalmer and pretend you are a princess from your favorite fairytale. The fort is a living, breathing functional city and right in the middle of the night you can peep out of your little castle window and watch the stars crumble. Jaisalmer does feel very Arabian nightesque and if the sea and the mountains maintain their distinctiveness then the desert is not far behind. There is something infinite about the desert, the warm wind and the patient animals. Wading through the sand dunes and lying down on your back is something else when you know the next city is miles and miles away.

Matheran

It falls under transformative spaces where by day it’s mystical and enchanting and by night it’s silent and spooky. This picturesque hamlet sits on a hilltop and boycotts cars and electronic vehicles all together. Well, so either you walk up the hill or even better ride a horse. You could cover the entire town in a day and later realize that the lovely British style bungalow you passed has shifted someplace else by night. Like, literally. Now, if you get what I mean, it’s trippy in that bizarre scary way, but oh so beautiful never the less.

Ok we all know Goa is done to death and that techno and EDM have burned North Goa from the nineties and sometime you wonder what’s become of this beautiful beachy paradise like, seriously? But then you stumble upon a precious gem and discover unique experiences within close range. I guess that’s what happened in Morjim. Of course the nuanced psy trance and house that was playing in the cafes reminded me of the hey days, but Morjim sets the tone for a more chilled and non touristy vibe.

Gokarna

Gokarna was always there but it remained distant and isolated for a long time and for the right reasons. No one wants it to become the next Palolem or the next Baga; locals and patrons want to keep it fresh and non touristy. Barring a few beaches it does feel remote and far out but that’s what the trippy traveler wants and no amount of commercialization can take away its ‘rawness’ that’s Gokarna. It’s raw, grimy and bit shoddy but it grows on you and does does strange things to your mind.

Hampi is a trip! Why? Coz it’s literally out of this world with its gigantic boulder sprawl and it’s Sci Fi like ghost township. Massive, bold and surreal are some of the words that come to mind when one describes this ghost town. Tucked between gigantic boulders and a mighty river this rocky landscape is gorgeous. Go rock climbing, river rafting or day tripping along the rocks and you’ll feel high and top of the world. We did bouldering for two days and had the time of our lives.Cross the river and stay in colorful tents and remember to smoke a few totes at the very trippy Evergreen Café. Look around and you might just spot a mermaid.

Aleppy is a drug for the mind, body and soul. The backwaters are a quiet balm and the cool currents massage all your soreness away. An idyllic two day stay in a house boat is well worth the effort and as the boat strays towards narrow brooks and streams one can laze back and dream of faeries far, far away. I truly enjoyed my time in the houseboat and the calm atmosphere of the mystic river. It’s a bit of magic and an awesome vibe to match.

Mawlynlong

Dubbed as Asia’s cleanest village Mawlynlong couple of hours from Shillong is purity in essence and form. From the time you descend on this little hamlet you know you’ve come to a white field where the aura is fresh and clean. Unlike other hill stations and forest reserves Mawlynlong sometimes feel prehistoric as there’s no evidence of any modern setup, which is great coz you can truly connect with mother nature and experience the omnipresent surreal vibes besides gasping at the panoramic sights from Sky View a viewing portal the highest point in the region. The amazing root bridges make you feel like a Lord of the Rings character and maybe you might just bump into a hobbit!

ZIRO

A world heritage site, this picaresque town in Arunachal beckons the thirsty traveler yearning for novel vibes. I haven’t been there as yet but from what I’ve heard the grass couldn’t be more greener than the egg blue skies. Again pure in essence and structure the town is ancient and is home to the Apatani tribe. Its trippy coz if you’re constantly living in the city amidst concrete and cement then you must takeoff to this pristine clime and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul all at once. Nothing can match the greenery or the beauty of Ziro. It’s still untouched.