NORTH INDIA
North India is a loosely defined region consisting of the northern part of India. The dominant geographical features of North India are the Indus-Gangetic Plain and the Himalayas, which demarcate the region from the Tibetan Plateau and Central Asia. The term North India has varying definitions. The northern region is among the largest regions in India comprising eight states — Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and UT Chandigarh. The Northern region has consistently outperformed India’s national average in terms of GDP, with the region accounting for approximately 26 percent of national GDP. However, sustaining this growth rate will require greater investments, continuous support of the government, expansion of infrastructure, accessibility to educated professionals and access to skilled labour.
Offbeat Places in North India
A quaint quiet place in Himachal that can be a perfect getaway in any season for nature lovers and creative souls, or for anyone to spend quality time with their loved ones.
Neeralaya is a beautiful resort at the banks of River Reas between Kullu and Manali. It offers independent cottages, great food and a fantastic location. Neeralaya is about our villas, built in old recycled timber, stone and slates sourced locally. Located on the banks of the river Beas, surrounded by
Set amidst dense deodars & oaks, at a height of 7200 ft., the Birdwood Cottages are situated on the prestigious Bakrota Mall. (An H.P. Govt. declared heritage area). It offers all that a family looks for on a holiday – leisure, peace & quiet, and the beautiful woods. Nearby, the…
The Nagri Resort – the back alley to paradise. A blissful cluster of cottages amongst natural and man-made luxuries. Just 10 kilometers from Palampur, the Nagri Resorts is perched among paddy fields, a stream called Khadd and picture perfect views of the snow capped Dhauladhar.
The Himalayan Village, Kasol, is a destination resort that captures the many flavors of Himachal under one roof! It is a tribute to the rich architecture and culture of the region. Each of the 750 sq.ft. cottage has a unique theme and design that highlights one or the other aspect… Himachal End
Emerald Trail, is an eco-friendly farm-stay in the Kumaon hills in a quaint village called Jungaliyagaon 10 kms uphill Bhimtal. Emerald Trail – The 3 acre spacious property has the main residential area which is a colonial cottage made of re-cycled wood. On offer are four, well appointed bedrooms, facing…
Trushul Orchard is an eco resort in Mukteshwar – a place that has that perfect balance of accessibility, remote feel and a lot of genuine natural goodness.
The recipe for the perfect cocktail if you ask consists of a dash of snow capped peaks of the Himalayas, forest of oak, deodar, rhododendron and pine in the far flung areas of Kumaon, empty serpentine roads, and a few lakes in complete isolation. This recipe is there in Hotel…
Set amidst Oak, Rhododendron and Deodar forests, and overlooking the snow-clad Himalaya, this is an ideal getaway for those who wish to explore pristine mountain wilderness.estled in Reserve forests, close to the hamlet of Pangot, Mountain Quail Lodge is situated at an altitude of 6500 feet (amsl). Dense Oak…
This child & pet friendly eco-retreat is set in a 20 acres organic orchard & farm. The experience is of a homestay- home cooked food, home made jams/chutneys/achars/breads/cakes, home grown poultry and Ashish, his wife Deepa & their 7 years old daughter (Vanya) & 3 years old son (Aranya) as
Mohan’s Cafe is a quaint Homestay option in Almora- KasaarDevi- Binsar area of Kumaon. The highlight is the quirky looking cafe with fabulous valley views and fantastic food. The stay is comfortable, homely and reasonable. It is the favourite hangout for most foreigners that visit this area and has a…
We’ve worked very hard to make it a place where you are able to retire from the stress of life for some time. We offer a cuisine, memories of which you will take back home. We offer you a space to live within Nainital, but away from the clutter at…
JAAGAR – The Village Resort is an experience of the rich culture and rural life of a Kumaon set against the backdrop of India’s oldest National Park – The Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. The Village is the solitary resort on the south east end of the CTR. It is blessed…
Getaway Jungle Camp is situated in Sattal, an area comprising of seven lakes in the heart of the Kumaon. The camp lies in the middle of an oak grove and has a large adjoining field which, many years ago, was a lake itself. Surrounded by forest, one can catch a…
Facing the magnificence of the sacred Himalayas and encompassing an enchanting sprawl of a 13-acre virgin orchard, the Holm Farm Heritage is an incredible combination of the traditional and the modern.
The Misty Mountains is a beautiful Himalayan retreat for vacationers looking to spend time in a peaceful and amazingly beautiful environment. Nestled amidst hundreds of acres of Oak and pine forests, it hosts a plethora of flora & fauna, and is an upcoming birding destination. Nestled amidst a THOUSAND ACRES…
Offbeat Places in North East India
Aritar, a pristine hamlet nestled in the Eastern border of Sikkim under the Rongli Sub-Division, is a relatively new tourist destination.
Hee Bermiok village is located in West Sikkim and is bounded by Hee River in the West, Kalez River in the North, Rangeet River in the East and Samdong Reserve Forest in the South.
Borong, located at an altitude of 5800 feet in South Sikkim is the perfect destination for nature lovers. Borong can be easily accessed from Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri.
Charkhole is at an altitude of 5000 feet overlooking a green valley with magnificent views of Mt. Kanchenjungha.
Chatakpur is a mountain village located at an altitude of 7887 feet within Senchal Wild Life Sanctuary. On the northern side, it is surrounded by the Mt. Kanchenjunga and on the southern side the undulating green valley and the meandering river gorge of Relly Khola resides.
Chota Mangwa is a charming quiet village located amidst orange gardens with majestic views of Mt. Kanchenjungha.
Chota Mangwa is a charming quiet village located amidst orange gardens with majestic views of Mt. Kanchenjungha.
Kaleej Valley in West Sikkim, offering the ultimate peace of mind in the splendor of nature. Surrounded by rivers like Kaleej Khola in the North, Hee Khola in the West, Rangsang and Rangit in the South, Kaleej Valley is a pristine hamlet with enchanting views of Mt. Kanchenjungha.
The village of Kaluk is located amidst the mountains of West Sikkim, at an altitude of 5600 feet. It is basically the buffer zone area of the renowned Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.
Kolakham is an ideal destination for tourists nursing an adventurous bent of mind. Nestled beside the Neora Valley National Park around 108 km from Siliguri, this charming location offers majestic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Nestled at an altitude of about 9000 feet, Lachen is located in north district of Sikkim. It is an alluring tourist destination. The term ‘Lanchen’ means “big pass”.
Lamahatta, located 23 kms from Darjeeling in West Bengal, is a picturesque mountain village situated 5400 feet above sea-level. It is surrounded on all sides by pine forests and gardens with panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjungha.
Latpanchar is a mesmerizing mirror of natural beauty covered with forests and Cinconha Plantation. It is the highest point in the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary with fabulous views of Teesta River, deep gorges and greenery all around.
Lolegaon or Loleygaon is a small resort town with a magnificent view of Mt. Kanchenjunga located in the district of Darjeeling West Bengal. It is one of the offbeat destinations for tourists to hill stations.
The small town of Ravangla in Sikkim, nestled at an altitude of 7000 ft., has lately emerged as a natural tourist retreat, offering majestic snow view.
Bakkhali has been a very popular place of attraction for a long time. Moreover, with the development of barge over the Hatania-Doania River, Bakkhali became all the more accessible.
Offbeat Places in West India
A destination for all, Goa easily makes the list of best winter tourist destination in Western India. If you choose Western India for your winter travel, I will assume that you are not much of a hill and snow person and wrapping yourself in a warm blanket is certainly not your thing! You must then YOO-HOO out loud and THANK Goa for offering you a fabulous winter break.
Whoever said that Mumbai is the city of dreams, he was absolutely correct! AND you will also realize the same once you will cut and run through the treacherous alleys of Mumbai.
Sure enough, there won’t be any snow but visiting Mahabaleshwar in winter season can be an exhilarating experience.
If Panchgani had to be described in one word, then it will be ‘GORGEOUS’. A small hill station that is full ofnature’s beauty, Panchgani is for those who want to spend some time in solace and utter peace.
Whenever, I think about Khandala, I somehow start to hum ‘Aati Kya Khandala’, the song from the Bollywood flick Ghulam featuring Amir Khan and Rani Mukherjee.
AHH, I just can’t get the song out of my head now! Right after Khandala Ke Ghat, Lonavala Mein Chikki Khaana to Banta hai! Merely at a distance of 3kms from Khandala, Lonavala is yet another wonderful place that you can visit during the winter.
Winter is the perfect time to visit wildlife reserves in India and since you are planning a holiday in Western India, it is a good idea to visit Dandeli National Park.
Marked as an important site in India’s heritage, Aurangabad is famous for Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad in Mahashtra can be an excellent place for history lovers.
You don’t need a reason to visit Shirdi, do you? This sacred place is the hometown of the most holy Sai Baba. Frankly speaking, Shirdi is not a tourist destination;
I always wanted to see Pune, for the fact that it has the coolest campus crowd and it is safe for women! Apart from Mumbai, Pune is the second city in Maharashtra that has gain immense popularity amongst tourists.
Meet the only hill station in Gujarat, Saputara which is one beautiful place to see in winter in West India. Sometimes you just wish to break the chains of clichés and the routine of visiting popular hill stations, that’s where when places like Saputara comes in to spotlight.
Daman had a remained a lesser known place on the map of India for many decades, however, recently it has come up as a big thing in a small package.
Diu has emerged as a popular getaway in West India, especially from Gujarat. It is one utterly gorgeous beach destination in India and the best part is it is still away from the clasp of commercialization. Maintaining its pristine beauty
Modern yet delightfully quaint, Ahmedabad is truly inspirational. One of the prime cities in Gujarat, Ahmedabad can be a wonderful place to holiday in Gujarat.
Welcome to one of the few places in India where Asiatic lions can be seen. The proud habitat of lions in India, Gir National Park has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.
If you have been postponing your trip to Dwarka due to hot weather, then winter is the best time to hit the road to the Kingdom of Lord Krishna!
Offbeat Places in South India
Cradled in the midst of Western Ghats, Nelliampathi is locally nicknamed as “Poor Man’s Ooty” as it closely resembles Ooty (Ootacamund), one of the most popular hill stations in South India. The high altitude, lush green tea gardens over the rolling hillsides and the surrounding tropical forest makes it truly breathtaking!
Chempara peak located 8 km south of Kalpetta town, is the highest peak in Wayanad. It is part of the majestic Western Ghats. You can reach there only by foot from Meppady, a small town near its valley. So naturally Chempara peak is a popular trekking trail in Kerala. One should get permission from the forest authorities before starting out.
This is perhaps one of the last unexplored part of tropical evergreen forest in India. Silent Valley is situated in Nilgiri hills, Palakkad. This site is part of the Western Ghat regions under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach is the only drive-in beach in Kerala (perhaps India too!) and is the largest in Asia. It is situated at about 15 kms from Kannur town. You can have a 5 km ride splashing through the sea waves!
Banasura Sagar dam nestled between the hill ranges of Banasura (part of Western Ghats), is built across the tributary of Kabini River in Wayanad. It is the largest earth dam in India and second largest in Asia. The small island formations in the dam reservoir covered in thick green foliage with the hill ranges in the background makes it truly breathtaking!
This bird sanctuary is part of dense tropical evergreen forest. It is located at about 58 km from Kochi city. Thattekkad was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. Famous ornithologist Salim Ali, once described Thattekkad sanctuary as “the richest bird habitat on peninsular India.”
This waterfall is very near to Athirappily waterfalls, one of the most popular waterfalls in Kerala. Vazhachal is just a 5 km drive from the later. Both these waterfalls is on Chalakkudy River flowing through Thrissur district, Kerala.
Kuruvdweep is located at about 17km from Mananthavady, which is the nearest town in Wayanad district. This island is a river delta formation on the Kabini river. It is part of the evergreen tropical forest. So naturally, it is nature lovers paradise. One get to see rare species of flora and fauna here!
This backwater stretch is in Kasaragod, northern most district of Kerala. Dotted with small islands and surrounded by lush greenery, it is really one of the best backwater destinations in Kerala. An houseboat cruise through these backwaters is an ideal way to relax and unwind.
Cherai beach is at the north western end of Vypin Island, in Ernakulam District (Cochin). The way to Cherai beach is dotted with many beautiful lagoons. These lagoons are now used for large scale organic prawn and fish cultivation. Coconut trees and close lying paddy fields adds to its charm!
Thiruvallom backwaters is located at about 6km from Trivandrum, capital of Kerala. This backwater stretch is actually a confluence of two beautiful rivers- Killi and Karamana. Thiruvallom is famous canoe rides and related water sport events.
Ponmudi or The Golden Peak, is one of the main hill stations in Trivandrum district. It is at an altitude of 1100m above sea level. It is part of the Western Ghats hill ranges. The very narrow roads with some 22 hairpin curves make the journey to the place quite adventuresome. But the scenery along the way..and the top view of the green valley below make it all worthwhile!
It is in the Kollam district. Asthamudi lake is the second deepest lake in the state, the first being Vembanad lake. In Malayalam, ‘Asthamudi’ means ‘eight coned’. It got its name for that particular shape it resembled.
Thenmala is also in Kollam district, near Punalur township. The main attraction is the Thenmala dam, built across the Kallada river. Thenmala was recently converted to a eco-tourism destination enhancing its already existing nature resources. It is around 72 kms from Trivandrum.
It is located near Kalpetta, Wayanad district. It is a picturesque freshwater lake flanked by forests on all sides. The sight of the blue water lilies spread out on the lake make the visit worth while. Boating facility is available but no one is allowed to pluck the blue lilies.
Beypore is a ancient port near Kozhikode (Calicut). It was one of those ports in Kerala where trading to Middle East used to be done. Beypore also has a beautiful beach and marina. There is a 2 km long stone bridge locally known as ‘Pulimuttu’ stretching into the sea near the beach. Walking through the bridge to its end is simply awesome. You will feel like standing almost in the middle of the sea. You can see fishermen heading over to the sea for fishing in all kinds of boats.
New off beat places
One of the best places in gujrat
Temple filled by rats Temple filled by rats Temple filled by rats Temple filled by rats Temple filled by rats Temple filled by rats Temple filled by rats
Mawsmai cave shillong is very beautiful cave to visit.