India, the seventh largest country in the world, is blessed with one of the oldest existing cultures. It abounds in places that are offbeat and mesmerizing, to say the least. It would surely take one a lifetime of travel to discover the hidden beauty of all these places in India. Mind you, what we are talking of here, are the places off the beaten track, and different from the places which people generally prefer to visit on hearsays from friends and professional tour planners, places like Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, the Taj Mahal, and Goa, etc. More over these places also carry the tag of being easy on the pocket.
1. Gurez Valley, Kashmir
Set at a height of about 8,000 feet, Gurez Valley, a crowning glory of Kashmir, is replete with beautiful sights, such as the roaring Kishan Ganga River, fauna and flora, and mountains of poetic beauty. This, feast-for-the-eyes, destination has been around forever, but has never been on the tourism map due to its remoteness, we are sure, anyone, who visits here, will lose track of time while absorbing everything that Gurez has to offer.
May through September is the period when the weather and air are most pleasant and welcoming.
2. Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
A lesser frequented district in Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur is primarily known for its apple orchards, dangerous roads, deep gorges, and beautifully carved, intricate wooden temples. Very different from other touristy districts, to be experienced when on your, Kinnaur has a distinct culture: It is a mix of Buddhism and Hinduism. Kinnaur is one of the adventurous tourist destinations to visit in in Himachal tour package.
The best season to visit: End of September you will find the orchards laden with apples like stars shining on trees.
3. Phuktal Gompa, Jammu & Kashmir
Phuktal Monastery/Gompa is like a honeycomb, cut into a rock under a gigantic grotto having more than 70 Monks staying there. In the cave over the monastery, in the hollow of a rock there, the water level never reduces even after draining out any amount of water from there. This water is said to have healing powers. You need to trek for a day or two, to reach this unseen place in India.
Best Time to Visit: June To September
4. Daman & Diu
One of the many prominent beaches of Daman & Diu, this beautiful and quiet beach offers visitors a variety of water sports. It is also a great beach for swimming, and is known for its peaceful and serene surroundings.
Play on the soft sands of the beach, listen to the gentle sway of the trees and the sea. Unwind and leave behind all the stress of your work-a-day life, as you replenish your energy levels.
Best time for visit: October to March
5. Silent Valley National Park, Kerala
Silent Valley National parkis located in the Nilgiri hills. It has some rare species of flora and fauna explored in 1847 by the botanist Robert Wight. The national park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. It is the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is part of the Nilgiri Sub-Cluster, Western Ghats World Heritage Site, recognised by UNESCO in 2007.
Due to its location amid the Nilgiris, the weather of this region remains pleasant throughout the year. Thus, making it, a, round year destination.
6. Khimsar Village, Rajasthan
Perched upon one of the edges of the famous Thar Desert, the village of Khimsar is located between the famous towns of Bikaner and Jodhpur and is also home to the world renowned marvel, called the Nagaur Fort, dating back to the 16th century,.
Tourists are drawn to this land of Rajasthan for what it has to offer to its visitors, which begins with adventure sports in the desert to wildlife safaris. The rustic surroundings along with the mud huts constructed, impart a sense of peace and tranquility resulting in a very rich lifelong experience.
Best time for visit: November to February
7. Jawai, Rajasthan
Not known to many, Jawai Leopard Camp is the newest and the coolest addition to leopard spotting destinations in India. Luxurious tents, rustic lamps, and authentic Rajasthani cuisine ensure that the experience is exotic as well as adventurous. And it’s not just the feline; the place is abuzz with flamingos, geese, cranes, and other migratory birds. If you are lucky, when on your trip to Rajasthan you may find a fair share of sloth bears, Indian wolves, and antelopes.
Best Time To Visit: Early September-Mid May
