Offbeat travel destinations in India

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Udaipur, India

India has been one of the most popular travel destinations in the world or quite some time, especially or backpackers. But the charm of backpacking lies in exploring places which are not seen as conventional tourist destinations. Mumbai, Delhi, Varanasi or Kochi are all surprising and refreshing if you compare them to a traditional beach resort, for example, but as far as Indian destinations go, they are the staple.

Once you’ve visited these places, it’s time to explore the country a bit further, and start looking for some of the offbeat, quirky places where you can learn something new about fascinating India.

Kuttanad, Kerala

Kerala might be famous for being one of the most beautiful regions in India, but Kuttanad is not exactly your traditional travel destination. This region is a partly reclaimed land covered by patches of rice fields and dikes.

Kuttanad can best be described as a watery labyrinth, where you can easily get lost among the countless lakes, rivulets, canals and rivers trimmed with tropical vegetation. In addition to lazy boat rides, you can catch a glimpse of Kerala’s rural lifestyle, a sharp contrast to the busy everyday life of the cities.

Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is a small town in Garwhal, located 28 kilometers away from Mussoorie, nestled amidst forests of rhododendron, deodar and oak. The peace and quiet of Dhanaulti is a remedy for anyone who wants to get away from the big city. The main attraction of Dhanaulti is the ECO-Park, a scenic patch of very old deodar trees. The Surkanda Devi Temple is very close to Dhanaulti, and every year it host a famous autumn fair where you can buy traditional crafts.

Gopalpur

Gopalpur is one of the most untouched and clean beaches in India. It used to be a bustling port, but now the town is rather sleepy, which is not necessarily an inconvenience.  The quiet lets you appreciate the sound of the waves hitting the shore, and you can you relax and contemplate the beauty of nature.

There is not much else to do in Gopalpur except go to the beach, but it is a place for relaxation, not for sightseeing and activities. Since Orissa, famous for its handwoven scarves, is nearby, so you can pick up some interesting souvenirs too.

Bir, Himachal Pradesh

Bir is a small and quiet village, but it is known to be a center for spiritual learning. There are several Buddhist monasteries and quite a large stupa in the village, as part of a Tibetan refugee camp. Para gliders flock to Bir because it offer some incredible views, but even if you are not into extreme sports, you will find much to enjoy here.

But if you do decide to try your hand at paragliding, you should know that one of the best take off places in the world, Billing, is located just above the village.

Kausani, Uttarakhand

Kausani is a small and picturesque hill station in the Himalayan North, sadly (or luckily?) often neglected in favor of nearby Nainital. Kausani can offer some absolutely splendid views of the Himalayas, and very few other hill stations can compare to it when it comes to spectacular views.

One of India’s most famous poets, Sumitranandan Pant, was born in Kausani, and the town has an interesting museum  dedicated to his life and work.

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Comments on Offbeat travel destinations in India

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India Tour wrote on October 28, 2010:

Nice post and nice pictures.

 

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