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Destinations These 8 Offbeat Destinations In India Are Ideal For Year-End Getaways
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These 8 Offbeat Destinations In India Are Ideal For Year-End Getaways

On the year-end long weekend, plan a trip to one of these offbeat getaways and usher in 2021 in style. Suggestions inside.

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By: Priyanka Chakrabarti Published: Dec 18, 2020 03:56 PM IST

These 8 Offbeat Destinations In India Are Ideal For Year-End Getaways

On the year-end long weekend, plan a trip to one of these offbeat getaways and usher in 2021 in style. By Bayar Jain

1. Pangot, Uttarakhand

 

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Nestled in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district, Pangot in winters is sheer beauty. Come December, and the tiny hamlet adorns a white hue, courtesy soft snow carpets sweeping the landscape. During this time, migratory birds also flock to the region, making the countless trekking trails here even more surreal. When here, the ideal way to invite 2021 is by camping under its pollution-free night skies amid blooming Rhododendron trees.

2. Tapola, Maharashtra

There’s a justifiable reason why this lakeside township is known as Mini Kashmir. Located beyond the bustling strawberry paradise, Mahabaleshwar, Tapola is a quiet space ideal to rejuvenate and recuperate—a must post a tumultuous year. While the town’s most popular spot is the Shiv Sagar Lake—owing to the kayaking, boating, and swimming facilities available here—its Gerbera farms, strawberry fields, and jungle trails are equally noteworthy.

3. Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu

Formerly known as Tranquebar, this erstwhile Danish colony portrays a blend of cultures. Just a six-hour-drive away from Chennai, this trading port is home to thatched cottages, swaying palm trees, and seagulls aplenty. Despite being a sleepy town, its liveliness resides in its glorious past. Think the world’s second-largest Danish fort, Fort Dansborg (locally called as Danish Fort); The New Jerusalem Church dating to 1718; or Zion Church from 1701.

4. Lolegaon, West Bengal

 

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Situated in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, this offbeat getaway is a nature lover’s paradise. The calm village is adorned with pine forests and Kachenjunga views, courtesy clear skies all year round. While the immense greens of the Heritage Forest here—complete with oak and cypress tree canopies—are sure to calm one’s soul, a walk along the 180-metre long hanging bridge within a dense forest is a surreal affair too. Plus, year-end here means that one could even experience snowfall! A magical New Year done right, isn’t it?

5. Barmer, Rajasthan

 

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Interlaced with history, mythology, art, culture and poetry along its streets, Rajasthan’s Barmer is ideal to get a dose of local culture before diving into the future. Dating to the 13th century, this sandy plain is often overshadowed by the neighbouring Jaisalmer. However, the town has many gems of its own. The crumbling fort walls here paired with intricately carved rock structures and calming temples feed into the town’s old-world charm; while the wood carvings, pottery, and colourful embroidery work add to the cultural allure.

6. Diu, Gujarat

While Gujarat’s Diu itself is not a hidden gem, a trip here is often left out in a traveller’s itinerary. Home to powdery-white sand beaches with waves splashing against the shorelines, this Portuguese-influenced island is laced with relics of the bygone era. Beach lovers can laze around at Ghogla, Nagoa, Jallandhar, or Gomtimata; history enthusiasts can head to the Diu Fort or Panikota Fort, instead. St Paul’s Church, Sunset Point, INS Khukri Memorial, and the Shell Museum are some of the other tourist spots here. Besides, being one of the rare places to serve alcohol in an otherwise dry state makes Diu an even more alluring year-end destination!

7. Dzongri, Sikkim

For those looking for one last adventure before the end of 2020, the unconventional Dzongri in Sikkim awaits. Boasting of milky-white peaks and lush green pastures, this hilltop destination is known for its trekking trails. When here, one can ride into the sunset on a majestic yak, or meander towards the top of the Goecha La pass where panoramic mountain cluster views greet. The stillness of calming lakes further adds to the picturesque beauty.

8. Silent Valley National Park, Kerala

Touted as one of Kerala’s best-kept secrets, Silent Valley National Park stands with pride as the state’s last remaining rainforest. This evergreen jungle houses over thousands of flowering plant species, more than 100 orchids’ species, and countless rare animals like Ceylon frogmouth and lion-tailed macaques. An integral biosphere of the Western Ghats, it even earned the World Heritage Site tag by UNESCO in 2012. Plus, the lack of crowds make this area a socially-distanced vacation heaven!

Related: Bucket List Material: 10 Offbeat Indian Destinations To Explore In 2021

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