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Destinations Bookmark This: 10 Offbeat Destinations In India For All Kinds Of Travellers
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Bookmark This: 10 Offbeat Destinations In India For All Kinds Of Travellers

Here are our picks of offbeat destinations in India, spanning the gamut from quaint Himalayan villages to tiny coastal towns.

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By: Sushmita Srivastav Published: Aug 14, 2023 11:00 AM IST

Bookmark This: 10 Offbeat Destinations In India For All Kinds Of Travellers

Here are our picks of offbeat destinations in India, spanning the gamut from quaint Himalayan villages to tiny coastal towns. After all, the discerning traveller knows how to embrace new destinations before they become all the rage in the travel world. 

Offbeat Destinations in India

Binsar, Uttarakhand

If leisurely strolls and spirited hikes in Kumaon Himalayas are what your mountain dreams are made of, Binsar will easily find its way to your heart. A scenic four-hour drive from Nainital, northwest of Almora in Uttarakhand, this dreamy hamlet is slowly gaining popularity for its eponymous wildlife sanctuary that boasts over 200 species of birds in a dense forest of oaks, rhododendrons, and pines. Gorgeous sunsets, 60 kilometres of hiking trails, leopard sightings, ancient temples, panoramic mountain views, and the sky putting up a celestial odyssey every night make this offbeat destination the perfect relaxing getaway in India. 

Destinations For Every Globetrotter
Perched at an elevation of 2,420 metres, Binsar offers views of many Himalayan peaks.

Getting There: Binsar is 125 kilometres from Kathgodam, the nearest railway station. The closest airport is in Pantnagar which is a half-hour drive from Kathgodam but the connectivity can be erratic at times. It is a nine-hour drive from Delhi. 

Stay: The Kumaon is a 40-minute drive from Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and offers different trails that stretch through oak and rhododendron forests. Doubles from INR 28,000. 

Chatpal, Kashmir

Destinations For Every Globetrotter

Tucked far down south of Kashmir’s bustling valleys, this quaint little village has no electricity, but unknown treks through its thick pine forests, gushing streams, and the majestic sun-kissed Himalayas in the backdrop make up for it. There are no touristy spots or gimmicks to lure you into spending a night or two, but you will stay back in Chatpal anyway. The unending stretches of dense woods, beds of wildflowers, and open meadows are enough to cast a spell. When here, strike up conversations with the GujjarBakerwal locals over hot cups of kahwa, go on ski trips or forest hikes, and stroll through apple and walnut orchards. 

Getting There: From Srinagar Airport, Chatpal is 90 kilometres away. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi, 222 kilometres away. 

Stay: Eden Resorts & Spa in Movera, Pahalgam offers a luxurious stay with an outdoor pool, cosy fireplaces, elaborate breakfast buffets, and relaxing spa sessions. Doubles from INR 12,500.

Sindhudurg, Maharashtra

Destinations For Every Globetrotter

The magic of Sindhudurg’s unhurried life is unmatched. Deep in the Konkan stretch of India’s western state, Maharashtra, this offbeat coastal destination offers you a slice of Goa’s susegad. The imposing Sindhudurg Fort flanked by the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea has tales of glory and valour to tell. The pristine beaches, rock formations along the coastline, a whole slew of monsoon waterfalls and ravines, ancient temples and forts in ruins, and quiet backwaters are still far from the limelight. But the world is finally catching up, thanks to the emerging Malvani cuisine and a high-end resort with responsible luxury in its DNA. 

Getting There: Mopa Airport is approximately 87 kilometres. Sindhudurg also has its own airport but with limited connectivity.

Stay: Coco Shambhala Sindhudurg boasts conscious hospitality. Expect double-bedroom villas with minimalist decor, plunge pools, and wellness therapies. The standard package starts from INR 80,000 per night (with a minimum of three nights’ booking). 

Khimsar, Rajasthan 

Rajasthan

Camel safaris in the dunes, spiritual tours of ancient Hindu and Jain temples, a forlorn fortress, and rare black bucks at Panchala Black Buck Reserve—Khimsar is your desert dream come true. Located amid miles and miles of the sands of the Great Thar, the 15th-century Khimsar Fort stands tall like the sentinel of a glorious history. The famous Naguar Cattle Festival may have put this tiny hamlet on the map, but it is the picturesque oasis with a turquoise lake at its heart that makes Khimsar stand out. 

Getting There: Jodhpur (80 kilometres) has the closest airport and railway station, both of which are well-connected to major cities of India. 

Stay: A part of Khimsar Fort has been turned into a Welcomhotel property. This heritage hotel has 71 rooms and suites, four dining outlets, a spa, and two huts at the nearby Dunes Village. Doubles from INR 7,600. 

Narara Island, Gujarat

Destinations For Every Globetrotter

The first marine national park of India spread over 42 islands, coral walks, exotic sea life, and a fort bang in the middle of the beach—need we say more? Narara, located 60 kilometres from Jamnagar, is tucked on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, where marine life and mangroves thrive. Follow the trails left by small shells that are home to hermit crabs; spot octopuses, pufferfish, stingrays, sea anemones, molluscs, sponges, and exotic corals at your feet. Once done meandering through the mangroves, watch flamingos and pelicans wading into the sunset. 

Getting There: From Jamnagar airport, hit NH 947 to reach Narara Island in an hour. Take permission from the Forest Office Jamnagar for access to the marine national park. 

Stay: Stay at Sayaji Jamnagar which places you at a short distance from Lakhota Lake and within two kilometres of Shantinath Mandir. There are 60 rooms and two restaurants to savour traditional Gujarati dishes. Doubles from INR 2,920.

Amadubi, Jharkhand

Painting

If it weren’t for the local chitrakar families of Amadubi, the Pyatkar scroll paintings would have long become a thing of the past. This artists’ village near Jamshedpur in Jharkhand is home to one of the oldest forms of tribal art in India. Sit with the local painters inside their mud huts; paat or scrolls of cloth, tree bark, or leaves painted with folktales and legends will unfurl before your eyes. If you wish to dig deeper into its history, there’s a small museum in the village showcasing everything from the time-honoured art form to musical instruments and a collection of traditional utensils. 

Getting There: Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi (170 kilometres) is the nearest and has direct connectivity from metro cities. Alternatively, you can hop on a local bus or train from Dhalbhumgarh (seven kilometres ). 

Stay: Kalamandir CCAF has the facility to pitch luxurious tents in Amadubi. Available on advance booking (+91 657-2320109). Or you can base yourself at Ramada Jamshedpur Bistupur (84 kilometres) for a more comfortable stay. Doubles from INR 6,000. 

Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh

Offbeat Destinations in India in Arunachal

If you seek spiritual awakening in India, there are grand Buddhist pagodas and age-old monasteries at this offbeat, lesser-explored destination. If it is a refuge in nature’s lap that you’re looking for, there are tea plantations, paddy fields, and rivers. And in case you wish to witness traditional architectural brilliance, there are ethnic bamboo houses of tribal communities like Khampti, Singpho, and Adi. Namsai is slowly finding a place on the tourist map with its wonders. Visit the iconic Kongmu Kham (Golden Pagoda) representing Theravada Buddhism, take a scenic drive to Lal Pahad for a peaceful meditation session, and later, take a holy dip at the breathtaking Parshuram Kund. 

Getting There: Namsai is a two-hour drive (113 kilometres) away from the Mohanbari (Dibrugarh) airport. Private taxis are easily available. Make sure to apply for the Inner Line Permit beforehand. 

Stay: Golden Pagoda Eco Resort may lack the luxuries but its cottages lie in the vicinity of Kongmu Kham, which means you wake up to the awe-inspiring sight of the pagoda every morning. Price on request.

Gavi, Kerala 

Kerala

Deep inside the Ranni Reserve Forest, this emerging eco-tourism project of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) is a day trip from Thekkady and is perfect for idle strolls amid cardamom plantations and boat rides in the backwaters. Trek through the canopied paths that lead you along brimming dams and misty meadows. If you wish to meet the wild inhabitants in a 90-kilometres-deep rainforest, get your pass from the Angamoozhi check post by 8.30 am. Enter Angamoozi, the home for more than 200 birds and over 35 mammal species including blue-winged parakeet, Malabar whistling thrush, Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, and the elusive leopard. 

Getting There: Fly to Cochin International Airport (174 kilometres) and take a cab to Gavi. The nearest railway station is in Thiruvalla (120 kilometres). 

Stay: Ayurvedic therapies in a charming setting await at Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, an hour’s drive from Gavi. Doubles from INR 12,900. 

Moodbidri, Karnataka

Karnataka Offbeat Destinations in India

Ever heard of ‘Jain Kashi’ of India? Moodbidri in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka has rightly earned the sobriquet—the beautiful temple town is home to 18 Jain Basadis. Built between the 14th and 16th centuries, these temple complexes still retain their original design and architecture. Saavira Kambada Basadi, probably the most revered of them all, has over thousand pillars showcasing Nepalese, Oriental, and Hoysala influences, but the most fascinating draw is that no two pillars are identical! The Shri Devi Annapoorneshwari Temple Kodyadka, with the Hindu goddess Durga as its central deity, is another landmark. Come here for the ancient temple complexes, horticultural farms, and a dedicated butterfly park, but stay (longer) to witness time-honoured traditions like Hulivesha (tiger dance), Kambala (buffalo race), and Bhoota Kola (a shamanistic dance ritual). 

Getting There: The nearest airport to Moodbidri is Mangaluru Airport, which is 19 kilometres away. Overnight buses also run from Bengaluru to Moodbidri (352 kilometres). 

Stay: The Estate Resort lies on a hillock in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Mangaluru, just 15 minutes from Moodbidri. Doubles from INR 7,920

Arittapatti, Tamil Nadu

Offbeat Destinations in India Tamil Nadu

The state’s first biodiversity heritage site is a unique landscape of rocky hills and seven barren granite hillocks, supporting 72 lakes, 200 natural spring ponds, and three reservoirs. Despite being an offbeat destination in India, Arittapatti is slowly gaining recognition for its great historical value—the village is blessed with ancient megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, carved Jain beds, and 2,200-year-old rock-cut temples! The Lake Anaikondan here was built under the reign of the Pandyan Kingdom back in the 16th century, by which you can spot over 75 species of birds, including three flagship raptor species—Laggar falcon, Shaheen falcon, and Bonelli’s eagle. 

Getting There: Arittapatti is about half an hour’s drive from both Madurai Airport and Madurai Integrated Bus Terminus. 

Stay: Just 45 minutes away by car, Heritage Madurai beckons with its historic charm. Lounge by the temple tank pool or luxuriate in a plunge pool in your own private villa. Doubles from INR 7,000.

Related: Bookmark This: 20 Cities Through Their Street Food Delights

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which tourist spot in India sees the highest number of visitors?
For years, the Taj Mahal in Agra is considered to be the most famous tourist destination.

– Which Indian destination has the most number of foreign travellers?
Owing to its connectivity with global destinations, India’s national capital New Delhi sees the highest influx of foreign travellers.

Written By

Sushmita Srivastav

Sushmita Srivastav

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