Hey folks Office workloads getting ludicrous and India’s financial scene in shambles, one will be forgiven to daydream about beautiful beaches, serene hills stations and lush green valley’s just to get away from it all. I don’t know about you but I sure can use a nice vacation right now! So I set out to select the 10 best travel spots I can find within India.
Now with a country as diverse as our own, it is kind of hard to narrow down travel options to just 10; yeah, we have that many places to visit it so turns out, however I will try my best. Just to keep things interesting I am going to forget about Goa, Darjeling, Kochi, Agra and all the other obvious places your average run of the mill travel destination articles talk about. Who doesn’t know about them? Instead I am going to introduce you to some of the most un-spoilt, virgin territories where the grass is green and the scenes are pretty! Read on…
Haflong, Assam
Nestled away in the quiet hills of North East India, Haflong has already earned the reputation of being the Switzerland of the East from travelers who have been there. Haflong is a beautiful, peaceful little town which is surrounded by hills, streams, rivers and forests. It is also an ornithologist’s paradise as it is home to a variety of different species of rare and exotic birds. As a visitor you can take a flight to Shillong and hire a cab from there to Haflong, soaking in beautiful picturesque landscapes along the way.
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang is natural beauty personified! The place is dotted with lakes, rivers and hills offering adventure junkies plenty to gnaw their teeth into. You can also part take in local culture as Tawang has a rich heritage.
Nagini, Himachal Pradesh:
The British introduced trout fishing into India in order to indulge in their favorite pass time and the trout fishing camp in Nagini is the best place you can find if fishing is your thing. The camp offers accommodations for all requirements and budgets ranging from log cabins to stone cottages and is managed by Mr. Christopher Mitra and his family who are known to be fantastic hosts.
Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Coonoor is obviously not all that unheard of. However did you know the place is of great renown for its cheese? You can try a stay at the Acres Wild Organic Cheese Farm there enjoying a simple farm life while soaking the beauty of the Nilgiri hills.
Namik Ramganga Valley, Uttarakhand
The Namik Ramganga Valley is a trekker’s dream come true and the place to get away from the grind of everyday life. Located in the hills of the lesser Himalayas, Namik Ramganga is ideal for a camping trip. You can also pamper yourself into a state of deep relaxation in one of the many resorts and camping locations present there basking in soft sunlight in the middle of the elements.
Ranikhet, Uttarakhand
Another quasi-popular destination, Ranikhet lies just a few kilometers down of the very popular Nainital. While Ranikhet is usually seen as a place to retire too, it also offers great camping opportunities and is now becoming a destination for paragliding as well, so now you can sail over the Kumaon hills for a truly exhilarating experience.
Basunti, Himachal Pradesh
The town of Basunti is a renowned Yoga retreat in the hills of Himachal Pradesh right along the banks of the Maharana Pratap Sagar Dam. The reservoir is declared as a natural reserve and is thus home to a variety of flora and fauna not found anywhere else in India. Basunti is a place of spiritual splendor as well and you can spend many a day exploring its rich Yoga history and its beautiful surroundings.
Masinagudi, Tamil Nadu
Masinagudi is considered a jungle retreat and that it is! Located on the foothills of the Nilgiri hills, it has one resort which blends in well with its surrounding greenery. You can rent anything from dormitories to cottages and even villas depending on your taste and budget. Masinagudi offers night safaris, trekking as well as bird watching opportunities.
Kalimpong, West Bengal
Kalimpong offers a lot to the tourist who got there not knowing what to expect. You can go up to Deolo hill which has a tourist lodge and a picnic spot which is run by the department of tourism. Or maybe you are a golfer in which case you simply cannot miss the golf course there. Finally, Kalimpong’s greatest draw is its Victorian era architecture, check out the Elgin Silver Oaks Hotel there which is really worth a visit just for its sheer majestic beauty.
Shillong, Meghalaya
I know, I know you probably have heard about it given that it is the capital of Meghalaya but it seriously deserves a mention here. You can find quite a few resorts overlooking the beautiful Umiam Lake. You can go out on treks and sample the local cuisine in the markets. Shillong offers a beautiful and peaceful retreat for those looking for some relaxation in a pleasant, cool and refreshing environment.
Well, that’s all my little reverie can allow at the moment. I am sure I will be planning a trip to at least one of these places in the foreseeable future and I recommend you do too. These destinations aren’t all that frequented, at least not as much as popular destinations so you can have them all to yourself while you are there. Any places you have been which offered you an unforgettable experience? I will be glad to hear about them, leave a comment below and let the world know.