India is a hit among tourists because of the varied terrain ranging from mountains to plateaus to beaches and forests. There is something for every kind of tourist. There are so many hidden gems just waiting to be explored. From the mountain ranges of Kashmir valley to the backwaters of Kerala, there is so much beauty and diversity in the country. The top tourist destinations in India like Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Kerala, etc, are the most visited. Many places aren’t very popular but are worth visiting. Some of the best places to visit in India during a short vacation are mentioned below:
Kalimpong
West Bengal is home to Darjeeling, a popular hill station for tourists. But if one is looking to escape from the mundane city life and head to a quieter, peaceful place, Kalimpong is a great option. This beautiful hill station is not very crowded and is good for trekking. One can also relax and meditate in nature.
To reach Kalimpong one can board the WBSTC bus from the capital city of Kolkata. Volvo and AC Volvo buses are available on the route.
Dawki
Situated in Meghalaya, in the northeastern part of India, Dawki is close to the Bangladesh border and is far from the city and hustle-bustle. The crystal clear water of Umngot Lake attracts many tourists. There are boating options available as well. Tourists can also visit tourist places like Cherrapunji, Shillong peak and Elephant falls that are close by.
Dhanushkodi
Located in the Pamban Island of Tamil Nadu, Dhanushkodi is famous for the Ram Setu Bridge. Currently, the town is not inhabited by anyone hence it is a peaceful place to spend some time by the beach. The place doesn’t receive many visitors. The best way to reach Dhanushkodi is to travel by road. It is also being hailed as one of the best tourist places in India in 2022.
Chail
Tourist places in India can never be completed without mentioning Himachal Pradesh. The state is home to many tourist cities like Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, etc, but there are many lesser-known places to explore. If one is looking at visiting a quaint village or an offbeat place, Chail is the perfect destination.
It is 44 kilometers away from Manali and is a great weekend getaway. Chail offers tranquility and a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by lush nature. To reach Chail, one can board an HRTC bus from Shimla to Kandaghat or Solan and then take a taxi or bus to Chail.
Orchha
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Orchha is a dream for history buffs. The town has many forts and palaces that belong to the 16th century and were once the residences of Rajput rulers. The town was also a capital city for the Bundela rulers. There are many famous temples as well.
Lunglei
It is no secret that the Northeastern part of the country has many hidden gems that are popular tourist destinations in India and has some of the most beautiful places in India just waiting to be explored. Lunglei, situated in Mizoram is a beautiful picturesque town with lush green forests and landscapes. The crisp air is free from pollution and is a great place to relax and feel close to nature. It is also a great place for bird watchers and trekking enthusiasts.
Gurez Valley
Kashmir, also known as heaven on earth is one of the most famous places in India for tourism. The state attracts lakhs of tourists every year who flock to see the snowfall or just wish to spend some time in peace. The Gurez valley is one such beauty located in Kashmir. It is situated near the LOC but is under constant scrutiny and is safe to visit. The valley surrounded by beautiful capped mountains and clear rivers can enchant anyone. There are many JKSRTC buses that can take you to this beautiful place.
Mechuka
Mechuka is a town situated in Arunachal Pradesh and is famous for the Mechuka festival where tourists can indulge in many adventure sports and activities such as rock climbing, river crossing, mountain biking and zorbing.
Lepakshi
Lepakshi is located in Andhra Pradesh in the southern part of India and has famous temples dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Virabhadra. The most popular attraction in Lepakshi is the Hanging Pillar Temple. Lepakshi is also famous for its hand-painted murals and handicrafts. One can buy brass artefacts, scroll paintings or small souvenirs as a memory of this place. Lepakshi is well connected to all the major towns in Andhra Pradesh.
One can reach Lepakshi by bus since it is an easier and cheaper way to travel. Hindupur is connected to cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai by Train. Tourists can reach Hindupur and board an APSRTC bus to Lepakshi. The distance between Hindupur and Lepakshi is 13 kilometers.
Keoladeo
Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India among foreigners who flock to visit the Pink city Jaipur and the city of Lakes, Udaipur. Apart from these popular tourist places, Rajasthan has many lesser-known tourist places that are worth visiting. Keoladeo is famous for the Keoladeo National Park which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For wildlife enthusiasts, the national park is home to many rare species of animals and birds.
The National park also has many migratory birds and non-migratory birds. It is also a man-made wetland and is famous for the Siberian Cranes. Visitors looking at travelling to Keoladeo can board RSRTC buses from major cities like Bikaner or Jaipur to Bharatpur. From Bharatpur, one can reach Keoladeo which is just 8 Kilometers away.
India is one of the most popular countries to travel to and attracts many international tourists annually. The country is famous for its colourful heritage and mix of cultures. There is so much that India offers to its tourists ranging from historical towns and temples to snow-capped mountains, the lively beaches of Goa to the quaintness of the Northeast, cosmopolitan cities like Bangalore and Delhi to planned cities like Chandigarh. One can never get tired of the beauty and diversity that India has.