The rightly famous Taj Mahal, delectable Jabalpur breakfast, Ganga aarti in Rishikesh, ancient temple rituals in Kinnaur, majestic monasteries of Ladakh, charming hidden world of Meghalaya, lush deep forests of Arunachal Pradesh, turquoise waters of the Andamans—there is just so much to do in India that picking just a few places or experiences would be unjust.
India, as the 7th largest country in the world, has a lot for travellers. Of course, the sheer number of attractions and travel experiences that one can have here makes it a daunting task to pick the best of these. While there is always another time, I have curated the best places to visit in India, including some surreal experiences that I have had on the roads here. Here, my top 50 places to visit in India and more.
1. Drive down NH 22 – the Hindustan Tibet Road from Shimla to Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh
If you want to know why somebody said that journeys are often more beautiful than the destinations, drive down the Hindustan – Tibet road. The magic of an offbeat India tour starts as you steer towards Kinnaur from Shimla.
Wildly gurgling rivers flow by one side of the road that cuts through jagged rocks for most of the part. Keep your cameras set as you never know when a waterfall might come crashing down the vehicle’s windscreen.
Watch out for the rather infamous shooting stones here! A monsoon trip is best avoided since the journey route often sees landslides and is not cut for most travellers.
2. Row across the backwaters of Kumarakom and Alleppey in Kerala
If you think India oversells Kerala as a tourist destination, add the words ‘rightly so’ to your thoughts! This lush green state, widely famous for its spice plantations and backwaters is a must-visit in India.
Kerala backwaters defy all the logic of photo editing as the stretch is immensely gorgeous. More so, if you glide down the calm waters on a monsoon day just like I did the day I took this photograph.
So, you see, Kerala tourism is no sham.
3. Wake up in Dzongu, Sikkim, the enchanted land of Lepchas
A lot of names would come up if you search for offbeat places in India. But a tiny speck on the map, the village of Dzongu in Sikkim is the one you should be heading for. Precariously stretching around the wildly flowing River Teesta and perched on the Himalayas, Dzongu is a must-visit if you wish to get really offbeat—no phone network, no internet. It is also home to the Lepchas, an indigenous tribe that lives in harmony with nature.
Miles of pines, tiny monasteries, locals that are often seen practicing soccer, cozy homestays, wildly growing cardamoms and patches of tea, hot water geysers, riverside picnics, surprising bursts of rhododendrons are just some of the lures of Dzongu.
4. Camp by Chandratal Lake, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
A visit to the Chandratal Lake (also referred to as the Moon Lake) is a place that deserves to be on your bucket list. Guarded by the Himalayas, Chandratal Lake is a wonder.
A bumpy offroad drive or a 13-km trek are the two options that make it accessible. Its first sight would take you by surprise, followed by an ardent and irrevocable love. This is an experience that has no parallels.
5. Wonder at miles of salt spreads at the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Imagine yourself landing in a barren land, not even a blade of grass in sight, an occasional camel crossing the stretch, a full moon rising steadily and bathing everything in a silvery-blue light as the night approaches.
Well, this is how the White Rann in Gujarat looks, the world’s largest salt marsh.
6. Breathe in the salt air at Varkala, the clifftop wonder by the Arabian Sea
A dear friend, on a visit to Varkala, wrote “Dear Varkala, you’re so beautiful that you make me weep”.
Exactly a month back, when I was strolling the cliffs and beaches of Varkala, I tried but could not find words more apt than my friend’s. A hippie favourite, this is an artsy place that can make me dash for a trip to Kerala soon again.
7. Motorbike the Kargil-Leh or Manali-Leh Circuit
These are two of the most stunning routes in the world, luring motorbikers from all over the world. While the road from Kargil to Leh takes lesser time and is lesser explored, the Manali – Leh route sees a lot of buzz as summers arrive. While it used to attract only the ardent bikers till a decade back, it is now a popular enthusiasts’ go-to every summer. That makes it more comfortable for solo bikers as well. Again, there is no travel experience in India that comes close to a motorbike trip to Ladakh.
8. Sigh at the oh-so-surreal beauty of Tso Moriri, Changthang
What do I write about this one! The way clouds play over the blue waters of Tso Moriri, or the cobalt colour sky that gives the other blue a run, or the sheer surreal quotient of it.
If you’ve ever wanted to know why William Wordsworth wrote about nature, a day out at Tso Moriri Lake is a must. Taste the heavens.
9. Get charmed by the saffron farms of Pampore, Kashmir
Head to Pampore to see where one of the world’s most expensive spices grows. The surreal beauty of acres of saffron fields that stretch at Pampore, Kashmir, will woo you like first love! Each single sliver of saffron is handpicked from the flowers, making it an arduous and expensive process.
10. Hop aboard the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway at Darjeeling, West Bengal
In spite of a lot of soot from the coal engine that flew in and settled over me while I was riding in the steam engine run Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, I loved it. Featuring in the UNESCO Heritage Site list, this toy train chugs at a leisurely, very leisurely pace, crossing stretches of pines, street markets, parks and more.
Let it chug, let the soot fly in, take a scarf, settle in with a camera, pore outside, let your Sheldon Cooper like love for trains take over.
11. Stargaze for endless nights at Kalpa, Kinnaur
I just did a somersault in my head. It happens every time I write or tell a story about my stargazing experiences in Kalpa. A lovely hamlet-like place, Kalpa is also where I dream of building myself a house, with a huge terrace fitted with telescopes for stargazing.
Well, you won’t need a telescope unless you are diving deep into astronomy, for the sky is ridiculously clear at Kalpa usually. Shooting stars in dozens is just one of the many starry promises from Kalpa.
12. Wonder if the precariously set Dhankar Monastery in Spiti is actually set!
Isn’t that treacherous now!
Oh my, the first sight of Dhankar Monastery at Spiti took my breath away. Built on the lines of a cliff fort, this Buddhist monastery is quite high in the list of World Monument Funds’ 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World.
While the efforts are on to conserve this breathtaking relic of history and culture, I’m so glad that I visited it in its current beauty.
13. Go scuba diving at Andaman & Nicobar Islands
There are a few places in the country that are as different and surreal as the Andaman & Nicobar islands. The sheer beauty of this tropical destination is breathtaking, with surprisingly turquoise water and the inviting lagoons here. Scuba diving here is a surreal experience with a very rich coral and marine life; once under the water, it is a different world altogether, more colourful, more silent, more beautiful than what one can ever imagine. My personal favourite for scuba diving here is the Elephant Island, with calm waters and lagoons.
14. Volunteer with the Buddhist nuns in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
If you wish to up the adventure quotient and are thinking of volunteering in India at the same time, Spiti should be on the cards. While English language teachers are highly sought after at the many nunneries at Spiti, you can also teach basic sciences and math here. Jamyang Foundation is a great place to start.
As for the experience, you will get to live in Himalayan caves, bathe by the river side, and learn the true meaning of the word nomad. The only flip side is the heartbreak that comes when you complete the volunteering session and pack your bags.
15. Watch the Beating Retreat Ceremony at Wagah Border, Amritsar
A very turbulent past is what everyone reckons when you talk about India and Pakistan in one breath. So, I invite you to watch the two countries in unison, exchanging flags and putting up a remarkable display of togetherness at the Wagah border at Amritsar, Punjab. Don’t miss this.
16. Go for a desert safari at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
An emerging destination for stargazers and the lovers of Rajasthan’s rustic beats, Jaisalmer is the place where magic spills over and turns into a desert.
Go on a camel safari, have a date with your camera, listen to folk songs while sitting by a bonfire in the night, sleep under the stars or do nothing but gaze at miles of golden sand—Jaisalmer will woo you more than any other place in Rajasthan. Some alluring luxury camps for those still not in love with sleeping under the stars.
17. Trek in the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, Uttarakhand
I would have suggested you to go and summit this beauty if only I wasn’t aware of the dangers. It was in the year 1930 when Hugh Ruttledge gave up on it after three attempts, famously proclaiming that even gaining an entry to the sanctuary is far more difficult than reaching the North Pole!
So, leave the summit but don’t give up on the experience. Take a guided trek through the Nanda Devi Sanctuary and test yourself in some of the most wondrous vistas of the Indian Himalayas.
18. Visit the pine-surrounded Jageshwar Temple Complex, Uttarakhand
Well, if the idea of exploring one of the least famous yet impressive temple complexes in India sounds interesting to you, Jageshwar Temple should be an essential stop in your great Indian journey.
A group of 124 stone structures, most under the purview of the ASI, these temples are guarded by oak and pine forests. As obscure as Uttarakhand can be. A big hello from this Indian state.
19. Wave hello to the one-horned Rhinoceros at the Kaziranga National Park, Assam
A visit to the Kaziranga National Park is one of the coolest wildlife experiences that you can have in India. While a lot of itineraries and tour companies will whisk you away to one of the national parks to spot a tiger, I suggest that you visit the rare one horned rhinoceros that roam free in Kaziranga.
Photographers’ alert again.
20. Volunteer with the self-sustained community at Auroville, Pondicherry
Auroville is a very welcome change in the tourist circuit of India. A different experience, it is the best answer if you wish to spend some laid back time, working as an intern or volunteer on a variety of projects that include organic farming, Tai Chi workshops.
Or perhaps, get introduced to natural healing therapies and more. Check the official website of Auroville for more information.
21. Go paragliding over the Himalayas at Bir and Billing, Palampur
Oh boy! What do I tell you about my love for soaring over the Himalayas. The Dhauladhar range at Bir & Billing is one of the most fascinating backdrops for the lovers of paragliding. World’s third best spot for paragliding, Bir & Billing also hosts the World Paragliding Championship. Come, try.
22. Muse about the Milky Way at the Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle
At around 10 hours from Leh, the Indian Astronomical Observatory is a treasure that very few travellers care to visit. Housing the second highest telescope in the world, the observatory ‘s location is one of the best in the world for visible infrared observations. Surprisingly low levels of pollution and the surreal beauty of Hanle village also make it a must do in your trip to India.
23. Become part of a Dev Milan Ceremony in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
If you harbour the wish to be a part of a closely-knit community in the Himalayas, make sure you somehow attend a Dev Milan ceremony. It celebrates the coming together and homecoming of deities in some Himalayan villages.
I was lucky enough to be a part of one and I still remember the chat session I had with the locals, the very interesting dance and music of the celebrations, and photographing the locals who joined in their traditional attire. It’s like becoming a part of some fascinating folk tale of the Himalayas.
24. Explore the forests of Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The jungles of Madhya Pradesh (MP) are alluring; so much so that these forests are what inspired Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, a story that never found a parallel. You can start your journey into MP’s wilderness with the Kanha National Park, famed as a home to the Royal Bengal tigers among other species. Other than the famed tigers, Kanha National Park has its own immensely motivating story of bringing back barasingha from the brink of conservation and introducing the species back in the jungle.
More than the animal sightings, the forest is lush, dense and bigger than most other forest areas in the country. Do sign up for a morning jungle safari here to see the forest come alive.
25. Witness monks discuss philosophy at a Buddhist monastery
This experience cannot be put into words. Not easily. If you’ve ever been to a Buddhist monastery and seen monks engaged in animated conversations, gesturing quite wildly, often clapping their hands with a wham and then talking more, know that you are privy to one of the most interesting rituals of the Buddhist community.
This is how monks discuss the various facets of Buddhist ideologies. Monasteries in Spiti, Mcledoganj, Dharamsala, Leh, Sikkim and Karnataka are your best bets.
26. Circumnavigate the temple at the Kunzum Top, Kunzum Pass
So you know about this belief about the Kunzum Top, right? It lies in the Kunzum Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in the region and gateway to the Spiti Valley. So, going by this belief, Kunzum Top is home to Goddess Kunzum, who guards the pass and ensures safe journeys.
To seek her blessings, you cannot pass the point without circumnavigating the temple complex at the top. Other than anything else, it’s a very interesting experience and a must-do for any offbeat India tour. More so because it all happens at an altitude of 4551 mts and has a glacier right across.
Hello photographers!
27. Meditate at the Pohlani Devi Temple at Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
Dain Kund or the Pohlani Devi Temple can be reached via a 30 minutes trek. While most of the tourists to Dalhousie do not know about it or are unaware of its charm, this is a must-do if you’re visiting Dalhousie.
As unreal as it might sound, you might suddenly turn religious here. With the snow-capped peaks at the horizon, this temple feels very surreal, more like setting foot in God’s territory!
28. Go boating at Asia’s cleanest river in Meghalaya!
Head to the beautiful state of Meghalaya to experience what Asia’s cleanest river, River Umngot or Dawki, looks like. The water here is so clean that you can count all the rocks on the riverbed and see even the tiniest of fish here! The river flows from India to Bangladesh and is right at the border. While the number of tourists here is alarming, conscious travel can take this place a long way and also set an example of how nature thrives without human intervention. While you are in Meghalaya, you must also visit the living root bridges (one of their kind in the world) and Mawlynnong, the quaint village that is famed as Asia’s cleanest.
29. Gasp at the beauty of Kumaon Himalayas at Kasar Devi, Uttarakhand
If you have to choose only one place in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, pick Kasar Devi. The hamlet is home to the much revered Kasar Devi temple, and offers splendid 360-degree views of the mighty peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul and the Panchachuli peaks. This is also where Swami Vivekanand spent some months, drawing people from far and wide, including Uma Thurman and Bob Dylan! While people, mostly hippies and Instafluncers, claim that NASA has declared it to be lying on the Van Allen belt, there is no conclusive proof or claim by NASA. While Kasar Devi is definitely not on the Van Allen belt, there’s magic in the air here.
30. Motorbike to reach the Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
When it rains in Goa, it pours. And when it pours in Goa, you should get out, ride a motorbike through a lush forest, right through water streams that are more like torrents in the monsoon.
No other vehicle can get you to Dudhsagar Falls, so you got to rely on the biking skills of the Monsoon Pilots of Goa. Clutch them good, don’t move much or you might land in the valley on the other side. That’s the Goa you should see, alright?
31. Learn surfing in Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Puducherry is home to the oldest surfing school in India. If you think this sport is for you, there is no place better than Pondi to learn it. Other than surfing, Puducherry has a lot for those into scuba-diving, swimming, kayaking, and volunteering at Auroville.
32. Drive across one of the Pagal Nallahs on the Battal Manali stretch
This one is for the lovers of crazy road trips. Forget Nevada and try coursing through the mad, gurgling streams of water that promise you nothing in terms of water level, water direction or anything. Boulder-like rocks and wild rivers on one side of these pagal nallahs (mad streams) add to the adventure.
Roll up your pants, get your shoes off, for biking through these is 100x more fun than taking a car up here.
33. Watch the Sun rise from the banks of River Ganga at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
If the chaos and adventure of India is too much for you, come to Rishikesh. Bunk up in an ashram here, try soaking in the chants at the Ganga, practice a new language, read an Elif Shafak. Or else, just watch the Sun rise from the banks of Ganga. It’s one of those remedial therapies that I can swear by. Divinity is here.
34. Experience the famous Kumbh Mela
World’s biggest religious gathering, the Kumbh Mela is one giant occasion. Millions of tourists, mostly the seekers of spirituality and a very filmy India, make sure they reach India around the Kumbh Mela.
But I’ll tell you where the fun is. It’s not the filmy India that’s as alluring as the impressive folk tales that the sadhus recount, the grand processions that have elephants, horses, sword yielding godmen and more, the open food areas, the unending chatter at the camps that doesn’t cease even at nights. That’s the Kumbh Mela that I love.
35. Visit the Kochi Muziris Biennale, Kochi, Kerala
Hello artsy folks! India’s first art biennale, the Kochi Muziris is where all the good stuff is happening. World’s best contemporary artists turn the cityscape into an art gallery that’ll woo you. Art installments, exhibitions and great food (of course), Kochi Muziris is where your Kerala sojourn should start with.
36. Explore the Rainforests at the Silent Valley National Park, Palakkad, Kerala
Kerala’s largest national park, the Silent Valley National Park is one of the last tracts of rainforest in the South Western Ghats and was declared as a National Park in 1984.
Home to the largest population of Lion-Tailed Macaques, rare bird species, endangered animals and 700+ species of insects add to the charm of its grassy lands.
India’s Amazon you see.
37. Get awestruck at the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Mehrangarh is one of the largest forts in the world. It will bowl you over at the very first sight with its grandeur. Perched over a hill in the city of Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort complex is spread over an astonishing 1200 acres! It is a very fine specimen of architecture and has a beautiful sheesh mahal (palace of mirrors) inside, which is a feat in itself. The fort also serves as a museum and a relic of the lives of the royal family. When here, do not forget to visit the street markets, gorge over the rightly famous Makhaniya Lassi from Shri Mishrilal, have dal baati at Ma Bhawani and more as well.
38. Jump into a coracle, watch the Sun set over Hampi ruins, Karnataka
Tagged as the most searched historical site in the Indian state of Karnataka, the ruins of Hampi are more like an intriguing page of some history book. This is also the city, Vijayanagara, where the famous stories of Tenali Raman were based!
Hampi figures in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Once you’re done with exploring the different complex, go rappelling, cycling or rowing down River Tunghabhadra in a coracle. Or watch the Sun setting over the ruins – the best of all.
39. Dive into history books at Dholavira, Gujarat
If exploring the ruins of one of the three early civilisations of the Old World fascinates you, do not forget to make Dholavira a pit stop in your great Indian journey. Remnants of the great Indus Valley Civilisation are scattered over 54 acres at Dholavira. This is as close to a ghost town as you can come to in India.
40. Gain pace, go skiing at Auli!
With some very gorgeous slopes and several feet of snow, Auli should rightly give the Alps a good run as a skiing destination. Other than some ardent skiing enthusiasts, Auli stays untouched from hordes of tourists that come up the Uttarakhand hills to build a snowman or two.
So, if you aren’t really interested in building a snowman, glide down the slopes of this heavenly beautiful place.
41. Try to figure out who invented the Living Root Bridges at Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Loved the movie Avatar? If yes, then Meghalaya’s living root bridges will get you a step closer to the fantasy that the movie was. Formed by the growing, entangled aerial roots of banyan fig trees for years, these have people coming in from far and wide. These are perhaps the coolest suspension bridges you would ever see. Can’t call your India tour a success unless you have seen these!
42. Wander in the rainforests, get closer to India’s only active volcano at Andaman Islands
The tropical rainforests at Andaman & Nicobar are like a story that’s been rarely told. Innumerable shades of green, surprising mangroves, giant trees, solitary forest patches where the silence is often broken by a screeching bird or insects.
Sounds like Life of Pi, no?
If the rainforests of the Andamans are not enough, book yourself a tour and get closer to the Barren Island, home to India’s only active volcano! While getting close to the island is not allowed, enthusiasts can bask in clear views of the volcano and the island from a safe distance via a legal tour agency.
43. Live with the Changpas of Ladakh
The hippies and nomads, who are out for a trip to India, must not miss this experience. Changpas are the nomadic tribesmen who inhabit the high altitude regions, mainly Changthang.
They herd yaks and goats and can be seen with their herds around Hanley Valley. If you’re really lucky, you might as well get to live with them and get a rare insight into a life that’s not luxurious but luxuriously happy.
44. Take a gap year from work, backpack across the Indian Himalayas
You knew this one was coming, didn’t you? After all, my love for the Himalayas is so well-known that not writing about it would equal blasphemy! If the idea of hopping aboard rickety buses that ply on some of the most treacherous roads, lovely people, simple life, quaint villages, charming homestays and world’s most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets makes your heart flutter, try backpacking across the Indian Himalayas.
45. Experience photo burst at the Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Sikkim
Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary lies in the Singalila Range of Western Sikkim. Just like the Andaman & Nicobar forests, it’s an essential stop for anyone who has been wooed by nature.
Spread over 104 sq km, it’s a photographers’ haven. So while you start your journey of north-eastern India from Sikkim, take this gorgeous 4-km trek from Hilley. The trek comes alive with rhododendrons blooms in April – March every year. Don’t miss!
46. Take a chapter in Indian mythology at Moorang village, Kinnaur
Moorang village in Kinnaur is another must visit if you’re in the Indian Himalayas and are chasing Hindu mythology too. It houses the fort & temple of Ormig Devta, a place that was supposedly built by the Pandavas.
Its inside houses an 18-faced ark made of gold, silver and brass. While there, head off towards Kalpa, it’s just 40 km away from Moorang and not to be missed!
47. Watch a sunrise-moonset at Somnath Temple, Veraval
I believe that I will never forget the morning I reached the Somnath Temple. After bunking up in trains for 38 hours to reach here, I was half asleep, fully hungry, doubting why in the world would I want to visit a temple this ardently. But then, my doubts took a run when I got the first sight of this breathtaking structure.
Standing tall, really tall, by the side of the Arabian Sea, this temple is like faith written in gold. I reached just in time to see it bathing in the first rays of the Sun while the Moon still hadn’t taken its leave. You cannot skip this in your offbeat India tour, you just cannot.
48. Book yourself a Durga Puja Tour, Kolkata
If you ask me to pick the best time of the year, it would be Durga Puja, which is closely followed by Diwali. The weather is brilliant, there’s festivity in the air and some great minds at Kolkata have put their brains together to organise Durga Puja tours.
They take you pandal hopping, feasting and to the immensely interesting Kumortuli, the lane where most of the clay idols of Goddess Durga and other deities are sculpted. A visit to Kolkata during the Durga Puja is chaos that you would love!
49. Meet the many Aslans at Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat
You are not leaving India without saying hello to the Asiatic Lions at Gir, right? Don’t even think of skipping it for your great Indian trip would be quite incomplete unless you have ventured inside the Gir National Park in Gujarat and captured one of these on your camera.
A picture that might as well be a souvenir. You have to come here in the name of Narnia or Aslan if nothing else!
50. Go, dig some skeletons at the Roopkund Lake, Uttarakhand
The mystery of Roopkund Lake, also known as the Skeleton Lake, is as engrossing as the trek to it. You get the unforgettable chance to traverse across the very gorgeous meadow, the Bedni Bugyal, and set foot on one of the most impressive landscapes of India.
A must for anyone chasing mysteries or the mountains. As for the skeletons, leave a comment below for the complete story. I won’t make it up, I swear.
51. Whatever you do, don’t forget this– Taj Mahal on a full moon night!
Gaze at this wonder in white, take a selfie, put it as your cover photo on Facebook or create a cool reel for Instagram! An essential part of the Golden Triangle circuit of India, the Taj Mahal gets all the more surreal on full moon nights. You can easily book a night tour via the official website to plan the same.
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