In my quest for places and experiences that are truly offbeat and deserve to be so, I have often been astounded at how much India has to offer. From the stunning Chettinad mansions and Meghalayan wonderlands to the timelessness of Edakkal Caves and the epic Dussehra celebrations of Bastar, these 12 offbeat Indian places and travel experiences are all you need for your 2025 travel plans.
1. Chettinad mansions
The Chettiars made Tamil Nadu’s Chettinad their home; the community comprised of expert tradespeople who dealt in spices, gemstones and lending businesses expanding to SouthEast Asia, Burma, Sri Lanka. Once they moved to Chettinad, they built houses that are now famous as the lavish Chettinad mansions.
Mostly abandoned now, these homes caught fancy of historians, architects and travellers alike with their elaborate designs, stunning verandahs, painted roofs, beautifully tiled floors, stained glass windows; unlike most other houses of the time, imported materials, such as Italian tiles and glass, were often used in the mansions of Chettinad. These houses are often referred to as Nattukottai, which translates to ‘fort on land’ owing to their grand architectural elements. The houses are seen as a testament to their owner’s wealth.
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While most of the houses here are abandoned now as much of the wealthy community moved overseas, the grandeur remains. The Chettinad region has more than 90 villages, with Kanadukathan home to most of these mansions. It is a treat to walk through the lanes here. There are a couple of hotels here, with the most famous being the Chola Heritage, The Bangala and Chidambara Vilas.
2. Himalayan forests at the Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary
Kashmir’s Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary is to make you rethink about Indian wildlife. This sanctuary in the Himalayas is a farcry from the country’s regular national parks and sanctuaries and is for those who are keen on an experience that is more than ‘tiger-watching.’ It sits on the banks of River Jhelum and is home to the near-threatened markhor. With some luck, you can get a glimpse of the Himalayan musk deer here—a species that is hunted for its musk pods and is thus threatened The sanctuary is set in the middle of dense forests, and is a haven to retreat to.
3. Wilderness of Lahaul Valley
While I would rather keep this off the tourist radar, Lahaul Valley is for anyone truly in love with the Great Himalayas. A visit to the Lahaul Valley also gives Manali a breather, the gateway to this pristine land. The landscape here is surreal; the culture, vivid; its people, warm even as cold winds often rage the lands here. The region is massive and it would be childish to write about a to-do list for it; my suggestion for a memorable trip to Lahaul is to explore the place slowly and at leisure. With its many monasteries, sub-valleys and experiences, this is not a place to rush across.
4. Untouched Dibang Valley
While the state of Arunachal Pradesh is hitherto untouched, Dibang Valley is where you go further into its wild landscapes. Crystal-clean river, starry skies, bamboo groves, sacred forests, slow kayaking days, immersive treks and more awaits you at Dibang. I strongly recommend that you plan your trip with Into the Dibang for an engaging yet easy journey.
5. Monsoon at Mawsynram
Welcome to the wettest place in the world, Mawsynram; wettest and thus starkly green as well. Every monsoon, this place in Meghalaya turns lush with hundreds of gregarious waterfalls, lush meadows that can rival Scottish meadows, wild orchids growing all around, emerald pools that look no less than inviting and more. Mawsynram is a dream when it rains, and you must live it too.
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6. Dandeli’s addictive white water rafting
An engaging 12-km of River Kali’s rapids await you at Karnataka’s Dandeli. While Rishikesh and Zanskar are two of India’s more favoured spots for the sport, this is an experience that is mostly savoured by the locals and is great bang for the buck. If you do not want to dive straight into the adventure that rafting is, you can also go for boating, rappeling. The place also has a teeming bird population; photographers, welcome.
7. Enter time warp at Edakkal Caves
Edakkal Caves are close to Kerala’s Kalpetta and are a great offbeat experience in the region. The two caves are famed as the oldest human settlements ever discovered on the Earth. Interesting engravings can be seen inside these natural caves, with the oldest dating back to 6000 BC! Some studies link the caves to the Indus Valley Civilisation as well. The pictorial engravings lure historians, linguists and archaelogists as well as nature lovers from all over the world.
8. Romance the old-Himalayan life at Shitlakhet
This small village in Uttarakhand will take you back to the true-blue rural life of the people here. One of the few offbeat places in Uttarakhand, Shitlakhet is for those who love cosying up with a book and hot chocolate after relaxed days of easy hikes, unforgettable views of the Nanda Devi, soul-filling Kumaoni food, and hours spent in the pine forests around (my favourite).
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9. Offbeat Ladakh at Garkon
Discover the more offbeat side of Ladakh at Garkon Valley. While Leh and other places in Ladakh swarm with ever-bulging tourists crowds during the summer, Garkon village is where you can go offbeat at a place that truly deserves to stay off the radar. The local community, Brok Pa, here is believed to be descendents of the Indo-Aryan Civilisation. With a little more than 100 houses, the life here is slow and Ghibli-like. Nonetheless, it’s challenging as well for the sheer topography of the region is a force to work with. Its inviting bylanes are sidelined with classic mud-stone houses, gurgling streams and a couple of homestays that are cosily inviting.
10. Grandeur of Modhera
Those keen on experiencing the grandeur of India’s temples should put Modhera’s Sun Temple right at the top of their 2025 travel list. The majestic temple was built in 1026 AD during the rule of Chalukya dynasty here. From wall moldings and intricate toranas to iconography and the kunda, it is sheer architectural brilliance on display here. The place has so much of history and beauty that it is a surprise that Modhera has stayed offbeat, visited usually by the locals. Modhera definitely deserves a place on your wishlist of the most offbeat Indian places and travel experiences for 2025.
11. Marvels Marbles of Bhedaghat
Yes, you read that right. It’s the marble rocks of Bhedaghat that are more than just worth marvelling at. Head to the Heart of India, Madhya Pradesh, to witness another natural wonder. River Narmada cuts through jagged marble rocks, carving a 30-meter deep gorge. Astounding white marble rocks on both sides of the gorge make for a remarkable sight here; so much so that the place has been catching fancy of filmmakers, photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. You must also visit the Kanha National Park when here, a densely gregarious forest that is home to Bengal tigers and more.
12. Dussehra of Bastar
Give a very offbeat turn to year 2025 with a trip to Chhattisgarh’s Bastar. The trip is best planned around Dussehra, the mega Indian festival that is celebrated here in a way that is unlike any other place. It celebrates Goddess Danteshwari Devi and goes on for 75 days, also making it the world’s longest festival! This is also the time to soak in the rich tribal culture of the state as interesting rituals, processions, traditional music and cultural events take place.
While this story focusses on some of the most offbeat Indian places and travel experiences for 2025, the country has a lot more to offer. If you are somebody planning a year full of trips, we strongly recommend that you explore more of the country as well, for Backyard Tourism is the way to go for a more sustainable travel style.
If you know of more offbeat places in India, do drop us a comment below and we will be happy to feature your suggestions in our upcoming features. Till then, joyful travels!
