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It’s been more than a year since restrictions on travelling are put in place. Majority of us had trips planned way ahead of 2020 and those included perhaps a trip to Goa on a weekend with friends or to Manali with family or maybe just a solo trip to Ladakh! All 2020 vacation plans are going to be shifted to this year. While we are all excited about executing our plans, somewhere we are disregarding the fact that there are tons of other people who are also in-line waiting to travel to these same places. Why? Because these are some of the most famous tourist destinations in India and that’s where majority of people go every year.
Now, if we want to make a smart choice we need to look for alternatives not only because these places will soon be crowded but also because they will be far more expensive and we shouldn’t forget the fact that the virus is still be there and infection rates at these places is bound to be high.
In this blog I will be sharing 8 such places which I describe as “Eccentric and offbeat tourist destinations of India” and are ideal for this year. So, fasten your seat belts because we are about to take a virtual tour!
1. Talasari Beach, Odisha & not Goa
People visit Goa in search of beaches & the serene view but in the recent years it has been home to far too many people to even accommodate. Now, we can’t stop the flow of people going there but we can change our route. There comes Talasari Beach to our rescue. Located in Baleswar district of Odisha. The Talasari beach is pristine, serene and has been bestowed with spectacular panorama.
There are secret beaches, beaches which are beyond the reach of contamination, beaches that refresh our senses and Talasari is one such place. This virgin beach has sand dunes, calmer waves amid several palm trees, coconut trees, cashew trees known to be the last beach on the north eastern coast of India.
Nearby places: Digha, Shankarpur, Sunderbans.
Best time to visit: Oct-Dec, February.
2. Bundi, Rajasthan & not Jaisalmer.
Out of all the majestic forts that Rajasthan has to offer, Bundi has the best of them yet it doesn’t get considered so often. I myself found the place in one of Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, The Fort of Bundi rather than some tourist guide. And all I can say, is that the place is a hidden beauty! When you visit it you can’t help but marvel at antique quaintness of the town, reminiscent of the old Rajputana. The place seems to belong to the past. Bundi is home to some of the most magnificent palaces, majestic forts, its baolis (meaning water wells or step wells), haves, temples and chhatris with carved pillars. It is of great historical significance as it has been a witness to many battles and legendary tales of valor. Anybody who’s interested in history, this is a must visit!
Best time to visit: Oct-Mar
Nearby Places: Chittorgarh, Kota, Ajmer, Mount Abu
3. Dhanuskodi, tamil Nadu (This place doesn’t have a substitute!)
After a visit to Dhanuskodi, you might recall natural calamities for a different reason other than destruction. They can sometimes result in creations and this place is an example of that. Dhanuskodi is a small, sparsely populated beach town on the coast of Tamil Nadu.
In the 1964, it was hit by one of the worst storms India has ever seen. Ever since then, Tamil Nadu has rebuilt this town to become one of the most unique and unusual beach towns of India. While the rest of India is vying to get ahead in the race for prosperity, this town seems frozen in history, reflecting it grandeur and beauty.
Best time to visit: Oct-Feb
Nearby Places: Rameshwaram, Munnar, Pondicherry, Tuticorin
4. Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra & not Jim Corbett National Park
If you’re somebody who gets excited when you hear the word “Jungle safari”, this is the place for you. Known as the land of Tigers in Maharashtra, this place has everything and is a good alternative to Jim Corbett National park. Spotted in this region are rare species of flora and fauna, soothing your very being. Tadoba is famous for Tadoba national park, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Tadoba lake, Erai dam, Moharli and Khosla village. The Jeep Safari is the best thing that one can experience in here. The open Jeep ride, also known as tiger safari is usually of few hours in the dense reserve. You can also explore the Tadoba Park on open jeeps and view the habitat of wild animals like the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dogs, panther, barking deer, wolf, and many more.
Best time to visit: Oct-Mar
Nearby Places: Hampi, Bhanragarh Wildlife Santuary, Kanha National Park.
5. Tawang – Arunachal Pradesh & not Ladakh
If 2020 was hard on you and you want to visit some place which is peaceful and spiritual in nature then a solo trip to Tawang is what you need. The place is famous for being the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso. It has got monasteries and is extremely sacred for the Buddhists. The beautiful orchid sanctuary and the Tipi Orchid Sanctuary is also an ideal place for your list of places to visit. Along with this you can have your taste buds to have an experience of Tawang by indulging into the area's unique cuisine.
Best time to visit: Sep-Mar
Nearby Places: Gangtok, Shillong, Bhalukpong
6. Lunglei, Mizoram
2020 has made us realize that nature has so much to offer but we often overlook that. So, the next time you are planning to take trip, why take a closer at nature?
Rich in flora and fauna, Lunglei is an ideal base for nature lovers for exploring the surrounding areas. The word “Lunglei” literally means Bridge of rock. It is a small town and is an ideal offbeat destination for those who love natural sightseeing and adventure activities bundled into one. Trekking, bird-watching and camping are among the popular activities opted by tourists coming to visit Lunglei. It is a biodiverse region, home to Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary and Saza Wildlife Sanctuary.
Best time to visit: Oct-June
Naerby Places: Champhai, Aizawl, Saiha
7. Majuli, Assam & not Manali
“There’s so much pollution around”- that’s what we say and hear all the time. Although we can’t run-away from reality but escaping from it for a while does no harm and especially when you are travelling because why not turn your trip into a healthier one?
Majuli is a lush green environment-friendly, a pristine and pollution-free freshwater island in the river Brahmaputra. It is home to the world's largest river island. Among one of the most surreal places in India, Majuli is also a strong contender for a place in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The culture of Majuli is unique and quite interesting and is one of the key reasons why people love this place so much.
Fact: It is also called the cultural capital of Assam.
Best time to visit: Jul-Mar
Nearby Places: Jorhat, Itanagar, Lilabari, Ziro
8. Bangus Valley, Kashmir & not Himachal
One of the relatively unknown areas of Kashmir with vast tourism potential is the valley of Bangus. Well, the story behind its discovering is a quite interesting one. The area is supposed to have been discovered by an unknown nomad, while grazing his cattle. The valley has variety of flora. And let me tell you, this place is best suitable for trackers!
The reason of me mentioning it towards the last is because the place is yet to be brought on the tourist map of Kashmir and hence you may have a difficult time while reaching there. It can be approached from Srinagar through two routes. One is through Handwara through Satkoji and other through Chowkibal, through Malasari. But don’t let this get your spirits down because it is worth all the trouble!
Best time to visit: Anytime of the year specially around April to Sep.
Nearby Places: Valleys of Lolab & Drangyari
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