1) Majuli Island, Assam
We all remember reading about the mighty Brahmaputra river in our school textbooks. Well, then it's time to experience it and Majuli Island is second to none when offering its scenic landscapes amidst the river. It's a photographer's delight and filled with panoramic views. They tend to disappear during monsoons though, since the Islands get dominated by water, no thanks to the formidable monsoon of the East Coast we all heard of.
Although, these islands are all the year round reachable, our word of advice for anyone to visit them would be to pick the month of November.
Best time to visit July to September during monsoons.
2) Floating Lake, Manipur
We Indians have not even begun scraping the surface of all the beautiful holiday destinations in the North-East. We all are guilty of that, and it's our own loss. Head out to Loktak Lake, which is considered as one of the largest freshwater bodies in the entire North-East region. If that's not enough, it also has Keibul Lamjao . What's that you may ask. Keibul Lamjao is the only floating national park in the world. You get to view its trademark floral scenery of the Phumdis (huge leaves) on which you can almost walk on. But we wouldn't recommend it at all. And also some interesting fauna such as the Endangered Manipur Deer, Stump-Tailed Macaque, Temminck's Golden Cat , Barking Deer, Wild Bear, Hoolock Gibbon, , Indian civet and the marbled cat.
Best time to visit June to January
3) Kutch, Gujarat
Kutch, Gujarat
The Kutch region of Gujarat, made even more famous by Amitabh bachchans promotions for Gujarat Tourism, becomes white only post monsoons. Hence its name Kutch, which literally means something which alternately becomes wet and dry. It covers an area of 45,674 square kms. Rann of Kutch as the name suggests is but a part of Kutch. The area of Rann is where you come face to face with the vast and famous salt flats which are snow white. Keep your sunglasses ready, as the vast whiteness can be harmful to the eyes over prolonged duration. Don't believe us? Ask your doctor.
Best time to visit October to March
4) Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
If there is a city with a nickname for "The Golden City, would you give tia a pass? If not, then head out to the heart of the Thar desert in Rajasthan, around 500 kms west of the state capital of Jaipur, and you find Jaisalmer. Its' acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and is awash with shades of yellow and gold because of the yellowish sandstone all around. The rulers of yore with their sense of aesthetic have built a magnificent fort entirely out of these rocks, and sits at a vantage point for the entire town to see. And it doesn't disappoint. The entire view of the town along with its fort evokes patriotism and a sense of nostalgia about our history.
Best time to visit October to March
5) Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
You have watched pudgy Bollywood heroes romance heroines in the lush grasslands of Switzerland and wondered if you will be able to do so in the same lifetime. When you have the Valley of Flowers in our very own backyard of Uttarakhand, you don't even need to step out of the country. It is chilly, majestic and worthy of a windows wallpaper. You also get to see some animals if you are lucky like the endangered Asiatic Black Bear, and the Blue Sheep. It is brag-worthy so get prepared to stock up on some extra memory cards in your cameras. It's a beauty that you can't stop clicking pictures of.
Best time to visit Throughout the year. Best Month August
6) Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang is a district. It has its' fair share of history not only for its beauty, but also for geo-political reasons. This region historically belongs to South Tibet and is therefore claimed by the Republic of China. But it's ours now! So our advice to Mainland Indian tourists? Go ahead and settle down, breed and populate the hell out of this place. Even if we wouldn't say it, you would want to do it anyway, because that's how beautiful it is. OK? Don't forget to visit the Tawang Monastery and the Bumla pass for a slice of beauty.
Best time to visit- March to June
7) Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Orchha (or Urchha) is a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh . It's a relatively new settlement dating back to 14th century founded by Rudra Pratap. But it doesn't disappoint in terms of history and grandiose architecture. Much to the contrary, it is a history buffs delight and is known for the exquisite tiered Jehangir Mahal, the tall exotic looking temple spires and domes. As stated earlier, it's not just a couple of plalaces or temples but a host of them filled with history like the Laxminarayan Temple, the Raj Mahal, the Chaturbhuj temple and the Ram raja temple. At the end of covering it all, you would have felt as if a lost civilization has spoken to you through the silent nostalgia that it evokes.
Best time to visit September to March
8) Lepchajagat, West Bengal
If you know the popular hill station Darjeeling, Lepchajagat will be an easy find. It's a high altitude village just 22 kms from Darjeeling. "Lepcha mean indigenous inhabitants of the region, and "Jagat means "world. The romantic atmosphere and the tall winter trees is a treat for all romantics at heart. But its not the only thing that it offers. One of its main attractions is the stunning Kanchenjunga mountain ranges. In local language it means "Five treasures of snow If you want to know why, then you have got to wake up in the mornings and just take one look at the mountain peaks shining in the morning sun. If it has inspired some famous artistes including Nikolas Roerich to take out their painting brushes, who knows, it might ignite the painter in you too.
Best time to visit June to January
9) Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
Founded by the Viceroy of India during the British Raj for training of the army , Lansdowne is filled with the history of the days of the Raj. This is the home of the Garhwal Rifles which was used as the Recruits Training center. Wait! It get better. This beautifl hill station at an altitudeof 1, 706 ft above sea level also was a hotbed of indian freedom fighters fighting the British Raj. Get a feel of history by visiting the Regimental Museum. After the magnificent touch with history, you also get to do Adventure activities like trekking, boating and bird watching in and around Bhullatal Lake. Colourful birds are plenty enough to make a city dweller wonder how many species actually did one miss. Neighbourhood tourist spots include the Tip n Top View Point, the Shivalik Hills, and the Santoshi Mata Temple.
Best time to visit March to October
10) Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
About 100 kms from Indore in Madhya Pradesh is Mandu which is drenched in medieval history andis the lore of many battles netween Maharajas and invading Sultans. Mandu is actually a tribute of love by the then ruler Baz Bahadur to his wife Rani Roopmati. This place is due to its strategic position was an important place both militarily and politically and hence saw many battles, forts, settlements , temples etc. To give you an idea of its strategic importance, these were the following buildings built:
Roopmati's Pavilion
Rewa Kund
Baz Bahadur's Palace
Hoshang Shah's Tomb
Eco point
Darya Khan's Tomb complex
Malik Mughith tomb
Jami Masjid
Shri Mandavagadh Teerth
Sharif Shaikh Abdulla Shattari Dargah
Jahaz Mahal/Ship Palace
Hindola Mahal
The Darwazas (Gates)
Need we say more?
Best time to visit June to October
11) Ladakh
India and China have fought wars over this piece of land, Bollywood loves to film its scenes here, and many a youth of the country regard this as one among their topmost must-visits. Of late, it gained exposure and popularity after the smash hit movie 3 Idiots got filmed here. You can indulge yourself with mountaineering, photography at the scenic Pangong Lake, and digging into the mystery of Magnetic hill where all vehicles seem to be mysteriously pulled uphill even with their engines off !
Best time to visit June to September
12) Goa
Goa is not just a state; it's a State of Mind. Heard it before? Even if you have heard it, and visited it a dozen times, Goa never stops surprising you with its churches, the pristine beaches, and international party crowd. This tiny state, amigos, is the party capital of India. From Club Titos in Calangute Beach to Shiva Valley in Anjuna Beach, there isn't a spot within a couple of kilometers where you can't find a place to let your hair down and party. If, however, you are planning a vacation with family, you have plenty of resorts and hotels just a stone's throw from the beaches.
Best time to visit November to May
13) McLeodganj, Dharmashala
McLeodganj, named after Sir Donald Friell McLeod, a Lieutenant Governor of Punjab during the British Raj, is home to the Dalai Lama of Tibet after the Indian government gave amnesty to the exiled Tibetans in the 1950s. This picturesque hill station, ladies and gentlemen, is the seat of power of the exiled Tibetans. Behind it, decorating the horizon is the Dhauladhar Range and its highest peak called, "Hanuman Ka Tibba". Offering varieties of options for trekkers, it doesnt disappoint the cosmopolitan traveler either. In 2012, McLeodGanj was home to the debut of the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF).
Best time to visit December to May
14) Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands are roughly 300 islands belonging to India in the Bay of Bengal. They are known are known for their pristine white-sand beaches, mangroves and surprisingly, tropical rainforests in the interiors. Geographically isolated it may seem, but it does have its fair share of history. The British built their naval base here and also the notorious "Kaala Paani cellular prison especially reserved for freedom fighters, where thousands are believed to have perished. Stories abound of early British shipwrecked sailors being eaten alive by the then tribals who practiced Cannibalism. Of late, scuba diving got a boost in these islands after Prahlad Kakkar, the well known Ad-Guru set up his pet project called Laccadives, a commercial venture for promoting scuba diving in these islands. Get ready with your waterproof underwater cameras, for you too can catch and picture some beautiful underwater fish and coral reefs just the way you witnessed them on Discovery Channel.
Best time to visit October to May
15) Zuluk, Sikkim
Zuluk is a small village with a population of just 700 people and a nearby Indian Army base. It is at a height of 10,000 kms above sea level and was part of the historic silk route in medieval times. Travel a little away and you get the view point called Thambi, which offers a panoramic view of the majestic Kanchenjunga Mountain Range. This place is fast emerging as one of the unexplored destinations of Sikkim that everyone wants to uncover.
Best time to visit March to June
16) Alleppey, Kerela
In 2016, Alleppey was rated as the top cleanest town in all of india. This small town and its backwaters and network of water canals crisscrossing behind it through promenade of coconut trees and tiny houses has earned it the sobriquet of "The Venice of the East. Located in Gods own Country, Kerela, Alleppey is the place where the famous Snake Boat races are held in all pomp and glory during the festive month of Onam. And if you do want to unwind with a book along the water canals, there are those magnificent silent floating hotels called the houseboats. They come in all shapes and sizes. Prices range from just right to downright obscene, considering you can rent some houseboats with a fully operational kitchen, air conditioning and their own balconies!
Best time to visit June to September
17) Coorg, Karnataka
Nicknamed "Scotland of India, this might say it all. It's hilly, grassy and green throughout the year. It's chilly hill station atmosphere is perfect for summer getaways for the urbanites of Bangalore. So, it comes as no surprise, that there are no dearth of resorts and hotels, in all ranges. If resorts are not your cup of tea, no worries, this land is the coffee belt of Karnataka. Everywhere around the corner, you will find a homestay being run by the plantation owners with cheap rates and same amenities. So you can get lucky, if you research a bit more about homestays in Coorg. It is also home to the second largest Tibetan settlement after Dharmasala and the TalaCauvery, which is the birthplace of the kaveri river which runs through Karnataka and Tamilnadu.
Best time to visit November to April
18) Mawphlang, Meghalaya
Mawphlang, Meghalaya
25 kms from Shillong, Mawphlang is a small village in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Get armed with those cameras to snap some Lord Of The Rings worthy hilly locales.
Best time to visit Throughout the year. Best Month July
19) Hampi, Karnataka
Once upon a time, there was a mighty south Indian kingdom called Vijayanagara which covered almost all of south India right up to Sri Lanka. And then, it suddenly declined and disappeared. But till this day, its magnificent stone sculptures, temples and palaces still draw historians for its grandiosity, such that it is now an UNESCO World heritage Site. Such is the vastness of the empire, that Archaeologists are believed to be still digging away at some sites uncovering new relics and temples. The Virupaksha temple among them and the Chariot temple are the ones which have gained poster fame and are visited by Hindus from all over the country. Apart from the historical, cross the river and you will end up on the party scene with many international tourists thronging the cafes.
20) Solang Nala, Himachal Pradesh
Solang Nala meaning valley is a slope on the way to Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It's just 14 kms northwest of Manali, a popular Hill station in the Kullu Valley, and has earned a reputation for itself as a popular skiing destination during winters. Summer time doesn't mean there's nothing to do. The alternate adrenaline sports on offer here are equally tantalizing. Once the snow melts, skiing makes way for Zorbing, a giant plastic ball big enough for 2 people which is rolled downhill.
Best time to visit: November to February
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