Amazing Places In India For A Surreal Experience

Known For : Kamalabari Satra Dakhinpat Satra Garmur

Majuli, one of the most amazing places in India is also the world’s largest river island. Connected via boats with the city of Jorhat, Majuli is a beautiful exotic location, yet unknown to most of the tourists in India. Majuli has also been nominated for one of the places in UNESCO World’s Heritage List. The culture, mostly very locally defined due to a high tribal population is unique and it has been referred to as the cultural capital of Assam. The ideal time to visit Majuli is between October to March. However, the monsoons are also quite beautiful in Majuli.

Best Time: October - April

5 Majuli Attractions

The Great Rann of Kutch, a large area of salt marshland, is located in the District of Kutch, in the western state of India, Gujarat. The vast expanse is situated in the Thar Desert and is formed of salt marshes which create a mesmerising view that attracts travellers from all over the world. Sunsets at the Great Rann of Kutch are a treat to the eyes after exploring the region. Watching the moon on a full moon night in the captivating surroundings of the Great Rann of Kutch will make you feel like you are on a different planet altogether.

Known For : Kudremukh Trek Kudremukh National Park Hanuman Gundi Falls

An amazing place in India with a surreal view of a mountain in the shape of a horse face, Kudremukh is famous for its scenic beauty. The major attractions here are its dense forests, waterfalls and hill ranges. Kudremukh makes for a great weekend getaway option for people in Bangalore, and it can be reached in just 5 hours. Kudremukh could be visited throughout the year.

Best Time: October to May

10 Kudremukh Attractions

Known For : Calangute Beach Baga Beach Dudhsagar Falls

Definitely, the most secluded beach in Goa, this amazing place in India is located at one end of Palolem beach. You would need to take a ferry to reach Butterfly beach from Palolem beach. Cruising along the virgin coastline, you can fall in love with the view of golden sand touching the rocks, surrounded by crystal blue water and palm trees. This part of the country faces high temperature in summers, and hence summer could be avoided. It also gets a little difficult to reach here in monsoons as the water level is generally high.

Best Time: October to March

198 Goa Attractions

Known For : Marichjhanpi Ghoramara Island New Moore Island

Among the most beautiful and definitely the most amazing place in India for wildlife, Sundarbans is located in the southern delta part of West Bengal. Famous for being the biggest mangrove forest in the world, Sundarbans literally means “beautiful forest” in Bengali. Sundarbans is also famous for its population of Royal Bengal Tigers, also infamous for being man-eaters. The crocodile population is also noteworthy apart from various species of birds found in this area. The best time to visit Sundarbans is in winters.

Best Time: September to March

3 Sundarbans Attractions

Pangong Lake, one of the most amazing places in India has suddenly come into the spotlight after the movie 3 Idiots and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Located around 50 km from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, Pangong lake is quite huge, and it shares a boundary with China (Tibet) in the eastern side. Situated at an altitude of 4,350 m, it is also among the highest lakes in India. The interesting thing about the lake is that the color of water appears different with different time of the day. Among the most beautiful places for photographers, this place is also used to camp during the night to gaze at the stars. Pangong Lake along with most other parts of Leh should be visited only during the summers (June to September) as the temperatures go very low in winters.

Known For : Gurudongmar Lake Yumthang Valley Lachen

Famous as one of the highest lakes and most amazing places of India, Gurudongmar is located in North Sikkim district of Sikkim. Considered to be a good trek, the lake can be accessed by road from Lachen via Thangu. Gurudongmar Lake is located at the height of 5,210 m above sea level, and it remains frozen for most parts of the year. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and offers a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, giving tourists a surreal feel. The ideal time to visit Gurudongmar is during the summers when the temperatures are relatively higher and hence suitable for tourists.

Best Time: April to June, October to December

13 North Sikkim Attractions

Known For : Dzukou Valley and Japfu Peak Kohima Museum Touphema Village

Located just 25 km away from Kohima, capital of Nagaland, Dzuko Valley is the place only next to paradise. Situated at the height of nearly 1500 m above sea level, this amazing place in India turns into a beautiful mixture of red and white with rhododendron, lilies, and wildflowers in their full bloom during the winter and spring season. March to June and October-November are the best months to visit Dzukou Valley.

Best Time: October to June

11 Kohima Attractions

Known For : Diskit Monastery Hunder Village Panamik Hot Springs

Sometimes known as ‘Moonland’, Ladakh is bounded by mountains and comprised of mountains. Human habitation is sparse, and during the wild winter months, the region is only marginally easier to reach than the moon itself. The imposing, inhospitable Nubra Valley is its wild lunar heart. Snuggled between the Karakoram Range and nourished by two rivers, Nubra is a lush green valley brimming with Sea buckthorns and Alfalfa. During summers, the whole place is carpeted with Pink and yellow roses and in autumns by oodles of wild lavenders which a sight beyond pure natural beauty. Nubra Valley should ideally be visited in the summer months of June to September.

Best Time: June to September

10 Nubra Valley Attractions

Known For : Key Monastery Chandratal Lake Pin Valley National Park

One of the most unexplored and stunning places in India, Spiti valley is located at a very high altitude in the eastern part of Himachal Pradesh. This region is a desert mountain valley and is known for its beautiful monasteries and untouched natural beauty. The terrain of Spiti Valley is highly difficult, and the entire region becomes completely isolated during the winters. Situated at the height of 4,112 meters, this monastery was built in the 14th century, and its architecture is influenced by Chinese style. It is one of the biggest and oldest Monasteries in Spiti and is one of the most important tourist places in this region. Best time to visit Spiti is in the months of May to October, when the temperatures are higher, and roads are accessible.

Best Time: Mid May to Mid Oct

40 Spiti Attractions

The popular Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim is located 140 km north of Gangtok. Famous as the "Valley of flowers", this is a rare and exotic location with hot springs, rivers, yaks and lush green meadows. Situated at an elevation on 3564 metres, this stunning valley is a paradise for nature lovers as it houses the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary which has over 24 species of Rhododendron flowers (the state flower) blooming from late February to mid-June.

Imagine walking across frozen sheets of ice, with mountains enveloped by snow on one side and a stream, slowly freezing or melting right on the other, as you walk alongside it. And while that seems fascinating, look up, ahead and around; to witness surreal beauty for as far as you can see. This is the Chadar Trek, the Frozen River Trek, only multiplied a hundred-fold.

The fourth highest waterfalls in the world, Nohkalikai falls plunge some 335 meters from a verdant cliff to the ground giving the portrayal of immense and natural magnificence. The pride of the state of Meghalaya, the falls are one of the most beautiful and grand waterfalls in the country. Tucked in between evergreen rainforest of the Khasi Hill and flowing with all its majesty and might, the falls plunges into a lagoon which is as blue as the afternoon sky.

Basking under the glory of nature, Nanda Devi trek is one of the major attractions of Garhwal region in Uttarakhand. It is a trans-Himalayan trek, which embarks from Munsiyari, perched at an altitude of 2290 m. The trek is quite amusing that leads to the higher Himalayan region adorned with mysterious nature’s beauty.

Known For : Valley of Flowers National Park Nanda Devi National Park Fauna & Flora

Valley of Flowers is located in Chamoli district (near Badrinath) of Uttarakhand, approximately 300 km to the north of Rishikesh. This is a picturesque national park, gracing the beauty of Western Himalayas.  Valley of flowers was discovered in 1931 and is a World Heritage Site for its wild untamed blooms surrounded by white peaks.

Best Time: May to October

3 Valley Of Flowers Attractions

Dal Lake is everything you could ask for in a hillside lake, and more. Considered the jewel of Srinagar, the beauty of this pristine lake, spread over 26 square kilometres, only grows around every corner. Be it the beautiful wooden houseboats drifting casually through the waters, the colourful Shikharas that cruise by with awestruck passengers, the floating markets at the crack of dawn, or the manicured lush gardens from the Mughal era along the shore, Dal lake is practically a representation of the Srinagar itself.

Known For : Khajjiar lake Homestay Experience in Khajjiar Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary

Often referred to as 'mini-Switzerland of India', Khajjiar is a small town near Dalhousie which provides tourists with a unique combination of forests, lakes and pastures. The mesmerising beauty of this place has greatly influenced and inspired many kingdoms throughout the years, including the Rajputs and Mughals. Located at an altitude of 6,500 feet, the natural beauty and picturesque landscape of this place are bound to leave an everlasting impression on a tourist.

Best Time: Throughout the year

14 Khajjiar Attractions

Khatling Glacier is a hidden gem nestled between a group of mesmerizing snow-capped mountain peaks in the Tehri District. Khatling Glacier is at an elevation of 15,000 feet and is considered sacred by a lot of people. The glacier is surrounded with variegated moraines which looks as if the place is circumscribed with walls of gravel and mud. This place is covered with shining white snow which makes the place look like heaven. The various tall mountain peaks visible from this place proffers picturesque beauty.

Known For : Triund Bhagsu Falls Bhagsunag Temple

Mcleodganj is a hill station near Dharamshala, popular among trekkers. Its culture is a beautiful blend of Tibetan with some British influence. Also known as Little Lhasa and famous around the world for being home to the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Mcleod Ganj is a beautiful town situated near upper Dharamsala.

Best Time: October to June

42 Mcleodganj Attractions

Known For : Solang Valley Hadimba Devi Temple Manali Mall Road

Nestled in between the snow-capped slopes of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges, Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. With jaw-dropping views, lush green forests, sprawling meadows carpeted with flowers, gushing blue streams, a perpetual fairy-tale like mist lingering in the air, and a persistent fragrance of pines and freshness -  Manali has been blessed with extraordinary scenic beauty. From museums to temples, from quaint little hippie villages to bustling upscale streets, river adventures to trekking trails, Manali has every reason to be the tourist magnet it is, all year round.

Best Time: October to June

53 Manali Attractions

Known For : Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary Bineshwar Temple Zero Point

Located at a distance of 33 km from Almora, Binsar is a small town in Uttarakhand known for the surreal beauty of the snow-laden Himalayan peaks. Set amid forests covered with oak, pine, rhododendrons and deodar trees, Binsar is home to beautiful green meadows, temples and the famous Binsar wildlife sanctuary. A trekker's paradise, Binsar has a Zero point that provides the 360-degree view of the Himalayan ranges, which includes Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Shivling, and Trishul. 

Best Time: Throughout the year

4 Binsar Attractions

Known For : Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Vithala Temple Lotus Palace

Hampi, the city of ruins, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the shadowed depth of hills and valleys in the state of Karnataka, this place is a historical delight for travellers. Surrounded by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury building and captivating remains of Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is a backpacker's delight. Hampi is an open museum with 100+ locations to explore and a favourite way to see the city from the perspective of its history.

Best Time: October to March

31 Hampi Attractions

Known For : Paragliding in Bir Billing Chokling Monastery Gunehar Waterfall

Bir is a small town located in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. Bir Billing is a popular destination located in Joginder Nagar valley known for adventures sports such as paragliding, treks and also as the town for meditation. There is an influence of Tibetan culture due to Tibetan community settlement in this town. Bir is considered as one of the best spots in the world for paragliding. The take-off site is called Billing and the landing site is Bir and the overall altitude change is around 800m. 

Best Time: March - May; September - November

29 Bir Attractions

Known For : Jaisalmer Fort Desert Safari in Jaisalmer Gadisar Lake

Best Time: October to March

39 Jaisalmer Attractions

Known For : New Tehri Dhanaulti Camping

Once a deserted land, today Kanatal is a usual haunt for those travelers who seek peace and solitude. Kanatal is said to be named after a lake that once existed there. Apart from peace, the place exhibits a charm in form of majestic hills, fruit trees, apple orchards and lush green forests. This quaint hamlet sprinkled with plethora of wild flowers and small temples lies in the proximity to other major hill stations of the state like Dehradun (78 kms), Chamba (12 kms ahead) and Mussoorie (33 kms). 

Best Time: Throughout the year

10 Kanatal Attractions

Known For : Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti, Varanasi

World's oldest living city, Varanasi - also known as Kashi (City of Life) and Benaras, is the spiritual capital of India. It is one of Hinduism's seven holy cities. The old city of Varanasi lies along the western banks of the Ganges, spread across a labyrinth of narrow galis. Be prepared to walk on foot and encounter some holy cows! Temples at almost every turn engulf Varanasi but the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most visited and the oldest of the lot. Benaras is known as the city of Lord Shiva for a reason, and rightfully so.

Best Time: October to March

42 Varanasi Attractions