Here’s a rundown of the top 10 destinations in India for first-time travel enthusiasts.
- Rann of Kutch
As the name suggests, the famous and pristine all-white landscape of the Rann of Kutch is beautifully rendered by idiosyncratic and naturally endowed salt marshes.The amazing ecosystem harmonizes the desert on one side and sea on the other.Watch the breathtakingly beautiful sunset at the Mondovi Beach or get a thrill out amidst the verdant wilderness of the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary.
- Spiti Valley
Spiti, the land separating India from Tibet, is the quintessential holy grail of first-time backpackers. Every year, numerous travelers throng this thinly populated quaint valley in Himachal Pradesh to behold the natural splendor – all chaste and unsullied. Paying a visit to a great many exotic monasteries, especially, the Dhankar Monastery will usher in solace and retreat from all your everyday humdrum grinds as you plunge into the ambit of spiritualism and peace.
- Kodaikanal
Yes, visiting Kodaikanal is a veritable “have to”. Relish your stay by cramming down the one-off mushrooms with hallucinogenic properties and revel in the natural beauty. You can embark on thrilling and endless treks amidst the luxuriant pine forests and the labyrinthine boulevards with a feeling of being exuberant and psychedelic.Is there anything more waiting for you? Surely, an invigorating cup of filter coffee at the famed Potluck Cafe!
- Pushkar
Infused with its quirky hippie culture, you need to come to stay at Pushkar to believe its eternal grandeur and joie de vivre. Overflowing with ascetics and sadhus, the stunning ghats of the serene Pushkar Lake, proffer an abundance of color, warmth, joy, and culture to the wonder struck first timers. Visit the most prominent and supremely reverential Brahma Temple besides getting a kick out of a hot air balloon ride.
- Varkala
The sprawling and unblemished beaches of Varkala render the poised and tranquil experience that you yearn for. This beach destination, ensconced amidst Kerala’s beautiful natural gifts, is plentiful with towering cliffs right next to the azurevastness of the Arabian Sea.Ain’t this a sight to feast your eyes on? The hippie culture is all-pervasive with no one to frown upon. The Papanasam Beach and Janardana Swamy Temple will bestow the ultimate travel goals.
- Dhanushkodi
Want to make your dreams come true? Opt for a jaunt to the esoteric Dhanushkodi, a startlingly abandoned town clasped by the Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, next to Sri Lanka. The town which was obliterated in the 1964 Rameshwaram cyclone has now metamorphosed into a dilapidated and uninhabited, yet stunning remnant of a thriving town, a long time ago. The place is much sought-after among ardent photographers. The decrepit church that still finds its feet on the ground evokes a forsaken and mysterious ambiance.
- Nubra Valley
Cradled in the midst of the amazing ravines of Leh, Nubra Valley, with its limitless charm and magnetism, hypnotizes travelers who visit this place at the confluence of Sibling Rivers namely Siachen and Shayok. The sheer beauty of the valley propels with increasing altitudes. One good news for Indian travel fanatics – since 2014 the need to have an Inner Line Permit to visit this place has been revoked. Go a bundle on visiting the ruins and relics in Hunder and beseeching divine favors at the Diskit Gompa Monastery.
- Dzukou Valley Bridge
The Northeast is an unexplored gem of an immense treasure chest. Dzukou Valley with its sublime serenity and beauty is absolutely easy on the eye. The eclectic variety of flora and wildflowers which are distinctive of the valley beckons you with a mythical allure to fabricate delightful memories that last a lifetime. Trekking up the valley and stopping by the nearby Vishwema Village will offer you sources of pleasure par excellence.
- Gurudongmar Lake
One of the highest lakes in the world, this spellbinding water scape is named after Guru Rinpoche, who founded the tenets of Tibetan Buddhism. The lake is believed to be incredibly sacred and was even sanctified by Guru Nanak during his voyage through Sikkim. Devotees congregate round in large numbers because of the lake’s conjectured divine powers that brings in childbirth. The lake is adjacent to the imposing Thangu and Chopta valleys.
- Shimla
Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, the aura and beauty Shimla know no bounds. The capital city of Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 6500ft, Shimla is a copybook haven for travel aficionados with its remarkable hotspots like the colossal Jakhu Temple, the grey-stoned and awe-inspiring Vice Regal Lodge, the Gaiety Theater – a symbol of neo-gothic architectural excellence, the crowd-pulling Mall and an exhilarating Jakhu Ropeway Ride. The list is endless. Visit Shimla and rejoice in its natural and man-made marvels.