18 Unexplored Destinations in India To Enjoy A Peaceful Holiday

Gone are the days of packing your packs and heading to the cliched places to enjoy a vacation. With most of hill stations clogging this year, thank god for other options that can be explored! If you wish to enjoy a holiday full of peace and solitude while enjoying the scenic beauty around, read on.

We bring to you a compiled list of few of those places in India which are untouched by commercialisation and tourism and retain their magical charm. Let us get started.

1. Butterfly Beach, Goa

Get away from all the crowded beaches to enjoy solitude sitting by the beach and watching the perfect sunset. Butterfly beach is a little semi-circular bay towards the north of Palolem beach. As the name suggests, it is home to beautiful butterflies; but also, crabs, sea urchins, goldfish, sea cucumbers and redfish during low tide. You can trek through brooks, climbs, forests and fields to reach this beach or hire a boat from Palolem/Agonda. Since, this beach is one of the less explored beaches of Goa and is a gateway to spectacular views, it is a great option for spending quality time during your next Goa trip.

2. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

Head to the magnificent north east to explore a tranquil hill station called Ziro. At an elevation of 5,000-8,000 feet, Ziro is enveloped by rice fields and pine trees. It is home to the tribe Apatanis and is known for its serene scenic beauty all around. Ziro is located around 115 kms from Itanagar and proves to be a great respite from other much explored places in the north east.

3. Tinchuley, West Bengal

Located just about 34 kms from Darjeeling, Tinchuley gets its name from the three hill tops that surround this quaint little hamlet and resemble a ‘chullah’. Overlooking the Kalimpong hills, Tinchuley is located at an elevation of 5,800 feet and is a great off-beat unexplored place for a quiet yet spectacularly scenic holiday. While here, you could visit the various orchards, monasteries, tea gardens, Tinchuley View Point, walk through nature trails or just spend time sitting alongside the Teesta river.

4. Radhanagar Beach, Andaman Island

Although its gaining popularity by the day, it still retains its charm of being an untouched beauty. Located on the Andamans, it is also known as Beach no. 7 and was selected as the ‘Best Beach in Asia’ by Time Magazine in 2004. White sands and sparkling blue waters entice you to sit back and relax soaking on the mesmerising beauty. A brilliant alternative to otherwise-crowded beaches of India, Radhanagar Beach is one beach to be explored for sure!

Also read- 17 Places To Visit In Andaman Island For An Unforgettable Experience

5. Dharchula, Uttarakhand

Situated in a valley on the banks of river Kali, Dharchula is less explored than its counterparts Almora, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Bageshwar. The quaint little town is located in the Pithoragarh district at a height of 915 m and is surrounded by snow clad Himalayan Peaks. It is located on the Indo-Nepal border and therefore, less frequented by commercial tourists.

6. Pelling, Sikkim

This little hill station is located around 13 kms from Gangtok at an elevation of 7,200 feet and offers breath-taking views of the Himalayan peaks including Kanchenjunga. A trekkers delight, the trekking routes around this region traverses through forests and waterfalls, providing spectacular views around. Other places of interest in and around Pelling are Singshore Bridge, Rimbi Waterfalls, Changey Falls, Kanchenjunga Falls, Pemayangste Monastery and Rabdenste Palace Ruins.

7. Laitmawsiang, Meghalaya

Meghalaya, the ‘Abode of Clouds’, is a state less explored, however rich in natural beauty. One such untouched piece of magnificence is the Garden of Caves near Laitmawsiang. Imagine the spectacular sight of water streams falling from a height onto giant rocks forming a cloud-like yet prismatic effect due to the sun’s rays! Gorgeous right? That’s Garden of Caves for you. Explore the caves under the waterfall to enjoy a memorable time here.

8. Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh

Move on to another off-beat and remote gem located on the banks of river Penna, Gandikota, for a wonderful holiday experience. This village is known for the brilliant sight of a huge 300 feet gorge formed between the Erramala range of hills with river Penna flowing right through it. Other places that add beauty to the experience are Rangantha Swamy Temple, Gandikota Fort Entrance and Gandikota Fort Mosque. You can also indulge in camping on the banks of the river for an unforgettable proximity to nature.

9. Daringbadi, Odisha

Fondly known as the Kashmir of Odisha, Daringbadi is a hill station located at an elevation of 3,000 feet. Apart from the superb climate, other places of interest here are Badangia Falls, Ludu Falls, Putudi Falls, Doluri river, Dadubada Paradise, Kirikuti Picnic Ground, Belghar Sanctuary and various coffee and black pepper plantations along with turmeric gardens.

Also read- There Is A Place In Odisha Where It Snows. Yes You Hear That Right

10. Tosh, Himachal Pradesh

This whimsical village is located in the Parvati Valley and stays surrounded by the grand Himalayas. River Tosh, which originates from the Tosh glacier situated here, also runs along this village. Tosh offers breath-taking views of peaks Papasura, Devachan, Pinnacle, Angduri and White Sail and this bird paradise is also rich in flora. Tosh is often referred to as the ‘traditional village turned hippie colony’ as unlike nearby Kasol, it has not yet been affected by commercialization.

11. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya

This special place is a winner of ‘Cleanest Village in Asia, 2003’ and the ‘Cleanest village in India, 2005’ by Discover India. With cleanliness all around, imagine the kind of holiday you will get to spend here! So, apart from serenity and scenic beauty surrounding this beautiful village, you can trek to the unbelievable bridge of living roots located in the neighbouring village Riwai. Mawlynnong boasts of its lush greenery and gorgeous waterfalls during the monsoons.

12. Majuli, Assam

Just 20 kms from Jorhat lies this tranquil river island holding the Guinness World Record for the Largest River Island in the World. The island is located in the Mighty Brahmaputra river and is home to both tribes and non tribes. It is a bird watcher’s paradise as it houses various rare and endangered bird species including the migratory ones. The place is known for Vaishnava Satras that were founded by Sankardeva and the Ali-Ai-Ligang festival that is held during the months of February and March.

13. Kaas Plateau, Maharashtra

Another less frequented place is Kaas Plateau, located in high hill plateaus in the Western Ghats. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 as the grassland turns into a ‘valley of flowers’ during the monsoon period. Enveloped by flowers in full bloom, the plateau is a beautiful sight to watch and a splendid place to be at. It feels like a different world all together! Other places of interest in and around the Kaas Plateau are Kaas Lake and Vajrai Waterfall.

14. Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim

At an elevation of 17,800 feet, this lake is one of the highest lakes in the world. While most of us have heard about this lake, very few have actually made it there. It is one of the remotest places that boasts of scenic beauty yet is rarely visited by tourists due to its height. The lake is considered sacred by Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs and is located around 190 kms from Gangtok and 5 kms from the Tibetan/Chinese Border. Please note though, foreign tourists are required to get a special permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dalhi to visit this lake.

15. Chopta, Uttarakhand

This untouched beauty is situated amidst the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary, at an elevation of 8,790 feet. The village comprises of lush meadows and evergreen forests, offering spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Chaukhamba and Nanda Devi. Chopta is a base for various treks and you can indulge in various activities here such as camping, trekking, rock climbing, snow trekking and rappelling.

16. Haflong, Assam

Another unexplored jewel from the east, Haflong is the only hill station in Assam. This little town is located at an elevation of 3,170 feet and has a colourful landscape coupled with gorgeous waterfalls. Other places of interest in and around Haflong are Borail Mountain, Fiangpui Garden, Haflong Lake, Jatinga Bird Observatory, Statue of Veer Sambhudan Phonglo and Hill Viewpoints.

17. Dzukou Valley, border of Manipur and Nagaland

This valley is located on the border of Manipur and Nagaland and is a treat for the eyes for its spectacular spread of flowers! Get enthralled by the beautiful landscape wish lush, rich and colourful hills, this place sure is a photographer’s delight! Flowers bloom according to the ongoing season and the spread makes for a breath-taking sight. The Valley is located at an elevation of 8,044 feet and you can trek to this valley from the Manipur side.

18. Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh

If you are looking for complete solitude and the regular touristy stuff is not an issue, then head to this little village which is the last inhabited village of India before the China border begins. It is located at an elevation of 11,320 feet on the banks of river Baspa. Some places of interest in Chitkul are Buddhist Temple, a local tower and some local houses and huts. Chitkul is also the starting point for various treks.

Considering the size, topography and commercialization of India, these are just a few of the names. There are still plenty of places in every state of the country where nature awaits you. Whether you go to the above listed places for a day or more, they sure will provide you with the tranquillity you are looking for. At the same time, they are natural and untouched or unspoilt, and that’s their prime characteristic. So, ditch the regular holiday destinations for a change and head to these jewel-of-places for a peaceful vacay with treasurable solitude!

Also read- 23 Amazing Tourist Places To Visit In India If You Are Bored Of Beaches And Hills