10 Offbeat Indian destinations you gotta visit in 2017 1

New year..New resolutions..And a new set of intriguing destinations!!!

Having just entered 2017, we find ourselves in a perfect position to plan out the year ahead.

Destination??? Well, let me help you out on that part..

Here are my 10 picks that I feel should be on the top priority list of every avid traveler, who wishes to unravel the true beauty and variety that this beautiful country has to offer..

   1. Gurudongmar Lake – Sikkim

Located at a height of 17,000 ft in the higher altitudes of North Sikkim, Gurudongmar is certainly one of the most beautiful lake you can ever encounter. Surrounded by snow clad mountains , it is among the top 15 highest lakes in the world. And the natural beauty..Well, that’s what legends are made of. Driving up on one of the highest motorable roads in the world, through the sleepy hamlets of Lachen and Lachung, the magic starts even before you touch the holy water…….

2. Tawang – Arunachal Pradesh

Home to the largest monastery in India and the second largest in Asia, Tawang is a poetry in motion. Breathtaking scenery, stunning waterfalls and serene rivers, the region has a plenty full of the required ingredients to blow away your mind. A raw gift of nature in its fullest glory..

3. Sangla Valley – Himanchal Pradesh

Probably Himanchal’s best kept secret. If your idea of a getaway is blocking yourself away from the rest of the world in a spell bounding piece of Himalayan wonderland, head straight to the Sangla Valley in the Kinnaur region of Himanchal Pradesh. The tiny hamlets of Kalpa, Rackcham and Chitkul and the flowing Baspa river will stay in your hearts forever..

4. Hampi – Karnataka

History buffs…Pack your bags and let the aura of Hampi take control over your mind and soul. A UNESCO world heritage sight, the erstwhile capital of the Vijaynagar empire at its zenith around 1500 AD, had a population of around 5 lacs inhabitants, making it the second largest city in the world after Beijing. It now lies in ruins, but one can still hear the stones murmuring the stories of the bygone golden era.

5. Valley of Flowers – Uttarakhand

Discovered in 1931 by an English mountaineer Frank Smith, Valley of Flowers is what you call a picture perfect postcard. A UNESCO World heritage site, the national park is located in the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve, and is home to some rarest of the rare flora an fauna. A feast to the eye, the spellbounding vistas will captivate your conscience forever..

6. Silent Valley – Kerela

Our very own Garden of Eden, the Silent Valley National Park is rightly labeled as the ‘Amazon of India’…. It is a stunning preserve of tropical evergreen rain forest in the Western Ghats. Rich and abundant in a variety of flora and fauna, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Go in the monsoon, and you’ll find the valley at its haunting best!!!

7. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek – Kashmir Valley

Considered by many as the most beautiful trek in the Indian Himalayas. The 7 day trek passes through seven lakes and makes you come face to face with the hidden ethereal beauty of the Kashmir valley. A must do for an avid trekker and nature lover alike, the trek provides you with a jaw dropping scenery and an experience of a lifetime.

8. Nubra Valley – Ladakh

Sandwiched between Tibet and Kashmir, Nubra Valley is a land where mysticism and breathtaking landscape go hand in hand. Known for its ancient monasteries, Bactrian camels and scenic beauty, the Nubra Valley is the soul of Ladakh. The terrain resembles that of the moon in winters and remains lush green in the summers..A Ladakhi oasis..

9. Nilgiri District – Tamil Nadu

Undoubtedly, one of the most picturesque region in India, the Nilgiri District is a nature lover’s delight. A part of the famed Western Ghats, the region is gifted with some charming hill stations like Connoor, Kotagiri,Ooty among others. Lush green settings, sprawling tea garden, mist laden air and the rich flora and fauna- that’s Nilgiris for you. And a ride on the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railways moving up the hills is simply not be missed…

10. Mawlynnong – Meghalaya

Do you know that the cleanest village in Asia lies in our own backyard??? Surprising, but true..The village of Mawlynnong, located in the East Khasi Hill district of Meghalaya, was declared the cleanest village in Asia in 2003. A walk in the village, amidst a lush greenery, small streams and orchids dangling down the trees, is a visual treat not only to the eyes, but to the soul as well..

Still thinking ??? Times flying…..Put on your shoes…N hit the road !!!!!!!