David Attenborough once said,
“I just wish the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored.”
Allow India to prove you wrong. A country known for its diversity, it stems from the manifold of
landscapes thriving in one nation. It is rooted in the soil of this country. With the immense
commercialisation, a lot of must-visit places in India have been highlighted over the years. But
even then, it is a country full of surprises. It has managed to hide away some of its most
beautiful gems. Here are some of the incredible places of our Incredible India, unmasked.
The Blues of Andaman.
The 572 islands of Andaman & Nicobar are made of pure fun and relaxation. Located at the
juncture of Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, it has kept itself away from the wave of
commercialisation. Dive into the depths of the blue sea and witness a completely new world
underwater. While adrenaline junkies can go for a volcano tour or explore the limestone caves
on their kayak. Andaman and Nicobar islands are not your normal tourist spot. Perfect for
explorers and thrill-seekers, it caters to the leisure lovers too. Just sit back and relax at their
beaches, witness the stars under your feet with bioluminescence at Havelock Island, or go
Dolphin Watching at Lalji Bay. While we have heard of club-hopping, Andaman & Nicobar brings to you island-hopping.
The Cold Embrace of Parvati Valley.
The place for religion and adventure, Parvati Valley has got some recognition over the past few
years. A great place for technological detox, the fresh air of the mountains and trees will
rejuvenate you and give you a fresh perspective on life. While Kasol being the base for most
trips, you can also choose to stay in tents at Kheerganga or the quaint guest houses at Tosh.
Although being small towns and villages, these places have the most amazing food to offer. The
cafes have an old world charm with picturesque views to go along with your meals. A tour of
Parvati Valley includes visiting the ancient village of Malana, the solitary village of Tosh, the hot
springs of Kheerganga, the spiritual town of Manikaran and the hamlet of Kasol.
The Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer.
Close to the Thar Desert, standing atop a ridge of sandstone is the Golden City of Jaisalmer.
The town hosts the famed Jaisalmer Fort and has its roots deep in history with its inception in
the 12th Century. This town has a lot to offer for people who love to dig up history. While
Rajasthan is known to be rich in culture, Jaisalmer is often put on the back-burner with more
recognition given to Jaipur and Udaipur. But the charm of Jaisalmer lies in its sand dunes,
letting you experience the desert like never before. They also offer desert safaris wherein you
get to stay in the middle of the desert inside luxurious tents, with authentic Rajasthani food and
music to keep you company. Watch the rays engulf the desert as you witness the sunrise on a
camelback.
The Rawness of Wayanad.
Nestled in the heart of God’s Own Country, Wayanad is one of the most beautiful destination of
Kerala with a booming tourism in the past few years. Elevated on a mountainous plateau,
Wayanad enjoys four seasons around the year with a cold weather, hot weather, south-west
monsoon and north-east monsoon. Archaeological evidence proves that these forests have
been inhabited for 3000 years. A place with many faces, you can opt for an adventure tour or
feed your inner historian, bring out your religious side or simply unwind from your daily life. It
also hosts the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary which is full of beautiful flora & fauna. While you can choose to stay in the usual hotels and resorts, the homestays in Wayanad will make you feel
closer to nature because of its simplicity.
The Calming Magnificence of Yumthang Valley.
Home to a zillion flowers, the Yumthang Valley in Sikkim offers you tranquillity. With slopes
covered with green trees and yaks grazing the grassy plains, it will make you feel like it’s come
straight out of a painting. Surrounded by mountains and flowing rivers, Yumthang Valley
deserves a tour of its own. The crystal clear water of Yumthang Chu will accompany you on
your tour of the valley and the meeting point of three rivers at Zero Point will greet you with
snow-clad mountains. Influenced by Himalayan and Tibetan cuisine, your hunger pangs will be
well taken care of. The Yumthang Valley is protected by the army because of its close proximity
to the China border, so make sure you get your tourist permit from Gangtok for a hassle-free trip
to the mountains.