Best offbeat destinations in India
399 curated offbeat destinations across 33 states, each with the months it is worth going and the months it is not.
Best of offbeat India
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Bir
Himachal Pradesh
India's paragliding capital amid Tibetan monasteries
Peak: Mar to May and Oct to Nov
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Jaisalmer
Rajasthan
Golden fort rising from the Thar dunes
Peak: Nov to Feb
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Hampi
Karnataka
Vijayanagara ruins amid giant granite boulders
Peak: Oct to Feb
-
Chettinad (Karaikudi)
Tamil Nadu
Nagarathar mansion towns, famed for architecture and cuisine
Peak: Dec to Feb
-
Ahobilam
Andhra Pradesh
Nine Narasimha shrines scattered up a Nallamala gorge
Peak: Nov to Feb
-
Aranmula
Kerala
Snake-boat village on the Pamba that still casts metal mirrors
Peak: Dec to Feb
-
Almora
Uttarakhand
Understated Kumaoni market town with Himalayan views
Peak: Apr to May and Oct to Nov
-
Bhuj
Gujarat
Kutch's walled heritage city of palaces and embroidery
Peak: Nov to Feb
-
Matheran
Maharashtra
India's only vehicle-free hill station, reached by toy train
Peak: Oct to Feb
-
Omkareshwar
Madhya Pradesh
Om-shaped Narmada island with a Jyotirlinga and hostel vibe
Peak: Oct to Feb
-
Chandipur (Balasore)
Odisha
The sea walks out up to 5 km at low tide and returns
Peak: Nov to Feb
-
Bakkhali & Henry Island
West Bengal
Quiet mudflat beach and a mangrove watchtower island
Peak: Nov to Feb
-
Barsana & Nandgaon
Uttar Pradesh
Braj hill villages where Lathmar Holi is fought with sticks
Peak: Nov to Mar
-
Aharbal Falls
Jammu and Kashmir
The Veshaw crashes 25 m through a pine gorge, Kashmir's Niagara
Peak: Apr to Jun
-
Markha Valley
Ladakh
Ladakh's classic homestay trek below Kang Yatse's white pyramid
Peak: Jul to Sep
-
Dawki & Shnongpdeng
Meghalaya
Glass-clear Umngot river: boating, cliff camps, border
Peak: Nov to Feb
-
Basar
Arunachal Pradesh
Galo valley of rice terraces, cane bridges and clean villages
Peak: Nov to Feb
-
Chandubi Lake
Assam
Earthquake-born forest lake in Rabha country near Guwahati
Peak: Nov to Feb
-
Munger
Bihar
Fort town on a Ganga bend and home of the Bihar School of Yoga
Peak: Nov to Feb
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Jagdalpur (Bastar)
Chhattisgarh
Bastar's tribal capital, weekly haats and bell-metal workshops
Peak: Oct to Feb
-
Dassam Falls
Jharkhand
The Kanchi river's clean 44 m curtain drop near Taimara village
Peak: Sep to Nov
-
Morni Hills
Haryana
Chandigarh's nearest hills, low-key and quiet
Peak: Mar to May
-
Medak
Telangana
Gothic cathedral of 1924 under a Kakatiya hill fort
Peak: Dec to Feb
-
Dzukou Valley
Nagaland
Rolling green trekking valley famous for summer lilies
Peak: Sep to Nov
-
Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind)
Punjab
Mughal Sirhind ruins beside Punjab's most solemn December mela
Peak: Nov to Mar
-
Little Andaman (Hut Bay)
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Surf breaks, waterfalls and a ferry that may not come back
Peak: Dec to Mar
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Agatti Island (Lakshadweep)
Lakshadweep
Coral lagoon island - Lakshadweep's permit-only gateway
Peak: Dec to Mar
-
Champhai (Murlen & Vangchhia)
Mizoram
Mizoram's rice-bowl valley of vineyards on the Myanmar rim
Peak: Nov to Feb
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Ravangla
Sikkim
Laid-back South Sikkim town under a 130ft Buddha statue
Peak: Mar to Apr and Oct to Nov
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Chandor & Loutolim
Goa
Indo-Portuguese mansions in the Salcete hinterland
Peak: Nov to Feb
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Chabimura
Tripura
Boat past giant gods carved into Gomati river cliffs
Peak: Oct to Feb
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Dudhni Lake
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
Shikara rides on the Madhuban backwaters under Warli hills
Peak: Oct to Feb
-
Loktak Lake
Manipur
Floating phumdi islands, world's only floating park
Peak: Nov to Feb
-
Kheerganga
Himachal Pradesh
Hot-spring trek camp, a backpacker rite of passage
Peak: May to Jun and Oct to Nov
-
Bhangarh & Ajabgarh
Rajasthan
Abandoned 16th-century town the ASI locks at sunset
Peak: Nov to Feb
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Chikmagalur
Karnataka
Coffee-hill base for Karnataka's highest peak
Peak: Oct to Feb
Every offbeat destination in the catalogue
- Abbott Mount (Lohaghat) Uttarakhand
- Agumbe Karnataka
- Ajodhya Hills (Purulia) West Bengal
- Alchi (Sham Valley) Ladakh
- Amarkantak Madhya Pradesh
- Amboli Maharashtra
- Anini (Dibang Valley) Arunachal Pradesh
- Araku Valley Andhra Pradesh
- Aryan Valley (Dha & Garkon) Ladakh
- Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal Karnataka
- Bageshwar Uttarakhand
- Baghmara (Balpakram gateway) Meghalaya
- Balotra & Tilwara Rajasthan
- Bangaram Island Lakshadweep
- Banswara (Mahi Backwaters) Rajasthan
- Barabar Caves Bihar
- Baratang Island (Limestone Caves) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Barmer Rajasthan
- Barnawapara Sanctuary Chhattisgarh
- Barot Himachal Pradesh
- Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (Hilley) Sikkim
- Basohli Jammu and Kashmir
- Bateshwar & Chambal Safari (Bah) Uttar Pradesh
- Bekal Kerala
- Belum Caves Andhra Pradesh
- Belur-Halebidu Karnataka
- Betla National Park Jharkhand
- Bhaderwah Jammu and Kashmir
- Bhainsrorgarh Rajasthan
- Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) Rajasthan
- Bharmour (Manimahesh) Himachal Pradesh
- Bheemili (Bheemunipatnam) Andhra Pradesh
- Bhimbetka (with Bhojpur) Madhya Pradesh
- Bhitargaon Uttar Pradesh
- Bhitarkanika National Park Odisha
- Bhoramdeo (Kawardha) Chhattisgarh
- Bidar Karnataka
- Bikaner Rajasthan
- Binsar Uttarakhand
- Bishnupur (Terracotta Temples) West Bengal
- Bithoor Uttar Pradesh
- Bogatha Falls Telangana
- BR Hills (Biligiri Ranganatha) Karnataka
- Bundi Rajasthan
- Burhanpur Madhya Pradesh
- Buxa Tiger Reserve (Jayanti) West Bengal
- Chakrata Uttarakhand
- Chamba Himachal Pradesh
- Chandannagar West Bengal
- Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
- Chandoli National Park Maharashtra
- Chandratal Himachal Pradesh
- Chaukori Uttarakhand
- Cherrapunji (Sohra) Meghalaya
- Chikhaldara Maharashtra
- Chilika Lake (Satapada) Odisha
- Chitkul Himachal Pradesh
- Chitradurga Karnataka
- Chitrakote Falls (Bastar) Chhattisgarh
- Chorla Ghat Goa
- Coonoor Tamil Nadu
- Coorg (Madikeri) Karnataka
- Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh
- Courtallam (Kutralam) Tamil Nadu
- Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Jharkhand
- Dandeli Karnataka
- Daringbadi Odisha
- Debrigarh (Hirakud Reservoir) Odisha
- Deogarh (Lalitpur) Uttar Pradesh
- Deomali Odisha
- Deshnoke (Karni Mata Temple) Rajasthan
- Dhankar Himachal Pradesh
- Dholavira Gujarat
- Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (Guijan Ghat) Assam
- Diglipur (Ross & Smith Islands) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Dindi (Konaseema Backwaters) Andhra Pradesh
- Dirang Arunachal Pradesh
- Divar Island Goa
- Doodhpathri Jammu and Kashmir
- Drass Ladakh
- Dudhwa National Park Uttar Pradesh
- Duduma Falls (Machkund) Odisha
- Dumboor Lake (Narikel Kunja) Tripura
- Dungarpur Rajasthan
- Dzongu (Lepcha Reserve) Sikkim
- Gaganbawda Maharashtra
- Gandhi Sagar (Chambal) Madhya Pradesh
- Gandikota Andhra Pradesh
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram Tamil Nadu
- Gangrel Dam (Ravishankar Sagar) Chhattisgarh
- Garadia Mahadev (Chambal Gorge) Rajasthan
- Garh Panchkot West Bengal
- Gaur (Malda) West Bengal
- Gavi Kerala
- Ghughua Fossil Park Madhya Pradesh
- Gingee Fort (Senji) Tamil Nadu
- Gokak Falls Karnataka
- Gondal Gujarat
- Gopalpur Odisha
- Gupteswar Caves (Koraput) Odisha
- Gurez Valley (Dawar) Jammu and Kashmir
- Haflong Assam
- Hanle Ladakh
- Hanumangarh (Bhatner & Kalibangan) Rajasthan
- Harike Wetland (Harike Pattan) Punjab
- Harishchandragad Maharashtra
- Harsil Uttarakhand
- Hmuifang Mizoram
- Hogenakkal Falls Tamil Nadu
- Honnemaradu Karnataka
- Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (Jorhat) Assam
- Hundru Falls Jharkhand
- Idar (Idariyo Gadh) Gujarat
- Jageshwar Uttarakhand
- Jampui Hills (Vanghmun) Tripura
- Janjehli (Shikari Devi) Himachal Pradesh
- Jaunpur Uttar Pradesh
- Javadi Hills (Jamunamarathur) Tamil Nadu
- Jawai Bandh (Bera) Rajasthan
- Jhalawar (Gagron & Jhalrapatan) Rajasthan
- Jhalong & Bindu (Jaldhaka Valley) West Bengal
- Jhargram West Bengal
- Jibhi Himachal Pradesh
- Jog Falls Karnataka
- Jowai (Nartiang & Krangsuri) Meghalaya
- Kaas Plateau Maharashtra
- Kabini Karnataka
- Kadmat Island Lakshadweep
- Kakkayam Kerala
- Kakolat Falls Bihar
- Kalakkad-Mundanthurai (Mundanthurai) Tamil Nadu
- Kalesar National Park Haryana
- Kalimpong West Bengal
- Kalinjar Fort Uttar Pradesh
- Kalpa Himachal Pradesh
- Kanatal Uttarakhand
- Kannur Kerala
- Kanthalloor Kerala
- Kapurthala Punjab
- Karauli Rajasthan
- Kargil Ladakh
- Karsog Valley Himachal Pradesh
- Karwar (Devbagh & Kurumgad) Karnataka
- Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh
- Kausani Uttarakhand
- Kaushambi (Kosam) Uttar Pradesh
- Kavaratti Lakshadweep
- Kaza (Spiti) Himachal Pradesh
- Kazhugumalai (Vettuvan Koil) Tamil Nadu
- Kemmangundi Karnataka
- Kesaria Stupa Bihar
- Khajjiar Himachal Pradesh
- Khandadhar Falls Odisha
- Khejarla Rajasthan
- Khichan (Demoiselle Cranes) Rajasthan
- Khirsu Uttarakhand
- Khonoma Nagaland
- Kiradu Temples Rajasthan
- Kishangarh Rajasthan
- Kokernag & Verinag Jammu and Kashmir
- Kolli Hills Tamil Nadu
- Kolukkumalai Tamil Nadu
- Kondaveedu Fort Andhra Pradesh
- Koraput Odisha
- Kukru (Khamla Plateau) Madhya Pradesh
- Kuno National Park (Sesaipura) Madhya Pradesh
- Kuntala Falls Telangana
- Lakkundi (Gadag) Karnataka
- Laknavaram Lake Telangana
- Lambasingi Andhra Pradesh
- Lansdowne Uttarakhand
- Lava & Rishop (Neora Valley) West Bengal
- Lepakshi Andhra Pradesh
- Little Rann of Kutch (Dasada) Gujarat
- Lolab Valley (Sogam) Jammu and Kashmir
- Lonar Crater Lake Maharashtra
- Long Island Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Longwa (Mon district) Nagaland
- Madhubani (Mithila art villages) Bihar
- Maheshwar Madhya Pradesh
- Mainpat Chhattisgarh
- Majuli Island Assam
- Malana Himachal Pradesh
- Maluti Jharkhand
- Manapad Tamil Nadu
- Manas National Park Assam
- Manasbal Lake Jammu and Kashmir
- Mandawa (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
- Mandla Madhya Pradesh
- Mandu Madhya Pradesh
- Mandvi (Kutch) Gujarat
- Mangalajodi (Chilika Wetlands) Odisha
- Mangar Bani Haryana
- Manginapudi Beach (Machilipatnam) Andhra Pradesh
- Mansar Lake Jammu and Kashmir
- Marari Beach (Mararikulam) Kerala
- Maravanthe Karnataka
- Maredumilli Andhra Pradesh
- Martand Sun Temple (Mattan) Jammu and Kashmir
- Masinagudi (Mudumalai) Tamil Nadu
- Maski Karnataka
- Mawlynnong Meghalaya
- Mawphanlur Meghalaya
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest Meghalaya
- McCluskieganj Jharkhand
- Mechuka (Menchukha) Arunachal Pradesh
- Meghamalai (High Wavy Mountains) Tamil Nadu
- Melukote Karnataka
- Menal (Falls & Temples) Rajasthan
- Merta City Rajasthan
- Minicoy (Maliku) Lakshadweep
- Mirik West Bengal
- Mitaoli, Padavali & Bateshwar Madhya Pradesh
- Miyar Valley (Urgos) Himachal Pradesh
- Mokokchung Nagaland
- Mudgal Karnataka
- Mukteshwar Uttarakhand
- Mukutmanipur West Bengal
- Munroe Island (Munroe Thuruthu) Kerala
- Munsiyari Uttarakhand
- Murshidabad (Hazarduari) West Bengal
- Murudeshwar Karnataka
- Muziris Heritage (Kodungallur) Kerala
- Nagarjuna Sagar (Nagarjunakonda) Andhra Pradesh
- Nagaur Rajasthan
- Naggar Himachal Pradesh
- Naimisharanya (Nimsar) Uttar Pradesh
- Nako Himachal Pradesh
- Nal Sarovar Gujarat
- Namdapha National Park (Miao & Deban) Arunachal Pradesh
- Nameri National Park Assam
- Nangal (Sutlej Lake) Punjab
- Naranag Jammu and Kashmir
- Narara (Marine National Park) Gujarat
- Narkanda & Thanedar Himachal Pradesh
- Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Unnao) Uttar Pradesh
- Nawalgarh (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
- Neemrana Rajasthan
- Neermahal & Rudrasagar Lake (Melaghar) Tripura
- Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh
- Nelliyampathy Kerala
- Netarhat Jharkhand
- Netravali (Neturlim) Goa
- Nilambur Kerala
- Ninai Falls (Dediapada) Gujarat
- Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls) Meghalaya
- Nongriat (Double-Decker Root Bridge) Meghalaya
- North Sikkim (Lachen-Lachung) Sikkim
- Nubra Valley Ladakh
- Orvakal Rock Garden Andhra Pradesh
- Osian (Osiyan) Rajasthan
- Paithalmala Kerala
- Pakhal Lake Telangana
- Palampur & Andretta Himachal Pradesh
- Pangi Valley (Killar) Himachal Pradesh
- Pangong Tso Ladakh
- Panna National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Kerala
- Parashar Lake Himachal Pradesh
- Pasighat Arunachal Pradesh
- Patal Bhuvaneshwar Uttarakhand
- Patratu Valley Jharkhand
- Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) Maharashtra
- Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) Mizoram
- Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (Chuka) Uttar Pradesh
- Pin Valley (Mudh) Himachal Pradesh
- Pinjore (Yadavindra Gardens) Haryana
- Point Calimere (Kodiakkarai) Tamil Nadu
- Polo Forest (Vijaynagar) Gujarat
- Ponmudi Kerala
- Rajgad Fort Maharashtra
- Rajim Chhattisgarh
- Rakcham Himachal Pradesh
- Rakhigarhi Haryana
- Ramanagara (Ramadevarabetta) Karnataka
- Ramappa Temple (Palampet) Telangana
- Ranakpur Rajasthan
- Rangat (Amkunj & Dhani Nallah) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Ranikhet Uttarakhand
- Rann of Kutch (Dhordo) Gujarat
- Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri (Diamond Triangle) Odisha
- Reiek Mizoram
- Rewalsar (Tso Pema) Himachal Pradesh
- Roing & Mayudia Pass Arunachal Pradesh
- Sahastrakund Falls Maharashtra
- Sakleshpur Karnataka
- Salher Fort Maharashtra
- Salkhan Fossils Park (Sonbhadra) Uttar Pradesh
- Sangla Himachal Pradesh
- Sankri (Har Ki Dun) Uttarakhand
- Sannati & Kanaganahalli Karnataka
- Saputara Gujarat
- Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan
- Sasaram & Rohtasgarh Fort Bihar
- Satkosia Gorge (Tikarpada) Odisha
- Satpura National Park (Madhai) Madhya Pradesh
- Sattal Uttarakhand
- Sevagram (Wardha) Maharashtra
- Shangarh (Sainj Valley) Himachal Pradesh
- Shilloi Lake (Latsam) Nagaland
- Shravasti (Sahet-Mahet) Uttar Pradesh
- Siju (Dobakkol Caves) Meghalaya
- Silent Valley National Park (Mukkali) Kerala
- Simlipal National Park (Baripada) Odisha
- Sirpur Chhattisgarh
- Sirsi & Sahasralinga Karnataka
- Sittanavasal Tamil Nadu
- Sittong (Orange Village) West Bengal
- Sivasagar Assam
- Statue of Unity Gujarat
- Sultanpur Lodhi Punjab
- Sultanpur National Park (Bird Sanctuary) Haryana
- Sundarbans West Bengal
- Surajkund Haryana
- Suru Valley (Panikhar) Ladakh
- Suryalanka Beach (Bapatla) Andhra Pradesh
- Tabo Himachal Pradesh
- Tal Chhapar Rajasthan
- Talwandi Sabo (Takht Damdama Sahib) Punjab
- Tamia & Patalkot Valley Madhya Pradesh
- Tapola (Shivsagar Lake) Maharashtra
- Taptapani Odisha
- Tarnetar Gujarat
- Tawang Arunachal Pradesh
- Tezpur Assam
- Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) Tamil Nadu
- Thattekad (Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary) Kerala
- Thenmala Kerala
- Thenzawl (Vantawng Falls) Mizoram
- Tirthan Valley (Gushaini) Himachal Pradesh
- Toranmal Maharashtra
- Tosh Himachal Pradesh
- Touphema Village Nagaland
- Tso Kar Ladakh
- Tso Moriri Ladakh
- Tura (Garo Hills) Meghalaya
- Turtuk Ladakh
- Ubbalamadugu Falls (Tada) Andhra Pradesh
- Vagamon Kerala
- Vaishali Bihar
- Valiyaparamba (Nileshwar backwaters) Kerala
- Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand
- Valmiki Nagar (Valmiki Tiger Reserve) Bihar
- Valparai Tamil Nadu
- Vanjangi (Paderu) Andhra Pradesh
- Velas (Turtle Village) Maharashtra
- Velavadar (Blackbuck National Park) Gujarat
- Vengurla Maharashtra
- Vikramshila (Antichak) Bihar
- Wahkhen (Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trail) Meghalaya
- Wankaner Gujarat
- Warangal Telangana
- Warwan Valley (Inshan) Jammu and Kashmir
- Wilson Hills (Dharampur) Gujarat
- Yaganti Andhra Pradesh
- Yana Rocks Karnataka
- Yelagiri Tamil Nadu
- Yellapur (Sathodi & Magod Falls) Karnataka
- Yercaud Tamil Nadu
- Yusmarg Jammu and Kashmir
- Zanskar Ladakh
- Ziro Valley Arunachal Pradesh
- Zuluk Sikkim
When to go
January, November and December are the months with the most offbeat places in peak season.
By state
Rajasthan (30)Himachal Pradesh (30)Karnataka (28)Tamil Nadu (20)Uttarakhand (19)Andhra Pradesh (19)Kerala (19)Maharashtra (17)Gujarat (17)West Bengal (16)
Common questions
How many offbeat destinations are there in India?
This catalogue lists 399 tagged offbeat, across 33 states and union territories. It is a curated list, not an exhaustive one: places earn a spot on the strength of the landscape or the heritage.
When is the best time for a offbeat trip in India?
January, November and December put the most of them in peak season. Each place carries its own window, though, so check the one you are aiming at.
Which states have the most offbeat destinations?
Rajasthan (30), Himachal Pradesh (30), Karnataka (28), Tamil Nadu (20) and Uttarakhand (19).
Other themes
MountainsBeachHeritageSpiritualWildlifeTrekBackpackerDesertIslandLakesWaterfallsCityPartyCultureSnow