Top 10 Offbeat Summer Holiday Spots
It’s summer…time to beat the heat and all that jazz. Are the sun’s rays, coupled with pollution, leaving grimy sweat marks on your back? Longing for a whiff of wild flowers, a brush of cool wind and a view of snow-capped mountains? But where does one go?
Fear not, your friend, the Bold BagPacker, has a list of ten, literally COOL places to go to this summer. I’ve done something slightly different by not listing the run-of-the-mill places that everybody seems to run off to. And, very patriotically, I’ve only included Indian destinations in my list. Going abroad for the summer is just so passé. Touring India instead is so cool and affordable. Just pack your bags after you read this…you can thank me later.
1. Ladakh
Kangyatse Peak offers a spectacular view of snow-capped mountains
This place has a way of dumbing (is that a word?) you into silence. The landscape will overawe you and don’t be surprised if all you decide to do for your entire holiday is sit back and meditate. And why not? After all, Ladakh is also known as the ‘Hermit Kingdom’. Snuggled in between the magnificent Himalayan range and the Kumarakoram Mountains, surrounded by pristine lake waters and river waters, Ladakh is the ideal place to get away from the rest of the world. A trekker’s paradise, a photographer’s heaven, a white water enthusiast’s delight…Ladakh has it all. The Buddhist monasteries dotting the region fill you with a sense of reverence and peace. The Hemis Gompa is the biggest in the region and the paintings at Alchi Gompa date back to the 11th century. The Palace Monastery of Shey Gompa cannot go unvisited. Where does one stop, because there is just so much to do and see in this magnificent land…! A weekend trip will leave you unsatisfied; make sure you have time on your hands when planning this trip.
2. Shivpuri near Rishikesh
River rafting beach camps
Water, water, water. Is that what your body is crying out for in this heat wave? How about something wet and wild? Yes? Then you are going to love the next soul-thirst-quenching suggestion…the Himalayan River Rafting Tour. Not only will your yearning for cool waters be satiated, but you can also do the adventurer in your soul a world of good. Shivpuri is one of the ultimate white water rafting destinations of India. Some of the rapids have very interesting names, especially the wittily named Return to Sender and Roller Coaster! Located near Haridwar and Rishikesh, you also get a chance to see these wonderful places while on your expedition. This trip calls for an adventurous spirit and loads of stamina. If you can round up a bunch of thrill-seeking cohorts, even better, for the more the merrier.
3. Mashobra, Shimla
Mashobra’s hills are alive with the sound of birdsong and serenity…
This quiet and quaint little town is perfect for a nice, cosy getaway. Located in Shimla district, this sleepy town was built in the 18th Century by Lord Dalhousie. Mashobra is ideal if all you are looking for is some rest and relaxation. The picture-perfect scenery is easy on the eyes largely due to the vast expanse of oak, pine and cedar woods, and thanks to the town being situated between the rivers Indus and Ganges, you can go fishing or even river rafting. Pack a picnic lunch, as there are plenty of orchards to visit and take leisurely walks through. The Reserve Forest Sanctuary located in nearby Shimla will give you glimpses of the musk deer. If it’s luxury that you crave, then the close-by Oberoi property, Wildflower Hall, is not to be missed.
4. Kalimpong and Peeling, Sikkim
After a stopover in Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, where you simply must visit Tusklakhang, the former palace of the Kongs, and the Orchid Sanctuary, proceed to Kalimpong and Peeling where you can go sight seeing to your heart’s content. And if you’re a shutterbug, then you can rest assured that you will be a very happy person here. In Kalimpong, you can visit the Flower Nurseries and the Buddhist monasteries. Peeling is one of Sikkim’s most sought-after hill stations and why not, after all it offers the best view of the majestic Kanchenjunga and you can just drink in the sight of its overpowering beauty. There is also a rock cave situated in Peeling, known as Tak-Phu where a visit is a must. Who needs Switzerland when we have a miniature version right here in the motherland?
5. Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Tea tourism is fast gaining popularity in India and Kangra is an ideal spot
With so many places that offer rest and rejuvenation as well as scenic sights that take you that much closer to heaven, it’s no wonder that Himachal Pradesh is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. With eco-tourism being promoted in a big way in India, Kangra, near Dharmshala, is an ideal place to visit. Tea plantations abound here, adding to the splendour of the already beautiful place. If you stay here, you can experience life in the tea gardens to the absolute fullest. Leave the heat and dust of the city far behind you as you laze away while sipping on your endless cups of tea, go for picnics and indulge in an Ayurvedic massage. What better way to rid yourself of your daily troubles and tensions?
6. Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
The new cable car, or gondola, of Gulmarg
Yes, heaven on Earth still exists and you can see it for yourself in Gulmarg. Besides the breathtaking landscape that fills you with awe, there are so many things to do there. If you play golf, pro, semi-pro or amateur, then you definitely know that Gulmarg proudly boasts of having the highest green golf course in the world. You can also find the premier ski resort in the country located here, open between mid-December to mid-May. There are many other activities to indulge in, from trekking to nature walks to sight seeing. And did we mention that ‘Gulmarg’ translates into ‘the valley of flowers’? Just imagine the amazing photographs that you can show-off after your trip.
7. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Scuba Diving!
Feeling the heat so much that you wish you were a fish living in water? Well then, why not make your wish come true? How about a scuba diving and snorkeling trip? Head off to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to indulge in a number of water-based activities. Check out Corbyn’s Cove Tourism Complex, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and Havelock for all your scuba diving and snorkeling thrills. There’s also a lot of excitement at the Andaman Water Sports Complex where you can indulge in water activities such as water-skiing, para sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and much, much more!
8. Connoor, Tamil Nadu
Tea plantations as far as the eye can see…
This hill station, located approximately twenty kms away from its more famous counterpart, Ooty, is a sight for sore eyes and a place for a tired body. Lush greenery greets your eye, whichever way you look. Tea tourism is fast catching on and if you are a tea connoisseur, then this hill station should be on your list. This is also the ideal getaway if you are looking for a quiet place to laze and relax…not that there isn’t anything to do, there is, there is! Take a toy train ride from Connoor to Mettapallyam and Ooty, enjoying the verdant view of the Nilgiris all the way. Go bird watching or trekking…there are beautiful waterfalls, like Law’s Falls, just waiting to be discovered. Visit the Droog Fort, which was used by Tipu Sultan. Connoor truly is the perfect place to connect with nature and to reconnect with yourself!
9. Munnar, Kerala
Rollicking greenery…
Kerala is known primarily for its beautiful backwaters. Munnar is a hill station situated in the state at the confluence of three rivers that offers a wonderful ambience for you to revive your city-wrung spirit. Luxuriant tea gardens greet you all around as the sweet scent of blossoming tea fill you from head to toe and invigorate your senses. Besides lolling about in tea plantations and partaking of their revitalizing bounty, you can also go for Nature walks and visit Eravikulam National Park where you can catch a glimpse of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and other animals such as the gaur, langur, lion-tailed macaque and herds of elephants.
10. Garo Hills, Meghalaya
The wilds of the hills…
Meghalaya, or the ‘Abode of Clouds’…the name of this state itself implies that it would be the peaceful summer retreat. The Tura Peak, located in the Garo Hills region offers a splendid view of the Bramhaputra valley as well as the plains of Bangladesh. The entire Tura range is a reserve forest, owing to its location in a water catchments area. You can trek from here to the wonderful Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, located just 2 kms away. Here you can see rare orchids, chempaka and wild lemon besides a plethora of other flora and vegetation. The fauna found here is equally rich, such as different varieties of macaques, Himalayan black bears, tigers, leopards, giant flying squirrels and much, much more. Take a trip here for an unforgettable experience.
(1).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
