Last Updated: July 24, 2018 Shashank Yadav
Coming from a crowded place and visiting another crowded place will not give you the refreshment you are wanting. In other words, if you are in hunt of a vacation which will give your mind some peace then making a trip to tourist places will not serve the purpose. When you are tired of your weekly hectic schedule and the traffic and witnessing the same old flock of people then you should surely visit some offbeat places during your weekend off. Luckily, there are a few places that India has in store for all those who want to get lost in the beauty of nature, that too at some quiet place.
The list below consists of some of the best offbeat destination around major cities in India:
1. Around Mumbai
Living in Mumbai means having a hectic schedule throughout the week. With all the noisy places and people around you, it becomes very tiring for body and brain. Spa and sleep cannot compensate for your inner peace. This is why you need to go somewhere quiet.
Lonar Lake
Incredibly old, Lonar Lake is a result of the collision of a meteor which is believed to had taken place 50,000 years ago. Located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, which is about 476 km from Mumbai, Lonar Lake will surely mesmerize you with its natural beauty. This place is home to rich flora. Along with bird watching and photography, you can also enjoy the calm environment and cool breeze that shall soothe your soul. This makes it one of the best offbeat destinations to spend your weekend near Mumbai. Lonar also is perfect for Hindu devotees who can visit temples like, Shree Yadnyeshwar temple, Kamalja Devi Temple, Shiva Rock Temple, Shiva Rock Temple 2, Vishwanath temple, which surrounds the lake. For camping enthusiasts, this is an ideal place to spend time under the starlit sky.
Sandhan Valley
About 183 km from Mumbai in Igatpuri lays Sandhan Valley, which also goes by the name, “The Valley of Shadow” because the gorge is quite narrow which disrupts the sunlight from entering the passage through which the trekkers have to pass. Crossing this stretch of the trek is so difficult that if you do not know how to rappel you shall not be able to go further at all; and not just one, you will get 2 rappelling points on your way, which we warn you are a bit challenging. People also come here for camping, and if by any means you choose to stay here for a night then you can also enjoy Bonfire under the sheet of stars. Sandhan Valley has not yet been a complete tourist spot but still is a destination for spending a weekend amidst peace and beautiful nature.
2. Around Bengaluru
Yes obviously, Bangalore is a lovely city with a pleasant climate. But when you are working in this city then sometimes none of this can soothe you. You might go for long walks or rides but that will not serve well, I bet. To attain that unsurpassed peace of mind, just visit the following places:
Dandeli
Dandeli is a town in the Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka is located in the Western Ghats region. About 461 km away from the metropolitan city Bengaluru, this place is sort of an untouched destination and is ideal for those who want to have a thrilling weekend. It is an amazing getaway for nature and adventure enthusiasts and offers sports like white water rafting in the Kali River with a facility of night camping as well. Visitors can enjoy nature walks and picnics in Dandeli, and those seeking some peaceful time can relax amidst the serene surroundings. If you get some time from this place, 25 km from here you can find some more attractions like Kavala Caves and Shiroli Peak.
Manchinbele Dam
Manchinbele Dam, which is located 40 km from Bangalore is built across River Arkavathy in Ramnagar district. This place is an offbeat destination, which will be perfect for you if you are living in Bangalore. Here you can enjoy swimming, trekking up the hills and even rock climbing.
3. Around Delhi
Delhi is probably one of those lucky places in India that are surrounded with a number of tourist destinations that are ideal for all kinds of visitors. There are also some of the best offbeat destinations for Delhiites to enjoy their weekends and drain out their stress. A few of them are :
Fagu
Fagu can be counted as one of the best offbeat places near Delhi. If you want a break from your hectic weekly schedule, Fagu is a very beautiful and less crowded place to visit just 361 km from Delhi and is no more than 20 km from Shimla city. To make your trip worth, it offers lot of activities to do. In case you make it here during the month of February then, don’t miss out on to be a part of the ski fest.
Chaukori
Chaukori is a hill station situated in the Pithoragarh district located in the western Himalayan Range in Uttrakhand. With the beautiful green mountains which attract the nature lovers, you can also sight a few temples like Arjuneshwar Shiva, Nakuleshwar, Ghunsera Devi Temple which are ideal to visit for the Hindu devotees. If you are planning to drive to this place from Delhi, Chaukori is 469 km away and is well-connected by road. For your accommodation, you can rent the cottages and the resorts that offer a panoramic view of the peaks of Himalayas.
Kangojodi
Spread in over 7 Kms and only 275 Kms from Delhi, lays a beautiful place named Kangojodi. Situated in Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh, Kangojodi is a mesmerizing but still an offbeat destination. It provides a perfect weekend gateway for tourists, providing them a memorable time with many thrilling activities which include camping, trekking through the forest, rappelling and ziplining. You cannot miss to take a trip to a place like this with your family and friends.
4. Around Kolkata
Kolkata is a place with a lot of attractions and people go there round the year for enjoying vacations but if you ask locals, they might constantly be in search of a place where they can ditch the hullabaloo of the city, and bask amidst tranquil ambience for sometime. Good for them, there are a few offbeat places around Kolkata that can prove to be excellent weekend escapes.
Samsing
Samsing is a small village in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. You will have to cover a distance of about 664 km from Kolkata in order to be here, but that night journey is worth it! This destination is in between the Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling Districts, and is all about fascinating walks in the tea gardens, hills, and the forest. This place is known as the door to river Maruti that opens up from the mountainous confinement to become one of the most adored rivers in the area. Moreover, save some time for the golden view of Mt. Kanchenjunga during the sunset and astonishment provided by the amazing rocky island which is 5 km from Samsing.
Dooars
Some 632 km from Kolkata is a destination for those who want to spend their weekend enjoying in a less crowded, less polluted and green environment. Surrounded with Eastern Himalayas on the northern side and a long stretch of forests make the place a lot pleasant. It is a gateway to enjoyment for you and your family, as here all of you can enjoy witnessing the one-horned rhinos in the Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary, and a safari in Gorumara National Park. Dooars will not disappoint the adventure lovers because you can enjoy white water rafting in Teesta River if you are here between January and June.
5. Around Chennai
Now everyone is aware of the surrounding area of Chennai is quite beautiful and attractive, though much of it is well-explored. However, there are still some places around this city that remain hidden from the eyes of the tourists. Some of which are:
Valparai
Being in the Coimbatore district and about 600 km from Chennai, Valparai is an offbeat destination and if you are planning to visit somewhere this weekend from Chennai, this should be the one you choose. It is located in the Anaimalai Hills range of Western Ghats and is also known as the 7th heaven. The Sholayar Dam, Nallamudi viewpoint, and Aliyar Dam are a few places you can visit while here.
Courtallam
Courtallam which also goes by the name Spa of South is located in the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District. It is a place which is lesser known amongst the tourists but still has a lot to show and keep them engaged. Just about 620 Kms from Chennai this place is very much soothing to the eyes. It has a lot of waterfalls which are the show stealers in this area.
6. Around Hyderabad
In order to find some solace after the hectic schedule Hyderabadis are always on a hunt for places to escape. Though the city is fortunate enough to have some surreal places around as weekend getaways, there are few destinations that remain a secret shared between only those who go an extra mile to explore.
Karim Nagar
A perfect spot to chill and get away from all the stress of the daily life is Karimnagar. You will not find a lot of people here and the environment is quiet and peaceful. About 163 km from Hyderabad, Karim Nagar is an offbeat destination where you can enjoy with your family on a weekend. It is situated on the banks of a tributary of Godavari River. You can visit Elgandala fort, Jagityala fort, Kondagattu Swami Temple which are must see attractions for people.
Shamirpet Lake
Shamirpet is an artificial lake, which was built during the Nizam reign. This lake attracts a lot of birds making the spot good for bird watching, this is the main thing that is enjoyable here along with the quietness. As it is just 31 km from Hyderabad, it makes quite a nice weekend escape to spend some quality time watching the flights of beautiful birds amidst nature. Peace and happiness at your disposal!
7. Around Chandigarh
When it comes to finding a weekend getaway near Chandigarh, people living here have a lot of options. They can visit a few nearby places in Himachal Pradesh that are certainly beautiful and are offbeat too :
Shoja
Shoja is located 275 Kms from Chandigarh. It is can be considered as a weekend getaway if you are looking for a place that doesn’t see much of human footprints. You can enjoy the 38 Kms drive through apple orchards and set a camp in many places. People can also enjoy trekking to Jalori Pass that is situated some 5 kms from this place.
Jibhi
Known as an unexplored heaven in the Himalayas, Jibhi can be a spot for your weekend if you live in Chandigarh. You will find fascinating wooden houses and miles and miles of greenery here which are enough to bring back the peace that your weekday schedule deprived you of. This Himachal’s best kept secret is situated just 268 km from the city of Chandigarh.
These are the top offbeat places in India around the major cities that are a breather after a hauling week. If you want to know more about the ways that you can make your trip comfortable and thrilling in India, you can call us on +91-9212777223 or drop a mail to us on info@tourmyindia.com. We at Tour My India can offer you the best holiday package to make your weekend holiday an incredible one!
Published: 29 Sep, 2017
A bachelor's in technology passed out student, who decided to follow his heart, has looked forward to see his future as a traveller and a blog writer. This was his passion that ignited the spark of travelling to different places and share his experience with others.