15 places in India to see before 2022
Posted on October 10, 2019 by Ghoomophiro
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all Indians to visit at least 15 tourist destinations to promote domestic travel in India, it becomes important to list out 15 beautiful destinations one must visit before 2022. India’s tourism sector is so dependent on foreign travelers since many tourists love the idea of visiting India, yet the people of India feel the need to visit abroad before they have visited every state in India. Many places in India are worthy of international attraction, yet ignored by domestic tourists, mainly due to lack of awareness or lack of infrastructure. But the increase in the number of tourists will only boost the economy of the place, leading to better facilities and development of the locals living there.
- The Beach Paradise in Andaman
When we ghoomophirosisters visited Andaman we were so surprised by the underwater beauty that we had to question why Andaman wasn’t as popular as the Maldives or other international destinations. Even though afraid of water, we thought of Hrithik Roshan in ZNMD and took the plunge. For lovers of the aquamarine or people living in mountainous areas, this beach paradise will be a pleasant surprise. The best time to visit Andaman is from November to April.
What to do: Apart from water sports like snorkeling, jet skiing, scuba diving, and others, Andaman also has many other tourist attractions. There is a Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park there along with a Rajib Gandhi Water Sports Complex in Port Blair. You can spend a relaxing day at Radhanagar Beach or visit the Cellular Jail National Memorial. Andaman also has other popular beaches like Merk Bay, Wandoor and Corbyn’s Cove beach.
How to visit?
Air connectivity through Vir Savarkar Airport in Port Blair. Sea connectivity with major cities like Chennai, Kolkata, and Vishakhapatnam through Haddo Wharf Port in Port Blair.
- Realms of Wilderness in Binsar
Binsar is one of the lesser-known places in India that is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts. It is located in the heart of Almora in Kumaoni and is known for its wild jungles, incredible heights, and peaceful surroundings. Mark Binsar on your calendar between October or November.
What to do?
We went to Binsar during December but since it was the peak season, most of the camping sites were booked. Binsar has many incredible camping sites but they are mostly booked in advance yet we were lucky enough to get our bookings done. We also went on a Jeep Safari in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and saw Himalayan Deer, Leopards, Barking Deer, Porcupine, and flying squirrel. Binsar also has other places we went for sight-seeing at like the famous Mahadev Temple, Mary Budden Estate, Zero Point and Pariyadeva Pashan.
Though not many, Binsar does have a nice vegetarian restaurant called Dolma restaurant with good food and genuine prices. For dessert, there is Baba Cake nearby.
How to visit?
Binsar is 152 km away from the nearest domestic airport which is in Pantnagar. Rail connectivity is through Kathgodam Railway Station which is 119 km away. There is also road connectivity with the nearest neighboring cities.
- The Coffee Plantations in Coorg
Coorg is a gorgeous hill station in Karnataka that is just a quick ride away from Bangalore. The best time to visit is from October to March. We went to Coorg mainly for the enriching Coffee Plantations which the place has plenty.
What to do?
Coorg also has many other attractive places like the Abbey Falls. We went hiking on Brahmagiri Peaks and also spent a calm day at Namdroling Monastery. A week is enough time to explore the entire place. One day we were on a Jeep Safari to Nagarhole National Park and the next we went ziplining in River Kaveri. The Nalknad Palace and Iruppu Falls left a memorable imprint on our minds.
How to reach?
By air: Mangalore is the nearest airport which is 156 km away.
By rail: The nearest railway station is 106 km away called Mysore Junction.
By road: It takes 5 and a half hours to reach Coorg from Bangalore. It is a 238 km long ride.
- Camp at Kanatal
Kanatal in Uttarakhand is one of the best places we have found for camping. We spent a weekend at Kanatal enjoying great weather and panoramic sceneries. Though we visited Kanatal in July, the best time to visit Kanatal is between April and June.
What to do?
38 km from Mussorie, you can only imagine the kind of beauty Kanatal possesses. At the shore of Tehri Lake, we enjoyed the rich view of the sunset and also visited the famous Sukranda Temple. The Kodia Jungle gives the place a mystic aura and the New Tehri Dam is a sight one must not miss. Go valley crossing as it is one of the most popular adventure sports in Kanatal. The charges for it are just Rs 300 for a 10-15 minute activity. To get into the “Pahari” feel, we stayed in a homestay in Kanatal. It was there that we enjoyed the delicious Pahari food.
How to reach?
By air: Jolly Grant Airport is located at a distance of 92 km from Kanatal.
By rail: Rishikesh railway station located at a distance of 75 km is the nearest railhead to Kanatal.
- Paragliding at Bir Billing
Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh is the place that held the first-ever World Cup for Paragliding. If you are an adventure enthusiast and haven’t visited Bir Billing yet, book your tickets for April, May or June. Bir Billing has more than ten paragliding spots and is popularly known as the paragliding capital in India.
What to do?
First of all, go paragliding and if left with some time, visit the Billing Valley and the historic temples nearby. Bir Billing has Chamunda Temple, Bajinath Shiv Temple and a Shiva Shrine that attracts pilgrims from all across the country. You can also visit the Ahju Fort and enjoy delicious Himachali cuisine.
How to reach?
By air: Kangra airport, the nearest airport is 67 kilometres from Bir.
By rail: The nearest railway station to Bir Billing is Pathankot which is 140 km away.
By road: Bir Billing is accessible by road as it is connected with nearby cities of Delhi, Chandigarh, Manali, Shimla through buses.
- Tirthan Valley in Himachal
Who has not heard of the famous Kullu-Manali? Kullu valley is known for its beauty and in the heart of District Kullu in Tirthan Valley. We visited Tirthan in the hot summers of June and were surprised how a place can be so calm and adventurous at the same time. On one hand, the beautiful scenery of the valley laid our hearts to rest while traveling through Great Himalayan National Park was a thrill beyond imagination. Raghupur Fort embodies the rich history of Himachal while Jalori Pass Trek was both challenging and fulfilling.
How to reach?
By air: Bhuntar airport is 48 km away.
By rail: Ambala railway station is 188 km away.
By road: One can also enjoy the scenic road trip via car or bus from the nearby states.
- Ski Lovers Unite at Auli
One trip to Auli will make you never want to travel out of India. Located in Uttarakhand, the snowy mountains of Auli are best for Skiing and even if you don’t know the basics of Skiing, the activity is just as fun to watch. The best time to visit Auli is during winters when it is all covered in snow i.e from December to February. But even during the summers, Auli has its charm with captivating sunsets and mesmerizing view of the Himalayas.
Kuari Pass Trek and Pangarchulla Peak are the main attractions of Auli but one can also visit Kalpeshwar and Sri Hemkunt Sahib.
How to reach?
By air: The Nearest airport is Jolly Grant airport of Dehradun.
By rail: Haridwar railway station is the nearest railway head from Auli.
By road: Travel towards Joshimath which is well connected to many towns and cities of Uttarakhand. From here, Auli is a short ride away.
- See the Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers has more than 300 flower species. Located in Uttarakhand, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many travelers already have it on their bucket list and since it is located at an altitude of 3,858 meters above the sea level, families often go on this trek. We visited Valley of Flowers during the peak season in July and got such great pictures. The only issue is that travelers need to be more caring for the environment when they visit the Valley of Flowers. The untouched beauty of the various species of flowers seems to be getting polluted by plastic wrappers and traveler’s nonchalant attitude towards the environment.
How to reach:
You can book a trek and have a customised itinerary for your visit to the Valley of Flowers.
- The Royal Jodhpur
Known as the Blue City of Rajasthan, Jodhpur has forts that will entrap you in the history and the royal old era. From Mehrangarh Fort located at a hilltop to stone pavements and royal landscapes, Jodhpur oozes the essence of Rajasthan. The main city of Jodhpur has many restaurants and we tried the Bajre ka Sogra and Badam Halwa. Visit Jodhpur from October to February because that’s when the weather is most comfortable for the visitors. The summer months in Rajasthan are quite harsh.
How to reach:
By air: Jodhpur has a domestic airport connected to major cities.
By rail: Jodhpur Railway Station is also widely connected.
By road: Road to Jodhpur is also smooth and easily accessible.
- Offbeat getaway at Prashar Lake
One of the top tourist attractions in Himachal, known for trekking enthusiasts and gorgeous views of the Dhauladhar range is Prashar Lake in Mandi District. Trekking till Prashar Lake is a mid-difficulty level trek. There is a three-tiered temple right near the Lake that is beautifully constructed. There is also Bhutnath Temple with great architecture located on Samkhetar, Mandi. There is a Shanan Hydel Project that is another tourist attraction in Barot village in Mandi. The best time to visit is April to July or September to November.
How to reach
By air: Kullu Manali airport is the nearest airport which is 73 km away from Mandi.
By rail: The nearest railway station is 50 kilometres away.
- Explore the Alpine Forests of Dhanaulti
The thick alpine forests located 2200 meters high in Dhanaulti bordering Mussorie is an offbeat destination for those who wish to live the true wildlife. The Eco Park in Dhanaulti is filled with lush green trees and it also has adventure sports for kids such as commando net, Burma Bridge and Flying Fox. It is a huge and well-maintained park. We went camping at Thangdhar Camp and also visited Surkanda Devi Temple. We visited Dhanaulti during September and September to June is the best time to visit the place.
How to reach
By air: Jolly Grant Airport is 82 km away.
By rail: Dehradun railway station is 25 km away from Dhanaulti.
By road: One can also travel via road from the nearby cities.
- The Spiritual Varanasi
The spiritual ghats of Varanasi might not call to you until you have crossed 30 but there is nothing to make you feel truly mortal as a visit to Varanasi. The Pooja Aarti, Prayers and calm banks of the holy river made us feel the essence of what it means to live in India. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Durga Temple and two renowned tourist attractions. Apart from that, there is Assi Ghat, Manmandir Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat which are worth visiting. Mark your calendars between October and February.
How to reach
By air: Varanasi has a domestic airport which is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport.
By rail: Kashi Railway Station and Varanasi Junction are the two major railway stations.
By road: Varanasi is well-connected with nearby cities via road.
- Amidst the Clouds in Meghalaya
Meghalaya is the much-awaited holiday destination on every traveler’s list. Who wouldn’t love to be amidst the clouds, surrounded by mighty green mountains? Caving in Meghalaya is also one of the greatest adventurous activities but only partake if you aren’t afraid of insects and dark spaces. Some other places to visit in Meghalaya are Khasi Hills, Garo Hills, Seven Sisters Falls. Enjoy the sunset neat Umiam Lake and feel the serenity of Nohkalikai Falls. Click the best selfies at Shillong View Point and Nohwet Living Root Bridge. Plan your visit between March and July.
How to reach?
By air: Umroi Airport is the nearest domestic airport.
By rail: Guwahati Junction is the nearest railway station with good connectivity to other cities.
- Land of Waterfalls- Cherrapunjee
Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya deserves a stay for at least a week. Its living root bridges made of rubber trees are the biggest attraction and seem like something straight out of a fairytale. The Mawsmai Caves and several waterfalls add to the tourism potential of Cherrapunjee. Nohkalikai Falls, Daiñthlen Falls, and Kynrem Falls are worth a visit. Since the weather in Cherrapunjee is mostly rainy, you can visit it from November to May.
How to reach?
By air: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is the nearest airport and is 153 km away.
By rail: Guwahati is the nearest railway station.
- Dalhousie
Dalhousie is known for its world-famous architecture. The Victorian era architecture amidst the refreshing green mountains and mesmerizing rivers acts as a charming spot for travelers. Go on a jeep safari in Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary. The architecture of St John’s Church will leave you awestruck. Some other places to visit are Satdhara Falls, Subhash Baoli, and Chamunda Devi Temple. Visit from March to June.
How to reach?
By air: Pathankot is the nearest airport.
By rail: Pathankot is also the nearest railway station.
By road: Dalhousie is well-connected via road.
Plan out your travels till 2022 and do visit some of these places with your entire family to support domestic travel in India!
