Explore the unexplored: 7 places in India we know very little about

Common tourist destinations are no more in vogue. India has got many interesting and unexplored places. Exploring undiscovered destinations will add a life time memory to your travelogue.

“The world is ancient, but it has not lost its newness”
-Wasif Ali Wasif

India is like a deep tunnel, where you could dig in to explore deeper and still you find something new, every moment. You can visit from North to deep down south and find so much to delve into. The Taj Mahal, the alluring beaches of Goa, Himachal, to Greenland kerala, kanyakumari and so many places to plan your , this summer. But these clichéd tourist destinations are well known and popular over the globe.

India has got many interesting and . Exploring will add a life time memory to your travelogue. Common tourist destinations are no more in vogue. As they say every place has its own story, we all need to embed that new story and add some freshness into our lives while manifesting something new yet raw.

Planning athis year? Just have a look at these , before leaving your place.

1. BHITARKANIKA (ODISHA)

Image source: Instagram

If you want lush green environment to please your senses, then you must plan your travel to this unique habitat of mangrove forests.
Nature lovers, this can surely be your cup of tea. We assure you.

How to get there:

Khola and Gupti are two main entry points to enter Bhitarkanika

* Nearest Airport:
Bhubaneswar- 160 Kms from Khola/Gupti entry point.

* Nearest Railway Station:
Bhadrak- 70 Kms from Jayanagar entry point to the park.
Cuttack- 140 kms from Khola/Gupti entry points.
Bhubaneswar- 160 Kms from Khola/Gupti entry points.

Major Attractions:

*Scenic Boat Cruising
*Theme-Based Entertainment
* Animal World (22 feet Crocodile, Spotted Deer, Monitor Lizard, King Cobra and Pythons)
* Bird World (170 species of birds, sub-species of Kingfishers, Sea Eagles and Sand Pipers)

Unlock exclusive access to the story of India's general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now!

Accommodation:

* Mayfair Lagoon
8-B Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar.
Phone: +91 674 6660 101
Fax: +91 674 2360 236
Website:

2. LEPCHAJAGAT (WEST BENGAL)

Image source: Flickr



This peace-filled destination provides you a much needed break from your monotonous life. It’s a perfect place for people who would like to explore a diversion from the queens of hills, Darjeeling. The place has accumulated popularity with the beautiful views of the mountain Kanchenjunga. This place has a great essence to make people fall in love with the place.

How to get there:

*Lepchajagat is 19 km drive away from Darjeeling.

* Nearest Airport:
Bagdogra, Siliguri

* Nearest Railway Station:
New Jalpaiguri or 8 kms from Ghoom railway station.

Major Attractions:

* Stunning view of Kanchenjunga.
* WBFDC Forest Bungalow.
*Forest trails full with Pines, Oaks and rhododendrons.
* Ghoom Rock (Sun Rise Point)

Accommodation:

This place has only single stay option of forest department which is provided by West Bengal Forest Development Corporation (WBFDC). They have forest bungalow, equipped with all modern facilities.

* WBFDC booking office
West Bengal forest Development Corporation Limited
6A, Raja Subodh Mullick Square, 7th - Floor,
Kolkata-700013
Ph No. - 033 2225-8549
Website:

NIGHOJ POTHOLES (MAHARASHTRA)





Image source: Instagram

These potholes are the result of the Kukadi River which forms a deep canyon like structures carved in the rock beds. The best time to venture a trip to see these astonishing potholes are summers as the water level goes down in the river. This Geological Miracle will surely excite you to visit this place, many times.

How to get there:

It is about 90 kms away from Pune. From Pune –Nagar Highway, you can reach this place by road.

* Nearest Railway Station:
Pune Railway Station

* Nearest Airport:
Lohegaon Airport

Major Attractions:

* The rock cuts and the potholes
*Bridge across the Kukadi River.
*Malaganga Temple
*Kapileshwar Temple

Accommodation:

Since Nighoj potholes are situated in Ahmadabad district, it’s advisable to plan a one day trip to this place. At present, Nighoj doesn’t have any hotels or accommodation facility. So you need find an accommodation at Pune.

* Hotel Turkson (37.5 km from Nighoj Potholes)
Pune – Nashik highway, Opp S T Stand, Above HDFC Bank, Naranyan Gao,
Taluka – Junnar Pincode – 410504 Phone: 02132-245330
Website:

4. PATAN (GUJARAT)

Image source: Pinterest



Do you belong to the category of an explorer? Then Patan in Gujrat would be an exquisite pleasure for your soul. This is a little visited town, but its narrow streets are bordered by the elaborate wooden houses with more than 100 Jain temples, with their intricate carvings.

For fashion maniac ladies, there are ethereal and elegant hand woven sarees, which makes this place even more than a worth visit with your husband and family.



How to get there:



* Nearest Airport:

Ahmedabad (125 Kms from city)

* Nearest Railway Station:
Ahmedabad- Patan Lines

Major Attractions

* Rani ki Vav (subterranean architecture of Gujarat)
* Sahastralinga Talav
* Khan Sarovar
* Jain temples

Accommodation:

* Hotel Tulsi (3.5 kms from Patan)
Nr.New DISTRICT COURT, SIDHAPUR CHAR RASTA, PATAN - 384265
PHONE NO: Restaurant Inquiry
(02766) 292530
WEB SITE:

5. PARADIP (ODISHA)

Image source: Instagram



Till now Paradip was known as Paradip Port, but very less people knew that it is also a vacation and picnic spot. The beauty of Paradip lies in it being near to the shore of the Bay of Bengal. You can enjoy Oceanic activities in the shimmering water of Paradip beach, which makes it the best vacation spot for aqua-lovers. This place is ideal for a family trip and the variety of species of fish at Paradip's Marine Aquarium with 28 tanks will leave you with your mouth wide open in bewilderment

How to get there:

* Nearest Airport:
Bhubaneswar Airport

* Nearest Railway Station:
Cuttack Railway Station (82 Kms from Paradip)

Major Attractions:

* Gahirmatha Beach
* Baladeva Temple
*Gahirmatha Beach
*Konark-famous Sun temple

Accommodation:

* Toshali Lalitgiri Resort
C-40, Market Building, Sahid Nagar,
Bhubaneswar - 751007, Odisha (Orissa), India.
Mob : +91 - 9937282626.
Website:

6.

DZONGU (NORTH SIKKIM)

Image source: Pinterest

This virgin remote village is a homeland of the Lepcha community. The beauty of this place lies in the rawness of the nature. If you are a nature lover and a bit adventurous, this is a place for you. You can explore about lepchas community, which is an authentic yet beautiful community in a sense that takes pride in showcasing their cultural programmes and their eating habits.

How to get there:

* Nearest Airport:
Bagdogra (west Bengal) from here you can hire a taxi.

* Nearest Railway Station:
New JalPaigudi Railway Station from here you can hire a taxi.

After you take a taxi you need to head towards Mangan. From Mangan, shared taxi to upper and lower Dzongu is available on fixed timings in the afternoon otherwise reserved taxis can be arranged from the Mangan taxi stand any time of the day.

Major Attractions:

*Lingthem - A short but steep hike up from Passingdang village. You can have a great view of Mt. Kangchenjunga and Dzongu Valley.
*Pentong & Sakyong – Two small and cute villages with beautiful and mesmerizing view of snow-capped mountains.
* Waterfalls – Dzongu is full of waterfalls. They can be seen falling down from every second hill. Lingzya falls is the best among them. Rakshak is another one. Try a bath here!
* Cane and Bamboo Bridges- They are made from long sections of authentic bamboos. You can satisfy your shopping spree here too, Carpets, traditional bags and other utility items, tables carved in local design, wooden masks are made there.

Accommodation:

There are no hotels in Dzongu. Some Lepcha families have started home stays there.

Mayal Lyang Homestay (Dzongu)

* Gyatso Lepcha
Your host at Mayal Lyang
Passingdang Village, Dzongu, Sikkim
+91-9434446088
+91-964787243
Website: www.mayallyang.com/

7. CHAKRATA(UTTRAKHAND)

Image source: Instagram



Bored of travelling clichéd hill stations like Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainital, Shimla and Almora? Take a trip to exotic destination Chakrata which is only 93kms from Dehradun. This lesser- known destination is magical and blessed with beautiful hills, which is covered by grass and meadows and another side is forest laden. The USP of this place is its calmness and relaxing atmosphere.



How to get there:



* Nearest Railway station:

Dehradun (92 kms from Chakrata)



* Nearest Airport:

Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun( 116 Kms from Chakrata)

Major Attractions

* Chilmiri Neck- It is one of the highest points in Chakrata .This area has a picturesque view with lush green cover and dense forests.
*Tiger Falls- One of the largest waterfalls in India. It originates at a height of 312 feet with beautiful view of forests at the back.
*Ram Tal Horticultural Garden- It has huge variety of flora and fauna. Oriental Turtle dove and Black Headed Jay, can be spotted at this place.
* Deoban- This place surrounds forests, which is home to rich biodiversity of birds such as White Collared Blackbirds and Himalayan woodpeckers.

Accommodation:

* Hotel Snow View
BUNGLOW NO. 35
CHAKRATA DEHRADUN-248123
Contact: 01360- 272241, 272481. Fax 01360-272201
Website: