Travelling during the off season brings with it a plethora of benefits like lesser crowds, dirt cheap accommodation and fewer pesky hawkers to fend off. Here are the top places in India that are best visited during the off-season.
Teesta River, Sikkim
The 309 km long river (also known as Tista) originates at an altitude of 5,330 meters from Tso Lhamo lake in the Himalayas. The river is massive and schizophrenically shifts between placid and tranquil to extremely ferocious phases during the course of its journey. This renders it an ideal location for river rafting and other adventure activities. The confluence of the Teesta River and River Rangit is a popular sightseeing spot thanks to the brilliant hues created when the muddy emerald green waters of Teesta mixes with crystal clear deep green waters of Rangit.
Shoja, Himachal Pradesh
Most visitors to Shoja usually hear about the place through word of mouth. They call this tiny village the perfect date spot and it does total justice to the tag with its stunning views and quaint charm. Often overshadowed by the more popular Kasol, Shoja holds its own with beautiful valleys, snow-covered trees and cozy wooden guesthouses. There are quite a few trekking options in the area; apart from which the main attraction is a small waterfall which makes for an ideal picnic spot. There are only a handful of guesthouses in Shoja so try to time your visit during the off-season (November to February).
Dawki, Shillong
Dawki ain’t a popular tourist destination in the first place but it gets even more deserted during the off-season. This stunning village near the India-Bangaldesh border is a haven for adrenaline junkies and nature lovers. Go boating on the glass-like, green-hued waters and end your day with a trek amongst the dense woods that surrounds the river.
Hemis National Park, Jammu and Kashmir
Named after the famed monastery Hemis Gompa, this high altitude national park is located 40 km southeast of Leh. Located on the banks of the Indus River, it is considered to be the best place in the world to see the majestic Snow Leopard. The park is also home to several endangered mammals like Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolf, the Eurasian Brown Bear and the Red Fox. It is a fairly challenging trek – especially during the winters – but the stunning landscape more than makes up for the effort.
Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city located around 95 km from Indore. Its history dates back to 6th century BC when it was a vital military post due to its strategic position and natural defences. The city is dotted with spell-binding Afghan architecture in the form of palaces, temples and mosques, including the beautiful 14th century mosque – Jama Masjid. October to April is the peak season, so try to plan your visit away from this period so you can explore the beautiful ruins at your own leisurely pace.
Daringbadi, Odisha
Daringbadi is sort of an anomaly in a place like Odhisa which experiences searingly hot temperatures and soaking humidity almost throughout the year. This quaint hill station, located around 246 kilometers from Bhubaneswar is the only place in south India that experiences snowfall in the winters. The place gets swamped with tourists during the peak season so head there during the winters to explore the coffee plantations, dense pine jungles and beautiful valleys without a soul in sight.
Ponmudi Hills, Kerala
This quaint hill resort with narrow winding pathways and picturesque landscape is a popular weekend getaway close to Trivandrum. But the surge in its popularity has resulted in an almost an exponential increase in litter and pollution in the area. However, off season visitors will be rewarded with an untainted version of the exotic flowers, multi-hued butterflies and small rivulets.
Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
A splendid hill station located 115 km from Vizag that’s famed for its pleasant weather and breathtaking views. It can get a bit crowded during the peak season but during the off- season you can have this lush green paradise all for yourself.
