Have you been on these unique and mesmerising holidays in India?

Travelling within India requires a lot of planning and research. Yes, it sounds tedious, but India is a country with diverse cultures, landscapes, weather and more. It’s a country that is worth the extra time you spend on research, especially when it comes to travel.

When we look at the north, south, east and west, every region of India has hundreds of new experiences to offer. In fact, the deeper you go, the more chances you have of finding unique experiences, interactions, and insights.

With that in mind, we bring you some of the most unique and mesmerising holiday ideas in India. The places are not new to us, but it’s how you explore.

We all know that Spiti is one of the most stunningly beautiful (and sometimes dramatic) places in India. It’s the offbeat vibe that we find the most interesting. This high-altitude desert landscape is vast yet so sparsely populated, it’s possible that in some villages you will find less than 10 households. It’s truly far from the hustle and bustle.

The main reason why this place is unique is that it is the world's largest river island. Surrounded by the mighty Brahmaputra river, Majuli is a hidden gem where you can explore the rich Vaishnavite culture and can also experience an eco-friendly holiday. It’s interesting to note that there is a school in Majuli where the students, in exchange for fees, submit plastic bottles. It would be great to include all these experiences to your Assam itinerary.

Nagaland is one of the few places in India where the local cultures are given the utmost importance. The needs of tourists are met, but not at the expense of local culture and traditions. Khonoma is a place that was once home to hunters; it is India’s first Green Village now. It is a destination that will teach you plenty on how to respect and uphold one’s own culture and still make it one of the most loved destinations in the country.

This salt desert can be very unremarkable at first. The white expanse goes as far as the eyes can see and even further. But the real fun is when you spend time with the local tribes, and get to know their colourful culture.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located off the mainland and the region already feels like we are somewhere out of India. The pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and untouched marine life makes this an idyllic tropical paradise, perfect for underwater enthusiasts. Go during the off-season to save money on hotels and flights.

This is an experimental township that focuses on sustainable living, spiritual growth, and cultural diversity. Here, you will find people from all parts of the world. Visitors can stay in eco-friendly accommodations and participate in various workshops.

Here, we see Cherrapunji because this is a place with maximum adventure destinations like waterfalls, caves and sacred groves. Also, it’s proximity to the capital city Shillong, Mawsynram, the wettest place on earth, and Jowai where caves are plentiful. You can also experience Mawlynnong, one of the cleanest villages in India and the world.

The town may be small but it’s big on ancient culture. The temples of Khajuraho depict some of the best architectural works. The intricately carved temples adorned with explicit sculptures, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Also read: Khajuraho - Sculptures, Moksha and More​

This high-altitude desert with barren landscapes, monasteries perched on cliffs, and serene lakes like Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, is a paradise for adventure seekers and photographers. Add to that the International Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, India’s only Dark Sky Reserve.

Also read: Stories of Ladakh that are etched in rocks​