Sakleshpur

Sakleshpur is an offbeat hill station situated in the Southern end of Bisle Reserve Forest in Karnataka. The place offers mesmerizing views of greenery and nature all around. Those who want to spend a few days in serenity and calmness will find Sakleshpur and ideal destination. The town is surrounded with green hills full of pepper, cardamom and coffee plantations. The rail journey from Hassan to Sakleshpur is a truly breathtaking experience. Monsoon is the best time to visit Sakleshpur. You can hire a car and see Manjarabad Fort and Sakleshwara Temple.

Coffee Plantations at Sakleshpur

How to Reach

Sakleshpur is easily accessible from Bengaluru by car or bus. Bengaluru is well connected to other major cities of India. Sakleshpur also has its own railway station. Trains are running from Bengaluru and Mangalore to Sakleshpur.

Where to Stay

Devagiri Retreat. Tariff - Rs. 1600-2000. Tel: 9481544927.
The Hills. Tariff - Rs. 6971-9553. Tel: 9845390215.
Hotel Task and Dawn. Tariff - Rs. 2100 per head (all charges included). Tel: 9845503354.

Bidyang Valley

Bidyang Valley is a nice offbeat destination near Kalimpong. The place is ideal for those who want to experience serenity of the hills and the endless bounty of nature. The hamlet is located on the banks of Reli river. Facilities for adventure sports like rock climbing, soft mountaineering etc. are an added attraction. The confluence of Teesta and Reli river is 7 km from Bidyang Valley. The wooden hanging bridge standing on the river is awe inspiring.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is well connected to other cities of India. You can get cars from New Jalpaiguri to reach Bidyang Valley directly. Car charges around Rs. 3200-3500. Bidyang Valley is 15 km from Kalimpong and is easily accessible from there. Hired cars ply from Kalimpong to Bidyang Valley.

Where to Stay

Bidyang Valley Resort. Tariff - Double Bed Cottage Rs. 1500, Four Bed Rs. 1200.

Ranka

Ranka is an ideal place to spend your holiday in serenity and calmness. The place is located 12 km west of Gangtok. Situated at an altitude of 5000 ft, Ranka is surrounded by dense foliage and greenery all around. The quiet and untouched natural beauty of Ranka is mesmerizing. You can visit Lingdum Monastery along with other monasteries and Banjakhri Waterfalls. Gangtok is also close and you can go for a one-day tour.

Ranka

How to Reach

Ranka is 120 km from New Jalpaiguri. New Jalpaiguri is well connected to other major cities of India. One can reach Ranka directly by car. Cars are also available from Gangtok to get to Ranka. Time taken by cars to travel this distance is around 40 minutes.

Where to Stay

Khangchendzonga Tourist Villa. Tariff - Deluxe Double Bed Rs. 3750-5500, Junior Cottage Rs. 6250-8050, Deluxe Cottage Rs. 6875-8675, Duplex Cottage Rs. 7500-9300. Tel: 9674758061.

Tampara

Tampara is an offbeat destination situated at a distance of 20 km from Gopalpur. There is a wonderful lake at Tampara. The lake is formed by backwaters close to the Bay of Bengal. Tampara Lake hosts an attractive boating complex. Apart from paddle boat, you can also go for water sports like water scooter ride. The waters of this lake is quite rough and hence wearing life jacket is a must before riding the water scooter. There is a restaurant beside the jetty. Since there is no accommodation facility at Tampara so it is better to stay at Gopalpur and visit Tampara in a one day tour.

Tampara Lake

How to Reach

Berhampur is the nearest railway station from Tampara. Berhampur is well connected to Howrah and Chennai by rail. Gopalpur is located 14 km from Berhampur. Tampara is 20 km from Gopalpur on Sea. You can hire an auto rickshaw or car from Gopalpur to visit Tampara.

Where to Stay

There is no accommodation facility at Tampara. At Gopalpur, you can stay at:
OTDC Panthanivas. Tariff - AC Cottage Rs. 2750, AC Double Bed Rs. 1100, Double Bed Rs. 700.

Bargi

Bargi is an offbeat destination situated 39 km from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. In the year 1974, Bargi dam was constructed on Narmada river. It is the best place to enjoy serenity in a peaceful and pollution-free environment. You can visit Jabalpur and Bhedaghat from Bargi. The famous Marble Rock is situated in Bhedaghat. The beauty of Bargi and Bhedaghat comes out at its best on a full moon night.

Bargi Dam

How to Reach

Jabalpur is the nearest railway station from Bargi. The city is well connected to other major cities of the country by rail and air. Cars are available from Jabalpur to reach Bargi.

Where to Stay

MP Tourism Maikal Resort. Tariff - AC Double Bed Rs. 2290.

Bhaithiri

Bhaithiri is an offbeat destination situated in Wayanad district in Kerala. Situated at a height of 700 m, the place is blessed with unending natural beauty. The serenity, light breeze, undulating hills and chirping of birds make Bhaithiri amazing and awe inspiring. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, Bhaithiri is surrounded by various types of trees and forests. You can visit Pookot Lake, Edakkal Cave and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit Bhaithiri is during the monsoon. One can also go for adventure sports like rock climbing, boating and trekking.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station from Bhaithiri is Kozhikode. Kozhikode is well connected to cities like Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata by train. Buses and cars are available from Kozhikode to reach Bhaithiri. Distance is 62 km.

Where to Stay

STD Code : 04936
Bhaithiri Resort. Tariff - Rs. 9000-13000. Tel: 256800
Hotel Green Paradise. Tariff - Rs. 2500-4000. Tel: 320137.
Mishti Heights. Tariff - Rs. 2500-3500. Tel: 256644.

Malampuzha

Malampuzha is wonderful destination situated 8 km from Palakkad. The main attraction of this place is the Malampuzha Dam which was built on Malampuzha river in the year 1955. The green forests and undulating hills make this place awe inspiring and mind blowing for tourists. You can buy tickets of Rs. 25/- and enter the Malampuzha garden. The garden is beautifully decorated with ample trees and flowers. A path through the garden leads one towards the main reservoir. The Malampuzha Dam and Garden remains open from 8 am to 8 pm. Another attraction of Malampuzha is the Ropeway ride. It is the best way to witness the natural beauty of the place. Ticket Rs. 40 per head.

Malampuzha Garden

Ropeway

How to Reach

The nearest railway station from Malampuzha is Palakkad. Buses, cars and auto rickshaws are plying from Palakkad to Malampuzha.

Where to Stay

At Malampuzha, you can stay at:
Kerala Tourism Garden House. Tariff - AC Semi Superior Rs. 1250, AC Premium Rs. 1500. Tel: (0491) 2815217.
Apart from this a number of private hotels are there at Palakkad.

Barmer

Barmer is a desert town situated in Rajasthan. Barmer is best known for traditional handicrafts of Rajasthan. The place is famous for its woodcarving, furniture, carpets, block printing and embroidered works. Kiradu is a small village located 35 km from Barmer. At Kiradu, you can witness the remains of five temples which exhibit some exquisite sculpture. Out of these, four are Shiva temples and one of them is a Vishnu temple. The largest temple of Kiradu is Someshwara Temple.

Barmer

How to Reach

Jodhpur is well connected to major cities of India by rail and road. Barmer Express and Barmer Link Express is running from Jodhpur to Barmer. Distance between Jodhpur and Barmer is 220 km.

Where to Stay

RTDC Hotel Khartal. Tariff - Rs. 1000. Tel: (02982) 222956.
Hotel Krishna. Tariff - Rs. 600-800. Tel: (02982) 230826.

Padua

Padua is a nice offbeat destination located 33 km from Araku Valley. The place offers both hilly and natural beauty to the tourists. Jalaput Reservoir is the main attraction of Padua. The scenery of Padua is awe inspiring. You can hire a car to visit Ranidudma Waterfalls (28 km from Padua) via Bheja and Machkunda Lake. The green hills, wandering clouds and the unmatched scenery of the reservoir will make you mesmerized.

Padua

How to Reach

Visakhapatnam is well connected to other cities of India by rail and air. Padua is situated 164 km from Visakhapatnam. Kirandul Passenger is running from Visakhapatnam to Padua.

Where to Stay

There is only one resort to stay at Padua.
Lake View Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1200. Tel: 9440053333.