December is the month to execute all the plans you have thought throughout the year. Despite being an offseason, there are many people who want to make a trip to the hill stations and other famous tourist places. If you are looking out for places that are not flocked by tourists and are more of a solitude and secluded destinations,then you will not be disappointed as there are many offbeat destinations in India. The best part about all these offbeat destinations is that these places do not burn a hole in the pocket. As these are offbeat, the hotels, food and other travel expenses cost very much less when compared to the usual locations. So, you must cover one of the mentioned offbeat destinations in India in December.
13 Offbeat Destinations In India In December
This is a not so exhaustive list of best offbeat destinations in India in December. One can take note of this and plan their trip immediately to these exotic locations.
1. Meghamalai, Madurai
Meghamalai is situated in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. The name of the place literally translated into hills of clouds. As one ascends the hills of Meghamalai, one can see and feel the clouds passing across them. This hill station is a recent addition to the tourist locales in Tamil Nadu. While places like Ooty and Kodaikanal are flocked by people all over India, this place is known for its unexplored beauty. There are homestays and cottages for one to stay as there are very few commercial establishments for hotels in the place.
How to reach: Madurai has an international airport where flights are operated regularly. There is also a railway junction at Madurai. There is a bus station at Madurai that has buses that take routes to hill stations like Kodaikanal and Meghamalai.
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2. Gokarna, Karnataka
If you are looking to enjoy your stay in a beach locale by not going for regular options like Goa, then Gokarna in Karnataka is one of the best choices. The golden sands of the beaches, dotted with palm trees and pristine clear blue waters, add glory to the view. The place was earlier known for its religious shrines, now it has become the hotspot for hippies and other travellers. Witness the scenic beauty of this place while exploring many beaches, temples and caves.
How to reach: Gokarna is situated very near to Bangalore. One can reach by road. There is an international airport at Bangalore that ply flights to all parts of India. There is also a railway junction that ply train routes to all major cities of India.
3. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
One is very much aware of the Tibetan settlement of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, but very few know about the birthplace of the Dalai Lama. The place is situated 3048 meters above the sea level. The place is dotted with many picturesque locations. Due to its location, the summers are very cool and the winter season is snow clad. One should also visit this place in spring to view the entire valley shimmering in glory. This festival will be an amazing experience for you to observe the tourist culture of India, as well as witnessing the heartfelt hospitality of locals of Arunachal Pradesh.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Tawang is located in the capital city of Assam. There are domestic airports in Arunachal Pradesh which is well connected to Tawang. One can reach Tawang from Kolkata International airport and railway junction.
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4. Halebidu, Karnataka
Halebidu is a historical city in Karnataka. It is abounded with temples of Hoysala Architecture and served as the regional capital of the Hoysala Empire. The entire place was ransacked by Islamic forces for the marvels and treasures it holds. Flaunting its Hoysala architecture and temples, this place offers an amazing retreat for history buffs and people with curious minds. If you are looking for a unique experience this December, then it is the perfect spot to land and add an amazing experience in your travel diaries.
How to reach: One can reach Halebid from Bangalore International Airport. The best way to reach the place by road is from Mysore.
5. Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
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The Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh has something to offer for everyone. The place is studded with the tall and sharp pine trees. One can indulge in a lot of adventure sports activities while one is at Tirthan Valley. The tiny hills have caves in it which is filled with water surfaces where the natural flora and fauna is filled. The place is truly blessed with nature’s bounty. Along with admiring the stunning landscape of nature, this place also offer a retreat of outdoor activities for thrill seekers. Also, you can indulge in a wonderful wildlife experience.
How to reach: One can reach Tirthan Valley from Shimla. One can reach Shimla from Delhi.
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6. Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh
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Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh is the home to some of the ancient rock cut sculptors in the world. These caves are filled with writings and edifices of the ancient past. The rock caves in this place is more than 30,000 years old and this stands as a proof of human existence in the region for many years ago. This place is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place is known for its trekking expeditions.
How to reach: One can reach Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh from the state capital. Bhopal has an international airport that ply flights to all parts of the country. There is also a railway junction where trains ply on all major routes across the country.
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7. Patan, Gujarat
Patan is known for the Rani ki Vav tank. When one speaks of Gujarat, one can mostly think of Ahmedabad, Surat, Sabarmati and other usual places. This place is a UNESCO Heritage site and is known for its excellent architecture. This place served as the oldest capital of Gujarat state. The place is surrounded by huge walls and excellent aura. From housing Rani Ki Vav, to Kumbheshwar Temple, there is no lack of tourist attactions at Patan. So, if you are willing to experience something unique, you are welcome to explore Patan this December.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Patan is Sardar Vallabhai Patel Airport at Ahmedabad. One can also reach Patan by road from Ahmedabad.
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8. Kalimpong, West Bengal
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When it comes to hill stations in West Bengal the first place that comes to one’s mind is Darjeeling. Many are not aware of the place called Kalimpong located in the foothills of Himalayas. The place is naturally beautiful as one faces the snow-clad Himalayas and the River Teesta flows across the region in all its glory. It is exhilarating to watch the colonial buildings of the British era in the hilly region. Rainy season and spring is the best time to visit Kalimpong. So, if you are looking for offbeat destinations in India in December then Kalimpong would be the best choice.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Kalimpong is Kolkata. One can reach Kalimpong from Kolkata by road.
9. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Whenever one plans a visit to Himachal Pradesh, the first place to strike one’s mind is Shimla. But, the place of Manali is not explored to the fullest. Rohtang Pass located very high above the main sea level is one of the scenic locations. As one stands near the edge of Rohtang Pass, one can view the border of India and China. Manali appears in all its glory both in summers and winters. Apart from the snow attractions that the place can offer, the place also has a lot of spots that provide recreational space for kids.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Manali is Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. One can also reach Delhi airport and take a cab to reach Manali. But in order to save time, one can take a flight from Delhi to Shimla, and private vehicles can be booked to tour Manali.
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10. Bundi, Rajasthan
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When you speak of Rajasthan, the first ever image that pops up in one’s mind is the splendid architecture. The mighty forts of the Rajputs, elephant rides, the mirror walled palaces and other such magnificence. And, speaking of Rajasthan, one can recall places like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur etc., hardly very few are aware of this architectural marvel called Bundi. The place was once ruled by the small time Rajput chiefs. Now, it speaks volumes of history.
How to reach: The best way to reach Bundi is from Kota, Rajasthan by road. The nearest airport to Bundi is Jaipur.
11. Chopta, Uttarakhand
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If you wish to feel Switzerland in India, then you must visit Chopta in Uttarakhand. The place is called so rightly owing to the green meadows and pastures of the region which makes it super suitable for trekking and other mountaineering activities. Just like one can view the snow-clad mountains as one takes a bicycle tour around Switzerland, the place of Chopta also offers the same. The main attarction of Chopta is Tungnath Temple which holds a great religious significance and welcome devotees from far and wide.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Chopta is Delhi International Airport. Otherwise, the best way to reach Chopta by road is by taking buses that operate from major cities of Uttarakhand like Rishikesh.
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12. Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
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Jabalpur is one of the best cities in India which is very much underrated. The place is filled with architectural wonders, wildlife sanctuaries etc., The aarthi at Narmada River gives one the same feel as one gets while visiting the ghat of Varanasi. One need not fight or meddle with each other in order to find a place to sit and connect with spirituality. Here, you can also experience a blissful sightseeing at many temples such as Chausath Yogini Temple, Madan Mahal and Rani Durgavati Museum.
How to reach: Jabalpur is one of the largest railway junctions in India. The North, West, East and South corridors intersect at Jabalpur. Jabalpur also has an airport which is located about 20 km away from the city centre. One can reach Jabalpur from Bhopal airport.
13. Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu
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When speaking of the extreme southern portion of India, Kanyakumari comes to one’s mind. The sunrise and sunset point, the extravagant Thiruvalluvar Statue and the place where land finally meets the sea. But, near Rameshwaram which is known as one of the holiest shrines of Hindus after Varanasi is the ghost town of Dhanushkodi. The place is known to have connected mainland India with Srilanka. A natural disaster is known to have hit the entire coastal town that has devastated the entire buildings and now it holds only the remains.
How to reach: One can reach Rameshwaram by train and take a cab to reach Dhanushkodi. The nearest airport is Thoothukudi Domestic Airport.
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This is the list of places which are rarely visited by tourists and thus they are still unspoilt. When one makes a visit to these places, they will be awestruck with the splendid beauty that this place has to offer. These places are not located in some remote corner of the country rather you will find them near famous tourist locations but never received the due attention as they were overshadowed by the commercialization of the tourist spots. So, make sure that you cover one of these offbeat destinations in India in December next time. If you are looking for a butter-smooth vacation then plan your trip to India with TravelTriangle.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Offbeat Destinations In India In December
Why should one prefer going to offbeat destinations in India?
One should always prefer going to offbeat destinations in India as she beauty of these places are raw and unexplored. The cost of traveling to these places are also cheap.
Do all parts of India have places that are unexplored?
Right from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, from Gujarat in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east, all parts of India have places that are very much unexplored. It is worth visiting these destinations.
Should one book tickets well in advance in order to reach the offbeat destinations?
The bookings do not get filled as quickly as the bookings get filled for regular destinations. If one books the tickets well in advance, one can save a lot of money.
Are offbeat destinations in India famous?
Yes, it is very much safe to travel to offbeat destinations in India. These places are not much frequented but there are many safety protocols that are implemented in India.
Is enough transport facility available at all these offbeat destinations?
To tour within the region, there are many private vehicle operators. One can also take cabs and other vehicles which one can drive by self to go sightseeing.
Can one visit these offbeat destinations by not knowing the local language?
Yes, one can visit. The places in South India can be visited by knowing English as many know the basics of the language. When it comes to North and other regions of North India, one can manage with Hindi.
Are these offbeat destinations suitable for taking children on a trip?
There are many places under nature’s basket where the children can have a wholesome time. The less pollution levels of these places is an added advantage.
Are these offbeat destinations well connected to all the major cities?
Yes, all these places are well connected to all major parts of the country. These places are located very near to international airports and railway junctions.
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
