In case you are tired of visiting those cliché, similar destinations that are over-commercialized and provide nothing but the same experience, then you should look out for some offbeat places in North India that are yet unexplored and would provide you a unique experience every time.
You could explore your secret gem and experience the nature in its raw form. Seldom can you find these places on a map but we have sorted the list and picked the best out of the rest. And yeah, plan secretly as you don’t want the place to populate soon enough.
10 Offbeat Places In North India
Here are some of the best offbeat places in North India which will definitely surprise you with its beauty and of course the surreal surroundings. There are some amazing, unheard and unexplored places that you would definitely love exploring. Scroll below to know more!
1. Manila, Uttarakhand
Image Credits: Suraj Bhakuni for Wikimedia
The list of offbeat places in North India is incomplete without mentioning Manila. By the way, have you heard of Manila – and no, not the capital of the Philippines, but a hamlet in Uttarakhand. Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, the calm and sleepiness of Manila will impress you. With dense forests around, you can view Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchchulli peaks. The early morning or evening golden rays will be a mighty sight for your eyes. There have never been any offbeat destinations in North India as serene and peaceful as Manila. The place is also popular for Maa Manila Temple.
How to reach: The best way to reach Manila is via road as Ranikhet being the closest town has some connecting buses that ply regularly.
Must Read: 49 Beautiful Places To Visit In North India For A Refreshing Vacay
2. Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
Lansdowne is one of the few offbeat places in North India which is of the British origin. You can take up activities like trekking, strolling, sightseeing, boating and many more. The place is surrounded by a hoard of oak and pine trees and got its name after Lord Lansdowne, who was Indian Viceroy from 1888-1894. This place provides an ideal holiday destination for a lazy and relaxed holiday and easily reachable from any part of India, especially, Delhi. It is one of the perfect offbeat destinations near Delhi.
How to reach: Lansdowne has got good motorable roads. The nearest airport is in Dehradun and the nearest railhead would be Kotdwar (40 km away). You have various options to travel to Kotdwar from all major cities via train.
Suggested Read: 20 Best Places To Visit In North India In Monsoon
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3. Hemis, Ladakh
In the peaceful and serene regions of Ladakh, lies one of the best offbeat destinations in North India. A village that goes by the name of Hemis and is quite popular for the Hemis Festival and buddhist monasteries. You can definitely plan a long weekend trip to Hemis owing to its mystic nature and vivid wildlife. And, if you are a wildlife lover, the Hemis National Park is definitely going to impress you when you can watch the endangered snow leopard.
How to reach: Hemis is well connected via roadways and whatever you choose, railways or air travel to Leh, you will eventually reach Hemis through well connected roads.
Suggested Read: 22 Breathtaking Honeymoon Destinations In North India
4. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Image Credits: Rachit Trehan for Pixabay
Spiti valley is one of those offbeat places in North India which many know about but few visit. The valley is a cold desert situated between the mountains with green patches of landscape and quiet villages. The valley is also popular for its stark cultural influence and Buddhism largely prevails in the region. Life has been peaceful for centuries with less interference from the outside world. The pristine nature will definitely make you fall in love with Spiti while the charming rivers will remind you of dreams.
How to reach: Are you familiar with Manali? Of course, you are! Take a bus or flight till Manali, then Spiti is really close. From Manali, we highly recommend you to hire a taxi to reach Spiti Valley.
Suggested Read: 15 Secrets Of North East India Locals Have Been Keeping To Themselves
5. Chopta, Uttarakhand
Image Credits: Vipul Kothari for Wikimedia
Chopta is a small village of meadows and evergreen forest area that is the major part of its landscape. It acts as a trekking camp for many popular treks in Uttarakhand like the Panch Kedar trek and Tugnath trek. Famous as the “Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand”, Chopta is one of the most unexplored and offbeat places in North India. While deodar, pine and rhododendrons form a majority of lush greenery around, The unobstructed view of the mountains like Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba will entice you to stay forever in Chopta.
How to reach: Roadways connectivity to Chopta is pretty well and taxis, buses, cabs, whatever you choose, you can reach Chopta.
Suggested Read: 13 Serene Places To Visit In Chopta That Will Make Your Mood Delightful
6. Nubra Valley, Ladakh
Image Credits: Ashwin Kumar for Wikimedia
We welcome you to Nubra valley, one of the best offbeat places in North India popular particularly in the mountain biking community. The valley comes under Ladakh where the Nubra and Shyok rivers cut through the region. The remote valley is among the most stunning regions of the Indian Himalayas. World’s highest motorable road at 5,602 m runs through Nubra valley which has given rise to several biking expeditions. The immense views of the region will only make you take more pictures in your head.
How to reach: There are airports, railway stations and bus terminals near Nubra but only the biking community knows the best way to reach Nubra. Otherwise, you can arrive at the Leh airport and Jammu railway station. From either of these places, you must hire a cab to reach Nubra valley.
Suggested Read: 14 Highway Dhabas in North India for Your Hungry Soul
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7. Valley Of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Image Credits: Naresh Chandra for Wikimedia
Have you visited this heaven on earth? It is not another of your offbeat places in North India but spectacularly vivid and beautiful. Imparted with rare and exotic Himalayan flora, the Valley of Flowers is literally a huge bouquet. The valley is rich in forest area and the Pushpawati river cuts across the region. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a diverse range of flora and mystical beauty.
How to reach: Do you like trekking? Because you can take a train to Rishikesh or a flight to Dehradun and then buses from either. However, buses only fare till Govindghat. From there, there is a 16 km trek to reach the Valley of Flowers.
Suggested Read: 11 Beautiful Valleys In Uttarakhand
8. Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh
Have you visited Dalhousie? Well, a little further ahead in the valleys of Dalhouse lies Khajjiar, the best of offbeat places in North India. It is a hill station bestowed with lush open areas, forests, lakes, and so much. Khajjiar is one of the few locations in the world with a similar topography to Switzerland and hence its nickname “Mini Switzerland”. As much as summers are a treat, experiencing snowfall in Khajjiar is equally divine that transports you to a different world.
How to reach: You have 2 options to reach Khajjiar and both include a road trip at the later stage. Catch a train till Pathankot and hire a cab, or find a local bus to visit Khajjiar. Or you can take a direct bus to Dalhousie or Chamba and a local bus from there to reach Khajjiar.
Suggested Read: 15 Places To Visit In Khajjiar That Will Make You Say ‘Wow’!
9. Tirthan Valley
Image Credits: Aniket Singh for Wikimedia
The travel community often speaks about Himachal’s best kept secrets – including the towns of Malana, Kasol and Kheerganga. Enters Tirthan Valley, one of the well-preserved, unexplored and offbeat places in North India. The Tirthan valley trek is highly popular among those few visiting here. Apart from that, there is a plethora of activities to undertake including wildlife watching, fishing, and exploring villages. Plenty of expeditions like riverside camping, sightseeing, waterfalls and so much more awaits.
How to reach: The best way to reach Tirthan valley is via road either directly from Delhi (via bus). However, one can also take a train till Ambala or Kiratpur and then hire a cab or rent a car to self-drive in the beautiful landscape.
Suggested Read: 20 Tirthan Valley Hotels And Resorts That Are Synonymous With Comfort And Luxury
10. Malana, Himachal Pradesh
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Malana is a little Greece in India. It is isolated and known for its strong cultural roots and beliefs, ideal for people spiritual seekers. Malana has two famous temples – the Jamadagni Temple and the Shrine of Renuka Devi, which are a form of major attractions of this place is a must-visit while you are in Malana. Other popular places to visit in Malana include the Deodar laden forests, Malana Dam, Chanderkheni, Deo Tibba Mountain, Parvati Valley and more.
How to reach: To reach Malana, you need to reach Kasol and then to a place called Jari. From Jari, various cabs are available which would charge you around INR 800 to drop you at the heart of the village.
Further Read: A Handy Delhi To Shimla Trains Guide For First Time Visitors To North India
These offbeat places in North India have a lesser number of footfall and provide an out of the box experience. Supreme, serene, exotic and rich – the exact sort of time you have when you trip to North India and explore these landmarks. With their own identity and culture, the exclusive time spent is priceless. Make sure to get your bags ready and packed for the best places await your arrival.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Offbeat Places In North India
Are these offbeat locations easy to reach?
Well, they are well connected but maybe you don’t get the traditional way to travel to this location and will have to take varied forms of transport to reach these destinations.
Are these places good for couples to travel?
Well, most of these places have difficult terrain, so in case your partner likes that kind of adventure, then it would be preferred to bring to these destinations.
Are these places meant for backpackers only?
Well, any kind of traveler can come to these locations however, what is required is a zeal to travel and explore. In case you are looking for a relaxed and lazing experience, then you might not like to take up these destinations for your holiday.
What makes these locations an offbeat location?
The raw and unique experience available at these locations make them a perfect off-beat location.
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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!
